Eculizumab in paediatric atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome: Lessons learned from a single‐centre experience in the United Arab Emirates

• Published in: Journal of paediatrics and child health Vol. 55; no. 10; pp. 1237 - 1240
• Main Authors: Kumar, Gurinder, Al‐Masri, Omar, Alismaili, Zubaida, Tawfik, Eslam, Al‐Ghabra, Mohammed K, Ilyas, Sadia H, Al‐Khasawneh, Eihab
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 01.10.2019; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Anemia; Blood clots; childhood; Drug therapy; efficacy; haemolytic anaemia; Kidney diseases; Kidneys; Monoclonal antibodies; Pediatrics; renal disease; safety; Vein & artery diseases; United Arab Emirates; haemolytic anaemia; childhood; safety; efficacy; renal disease
• ISSN: 1034-4810; 1440-1754
• DOI: 10.1111/jpc.14390

Aim Atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) is a debilitating condition that can cause significant morbidity and mortality in children if not adequately and promptly treated. This report shares real‐world data on the use of eculizumab in children with aHUS. Methods We report our experience with the use of eculizumab in 14 children with aHUS. Results The median age at aHUS diagnosis was 12 months (range: 2–108 months), with six (42.9%) patients presenting in infancy and six (42.9%) being males. Eculizumab therapy was associated with haematological and thrombotic microangiopathy responses in 14 (100%) and 13 (92.9%) patients after a median of 9 days (range: 7–12 days) and 9.5 days (range: 7–14 days), respectively. None of the six patients who were previously treated with plasma therapy required any further infusions. Of the six patients who previously required dialysis, only one patient continued to do so and eventually received a renal transplant. The median time to ≥25% decrease in serum creatinine level in the remaining patients was 16 days (range: 14–21 days), and estimated glomerular filtration rate increased from a median of 17–101 mL/min/1.73 m2. The safety profile was similar to that reported in the literature, and 10 patients continue to receive therapy, with 3 being on the drug for 4 or more years. Conclusion Our study adds to the growing body of evidence highlighting the efficacy and safety of eculizumab for the management of children with aHUS.