The Unique Challenges of Hemostatic Testing in Children

The laboratory plays an integral role in the hemostatic evaluation and diagnosis of illness in infants and children. Physiologic hemostatic differences in children, known as developmental hemostasis, are reflected in pediatric‐specific hemostatic testing results. Consequently, the clinical management and safe and effective treatment of hemorrhage and thrombosis in children relies on the understanding of these hemostatic differences by health providers. There are challenges to interpretation of the hemostatic differences in children which can be facilitated the laboratory. Therefore, the importance of collaboration between the laboratory and health providers cannot be understated, and in doing so, will ensure that best patient care is achieved. Hemostatic testing is necessary to manage children in a number of clinical scenarios, and to provide safe and effective management of anticoagulation.