Thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome in a child with Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A rare Case Report

Abstract BACKGROUNDAntiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a noninflammatory autoimmune disorder induced by antiphospholipid antibodies, which exceedingly rarely occurs in pediatric population and even more rarely reported in HIV positive children.CASE SUMMARYA 11 years old boy had a sudden onset left lower extremity swelling with pain and the symptoms gradually worsened. Initial one-month topical treatment was ineffective and the symptoms aggravated until suddenly spread to the root of his thigh, accompanied by left lower extremity dyskinesia. Both ultrasonography and vascular CT scan on left lower extremity revealed deep venous thrombosis. His serum aPLs antibodies were tested positive. He experienced a virology failure with substantial HIV viral load (VL) despite receiving regular antiretroviral therapy (ART). The symptoms recovered after aggressive antithrombotic and high-dose corticosteroids treatments.CONCLUSIONWhen pediatric individuals develop thrombotic disease, APS also needs to be ruled out. The autoantibodies levels should be routinely tested to look for recurrent thrombosis in children with HIV/AIDS.