Kids with rare autoimmune disease show these symptoms before blood clots

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is rare in children and known to cause inflammation and recurring, potentially fatal, blood clots. Researchers found that two-thirds of children with the autoimmune disease experienced additional symptoms not formally associated with APS, including low platelet counts, hemolytic anemia and livedo reticularis, a rash indicating abnormal blood flow to the skin. Investigators say the findings underscore the importance of creating pediatric-specific criteria for the diagnosis of APS.