Applicability of the Curaçao Criteria for the Diagnosis of Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia in the Pediatric Population

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of the clinical Curaçao criteria in the diagnosis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) in children and adolescents. Study design: This was a retrospective, multicenter chart review of 673 patients evaluated between 2002 and 2016; 290 were eligible for the study. Genetic testing for a pathogenic mutation was considered the gold standard against which the clinical Curaçao criteria were compared. Patients were divided into 4 age categories: 0-5, 6-10, 11-15, and 16-21-years. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each age group, and for the overall population. Results: Overall the Curaçao criteria had a sensitivity of 68% (95% CI 60%-76%) and a specificity of 98% (95% CI 91%-100%). Sensitivity was lowest in the 0- to 5-year group, and increased with advancing age. The Curaçao criteria had the highest sensitivity in the 16- to 21-year-olds. Specificity was 100% in all age groups except for the 11- to 15-year-olds. Conclusions: This study evaluated the use of the Curaçao criteria for the diagnosis of HHT in the pediatric population with a family history of HHT. In those between the age of 0 and 21 years who meet 1 criterion (unlikely HHT) or 2 criteria (possible HHT), genetic testing is preferred for diagnosis. The Curaçao criteria appear to reliably diagnose HHT in children and adolescents who meet 3 or 4 criteria (definite HHT).