Neonatal Venous Thromboembolism

Neonates are the pediatric population at highest risk for development of venous thromboembolism (VTE), and the incidence of VTE in the neonatal population is increasing. This is especially true in the critically ill population. Several large studies indicate that the incidence of neonatal VTE is up...

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Main Author: Kristina M. Haley
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2017-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Pediatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fped.2017.00136/full
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author Kristina M. Haley
author_facet Kristina M. Haley
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description Neonates are the pediatric population at highest risk for development of venous thromboembolism (VTE), and the incidence of VTE in the neonatal population is increasing. This is especially true in the critically ill population. Several large studies indicate that the incidence of neonatal VTE is up almost threefold in the last two decades. Central lines, fluid fluctuations, sepsis, liver dysfunction, and inflammation contribute to the risk profile for VTE development in ill neonates. In addition, the neonatal hemostatic system is different from that of older children and adults. Platelet function, pro- and anticoagulant proteins concentrations, and fibrinolytic pathway protein concentrations are developmentally regulated and generate a hemostatic homeostasis that is unique to the neonatal time period. The clinical picture of a critically ill neonate combined with the physiologically distinct neonatal hemostatic system easily fulfills the criteria for Virchow’s triad with venous stasis, hypercoagulability, and endothelial injury and puts the neonatal patient at risk for VTE development. The presentation of a VTE in a neonate is similar to that of older children or adults and is dependent upon location of the VTE. Ultrasound is the most common diagnostic tool employed in identifying neonatal VTE, but relatively small vessels of the neonate as well as frequent low pulse pressure can make ultrasound less reliable. The diagnosis of a thrombophilic disorder in the neonatal population is unlikely to change management or outcome, and the role of thrombophilia testing in this population requires further study. Treatment of neonatal VTE is aimed at reducing VTE-associated morbidity and mortality. Recommendations for treating, though, cannot be extrapolated from guidelines for older children or adults. Neonates are at risk for bleeding complications, particularly younger neonates with more fragile intracranial vessels. Developmental alterations in the coagulation proteins as well as unique pharmacokinetics must also be taken into consideration when recommending VTE treatment. In this review, epidemiology of neonatal VTE, pathophysiology of neonatal VTE with particular attention to the developmental hemostatic system, diagnostic evaluations of neonatal VTE, and treatment guidelines for neonatal VTE will be reviewed.
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spelling doaj.art-2be6f2cbd03a4dd9b333062c80d8a3352022-12-21T19:02:19ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602017-06-01510.3389/fped.2017.00136252488Neonatal Venous ThromboembolismKristina M. Haley0Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United StatesNeonates are the pediatric population at highest risk for development of venous thromboembolism (VTE), and the incidence of VTE in the neonatal population is increasing. This is especially true in the critically ill population. Several large studies indicate that the incidence of neonatal VTE is up almost threefold in the last two decades. Central lines, fluid fluctuations, sepsis, liver dysfunction, and inflammation contribute to the risk profile for VTE development in ill neonates. In addition, the neonatal hemostatic system is different from that of older children and adults. Platelet function, pro- and anticoagulant proteins concentrations, and fibrinolytic pathway protein concentrations are developmentally regulated and generate a hemostatic homeostasis that is unique to the neonatal time period. The clinical picture of a critically ill neonate combined with the physiologically distinct neonatal hemostatic system easily fulfills the criteria for Virchow’s triad with venous stasis, hypercoagulability, and endothelial injury and puts the neonatal patient at risk for VTE development. The presentation of a VTE in a neonate is similar to that of older children or adults and is dependent upon location of the VTE. Ultrasound is the most common diagnostic tool employed in identifying neonatal VTE, but relatively small vessels of the neonate as well as frequent low pulse pressure can make ultrasound less reliable. The diagnosis of a thrombophilic disorder in the neonatal population is unlikely to change management or outcome, and the role of thrombophilia testing in this population requires further study. Treatment of neonatal VTE is aimed at reducing VTE-associated morbidity and mortality. Recommendations for treating, though, cannot be extrapolated from guidelines for older children or adults. Neonates are at risk for bleeding complications, particularly younger neonates with more fragile intracranial vessels. Developmental alterations in the coagulation proteins as well as unique pharmacokinetics must also be taken into consideration when recommending VTE treatment. In this review, epidemiology of neonatal VTE, pathophysiology of neonatal VTE with particular attention to the developmental hemostatic system, diagnostic evaluations of neonatal VTE, and treatment guidelines for neonatal VTE will be reviewed.http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fped.2017.00136/fulldevelopmental hemostasisneonatal thrombosisthrombophilianeonatal venous thromboembolismrenal vein thrombosis
spellingShingle Kristina M. Haley
Neonatal Venous Thromboembolism
Frontiers in Pediatrics
developmental hemostasis
neonatal thrombosis
thrombophilia
neonatal venous thromboembolism
renal vein thrombosis
title Neonatal Venous Thromboembolism
title_full Neonatal Venous Thromboembolism
title_fullStr Neonatal Venous Thromboembolism
title_full_unstemmed Neonatal Venous Thromboembolism
title_short Neonatal Venous Thromboembolism
title_sort neonatal venous thromboembolism
topic developmental hemostasis
neonatal thrombosis
thrombophilia
neonatal venous thromboembolism
renal vein thrombosis
url http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fped.2017.00136/full
work_keys_str_mv AT kristinamhaley neonatalvenousthromboembolism