Neonatal thromboembolism

In neonates and infants numerous clinical and environmental conditions such as the use of central lines, cardiac diseases and polycythemia, renal diseases such as congenital nephrotic syndrome and neonatal hemolytic uremic syndrome, peripartal asphyxia, infants of diabetic mothers, dehydration, septicemia, necrotizing enterocolitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation lead to elevated thrombin generation and subsequent thrombus formation. Genetic prothrombotic defects [protein C, protein S and antithrombin deficiency, mutations of coagulation factor V and factor II, elevated lipoprotein (a)] have been established as risk factors for thromboembolic events. The interpretation of laboratory results relies on age-dependent normal reference values. Because appropriate clinical trials are missing in these age groups, treatment recommendations are adapted from small-scale studies in neonates and infants and from guidelines relating to adult patient protocols. Secondary long-term anticoagulation should be administered on an individual basis.