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Published on: February 10, 2023

Preventing venous thrombosis in critically ill children: what is the right approach?

Alice J Braga1, Amber E R Young

  • 1Department of Anaesthesia, South West Paediatric Burns and Neuroscience Services, Frenchay Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK.

Paediatric Anaesthesia
|February 9, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric venous thromboembolic (VTE) prophylaxis lacks standardized guidelines in England and Wales. This study highlights the need for simple, empirical measures to prevent VTE in critically ill children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Thrombosis and hemostasis research
  • Evidence-based medicine in pediatrics

Background:

  • Rising incidence of venous thromboembolic (VTE) events in pediatric populations.
  • Absence of established consensus on VTE prophylaxis for children.
  • Need for standardized preventative strategies in pediatric intensive care.

Observation:

  • Survey of 24 pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and burns centers in England and Wales.
  • Only one PICU utilized specific pediatric VTE prophylaxis guidelines.
  • Most units lacked formal guidelines, relying on individual case management or adapted adult protocols.

Findings:

  • Significant variation in current pediatric VTE prophylaxis practices.
  • Limited availability of specific pediatric VTE prevention guidelines across surveyed units.
  • Prevalence of consultant-led, case-by-case decision-making for VTE prophylaxis.

Implications:

  • Urgent need for developing and implementing evidence-based pediatric VTE prophylaxis guidelines.
  • Proposal for simple, empirical measures to mitigate VTE risk in critically ill children.
  • Addressing the under-recognition of VTE in pediatric patients through standardized care.
Abstract

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