Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 21, 2026

Large-scale Production of Recombinant RNAs on a Circular Scaffold Using a Viroid-derived System in Escherichia coli
10:38

Large-scale Production of Recombinant RNAs on a Circular Scaffold Using a Viroid-derived System in Escherichia coli

Published on: November 30, 2018

8.7K

[Thromboprophylaxis in critically ill children in Spain and Portugal]

A Rodríguez Núñez1, M Fonte2, E V S Faustino3

  • 1Servicio de Críticos y Urgencias Pediátricas, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, La Coruña, España.

Anales De Pediatria (Barcelona, Spain : 2003)
|June 9, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Thromboprophylaxis is underutilized in critically ill children despite DVT risk factors. Low molecular weight heparin is common, but mechanical methods are rare, highlighting a need for clear guidelines.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
  • Venous Thromboembolism Prevention
  • Pharmacological Interventions

Background:

  • Critically ill children face risks of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), yet data on incidence and prophylaxis effectiveness are limited.
  • Identifying risk factors and current thromboprophylaxis practices in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess thromboprophylaxis use in critically ill children in Spain and Portugal.
  • To compare these practices with international data from other developed countries.

Main Methods:

  • Secondary analysis of the multinational PROTRACT study data.
  • Inclusion of patients under 18 years old in 59 PICUs across 7 countries, excluding those on therapeutic anticoagulation.
  • Comparison of patient demographics and thromboprophylaxis strategies between Iberian (Spain/Portugal) and international PICUs.

Main Results:

  • Iberian PICUs had higher frequencies of DVT risk factors, including central venous catheters and sepsis.
  • Pharmacological thromboprophylaxis rates were similar (15.3% vs. 12.0%), with low molecular weight heparin predominantly used in Iberian patients.
  • Mechanical thromboprophylaxis was significantly underused in Iberian PICUs (6.8%) compared to international PICUs (23.8%).

Conclusions:

  • Thromboprophylaxis is infrequently prescribed in critically ill children, even with identified DVT risk factors.
  • Low molecular weight heparin is the most common pharmacological agent, while mechanical prophylaxis is rarely employed.
  • A consensus on standardized guidelines for thromboprophylaxis in pediatric critical care is urgently needed.
Abstract

Keywords:
AnticoagulaciónAnticoagulationDeep venous thrombosisHeparinHeparinaPediatric intensive care unitPediatricsPediatríaTrombosis venosa profundaUnidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos

More Related Videos

Accessing the Cytotoxicity and Cell Response to Biomaterials09:46

Accessing the Cytotoxicity and Cell Response to Biomaterials

Published on: July 8, 2021

4.2K
Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Electroencephalographic Assessment in Disorders of Consciousness04:04

Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Electroencephalographic Assessment in Disorders of Consciousness

Published on: July 11, 2025

2.2K

Related Concept Videos

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management01:30

Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management

Nursing management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's health history. Key factors include trauma to veins, peripherally inserted central catheters, varicose veins, recent pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, bacteremia, prolonged bed rest, atrial fibrillation, COPD, heart failure, cancer, coagulation disorders, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, stroke, prolonged travel, recent bone fractures, and dehydration. Review medication intake, particularly oral contraceptives,...
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:29

Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...