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Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Thrombosis in newborn infants
Viviana Bacciedoni1,2, Myriam Attie3, Hugo Donato4
1Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Pediátrico Alexander Fleming, Mendoza, M5500GEE, Argentina.
Insights
Neonatal thrombosis, common in infants due to immature hemostasis and catheter use, requires prompt antithrombotic therapy. Severe cases like purpura fulminans need specific treatments such as protein C replacement.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Hematology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Neonatal thrombosis incidence surpasses other pediatric stages.
- Immature hemostatic system, risk factors, and vascular catheter use contribute to thrombosis.
- Venous thromboses (limbs, renal veins, right atrium) are more common than arterial.
- Stroke can result from arterial or venous cerebral system occlusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the incidence, causes, and management of thrombosis in newborn infants.
- To highlight severe thrombotic conditions like purpura fulminans and their specific treatments.
- To outline current therapeutic strategies for neonatal thrombotic events.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of neonatal thrombosis.
- Analysis of risk factors and common thrombotic sites.
- Summary of treatment modalities including antithrombotic, replacement, and thrombolytic therapies.
Main Results:
- Neonatal hemostatic system immaturity and catheter use are key factors.
- Venous thromboses are more prevalent than arterial.
- Purpura fulminans is a critical condition linked to protein deficiencies.
- Heparins are primary antithrombotic agents; thrombolytics are reserved for severe cases.
Conclusions:
- Prompt diagnosis and management are crucial for neonatal thrombosis.
- Antithrombotic therapy with heparins is standard for most events.
- Specific treatments are vital for severe conditions like purpura fulminans and life-threatening thrombosis.
Abstract:
The incidence of thrombosis is higher among newborn infants than in any other stage of pediatric development. This fact is the consequence of labile characteristics of the neonatal hemostatic system, in addition to exposure to multiple risk factors and the wide use of vascular catheters. Venous thromboses, which mainly affect the limbs, the right atrium and renal veins, are more frequently seen than arterial thromboses. A stroke may be caused by the occlusion of the arterial flow entering the brain or by occlusion of its venous drainage system. Purpura fulminans is a very severe condition that should be treated as a medical emergency, and is secondary to severe protein C deficiency or, less frequently, protein S or antithrombin deficiency. Most thrombotic events should be managed with antithrombotic therapy, which is done with unfractionated and/or low molecular weight heparins. Purpura fulminans requires protein C replacement and/or fresh frozen plasma infusion. Thrombolytic therapy is done using tissue plasminogen activator and should only be used for life-, or limb-, or organ-threatening thrombosis.
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