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Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in the pediatric trauma patient

John K Petty1

  • 1Section of Pediatric Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157.

Seminars in Pediatric Surgery
|March 18, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is uncommon in pediatric trauma patients, but its risks and the effectiveness of VTE prophylaxis require further study. Prophylaxis may benefit critically injured adolescents, but more research is needed for all injured children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Trauma Care
  • Hematology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Venous thromboembolism (VTE) affects less than 1% of hospitalized pediatric trauma patients.
  • The risks and consequences of VTE in children are significant but variable.
  • The effectiveness of VTE prophylaxis in pediatric trauma is not well-established, unlike in adults.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the incidence and risks of VTE in pediatric trauma.
  • To assess the merits and potential benefits of VTE prophylaxis in injured children.
  • To inform clinical decision-making regarding VTE prophylaxis in pediatric trauma patients.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review evaluating VTE incidence and risks in pediatric trauma.
  • Assessment of existing evidence on the effectiveness of VTE prophylaxis in children.
  • Analysis of VTE prophylaxis strategies in adult trauma and their applicability to pediatrics.

Main Results:

  • VTE occurs in a small percentage of pediatric trauma cases.
  • The risks associated with VTE in children are variable.
  • Pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis is considered a reasonable strategy for critically injured adolescent trauma patients.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is essential to determine the precise risks and benefits of VTE prophylaxis across the spectrum of injured children.
  • Clinical guidelines for VTE prophylaxis in pediatric trauma require more robust evidence.
  • Individualized risk-benefit assessments are crucial for VTE prophylaxis decisions in pediatric trauma care.

Keywords:
Deep venous thrombosisPediatricPreventionPulmonary embolismTraumaVenous thromboembolism

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