Pediatric Deep Venous Thrombosis Associated With Staphylococcal Infections: Single Institutional Experience

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) has been previously reported in children with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study reviews our institutional experience by evaluating characteristics and outcomes of children with DVT and staphylococcal infections. Retrospective clinical data from 16 pediatric patients with DVT and staphylococcal infections over a 5-year period was obtained via medical record abstraction. Sixteen patients with a median age at diagnosis of 8 years were included. The most common infection encountered was osteomyelitis (56%). The most common isolated organism was MRSA (63%). Central venous catheters were present in 50% of cases. All patients received anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin except 1 patient with superficial venous thrombosis who was managed conservatively. Fifty percent of patients had complete resolution of DVT by the end of treatment, 25% of the patients had early disappearance of the thrombus at 7 to 10 days. Only 2 patients (12.5%) had persistent thrombus at 6 months. Staphylococcal infections may increase the risk of DVT in children. Therefore, a high index of suspicion for DVT is warranted in children with Staphylococcal infections (particularly MRSA) to promptly diagnose, treat and minimize complications. Prophylactic anticoagulation in presence of staphylococcal infection, particularly MRSA, may be considered in future studies.