Influence of perioperative hypothermia on blood clotting in children

Area of Science:

• Medical Science
• Pediatric Anesthesiology
• Hematology

Background:

• Accidental hypothermia during anesthesia is a frequent complication.
• Pediatric patients, especially newborns, are highly susceptible to hypothermia's adverse effects.
• Hypothermia is a known cause of blood clotting disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between hypothermia during surgery and coagulation disorders in pediatric patients.
• To identify the most common scenarios of perioperative hypothermia in children.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Web of Science, SCOPUS, and PubMed.
• The search focused on original and review articles concerning hypothermia during surgery and pediatric coagulation disorders.
• Key terms included 'hypothermia,' 'coagulation disorder,' and 'pediatric patients.'

Main Results:

• Perioperative hypothermia is most prevalent in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.
• This surgical context has generated the most research on the hypothermia-coagulopathy link in children.
• The study highlights the significant association between low body temperature and impaired blood clotting in pediatric surgical patients.

Conclusions:

• Defining the precise temperature threshold for clinically significant coagulation disorders in pediatric patients requires further investigation.
• Differentiating the impact of hypothermia from other factors affecting hemostasis is crucial.
• More research is needed to fully understand and manage hypothermia-induced coagulopathy in children.