Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 22, 2025

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Epidemiology of thrombosis in Canadian neonatal intensive care units
Walid El-Naggar1, Eugene W Yoon2, Douglas McMillan3
1Department of Pediatrics, IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada. walid.el-naggar@iwk.nshealth.ca.
Objective:
To assess the rate, location, risk factors, management, and outcomes of neonatal thrombosis (NT).
Design:
A retrospective study investigating infants admitted to NICUs in Canadian Neonatal Network between January 2014 and December 2016 and diagnosed with NT. Each infant with NT was matched with an infant without NT.
Results:
Of 39,971 infants, 587 (1.5%) were diagnosed with NT: 440 (75%) venous, 112 (19%) arterial, 29 (5%) both. NT rate was 1.4% in full-term and 1.7% in preterm infants. Venous thrombi occurred most commonly in the portal vein and arterial thrombi in the cerebral artery. Conservative management and low molecular weight heparin were the most common treatment modalities. Hospital stay was longer (p < 0.001) in the NT patients, but mortality was similar.
Conclusions:
NT was diagnosed in ~15/1000 NICU admissions and most commonly in the portal vein and cerebral arteries. Management varied based on the type and location of thrombi. Large multicenter trials are needed to address the best management strategies.
Related Concept Videos
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management

