The animal models for hemorrhage and thrombosis in the neonate

Animal models have added significantly to our understanding of adult hemorrhagic and thrombotic diseases. Few models, however, have been developed for studies of the hemostatic disorders in the fetus and newborn. This report reviews the current information on animal models of fetal and neonatal hemostasis. The requirements of a relevant model are addressed and previous studies using fetal and neonatal animal models are reviewed. A recommendation of a single animal for all studies of fetal and neonatal hemostasis is not possible. However, the lamb has been the most frequently studied and appears to provide relevant information regarding normal development and the factors which may adversely influence hemostasis in the fetus and newborn. Animal models, in contrast to in vitro experiments, provide a means of studying the entire spectrum of biologic consequences that results from a single experimentally induced alteration. In the "Introduction to the Study of Experimental Medicine" Claude Bernard commented "I not only conclude that experiments made on animals from the physiological, pathological, and therapeutic points of view have results that are applicable to theoretic medicine, but I think that without such comparative study of animals, practical medicine can never acquire a scientific character". In the area of blood coagulation, animal models have added significantly to our understanding of the pathophysiology of hemorrhage and thrombosis. There are animal models for both congenital and acquired bleeding disorders including factor VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, and fibrinogen deficiency; as well as von Willebrand's disease and disorders of platelet function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)