Pulmonary Embolism in Children: A Case Series

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
• Cardiology
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant cause of mortality in adults, but its presentation and diagnosis in children are less understood.
• Literature on pediatric PE is sparse, and clinical manifestations often differ from adults, presenting nonspecifically.

Observation:

• A case series of four pediatric patients diagnosed with PE between December 2019 and March 2020.
• All patients presented with tachycardia and dyspnea.
• Identified risk factors included deep vein thrombosis, nephrotic syndrome, soft tissue infection, and infective endocarditis.

Findings:

• Three out of four pediatric patients diagnosed with PE survived after anticoagulation therapy.
• One child with PE unfortunately died.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering PE in children, especially those with identified risk factors.
• Emphasizes that early diagnosis and prompt treatment of pediatric PE can be life-saving.