Thrombosis of the abdominal aorta in newborn: About two cases

Aortic thrombosis in neonates is a rare phenomenon, and in most cases iatrogenic. An early recognition of the clinical features and an immediate intervention can offer a better prognosis, and thus preventing morbidity such as limb amputation, and even mortality.

We present two cases of full-term newborns with a thrombosis of the abdominal aorta hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit of Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech in 2017 and 2019.

The two patients presented swelling and cyanotic lower limbs. Doppler ultrasound revealed a pathological lower limb blood flow as a result of a thrombosis of the abdominal aorta. Both patients underwent an anticoagulant therapy, the first one benefited from a surgical thrombectomy, he developed a reperfusion syndrome with alveolar hemorrhage, and passed away as a result of a cardiorespiratory arrest. However the second patient got amputated of the right foot, his clinical evolution was favorable with a good healing of the surgical wound without recurrence of any thrombosis.

Through those cases clinicians should be aware of the first clinical signs of this condition in order to offer a rapid and successful management.