Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2025

Author Spotlight: A Novel Method for Comprehensive Cell Component Analysis of Cerebral Blood Clots
Published on: July 21, 2023
Epidemiology and risk factors for thrombosis in children and newborns: systematic evaluation and meta-analysis
Shuang Song1, Zhuowei Li2, Guozhen Zhao3
1Integrative Medicine Institute, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Insights
This meta-analysis identified key risk factors for thrombosis in pediatric and neonatal intensive care units. Central venous catheterization, infection/sepsis, mechanical ventilation, and surgery significantly increase thrombosis risk in critically ill children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care medicine
- Neonatal intensive care
- Vascular medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Thrombosis poses a significant health risk to children and neonates.
- Established risk factors for pediatric and neonatal thrombosis remain incompletely understood.
- Accurate identification of thrombosis risk factors is crucial for effective clinical management.
Conclusions:
- Central venous catheterization, surgery, mechanical ventilation, infection/sepsis, gestational age, and respiratory distress are significant risk factors for thrombosis in pediatric and neonatal ICU patients.
- These identified risk factors can aid clinicians in recognizing high-risk individuals.
- Findings support the development and implementation of tailored preventive measures to mitigate thrombosis in critically ill children and neonates.
Background:
Thrombosis is a serious condition in children and neonates. However, the risk factors for thrombosis have not been conclusively determined. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for thrombosis in children and neonates in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) through a meta-analysis to better guide clinical treatment.
Methods:
A systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, WOS, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP) was conducted to retrieve studies from creation on 23 May 2022. Data on the year of publication, study design, country of origin, number of patients/controls, ethnicity, and type of thrombus were extracted. The publication bias and heterogeneity between studies were assessed, and pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed or random effects models.
Results:
A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria. The incidence of thrombosis in children was 2% per year (95% CI 1%-2%, P < 0.01). Infection and sepsis (OR = 1.95, P < 0.01), CVC (OR = 3.66, [95%CL 1.78-7.51], P < 0.01), mechanical ventilation (OR = 2.1, [95%CL1.47-3.01], P < 0.01), surgery (OR = 2.25, [95%CL1.2-4.22], P < 0.01), respiratory distress (OR = 1.39, [95%CL0.42-4.63], P < 0.01), ethnicities (OR = 0.88, [95%CL 0.79-0.98], P = 0.78), gestational age (OR = 1.5, [95%CL1.34-1.68], P = 0.65)were identified as risk factors for thrombosis.
Conclusions:
This meta-analysis suggests that CVC, Surgery, mechanical ventilation, Infection/sepsis, gestational age, Respiratory distress, and different ethnicities are risk factors for thrombosis in children and neonates in ICU. These findings may help clinicians to identify high-risk patients and develop appropriate prevention strategies.
Trial Registration:
PROSPERO (CRD 42022333449).
Related Concept Videos
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Disorders of Hemostasis
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.

