Prolonged Immobility Due to Digital Exposure: A Rising Risk of E-Thrombosis in the Digital Age

BackgroundProlonged immobility associated with digital screen exposure-termed "e-thrombosis"-is an emerging concern for Generation Z and Alpha. While thromboprophylaxis is standard for surgical or travel-related stasis, screen-related inactivity in adolescents remains under-recognized. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of digital device-related inactivity on the development of thrombosis in adolescents.MethodsThis retrospective observational study included children followed for thrombosis at the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Kırıkkale University Faculty of Medicine, between 2010 and 2024. Demographic data of adolescent patients were obtained from the hospital data system. Adolescents with thrombosis who reported ≥4 h of daily screen exposure included. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with patients and their parents to verify screen exposure duration, and digital usage records were reviewed in detail.ResultsOut of 71 pediatric thrombosis cases, 11 adolescents met the inclusion criteria for prolonged screen exposure. The study group spent an average of 6 ± 1 h daily on digital devices (gaming, education, or social media), with uninterrupted immobility lasting 2.7 ± 0.9 h. Clinical diagnosis included lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (n = 8), pulmonary embolism (n = 2), and subclavian vein thrombosis (n = 1). Genetic thrombophilia mutations were identified in 9 out of 11 patients.ConclusionProlonged immobility associated with the widespread use of digital devices constitutes a significant, yet frequently underrecognized, risk factor for thrombosis, particularly in adolescents with a genetic predisposition. As increasing screen exposure leads to various health complications in the youth, enhancing clinical awareness and integrating prophylactic strategies into daily practice is of paramount importance.