Deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and the white clot syndrome

Thromboembolic events such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are very uncommon in the pediatric age group; even more rare is the white clot syndrome. We present the case of a 13-year-old girl who presented with no known risk factors for thromboembolic disease or cardiopulmonary complaints, yet was found to have extensive lower extremity DVT and PE. This patient also suffered the rare but potentially devastating complication of heparin therapy referred to as the white clot syndrome, resulting in amputation of the lower extremity. Greater awareness of both thromboembolic disease in children and the white clot syndrome may lessen the morbidity and mortality associated with these entities.