[Thrombotic occlusion of the abdominal aorta in the neonatal period--successful thrombolytic treatment]

Abstract

Aortic thrombosis during neonatal period is rare and usually related to an umbilical artery catheter. In an infant (birth weight 3110 gm) with complete thrombosis of the abdominal aorta distal to the renal arteries of unknown etiology we started a fibrinolytic therapy with streptokinase at the age of 12 days (streptokinase intravenously with an initial loading dose of 3000 U/kg, maintenance 1000 U/kg/hr for 2 days). This was followed by a heparinisation (10,000 U/m2/d, 24 hours later 200 U/kg/d). 72 hours after onset of therapy there was no blood pressure difference between upper and lower limbs. Side-effects of therapy did not occur; the success of medical treatment continued after termination of the heparinisation.