[Thromboembolic complications in pediatric orthopedics. Multicentric collection of 33 case reports]

Abstract

We report 33 cases of venous thrombosis of the limb, in children aged 15 years or less (average age is 10 years old): 22 acute thrombophlebitis have been treated, 11 children shown post-phlebitic disease. The thrombus was found, most of the time, in the iliac and/or femoral vein. Acute complications were seen in 30% of our cases, and 25% treated children reviewed, had post-phlebitic sequelae. Congenital disease of hemostasis (deficiency of antithrombin III, protein C or S) must be detect before anticoagulant start, because such deficiency influence the treatment and the prognosis. There is non indication for preventive treatment, because of the rarity of spontaneous thrombophlebitis by children. Nevertheless, we can draw an "high risk" population: antecedent of phlebitis, antecedent of congenital disease of hemostasis, antecedent of thrombophlebitis by parents below 40 years old, thrombogenic disease (homocystinuria), vertebral arthrodesis.