ABSTRACT
In neonates and infants numerous clinical and environmental conditions such as the
use of central lines, cardiac diseases and polycythemia, renal diseases such as congenital
nephrotic syndrome and neonatal hemolytic uremic syndrome, peripartal asphyxia, infants
of diabetic mothers, dehydration, septicemia, necrotizing enterocolitis, acute respiratory
distress syndrome, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation lead to elevated thrombin
generation and subsequent thrombus formation. Genetic prothrombotic defects [protein
C, protein S and antithrombin deficiency, mutations of coagulation factor V and factor
II, elevated lipoprotein (a)] have been established as risk factors for thromboembolic
events. The interpretation of laboratory results relies on age-dependent normal reference
values. Because appropriate clinical trials are missing in these age groups, treatment
recommendations are adapted from small-scale studies in neonates and infants and from
guidelines relating to adult patient protocols. Secondary long-term anticoagulation
should be administered on an individual basis.
KEYWORDS
Neonates - infants - thrombosis - thrombophilia - anticoagulation