Children
Sadly, children are not immune from blood clots. Blood clots are more common in adults, but can occur in children as well.
Fact #1
Annual estimates of blood clots in children is about 1 in 10,000.
Fact #2
5.3 per 10,000 children in pediatric hospital admissions with blood clots.
Fact #3
24 per 10,000 hospital admissions in the neonatal intensive care unit with a clot.
Fact #4
Newborns and babies younger than 1 year are at the greatest risk for blood clots.
Fact #5
Children with cancer are at a higher risk of developing blood clots.
Fact #6
Teenage girls have twice the rate of blood clots as teenage boys, and this is due to the use of birth control and pregnancy.
What Causes Blood Clots in Children
*Damage to veins
–Usually caused by a central line (a device inserted by a medical professional to provide direct access to the blood for giving medication or drawing blood)
* Poor blood flow in the veins. This occurs with immobility from a hospital stay.
* Genetic blood clotting conditions
* Illnesses like cancer, intestinal disorders, and serious infections of the blood, throat/neck, and bones.
* Congenital heart disease
* Autoimmune disorders
* Birth control medications–increases the risk in teenage girls
* Certain medications
Treatment of Blood Clots in Children
Typical treatment for a child is undergone in two steps.
1. An intravenous anticoagulant called heparin is given for five to seven days.
2. Warfarin(coumadin) is then given orally as a blood thinner. This medication may be continued for several months thereafter.
Surgery to remove a blood clot may be considered if the child cannot safely take a blood thinner.
Blood tests are necessary to check blood clotting levels when receiving treatment with heparin or Warfarin.