Pediatric venous thromboembolism: an illustrated review

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in children has historically been considered uncommon; however, it is increasingly recognized in hospitalized pediatric populations, and its incidence has risen over the past few decades. This can be attributed to several factors, including greater awareness of the condition, improved survival rates for children with chronic and complex medical conditions, increased use of supportive care (such as central venous catheters), and advancements in diagnostic imaging. Acquired conditions, such as infections, malignancies, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammatory bowel disease, are recognized as risk factors for VTE. Among these, the presence of a central venous catheter remains the most significant and common risk factor for pediatric VTE. In this review, we present and illustrate the pathophysiology and current treatment options for VTE in the pediatric population.