Neonatal thrombosis and its treatment

Thromboembolic disease (TE) has been described as the new epidemic of tertiary paediatrics, and no where is this more evident than in the neonatal population. As survival of premature and sick newborns has improved, the frequency of complications associated with intensive supportive therapy and monitoring has increased. Clinically significant thrombosis is emerging as one of the more common complications associated with improved neonatal outcome. The long-term implications of neonatal thrombosis are only just being realised. This systematic review will consider the epidemiology, diagnostic strategies, and outcome for both arterial and venous TE in neonates. The role of inherited thrombophilic abnormalities, and the evidence for anticoagulation therapy will also be considered. The lack of high level evidence in determining optimum therapy is obvious. Further research regarding diagnostic strategies, and optimal therapies is urgently needed.