Venous thromboembolic disease in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Long recognized to be a major source of morbidity in the adult population, venous thromboembolism is being increasingly recognized in the pediatric age group. Pediatric intensive care unit patients are exposed to multiple risk factors for venous thromboembolism. Prothrombotic tendencies may be inherited or acquired, secondary to either the underlying disease or selected therapeutic interventions. In children in whom venous thromboembolism is diagnosed, the most commonly identified risk factor is the presence of a central venous catheter. Many cases are not diagnosed until autopsy. Because current treatment recommendations are extrapolated from adult studies, further investigation is needed to define the optimal treatment and prophylaxis regimens in critically ill children.