Natural history and treatment of renal vein thrombosis in children.

The general features and problems of renal vein thrombosis in children are first discussed. The records of 11 children with this condition, 7 ill neonates and 4 older children with burns, are then reviewed, indicating the clinical course of the disease, how they were treated, the results, and pathological findings. From this study, the natural history is assembled and a protocol for treatment is proposed. Supportive therapy is necessary in all cases to correct dehydration and sepsis. Many children will develop a consumptive coagulopathy. Others will develop pulmonary emboli associated with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava. Anticoagulation should be achieved for these two conditions. Nonvisualization of affected renal units upon initial urographic examination virtually assures an atrophic, functionless kidney later. Nephrectomy will be required because of hypertension, persistent infection, and scarring. Thrombectomy may be attempted when bilateral nonvisualization on urography is associated with a positive venacavogram.