ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Advancements in the medical field and increased survival of premature infants have led to a rise of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in neonates. Neonatal hemostasis exists in a delicate balance with a propensity towards pro-coagulation. Current recommendations include careful observation, therapeutic anti-coagulation and in some cases thrombolysis. We hypothesize that a sub-group of neonates may not require anti-coagulation and could be safely observed thus reducing their risk of bleeding complications. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with VTE admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at the Oklahoma University Children's Hospital from October 2009-October 2019. Patients were selected if they had an ICD-9 or ICD-10 code specific for a VTE or if screening with CPT codes for diagnostic imaging including echocardiogram, venous dopplers and computed topographic/magnetic resonance venogram revealed the word 'thrombus', 'clot' or 'venous thromboembolism'. Data were collected about demographics, medical history, co-morbidities, thrombosis characteristics, treatment and outcome. RESULTS: A total of 211 patients were screened and 119 patients were eligible and included in the study. The majority of patients (85 %) had a central venous catheter (CVC) associated VTE. Two-thirds of patients (n = 81, 68 %) received therapeutic anti-coagulation while one-third (n = 38, 32 %) were observed. The group that received anticoagulation had a significantly older age at diagnosis and had a higher frequency of bacteremia, congenital heart disease and presence of symptoms. There was no difference in the odds of complete resolution between patients who were treated with therapeutic anti-coagulation and those that were observed (OR: 1.37, 95 % CI: 0.59-3.20, p-value: 0.47). Univariate analysis revealed maternal preeclampsia (OR: 0.2, 95 % CI: 0.05-0.82, p-value = 0.025), maternal history of chronic hypertension (OR: 0.17, 95 % CI: 0.04-0.68, p-value = 0.01), and presence of complete occlusion (OR = 0.37, 95 % CI: 0.15-0.91, p-value = 0.03) significantly reduced the odds of complete resolution. Furthermore, having a VTE related to a CVC in an extremity versus an ECMO cannula or cardiac catheterization significantly improved the odds of VTE resolution (OR = 5.94, 95 % CI: 1.30-27.20, p-value = 0.022). Using a stepwise regression model, maternal history of chronic hypertension remained significant for a reduced odds of VTE resolution (OR: 0.14, 95 % CI 0.025-0.73, p-value: 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The short-term outcome of neonatal VTE does not seem to differ between those that were anticoagulated and those that were observed with serial imaging.