Abstract
The clinical outcome after inferior vena cava thrombosis in early infancy is unknown. We report the clinical long-term follow-up of 12 patients presenting inferior vena cava thrombosis within their first months of life (gestational age: 24–41 weeks; follow-up: 7±3 years). Accompanying renal venous thrombosis occurred in 9, and adrenal bleeding in 4 patients. A central venous catheter was related to the thrombosis in only four patients. Heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation was found in two of the eight infants without central venous catheter. Thrombolysis was performed in seven and effective in three infants; one infant required surgical thrombectomy. In three of eight infants with ineffective or with no therapy, spontaneous recanalization occurred during follow-up. No patient died of the thrombosis. Although no long-term anticoagulatory prophylaxis was performed, none of the children with persisting occlusion (n=5) or stenosis (n=1) of the inferior vena cava developed symptomatic thrombo-embolic complications. However, extensive internal collaterals (n=6), visible varicosis (n=5), pain in the legs (n=3) and persisting renal disease (n=3) with arterial hypertension (n=2) were observed during follow-up.
Conclusion Inferior vena cava thrombosis of early infancy frequently persists and may cause considerable long-term morbidity. New strategies for early and long-term therapy are necessary.
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Received: 6 April 1998 / Accepted in revised form: 24 July 1998
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Häusler, M., Duque, D., Merz, U. et al. The clinical outcome after inferior vena cava thrombosis in early infancy. Eur J Pediatr 158, 416–420 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004310051105
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004310051105