Pulmonary Embolism in Children
Introduction to Pediatric Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolism (PE) in children is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the obstruction of pulmonary arterial circulation by embolic material, most commonly blood clots from deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Key Points:
- PE in children is less common than in adults but carries significant morbidity and mortality
- The pathophysiology differs from adult PE due to developmental differences and underlying conditions
- Diagnosis is often delayed due to non-specific symptoms and low clinical suspicion
- Risk factors are usually multiple and often include underlying medical conditions
- Management requires a multidisciplinary approach and careful consideration of age-specific factors
Epidemiology and Risk Factors
Epidemiology:
- Incidence: 0.14-0.9 per 100,000 children annually
- Higher rates in hospitalized children (58 per 10,000 admissions)
- Bimodal age distribution: neonates and adolescents
- Increasing incidence due to improved survival of children with chronic conditions
Risk Factors:
- Central Venous Catheters:
- Most common risk factor in children
- Accounts for 25-30% of cases
- Higher risk with longer duration of placement
- Medical Conditions:
- Cancer and chemotherapy
- Congenital heart disease
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Surgical/Trauma:
- Recent surgery, especially orthopedic
- Trauma with immobilization
- Burns
- Inherited Thrombophilia:
- Factor V Leiden mutation
- Prothrombin gene mutation
- Protein C, S deficiency
- Antithrombin deficiency
Clinical Presentation
Common Symptoms:
- Respiratory:
- Dyspnea (80%)
- Chest pain (65%)
- Tachypnea (80%)
- Cough (25%)
- Cardiovascular:
- Tachycardia (85%)
- Syncope (15%)
- Hypotension in severe cases
- Other:
- Fever
- Hemoptysis (rare in children)
- Signs of DVT (leg pain, swelling)
Age-Specific Presentations:
- Neonates:
- Often silent or with non-specific symptoms
- Respiratory distress
- Poor feeding
- Irritability
- Older Children:
- More specific symptoms
- Better able to communicate symptoms
- May present similarly to adults
Diagnosis of Pediatric PE
Clinical Assessment:
- Modified Wells Criteria (less validated in children)
- Risk factor assessment
- Physical examination
- Vital signs monitoring
Laboratory Studies:
- D-dimer:
- High sensitivity but low specificity
- Age-adjusted values not well established
- May be elevated in many conditions
- Other Tests:
- Complete blood count
- Coagulation profile
- Cardiac biomarkers (troponin, BNP)
- Thrombophilia testing when indicated
Imaging:
- CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA):
- Gold standard
- Radiation exposure concerns
- Need for contrast
- Technical challenges in small children
- V/Q Scan:
- Alternative to CTPA
- Less radiation than CTPA
- Better for chronic PE
- Limited by normal chest X-ray requirement
- Other Imaging:
- Chest X-ray (screening)
- Echocardiogram (right heart strain)
- Lower extremity ultrasound (DVT)
Treatment and Management
Initial Stabilization:
- Airway management
- Oxygen supplementation
- Hemodynamic support if needed
- Pain management
Anticoagulation:
- Unfractionated Heparin:
- Initial treatment in unstable patients
- Weight-based dosing
- Close monitoring of aPTT
- Low Molecular Weight Heparin:
- Preferred in stable patients
- Twice daily dosing
- Anti-Xa monitoring
- Better subcutaneous bioavailability
- Direct Oral Anticoagulants:
- Limited pediatric data
- Growing evidence for safety
- May be considered in older children
Duration of Treatment:
- Provoked PE: 3-6 months
- Unprovoked PE: 6-12 months
- Recurrent PE: Extended therapy
- Individual assessment needed
Thrombolysis:
- Indications:
- Massive PE with hemodynamic compromise
- Right heart strain
- Extensive clot burden
- Considerations:
- Higher bleeding risk
- Limited pediatric data
- Individual risk-benefit assessment
Complications and Prognosis
Acute Complications:
- Right heart failure
- Shock
- Cardiac arrest
- Death (mortality 2-9%)
Long-term Complications:
- Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
- Post-thrombotic syndrome
- Recurrent PE
- Exercise limitation
Prevention:
- Risk factor modification
- Early mobilization
- Thromboprophylaxis in high-risk patients
- Patient and family education
Follow-up:
- Regular monitoring during anticoagulation
- Assessment for chronic complications
- Screening of family members for thrombophilia if indicated
- Transition planning for adolescents
Review Questions - Basic Concepts
- What is the most common risk factor for PE in children?
Central venous catheters - What age groups show the highest incidence of PE in children?
Neonates and adolescents (bimodal distribution) - What is the gold standard imaging test for diagnosing PE in children?
CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) - What is the preferred initial anticoagulant in stable pediatric PE patients?
Low Molecular Weight Heparin - What is the typical duration of anticoagulation for provoked PE?
3-6 months - What are the three most common symptoms of PE in children?
Dyspnea, tachypnea, and tachycardia - How does PE presentation differ in neonates compared to older children?
Neonates often present with non-specific symptoms like respiratory distress and poor feeding - What percentage of pediatric PE patients present with chest pain?
Approximately 65% - Is hemoptysis common in pediatric PE?
No, it is rare in children compared to adults - What vital sign abnormalities are most commonly seen in pediatric PE?
Tachycardia and tachypnea - What are the limitations of D-dimer testing in children?
Low specificity and lack of validated age-adjusted values - When should thrombolysis be considered in pediatric PE?
In massive PE with hemodynamic compromise or right heart strain - What monitoring is required for LMWH therapy?
Anti-Xa levels - What factors influence the duration of anticoagulation therapy?
Whether PE was provoked or unprovoked, presence of ongoing risk factors, and individual patient factors - What is the mortality rate of PE in children?
2-9%
Disclaimer
The notes provided on Pediatime are generated from online resources and AI sources and have been carefully checked for accuracy. However, these notes are not intended to replace standard textbooks. They are designed to serve as a quick review and revision tool for medical students and professionals, and to aid in theory exam preparation. For comprehensive learning, please refer to recommended textbooks and guidelines.
