THROMBOEMBOLIC DISEASE IN CHILDREN (EPIDEMIOLOGY, ETIOPATHOGENY AND DIAGNOSIS) (I)

Thrombosis is the result of an imbalance between two complex systems: hemostasis and fibrinolysis. Although the incidence of thromboembolism is lower in children than in adults, the associated morbidity is clinically relevant. This paper summarizes the main risk factors – important in defining effective strategies for primary thrombo-prophylaxis in children at risk, the diagnostic criteria and the optimal therapeutic approach, which have mostly been extrapolated from the adult’s recommendations until now.