Diagnosis and management of central-line-associated thrombosis in newborns and infants

Summary Although the use of central lines has many valuable applications in neonates and infants, they may cause serious mechanical, infectious and thrombotic complications. In fact, the use of central lines is the main cause for thrombosis in this age group. The frequency of central-line-related thrombosis in neonates and infants is reported to be as low as 1% when including only symptomatic cases, around 44% when systematically screened for thrombosis, and as high as 65% in autopsy studies. The risk factors for line-related thrombosis in neonates and infants include those associated with the underlying medical conditions, the duration of the line in situ, the placement of the umbilical artery catheter and the therapy used through the line. The contribution of inherited and acquired thrombophilia to central-line-related thrombosis is controversial, and the data are not sufficiently consistent to make a firm recommendation for thrombophilia screening for neonates and infants with central-line-related thrombosis. Most experts will recommend pursuing a thrombophilia work-up in the setting of a significant thrombosis event and will recommend avoiding thrombophilia work-up in subclinical and asymptomatic central-line-related thrombosis. The management of line-related thrombosis is based on expert opinion guidelines and is largely dependent on the type of the catheter and the further requirement of the catheter. Continuous heparin infusion through the central lines prevents catheter occlusion, but has no effect on occurrence of thrombosis. Currently no definitive recommendations exist for thromboprophylaxis in children, infants and neonates with central lines.