Persistent tachypnea in children: keep pulmonary embolism in mind.
OBJECTIVE
Tachypnea in children is associated with respiratory disorders and nonrespiratory disorders such as cardiac disease, metabolic acidosis, fever, pain, and anxiety. Pulmonary embolism is seldom considered by pediatricians as a cause of tachypnea.


METHODS
Three children of various ages with persistent tachypnea are described: a girl after orthopedic surgery for kyphoscoliosis, a boy with nephrotic syndrome, and a neonate with Hirschsprung disease. Other causes of tachypnea were diagnosed and treated before pulmonary embolism was considered.


RESULTS
Ventilation-perfusion scanning appeared to be highly probable for pulmonary embolism in these patients. Anticoagulant therapy was started.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulmonary embolism should be kept in mind in children with tachypnea, especially when other risk factors for venous thromboembolism are present, to avoid delay in anticoagulant treatment and a fatal outcome.
van Ommen
C H
CH
Department of Pediatric Hematology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Heyboer
H
H
Groothoff
J W
JW
Teeuw
R
R
Aronson
D C
DC
Peters
M
M
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D000925:Anticoagulants