Novel perspectives on diagnosis and clinical significance of the post-thrombotic syndrome in children.
BACKGROUND
Given the increase in venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in children, the incidence, diagnosis and management of post thrombotic syndrome (PTS) in children is of increasing interest. Current challenges facing clinicians caring for children with VTE is the limited evidence of the long-term outcomes for this cohort; specifically the significance and potential functional impairment associated with PTS.


METHODS
This paper reviews the current evidence to elucidate the risk factors for PTS in children, methods for diagnosis and management of PTS in children (aged less than 18 years). Medline, Cinahl and PsycINFO database searches were undertaken using key search terms. Priority areas in need of further research are highlighted. Expert commentary: The two paediatric PTS assessment tools currently in use have been acknowledged to overcall the incidence of mild PTS in children. A PTS tool's ability to distinguish between clinically significant PTS and mild PTS is crucial. Variation in how PTS has been reported in children across the literature suggests that the real incidence of moderate and /or clinically significant PTS in children is unknown. Furthermore, evidence is lacking about the functional impairment experienced by children with clinically significant PTS and what this means for their long-term health.
a Department of Nursing , The University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia.|b Haematology Research , Murdoch Childrens Research Institute , Melbourne , Australia.|c Department of Clinical Haematology , The Royal Children's Hospital , Melbourne , Australia.|d Department of Paediatrics , The University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia.
Sophie
S
Jones
a Department of Nursing , The University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia.|b Haematology Research , Murdoch Childrens Research Institute , Melbourne , Australia.|c Department of Clinical Haematology , The Royal Children's Hospital , Melbourne , Australia.|d Department of Paediatrics , The University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia.|e Department of Nursing Research , The Royal Children's Hospital , Melbourne , Australia.
Fiona
F
Newall
b Haematology Research , Murdoch Childrens Research Institute , Melbourne , Australia.|c Department of Clinical Haematology , The Royal Children's Hospital , Melbourne , Australia.|d Department of Paediatrics , The University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia.
Paul
P
Monagle
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D058128:Compression Bandages; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D010641:Phenotype; D054070:Postthrombotic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology
Infant; child; diagnostic tools; post thrombotic syndrome; venous thromboembolism