Vascular thrombosis in pediatric patients affected by COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: The disease by the new coronavirus caused a pandemic with an impact on children's health, which made clear the relationship between a state of inflammation, hypercoagulability and vascular thrombosis as the genesis of acute respiratory failure.

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of vascular thrombosis in pediatrics and to summarize the main available evidence related to the interaction between hyperinflammation, immune dysregulation, hypercoagulability and thrombosis.

Methods: Between December 2019 and June 2021, an orderly review of the medical databases PubMed and Google Scholar was carried out, in which the terms of the titles (MeSH) were used: "SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19"; "coronavirus" and "infection"; "sepsis" and "Covid-19" and "Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children" and "MIS-C and "PIMS-TS".

Analysis and synthesis of information: Vascular thrombosis in pediatrics occurs between 1.2 and 26%, generated by inflammatory processes that lead to endothelitis with alterations of microvascular structures and thrombus formation. There are risk factors such as age≥ 12 years, mechanical ventilation, deep venous approach, presence of multisystem inflammatory syndrome, obesity and cancer. The diagnosis is supported by specific analyzes, especially the D-dimer, ultrasound with Dopplers and tomography. Anticoagulant treatment has not been unified and will depend on the protocols indicated in each country.

Conclusions: Vascular thrombosis in pediatrics, although infrequent, should be kept in mind to detect its presence in severe patients with risk factors and act accordingly with established protocols.