Antithrombotic therapy in children

Thromboembolic events are increasingly recognised in tertiary care paediatrics. The management of these events is often complex, which in part reflects the frequent co-existence of other medical and surgical problems in these children. The agents most frequently used to manage thromboembolic events in children are unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin and the oral vitamin K antagonists. The use of these and other agents is reviewed in this chapter. Although much has been learned about the use of these agents in infants and children, there is an ongoing need for further research and for the development of evidence-based guidelines.