Venous thromboembolism in children: Laboratory markers and long-term outcomes

The objective of this article is to discuss, in succinct fashion, the laboratory diagnosis of thrombophilia (i.e., hypercoagulability) in the pediatric setting, outcomes of thrombosis in children, and the recent evidence-based understanding of the relationship between the two. In the past, few studies had rigorously investigated the relationships between laboratory markers of thrombophilia and VTE outcomes in children. Recently, the present author and colleagues evaluated the relationship between thrombotic outcomes and two laboratory markers, factor VIII and D-dimer. Further clinical investigation in this area will be essential in order that these recent findings, along with prior knowledge, may translate into future improved outcome of thrombosis in children.