American Society of Hirudotherapy

Management of Neonatal Aortic Thrombosis: Challenges and Outcomes With Systemic and Intra-arterial Thrombolysis

Case report published in Cureus (2024)

Last Updated: November 1, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Case reportClinical LiteratureDrug DevelopmentReddy et al. · Cureus, 2024

Abstract

Neonatal aortic thrombosis, though rare, is associated with high mortality and is frequently linked to umbilical vessel catheterization, especially in smaller and critically ill infants due to their low levels of natural anticoagulants and increased prothrombotic activity. We report a case of a term neonate with abdominal aortic thrombosis and severe lower limb ischemia, presenting with respiratory distress requiring intubation and subsequent development of thrombosis by day 7. Initial anticoagulation with heparin proved insufficient, necessitating the use of reteplase and intra-arterial thrombolysis, which resulted in clinical improvement despite limited immediate success in Doppler studies. The patient was discharged on low-molecular-weight heparin against medical advice, highlighting the complexities and need for individualized management strategies in neonatal thromboembolism.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeCase ReportsJournal Article

Summary

A term neonate developed abdominal aortic thrombosis with severe lower limb ischemia by day 7; heparin was insufficient, and reteplase with intra-arterial thrombolysis achieved clinical improvement despite limited immediate Doppler success, illustrating individualized management.

Context

This case report describes a term neonate with abdominal aortic thrombosis and severe lower limb ischemia who was treated initially with heparin anticoagulation and subsequently with reteplase and intra-arterial thrombolysis after heparin proved insufficient. The abstract makes no reference to leeches, hirudotherapy, or hirudin. As a single case report, its findings are not generalizable.

Citation

Reference (Vancouver style)

Reddy R, Karotkar S, Lakra MS, Javvaji CK, Rawat A, Manchineni SB. Management of Neonatal Aortic Thrombosis: Challenges and Outcomes With Systemic and Intra-arterial Thrombolysis. Cureus. 2024;16(6):e62280. doi:10.7759/cureus.62280. PMID: 39006622

Bibliographic details (authors, volume, pages, DOI) are taken from the PubMed record.

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