Pulmonary embolism in children: diagnostic and therapeutic partiularities

Background: Pulmonary embolism in children is an overlooked pathology. Yet the first description dates back to the end of the 19(th) century and this specific pathology is not seldom observed. The main risk factors are trauma , surgery, and foreign bodies. Diagnosis: Thrombophilia can be diagnosed when a thromboembolic event occur s. The initial thrombosis may be found anywhere in the venous network. Veno us sonography usually gives the diagnosis. Pulmonary embolism usually has a poor clinical expression. An unexplained situation can be the first manife station. Echocardiography guides diagnosis confirmed by ventilation-perfusi on scintigraphy. Treatment: Prophylaxy is achieved with small doses of heparin. Treatment is based on the use of hypocoagulant doses of heparin, potentially after syst emic thrombolysis and followed by oral anticoagulation.