Severe aortic thrombosis in the neonate - Successful treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin: Two case reports and review of the literature

Small- to moderate-sized aortic thrombi in the sick newborn are frequently demonstrated, however, severe aortic thrombosis is rarely encountered. We r eport two newborn infants presenting with signs of decreased lower limb per fusion shortly after birth. An occlusive infrarenal aortic thrombus was dem onstrated in both infants by ultrasound. No predisposing condition for thro mbosis could be found in the first infant; in the second, an umbilical arte rial catheter was the likely cause. The infants were successfully treated w ith low-molecular-weight heparin. In both infants resolution of the thrombu s was observed by ultrasound. No complications of treatment were encountere d. The clinical spectrum of neonatal aortic thrombosis and treatment option s are reviewed.