Clinical experience with the use of low molecular weight heparin in orthopaedic treatment of paediatric patients.

BACKGROUND The objective of the paper is to describe our clinical experience with the use of low molecular weight heparin in children treated due to various orthopaedic conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS We have studied the treatment outcomes of 35 patients aged 11 to 18 years who were hospitalized in the Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics and Department of Traumatology and Emergency Medicine of the Medical University of Lublin and were treated with a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Short-term prophylaxis was applied in 33 patients during immobilization after such orthopaedic procedures as surgical correction of spine deformity and corrective osteotomy of the femoral and tibial bone. Two children received LMWH therapy after reduction and fixation of femoral bone fractures and long-term immobilization following ankle joint distortion with early-stage venous thromboembolism (VTE). RESULTS None of the patients who received prophylactic treatment showed the clinical manifestations of thrombosis. The VTE symptoms subsided in children treated with the LMWH. Nadroparin was administered for both short-term prophylaxis and treatment, and was administered in doses proportionate to body weight and without prior determination of anti-factor Xa activity (anti-Xa assay). No side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS The use of the LMWH turned out to be effective and safe in thromboprophylaxis in paediatric patients.