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Blood Clots in Children

Blood clots are serious in a person of any age, but they are especially alarming in children. Most children are not at risk for experiencing a blood clot, but children who have blood-clotting conditions need an appropriate diagnosis and treatment to avoid clots that could result in even more serious or life-threatening issues.

  1. Significance

    • Blood clots in children occur most of the time from inadequate circulation in the blood stream. They can be serious if not treated properly and quickly.

    Facts

    • While rare, approximately one out of every 10,000 children will develop a blood clot. Blood clots in children are most often found in infants or teenagers.

    Causes

    • Blood clots can occur because of a genetic predisposition to a disorder in which the blood clots easily. In other cases poor circulation is the cause of blood clots.

    Signs/Symptoms

    • Swelling and pain in the area of the blood clot is a symptom after the clot has been present for a significant amount of time. During the early stages of a blood clot, there are no outward signs or symptoms.

    Treatment

    • For children who are diagnosed with blood clotting abnormalities, a physician will prescribe a blood thinner. Some children require a surgical procedure to remove the clot.

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