Renal Venous Thrombosis
Basics
Description
- Thrombus formation in renal veins (stellate veins, interlobular veins, ascending vasa recta, arcuate veins, hilar veins, or renal vein)
- Most common non–catheter-related thromboembolism in the neonatal period
- May also be associated with nephrotic syndrome, hypercoagulable states, and oral contraceptive use
- May present with a clinical triad of flank mass, gross hematuria, and thrombocytopenia
Epidemiology
- Most commonly seen in the newborn period
- Slight male predominance
- In neonates, most cases are unilateral (70%), with the left kidney more frequently affected. The left side predominance may be due to the anatomical course of the left renal vein underneath the aorta.
Incidence
- Not well-defined due to lack of data
- Ranges from 0.5 to 2.3 per 100,000 live births
Prevalence
Accounts for 16–20% of thromboembolic events in newborns
Risk Factors
- Maternal diabetes mellitus
- Birth asphyxia
- Dehydration/blood loss
- Polycythemia
- Cyanotic heart disease
- Hypercoagulable states
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Venous catheter
- Sepsis
- Oral contraceptive use
- Renal transplant recipient
Genetics
- ~50% of affected neonates have at least one hereditary prothrombotic risk factor.
- Factor V Leiden, protein C/S, and MTHFR mutations and lupus anticoagulant
General Prevention
- Maintaining a high index of suspicion in patients at risk (i.e., infant of diabetic mother, child with nephrotic syndrome)
- Counseling regarding the importance of adequate fluid intake and avoidance of dehydration, especially in newborn infants
- Prophylactic anticoagulation may be indicated in certain populations, although conclusive data is lacking.
Pathophysiology
- Thrombus formation is initiated by endothelial cell injury from hypoxia or other insults.
- In neonates, non–catheter-related renal vein thrombosis (RVT) is believed to originate in the arcuate or interlobular veins, as evidenced by early ultrasound findings.
- Thrombosis may extend to the inferior vena cava (IVC) in 50–60% of cases.
- Neonates also have decreased levels of protein C, protein S, antithrombin, and plasminogen, which may make them more susceptible to thrombosis.
- Lower renal blood flow may also predispose neonates to venous thrombosis.
- In older children, thrombosis may be associated with nephrotic syndrome, hypercoagulable states, or cyanotic heart disease.
- Renal venous thrombosis can result in renal enlargement, decreased renal venous flow, and increased arterial resistive indices.
- Adrenal hemorrhage and left varicocele may also result from renal venous thrombosis.
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Citation
Cabana, Michael D., editor. "Renal Venous Thrombosis." 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 8th ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2019. Pediatrics Central, peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/5-Minute-Pediatric-Consult/617683/0.2/Renal_Venous_Thrombosis.
Renal Venous Thrombosis. In: Cabana MDM, ed. 5-Minute Pediatric Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2019. https://peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/5-Minute-Pediatric-Consult/617683/0.2/Renal_Venous_Thrombosis. Accessed October 10, 2024.
Renal Venous Thrombosis. (2019). In Cabana, M. D. (Ed.), 5-Minute Pediatric Consult (8th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/5-Minute-Pediatric-Consult/617683/0.2/Renal_Venous_Thrombosis
Renal Venous Thrombosis [Internet]. In: Cabana MDM, editors. 5-Minute Pediatric Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2019. [cited 2024 October 10]. Available from: https://peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/5-Minute-Pediatric-Consult/617683/0.2/Renal_Venous_Thrombosis.
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