Prevention and treatment of intraluminal catheter thrombosis in children hospitalised in a paediatric intensive care unit

Recent approaches in clinical applications of 3D printing in neonates and pediatrics

Neonates and pediatric populations are vulnerable subjects in terms of health. Proper screening and early optimal treatment would reduce infant and child mortality, improving the quality of life. Researchers and clinicians all over the world are in pursuit of innovations to improve the medical care delivery system. Infant morphometrics changes drastically due to the rapid somatic growth in infancy and childhood, demanding for patient-specific customization of treatment intervention accordingly. 3D printing is a radical technology that allows the generation of physical 3D products from digital images and addresses the patient-specific requirement. The combination of cost-effective and on-demand customization offers a boundless opportunity for the enhancement of neonates and pediatric health.Conclusion: The advanced technology of 3D printing proposes a pioneering breakthrough in bringing physiologically and anatomically appropriate treatment strategies addressing the unmet needs of child health problems. What is Known: • The potential application of 3D printing is observed across a multitude of fields within medicine and surgery. • The unprecedented effect of this technology on pediatric healthcare is still very much a work in progress. What is New: • The recent clinical applications of 3D printing provide better treatment modalities to infants and children. • The review provides an overview of the comparison between conventional treatment methods and 3DP regarding specific applications.

Thrombotic complications in children from short-term percutaneous central venous catheters: what can we do?

The reported incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in children has increased dramatically over the past decade, and the primary risk factor for VTE in neonates and infants is the presence of a central venous catheter (CVC). Although the associated morbidity and mortality are significant, very few trials have been conducted in children to guide clinicians in the prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment of CVC-related VTE. Furthermore, pediatric guidelines for prophylaxis and management of VTE are largely extrapolated from adult data. How then should the anesthesiologist approach central access in children of different ages to lessen the risk of CVC-related VTE or in children with prior thrombosis and vessel occlusion? A comprehensive review of the pediatric and adult literature is presented with the goal of assisting anesthesiologists with point-of-care decision-making regarding the risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of CVC-related VTE. Illustrative cases are also provided to highlight decision-making in varying situations. The only risk factor strongly associated with CVC-related VTE formation in children is the duration of the indwelling CVC. Several other factors show a trend toward altering the incidence of CVC-related VTE formation and may be under the control of the anesthesiologist placing and managing the catheter. In particular, because children with VTE may live decades with its sequelae and chronic vein thrombosis, careful consideration of lessening the risk of VTE is warranted in every child. Further studies are needed to form a clearer understanding of the risk factors, prophylaxis, and management of CVC-related VTE in children and to guide the anesthesiologist in lessening the risk of VTE.