Pulmonary thromboembolism as a complication of diabetic ketoacidosis in a paediatric intensive care unit: case report

Abstract

Pulmonary thromboembolism in a critically ill paediatric patient has steadily become a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, attributed to the improvement in survival rates from previously fatal diseases, the increase in the use of central venous catheters and growing availability of non-invasive diagnostic methods. This article intends to present a case of pulmonary thromboembolism in a breastfed baby suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis with a clear risk factor due to the use of a vascular device. In these patients there is a high probability of developing thromboembolic complications and therefore the use of antithrombotic prophylactic regimens is deemed reasonable.