ISTH members co-author new study on acute pulmonary embolism in children and adolescents

A new study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine provides critical insights into the incidence and outcomes of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) among children and adolescents, filling a longstanding gap in epidemiological data on this serious condition. Read the paper: “Acute pulmonary embolism in children and adolescents in the USA (2016 and 2019): a nationwide retrospective cohort study.”

The paper, which includes several authors from the ISTH global community, analyzed nationwide U.S. hospital admission data from 2016 and 2019, found that while PE is rare in this age group, its impact can be severe, particularly in those with high-risk clinical features.

The study identified 5,733 hospital admissions for acute PE among individuals ages 0–19 years, revealing an annual incidence rate of 3.5 per 100,000. Notably, two distinct peaks in incidence were observed—one in infants under one year of age and another in adolescents aged 15–19. The overall in-hospital case fatality rate was 4.5%, but mortality risk was significantly elevated in children with high-risk PE.

The study also reports a heightened risk of intracranial bleeding in these high-risk cases. Despite these findings, advanced reperfusion treatments beyond systemic thrombolysis were rarely utilized in pediatric patients.

These findings are particularly relevant in conjunction with the mission of the ISTH World Thrombosis Day campaign, which underscores the importance of blood clot awareness among all age groups, including children and adolescents.

While PE is often considered a condition affecting adults, the study highlights that young patients—particularly those with underlying health conditions—are also at risk. World Thrombosis Day serves as a global call to action to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of thrombosis, reinforcing the need for increased research and clinical focus on PE in pediatric populations.

To learn more, read the full paper here