Overview

Thrombosis is the process of forming a blood clot in a blood vessel. Most of the time, clotting is a normal, healthy process that stops bleeding.

 

Blood contains cell fragments called platelets. Platelets, in combination with blood clotting proteins, stick to wounds in blood vessels and to each other to help form clots, or plugs, where damage occurs. Sometimes clotting in blood vessels can be harmful. Health problems that relate to clots include thrombophilia, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis and peripheral arterial disease.
 
Children with thrombosis problems are treated at Seattle Children's, an SCCA parent organization. Thrombosis in children and teens is not very common, so community doctors usually have limited knowledge of the disorder. This is why in the United States almost all children with thrombosis receive treatment at centers, like Seattle Children's, that have special experience in children's blood disorders. 

Seattle Children's blood disorders program brings together experts from more than 20 subspecialties to provide diagnostic services and treatments, including the very latest options. We consult with our pediatric interventional radiologists on using catheters to open affected blood vessels or to deliver clot-dissolving medications directly to the clot. With our pediatric pharmacists, we are developing a special service to make anticoagulation treatment safer and more convenient, both for children who visit our clinic and those who are in the hospital.

Our team of pediatric hematologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, child life specialists and chaplains partner with you to provide expert, family-centered care and compassionate support. We help you understand your child's health and treatment options because we know that you, your child, and your family are an important part of the care team.
 

Because our doctors take part in and often lead national and international research studies, Seattle Children’s can offer new treatment options that many other hospitals cannot give their patients.
 

 

Read more about Thrombosis on the Seattle Children's web site.

 

To make an appointment, call Seattle Children's at (206) 987-2106.