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 stick to wounds in our 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, deep vein thrombosis and peripheral arterial disease. People with these diseases tend to form blood clots easily, or to form clots when or where they aren't needed.

 

Thrombosis in children and teens is not very common, so community doctors usually have limited knowledge of the disease. This is why almost all children with thrombosis in the United States receive treatment at one of the children’s cancer centers that make up the Children’s Oncology Group. Children diagnosed with thrombosis are treated at SCCA's parent organization, Seattle Children's, a member of COG.

Children's blood disorders program brings together experts from more than 20 subspecialties to provide diagnostic services and treatments, including the very latest options. The 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 you, your child, and your family are an important part of the care team.

Because Children's doctors take part in national and international research studies, and often lead them, 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) 977-2106.