Thromb Haemost 2010; 103(02): 344-350
DOI: 10.1160/TH09-05-0282
Blood Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and Cellular Haemostasis
Schattauer GmbH

Clot formation of neonates tested by thromboelastography correlates with gestational age

Tzipi Strauss
1   Neonatolgy, National Hemophilia Center, Tel Hashomer, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
3   Thrombosis Unit, National Hemophilia Center, Tel Hashomer, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
,
Yael Levy-Shraga
2   Pediatric Hematoloy, Safra Medical Center for Children, National Hemophilia Center, Tel Hashomer, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
,
Bruria Ravid
3   Thrombosis Unit, National Hemophilia Center, Tel Hashomer, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
,
Irit Schushan-Eisen
1   Neonatolgy, National Hemophilia Center, Tel Hashomer, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
,
Ayala Maayan-Metzger
1   Neonatolgy, National Hemophilia Center, Tel Hashomer, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
,
Jacob Kuint
1   Neonatolgy, National Hemophilia Center, Tel Hashomer, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
,
Gili Kenet
3   Thrombosis Unit, National Hemophilia Center, Tel Hashomer, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 05 May 2009

Accepted after major revision: 10 January 2009

Publication Date:
22 November 2017 (online)

Summary

Evaluation of clot formation in neonates is troublesome. Our aim was to investigate cord blood clot formation of pre-term versus full-term infants and adults, using rotating thromboelastogram (ROTEM®, Pentafarm, Munich, Germany). ROTEM was investigated in cord blood of 184 full-term and 47 pre-term infants. Measurements of the clotting time (CT), clot formation time (CFT) and maximal clot firmness (MCF) were obtained in order to asses reference values for this age group, and compare between full-term and pre-term neonates and compared to adult controls. For each infant demographic information and data regarding pregnancy and delivery were gathered. Infants were prospectively followed until discharge. CT and CFT were significantly shorter among pre-term and term infants as compared to adults [median CT: 185, 194, 293 seconds respectively, p≤0.001, CFT: 80, 76, 103 seconds respectively, p≤0.001). MCF was lower in pre-term and term as compared to adults (p≤0.001) with significantly lower values in pre-term as compared to full-term neonates (p=0.004). Clotting time and MCF correlated with gestational age (R=0.132, p=0.045, R= 0.259, p<0.001, respectively). No association was found between any ROTEM values and the occurrence of post-natal complications in infants of our study group. This is the first study assessing clot formation by ROTEM in pre-term infants. Clot formation parameters of term and premature infants correlated with gestational age. The predictive value of clot formation tests in neonates deserves further attention.

 
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