Summary
This review analyses literature reports from 1970 to 1998 assessing the use of streptokinase
(SK), urokinase (UK) or recombinant tissuetype plasminogen activator (rt-PA) for thrombolytic
therapy in neonates and infants. From 1970 to 1998 182 infants were reported to have
received SK (n = 54; 29.5%), UK (n = 41; 22.5%) or rt-PA (n = 87; 48%). During thrombolytic
therapy no concomitant heparin administration or low dose heparin therapy (5 U/kg/h)
were recorded. To perform reocclusion prophylactics heparin was reinitiated at the
end of thrombolytic therapy usually in the recommended dosage of 20 U/kg/h. The overall
thrombolytic patency rate in neonates varied from 39% to 86%. Besides bleeding from
local puncture sites or recent catheterisation sites (10.4%), pulmonary embolism was
reported in 1.1% of the 182 infants. Major bleeding complications, i.e. pulmonary
bleeding (0.6%), gastrointestinal bleeding (0.6%) or intraventricular haemorrhage
(IVH 2.7%) are rarely reported side effects and only 2 thrombolysis related deaths
due to haemorrhage were mentioned. Bleedings reported in the central nervous system
(n = 4) mainly occurred in preterm infants (n = 3). In conclusion, data of this preliminary
analysis suggest that there is no big difference (p = 0.09; χ2-test) in the efficacy rate between the 3 thrombolytic agents used in the first year
of life. In each case an assessment must be made with respect to the relative benefit
conferred by thrombolytic therapy in preventing organ or limb damage versus the potential
side effects, costs and inconvenience for the childhood patient. Controlled prospective
multicentre studies on thrombolytic therapy in neonates and infants are recommended
to evaluate patency rates and adverse effects for the different thrombolytic agents
used.
Key words
Thrombolysis - heparin - infancy - intracranial haemorrhage