Intravascular thromboses are unusual in neonates, and when they do occur, are often confined to certain groups of vessels. These are the renal, intrarenal, and adrenal veins,1 the intracranial sinuses,2 the mesenteric arteries and veins,3-11 and the abdominal aorta.12-14 In the first two groups, thromboses are frequently associated with the presence of maternal diabetes mellitus, toxemia of pregnancy, polyhydramnios, or prolonged and difficult labor. In the last two groups, the association of thrombosis with other disease states is much less distinct, but sepsis, dehydration, and polycythemia have been incriminated because these factors are known to predispose to intravascular thrombosis. Furthermore, when thrombi were confined to the arteries, it was difficult to determine whether thrombosis or embolism was responsible. The present patient is reported because the findings suggest that thrombosis of the ductus arteriosus resulted in embolization to the abdominal aorta.
Report of a Case
The patient