Thromboembolic complications in children with primary nephrotic syndrome: A Tunisian series

Introduction: Nephrotic syndrome is a common pathology in children. Despite its good prognosis, it can become complicated and threaten the patient's vital and functional prognosis. Thromboembolic complications are rare but serious. Aim: To study the main thromboembolic events and their outcome during primary nephrotic syndrome in children. Methods: It was a retrospective study of the records of children followed for primary nephrotic syndrome who presented one or more thromboembolic events Results: Twenty thromboembolic events in 19 children were identified (15 boys and 4 girls). The average age was 5.13±3.4 years at the time of NS diagnosis. The location of the thrombosis was venous in 14 cases. Cerebral venous thrombosis was noted in seven cases, pulmonary thromboembolism in five cases. We noted deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs in three cases, occlusive mesenteric ischemia in two cases, vein portal thrombosis in one case, renal vein thrombosis in one case, and thrombosis of a peripheral artery in one case. Conclusion: Venous and arterial thrombotic complications can occur in children with nephrotic syndrome. Clinical features may be subtle; therefore, neuroimaging and angiographic techniques are essential for diagnosis.