Recommendations for standardized definitions, clinical assessment, and future research in pediatric clinically unsuspected venous thromboembolism: Communication from the ISTH SSC subcommittee on pediatric and neonatal thrombosis and hemostasis

Clinically unsuspected venous thromboembolism (VTE) in children is defined as a VTE diagnosed via imaging test performed for surveillance (i.e., with an intent to identify clinically silent VTEs) or incidentally found (most often via imaging performed for evaluation of regional pathology unrelated to VTE) in the absence of any VTE-associated signs or symptoms. Our understanding of the clinical significance of these events in children is limited by a paucity of data on the epidemiology and outcomes of this complication. There is an urgent need for further research in this area to inform optimal management. Recognizing this knowledge gap, this Task Force has previously published a systematic review of the literature in this topic. We now provide guidance recommendations for standardization of definitions and identify future research needs on clinically unsuspected VTE in children. These recommendations will serve to enhance the quantity and quality of evidence on the topic and facilitate the design and execution of cooperative observational studies, and interventional trials of risk-stratified management approaches aimed at preventing and optimizing long-term outcomes of clinically unsuspected VTE in children.

Automated summary

Clinically unsuspected VTE in children has limited understanding of its clinical significance due to lack of data. Further research is urgently needed to inform optimal management. This article provides guidance recommendations for standardization of definitions and identifies future research needs.