Tuberculosis and acute deep vein thrombosis in a paediatric case

Abstract

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may be associated with tuberculosis infection. DVT in tuberculosis (TB) is implicated to the release of inflammatory cytokines, decrease synthesis of anti-coagulant proteins and increased fibrinogen levels. Drugs may also predispose to the hyper-coaguability. DVT may correlate with the severity of mycobacterium infection. We report a case of DVT in an 11-year-old child with sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis. The patient was put on low molecular weight heparin after Doppler documentation of thrombosis of left femoral vein. She was then put on oral warfarin with complete resolution of the thrombosis. A clinician should be aware of this rare but dangerous association of tuberculosis and must not delay in early diagnosis and intervention.