Thromboembolic complications associated with tuberculosis: A pediatric case report

Abstract

Tuberculosis is one of the most common infectious diseases around the world. With timely diagnosis and treatment, mortality in children is practically zero. It is usually associated with a diverse number of complications that can cause significant morbidity and mortality, such as deep and superficial vein thrombosis. This event has been associated with a procoagulant state caused by the systemic inflammatory response to infection. We report the case of a 14-year-old adolescent with pulmonary tuberculosis under the initial four-drug regimen. She presented two episodes of venous thromboembolism, the first in the kidneys and the second in the lungs. After ruling out diseases such as nephrotic and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, chest and abdomen tomographies were performed as a fundamental tool for the diagnosis. Thereafter, treatment with low molecular weight heparin was initiated and the symptoms improved. Given the requirement for anticoagulation, further image studies could not be done. Thromboembolic complications in patients with no other risk factors, associated only with a previous pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis, offer evidence to consider the procoagulant effect resulting from the systemic inflammatory response that, by itself, could be the cause of a serious complication, often underdiagnosed but also preventable. Therefore, it is recommended to consider the predisposition for venous thromboembolism in these patients and to establish strict surveillance so early anticoagulant therapy can be provided to prevent adverse outcomes.