(HealthDay)—In the perioperative period, post-pubertal adolescents should be assessed for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis because of their slightly elevated risk, according to a special article from the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, published online April 27 in Pediatric Anesthesia.

Judith Morgan, MB.Ch.B., from Sheffield Children’s Hospital in the United Kingdom, and colleagues reviewed the literature to provide guidance relating to the care of children in the perioperative period. The authors reviewed the incidence of perioperative VTE, risk factors, evidence for mechanical and chemical prophylaxis, and complications and detailed safe practice of regional anesthesia with anticoagulant prophylaxis.

The authors note that few areas of strong evidence were found. For young children, the risk of VTE seemed negligible, and consequently, routine prophylaxis cannot be recommended. Post-pubertal adolescents (about 13 years of age and older) have slightly elevated VTE risk, although the incidence is significantly lower than that in the adult population. These adolescents should be evaluated for prophylaxis; if other risk factors are present, intervention may be warranted.

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