Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40011940›Full record

SynthesisJournal of medical case reports2025

Systematic review of case series and case reports on pediatric pulmonary embolism.

Mohammed Alsabri, Almoatazbellah Attalla, Salma Tamer Abdelrahman, Ahmed Bostamy Elsnhory, Dina Essam Abo-Elnour, Nicholas Aderinto, Bonaventure Michael Ukoaka, Basel F Alqeeq, Luis L Gamboa

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of medical case reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Mohammed AlsabriEmergency Department, Althawara Modern General Hospital, Sanaa, Yemen. Alsabri5000@gmail.com.
Almoatazbellah AttallaAlexandria Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt.
Salma Tamer AbdelrahmanFaculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Ahmed Bostamy ElsnhoryFaculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
Dina Essam Abo-ElnourFaculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Nicholas AderintoDepartment of Medicine, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
Bonaventure Michael UkoakaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria.
Basel F AlqeeqFaculty of Medicine, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza, Palestine.
Luis L GamboaAssistant Professor of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPediatric pulmonary embolism is a rare yet potentially life-threatening condition, presenting significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges owing to its nonspecific symptoms and diverse underlying risk factors. This systematic review aims to consolidate data from case series and case reports to provide a comprehensive overview of pediatric pulmonary embolism, focusing on clinical characteristics, diagnostic approaches, treatment strategies, and outcomes.

methodsThis systematic review was conducted in adherence to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, version 6.3. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024532471). We utilized the Covidence systematic review software for deduplication and screening of search results. The literature search was developed with a subject specialist and included Medical Subject Headings terms and free-text keywords such as "pulmonary embolism," "pediatric," and "case reports." Databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library up to April 2024, limited to English-language publications. Reference lists of relevant articles were also reviewed.

resultsPulmonary embolism affected males and females with age ranging from 1 to 18 years. Common underlying conditions included malignancies (for example, Wilms tumor), chronic diseases (for example, nephrotic syndrome), and recent surgical interventions. Diagnostic practices primarily relied on computed tomography pulmonary angiography, supplemented by chest X-ray and ultrasound. Treatment typically involved anticoagulation therapy with unfractionated heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin, transitioning to oral anticoagulants for long-term management. Thrombolytic therapy was used in severe cases. Outcomes varied, with many patients recovering well, though complications such as recurrent embolism and pleural effusion were observed. Fatal cases underscored the critical need for early detection and prompt treatment.

conclusionThis systemic review underscores the rarity and complexity of pediatric pulmonary embolism, highlighting the necessity for increased clinical vigilance given its nonspecific presentation and diverse underlying risk factors. Accurate diagnosis, primarily via computed tomography pulmonary angiography, with the prompt initiation of anticoagulation therapy are essential for optimal outcomes. Despite favorable recovery rates for most patients, the potential for severe complications and fatalities reinforces the value of timely diagnosis and personalized management approaches. Further research is essential to refine diagnostic protocols, optimize treatment approaches, establish evidence-based guidelines, and improve long-term outcomes for children with pulmonary embolism.

Indexed as

AnticoagulantsPulmonary EmbolismAdolescentChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansInfantMaleRisk FactorsAnticoagulantsCase reportsPediatricsPulmonary embolism

Identifiers

PMID40011940
PMCPMC11866702

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.