Enoxaparin to prevent catheter-related blood clots in critically ill children by age

Age-dependent heterogeneity in the efficacy of prophylaxis with enoxaparin against catheter-associated thrombosis in critically ill children

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-11163431

This project looks at whether the blood thinner enoxaparin prevents catheter-related blood clots in critically ill babies and children and whether it works differently for infants under 1 year compared with older kids.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-11163431 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Many hospitalized children, especially those in intensive care with central venous catheters, are at high risk for catheter-associated deep vein clots, with infants under one year carrying a large share of that risk. The team will compare usual care with giving a preventive dose of enoxaparin to critically ill children with central lines and will look separately at different age groups to see if benefit varies by age. They will use randomized trial data and Bayesian statistical methods to estimate clot risk and treatment effects across ages. Key outcomes include catheter-associated thrombosis and any treatment-related bleeding to weigh safety against benefit.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are critically ill children in a pediatric intensive care unit who have a central venous catheter and whose medical team is considering preventive anticoagulation.

Not a fit: Children who are not hospitalized, do not have a central line, or who have medical reasons that make anticoagulation unsafe (for example active bleeding or high bleeding risk) would not be expected to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reduce catheter-related blood clots and related complications in critically ill children and lead to age-specific recommendations for safer prevention.

How similar studies have performed: A prior Bayesian phase 2b randomized trial from the team suggested enoxaparin halved catheter clot risk overall, with the apparent benefit mainly in children aged one year and older while infants under one did not clearly benefit.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.