Pulmonary Artery Thrombus in a Growth Faltering Infant with Acinetobacter Sepsis

Background Primary thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery (PTE) is a rare finding in infant patients. Contributors to infant hypercoagulability include inherited thrombophilias, immature anticoagulation systems, and systemic insults such as septic shock and liver disease. Case Presentation: We present the case of a 7-week-old girl with in-utero HIV exposure diagnosed with a pulmonary artery thromboembolism (PTE). The patient was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for sepsis in the setting of Acinetobacter nosocomialis bacteremia, growth faltering, and an S4 gallop. Echocardiogram revealed a mass in the pulmonary artery, prompting urgent treatment with thrombectomy. We hypothesize that septic shock, with associated coagulopathy and severe dehydration, contributed to thrombophilia in this critically ill patient. Conclusions This case highlights the rapid, multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing PTE and the underlying factors contributing to thrombophilia in an infant. Early recognition and timely surgical intervention are essential for optimizing patient outcomes. Clinical trial number: not available