Reference values for coagulation assessment in full-term newborns

Most data in the literature report reduced coagulation activities in the first few days of life with respect to adults and the effects of these differences must be considered when diagnosing and treating haemostatic disorders. Management of pediatric population is further complicated by the lack of age-related reference values and by unreliability of hemostatic tests currently used while an accurate interpretation of results are required to reduce the cases of inappropriate investigation. Thromboelastography (TEG®) is a point-of-care test that provides an efficient analysis of the dynamic viscoelastic properties of whole blood that may provide superior evaluation and management of coagulopathies in newborn. This study was designed to determine reference values for kaolin-activated TEG in full-term healthy newborn by taking small blood samples from the umbilical cord and facilitate accurate interpretation of neonatal TEG results.