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Initiation and Maintenance

Initiation of enoxaparin therapy:

  • Obtain blood for baseline CBC, PT, PTT.

  • Calculate enoxaparin dose (mg) based on age, weight and indication. See Table 1.

Table 1 - Initial Dosing of Enoxaparin:

 LMWH indication

2 months of life

≥ 2 months of life

Treatment dose

q 12 hours SQ

 

1.5 mg/kg

 

1 mg/kg

Prophylaxis dose

q 12 hours SQ

 

0.75 mg/kg

 

0.5 mg/kg


Maximum dose without a Hematology consult is 2 mg/kg q 12 hours.

Dosing for impaired renal function:

  • If CrCl is < 30ml/min/1.73m2, consider use of standard heparin as an alternative and consult Hematology for dosage recommendations.

 

Maintenance and monitoring of enoxaparin:

Table 2 - Target LMW heparin levels:

Treatment

0.5-1 units/ml

Prophylaxis

0.1-0.3 units/ml

Patients with new thrombosis or extension of thrombus 

while on enoxaparin

0.8-1.2 units/ml with hematology consult

 

Table 3 - Adjustment of treatment dose and monitoring based on LMW heparin level:

Adjustment of dose and timing of levels based on LMW heparin level where target is treatment
  First level obtained 4 hours after 3rd dose
  After first level is received, subsequent adjustments are made based on the following table:

LMW heparin level
(units/ml)

Hold next dose?

Dose change?

Repeat LMW heparin level

< 0.35

No

↑ by 25%

4 hours after 2nd dose

0.35-0.49

No

↑ by 10%

4 hours after 2nd dose

0.5-1

No

No

4 hours after subsequent dose,

then 1x per week once 2 therapeutic levels are attained

1.1-1.5

No

↓ by 20%

4 hours after next dose

1.6-2

No

↓ by 30%

4 hours after next dose

> 2

Yes

↓ by 40%

q 12 hours until < 0.5

 
  • After initiation of therapy, the first LMW heparin level is drawn 4 hours after the 3rd dose of enoxaparin. Adjustment to the initial dose should not be made until the LMW heparin level obtained 4 hours after the 3rd dose is known.

  • Enoxaparin dosing will be adjusted to standard administration times by nursing (8am & 8pm). This adjustment will be complete by the 3rd dose, so timing of lab draws for enoxaparin will usually be set for 1200 or 0000 depending on which time the 3rd dose would be given.

  • If rapid anticoagulation is required the LMW heparin level may be drawn 4 hours after each dose until a therapeutic level is attained. [Rapid anticoagulation ONLY].

  • Adjust treatment dose and further monitoring based on the LMW heparin level using Table 2.

  • This table applies only if there is no bleeding.

  • Additional monitoring is NOT required for prophylaxis dosing.

  • Infants frequently require higher enoxaparin doses: up to 1.7 mg/kg for term infants and 2 mg/kg for preterm infants. Maximum dose without a Hematology consult is 2 mg/kg q 12 hours.

References

David, M., et al. (2007, Jan). Heparin and LMWH in Children. Thrombosis Interest Group of Canada. Retrieved Nov 15, 2018, from http://www.tigc.org/eguidelines/heparinchild07.htm. 


Lexicomp Online, Pediatric and Neonatal Lexi-Drugs. Enoxaparin. Retrieved Nov 2018, from https:online.lexi.com. 

Monagle, P., Chan, A. K. C., Goldenberg, N. A., Ichord, R. N., Journeycake, J. M., Nowak-Göttl, U., & Vesely, S. K. (2012). Antithrombotic therapy in neonates and children: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest, 141(2 Suppl), e737S-e801S. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.11-2308


Monagle, P., Cuello, C. A., Augustine, C., Bonduel, M., Brandão, L. R., Capman, T., Chan, A. K. C., Hanson, S., Male, C., Meerpohl, J., Newall, F., O'Brien, S. H., Raffini, L., van Ommen, H., Wiernikowski, J., Williams, S., Bhatt, M., Riva, J. J., Roldan, Y., . . . Vesely, S. K. (2018). American Society of Hematology 2018 Guidelines for management of venous thromboembolism: treatment of pediatric venous thromboembolism. Blood Adv, 2(22), 3292-3316. https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2018024786


Roach, E. S., Golomb, M. R., Adams, R., Biller, J., Daniels, S., Deveber, G., Ferriero, D., Jones, B. V., Kirkham, F. J., Scott, R. M., & Smith, E. R. (2008). Management of stroke in infants and children: a scientific statement from a Special Writing Group of the American Heart Association Stroke Council and the Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young. Stroke, 39(9), 2644-2691. https://doi.org/10.1161/strokeaha.108.189696

These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.