Umbilical Vein Catheterization Questions & Answers

1. Butler-O'Hara M, Buzzard CJ, Reubens L, McDermott MP, DiGrazio W, D'Angio CT. A randomized trial comparing long-term and short-term use of umbilical venous catheters in premature infants with birth weights of less than 1251 grams. Pediatrics. 2006 Jul. 118 (1):e25-35. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

2. Murki S, Kumar P. Blood exchange transfusion for infants with severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Semin Perinatol. 2011 Jun. 35 (3):175-84. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

3. Borrhomée S, Merbouche S, Kern-Duciau N, Boize P. Umbilical vein catheterization through Wharton's jelly: A possibility for a fast and safe way to deliver treatments in the delivery room?. Arch Pediatr. 2019 Sep. 26 (6):381-384. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

4. Ju YT, Wei YJ, Lin YC, Hsieh ML, Wu JM, Wang JN. Cardiovascular Intervention in Neonates Using an Umbilical Vein Approach. Children (Basel). 2021 Nov 5. 8 (11):[QxMD MEDLINE Link].

5. Mutlu M, Aslan Y, Kul S, Yılmaz G. Umbilical venous catheter complications in newborns: a 6-year single-center experience. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2016 Sep. 29 (17):2817-22. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

6. Mileder LP, Pocivalnik M, Schwaberger B, Pansy J, Urlesberger B, Baik-Schneditz N. Practice of umbilical venous catheterization using a resource-efficient 'blended' training model. Resuscitation. 2018 Jan. 122:e21-e22. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

7. Hoellering AB, Koorts PJ, Cartwright DW, Davies MW. Determination of umbilical venous catheter tip position with radiograph. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2014 Jan. 15 (1):56-61. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

8. Vali P, Fleming SE, Kim JH. Determination of umbilical catheter placement using anatomic landmarks. Neonatology. 2010. 98 (4):381-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

9. Eifinger F, Fuchs Z, Koerber F, Persigehl T, Scaal M. Investigation of umbilical venous vessels anatomy and diameters as a guideline for catheter placement in newborns. Clin Anat. 2018 Mar. 31 (2):269-274. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

10. Kieran EA, Laffan EE, O'Donnell CP. Estimating umbilical catheter insertion depth in newborns using weight or body measurement: a randomised trial. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2016 Jan. 101 (1):F10-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

11. O'Gorman CS. Insertion of umbilical arterial and venous catheters. Ir Med J. 2005 May. 98 (5):151-3. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

12. Sethi SK, Dewan P, Faridi MM, Aggarwal A, Upreti L. Liver abscess, portal vein thrombosis and cavernoma formation following umbilical vein catherisation in two neonates. Trop Gastroenterol. 2007 Apr-Jun. 28 (2):79-80. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

13. Costa S, De Carolis MP, Savarese I, Manzoni C, Lacerenza S, Romagnoli C. An unusual complication of umbilical catheterisation. Eur J Pediatr. 2008 Dec. 167 (12):1467-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

14. Moens E, Dooy JD, Jansens H, Lammens C, Op de Beeck B, Mahieu L. Hepatic abscesses associated with umbilical catheterisation in two neonates. Eur J Pediatr. 2003 Jun. 162 (6):406-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

15. Sakha SH, Rafeey M, Tarzamani MK. Portal venous thrombosis after umbilical vein catheterization. Indian J Gastroenterology. 2007. 26:283-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

16. Hermansen MC, Hermansen MG. Intravascular catheter complications in the neonatal intensive care unit. Clin Perinatol. 2005 Mar. 32 (1):141-56, vii. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

17. Onal EE, Saygili A, Koç E, Türkyilmaz C, Okumus N, Atalay Y. Cardiac tamponade in a newborn because of umbilical venous catheterization: is correct position safe?. Paediatr Anaesth. 2004 Nov. 14 (11):953-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

18. Sehgal A, Cook V, Dunn M. Pericardial effusion associated with an appropriately placed umbilical venous catheter. J Perinatol. 2007 May. 27 (5):317-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

John P Magnan, MD, MS Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center; Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

John P Magnan, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Luis M Lovato, MD Associate Clinical Professor, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine; Director of Critical Care, Department of Emergency Medicine, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center

Luis M Lovato, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Emergency Physicians, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Vincent Lopez Rowe, MD, FACS Professor and Chief, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Gonda (Goldschmied) Vascular Center, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Vincent Lopez Rowe, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Heart Association, American Surgical Association, Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery, Los Angeles Surgical Society, Pacific Coast Surgical Association, Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery, Society for Vascular Surgery, Society of Black Academic Surgeons, Society of Black Vascular Surgeons, Southern California Vascular Surgical Society, Western Vascular Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Linda Regan, MD,

Assistant Director, Emergency Medicine Residency, Co-Director of Undergraduate Education, NYU/Bellevue Department of Emergency Medicine

The authors and editors wish to thank the New York University/Bellevue Hospital Center Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics and Heather Johnson, MD, as well as Lars Grimm, MD, for his assistance with the literature review and referencing for this article.

• Print this section
• Print the entire contents of
• Print the entire contents of article