Umbilical catheters in newborns: indications, complications and imaging diagnosis

Abstract

To review the latest literature on umbilical catheterization including its indications, complications, and diagnostic imaging for verification of catheter position. The PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS databases were searched using the following keywords and the corresponding terms in Portuguese: umbilical catheters; radiological examination; ultrasonography; newborn; and neonatal intensive care. Classic textbooks on neonatology were also reviewed. A total of 51 articles, four classic textbooks, and one manual dealing with venous and arterial umbilical catheterization in neonates were selected. We reviewed the indications, new insertion techniques, complications, risk factors and, diagnostic imaging, with emphasis on the anatomic landmarks used for determination of catheter tip position. Umbilical catheterization is an important access to the bloodstream of the newborn, and diagnostic imaging plays a key role in the assessment of catheter tip position, thus enabling immediate management and preventing complications in cases of misplacement