UMBILICAL VENOUS CATHETERIZATIONS - AUDIT BY THE STUDY-GROUP FOR COMPLICATIONS OF PERINATAL-CARE

The Study Group for Complications of Peri natal Care, through 13 of it s participating neonatal intensive care units, conducted a prospective audit to describe contemporary use of umbilical venous catheters (UVC s) over 3 months in 1951 admissions. Frequency of UVC attempts was 15. 5% for all patients and greatest (50%) in patients of 1000 g or less b irthweight (BW), with a wide range of frequency by institution and by BW grouping. Institutions with more 1500 g or less BW infants tended t o use UVCs more frequently. The most common reason for placement was g eneral intravascular access. A variety of fluids were infused, and in most cases heparin was employed. Mean duration of use was 4.4 days for all patients and longest (5.5 days) in infants in the 1001 to 1500 g BW group. The most common reason for UVC removal was lack of further n eed. UVCs appear to be used more commonly and for a longer duration th an is currently recommended. There is a need for a prospective, random ized trial to assess the risks properly and maximize the benefits of U VC usage.