CARDIAC-TAMPONADE FOLLOWING UMBILICAL VEIN CATHETERIZATION IN A NEONATE

Umbilical vein catheterisation (UVC) should not routinely be used in t he neonatal intensive care unit, and when it is used special precautio ns should be taken and guidelines followed. We present an unusual comp lication which occurred following use of an umbilical vein catheter in a term neonate. This case highlights another potentially lethal compl ication of UVC, and emphasises the risks associated with the procedure . In order for the benefits of UVC to outweigh the risks, certain guid elines are reviewed. The importance of confirming the position of the catheter tip with both anteroposterior and lateral radiographs is emph asised.