Aortic aneurysm resulting from umbilical artery catheterization: Case report, literature review and management algorithm

Aortic aneurysms in infants and children are quite rare. The use of umbilic al artery catheters in the management of critically ill neonates has been a ssociated with infection and subsequent aneurysm formation. There have been 46 cases reported (including our own); most of the aneurysms have been loc ated in the abdominal aorta and have displayed saccular morphology. Through an analysis of the literature, we identified two factors that had signific ant correlation with improved survival: diagnosis before surgery and surgic al repair (P < .05). This report presents the case of a 23-day-old neonate with an abdominal aortic aneurysm and hypertension. On the basis of our lit erature review, we offer a management algorithm for this rare but very seri ous complication of umbilical artery catheterization.