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Umbilical catheter-associated complications in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit

Journal of Perinatology volume 40, pages 573–580 (2020)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

To assess complication rates and risks associated with the use of umbilical catheters.

Study design

An observational cohort study was conducted in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit over 11 years. Any neonate with an umbilical catheter placed during this period was included. Complication event rates over time were assessed via Poisson and Cox regressions.

Results

Fifty one of 2035 umbilical arterial catheters (2.5%) and 269 of 2017 umbilical venous catheters placed (13.3%) developed a complication. Positional issues comprised most umbilical venous catheter-associated complications (86.2%) and breaks/ruptures the majority in umbilical arterial catheters (41.2%). The cumulative incidence of a complication increased most notably after 10 days of umbilical arterial catheter use and 16 days of umbilical venous catheter use.

Conclusions

Complications occurred in a relatively low percentage of umbilical catheters placed in our neonatal intensive care unit. Extended catheter dwell time remains a significant risk of developing a complication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Yale-University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Orly L. Levit, Veronika Shabanova & Matthew J. Bizzarro

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale-University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Veronika Shabanova

Authors
  1. Orly L. Levit
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  2. Veronika Shabanova
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  3. Matthew J. Bizzarro
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Contributions

OLL helped to collect data and design the investigation, wrote the initial draft of the paper, contributed to subsequent revisions of the paper, and approved the final version. VS helped design the investigation, performed all statistical analyses, helped write and revise the paper, and approved the final version. MJB created and maintained the electronic database, collected the majority of and entered all data into the database, helped write and revise the paper, and approved the final version.

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Correspondence to Orly L. Levit.

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Levit, O.L., Shabanova, V. & Bizzarro, M.J. Umbilical catheter-associated complications in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit. J Perinatol 40, 573–580 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-019-0579-3

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