Article Text
Summary
The ease of access and advantages of a secure central line makes use of umbilical venous catheter (UVC) and umbilical artery catheters a part of the standard of care in the extremely premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit. However, there are complications associated with their use. One of the uncommon complications reported is total parenteral nutrition (TPN) ascites secondary to vessel perforation or hepatic erosion by the tip of the catheter due to malposition of a UVC. We present here a case of such catheter perforation causing ascites and right hepatic collection of TPN in a 28-week-old infant. Abdominal paracentesis was therapeutic by relieving the distension as well as confirming the presence of parenteral nutrition in the peritoneal cavity.
- healthcare improvement and patient safety
- neonatal intensive care
- unwanted effects / adverse reactions
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Footnotes
Contributors SP was involved in the care of the patient and drafted the manuscript. PM was involved in the patient’s care, revised and approved the final manuscript.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Parental/guardian consent obtained.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.