Iatrogenic lesions in babies following umbilical vein catheterization

Abstract

Of 200 babies treated with bicarbonate and laevulose via an umbilical vein catheter for respiratory distress syndrome, 92 came to necropsy. Complications arising from this form of therapy occurred in 20 %ofthose that died, but in the majority of these other factors were responsible for death. Only in 6 instances was it felt that iatrogenic lesions could be regarded as immediate causes: 3 were cases of umbilical vein phlebitis and pyaemia; 2 had thrombosis and liver necrosis, and 1 had a large pulmonary embolus. The findings were compared with those seen in 15 Rhesus babies dying after replacement transfusion: amongst these there was only one case of umbilical vein phlebitis, and this was a late catheterization at 24 hours.