Localization of the umbilical catheter by post-mortem measurement

Abstract

A post-mortem study concerning the length of catheter required to be passed up the umbilical vessels in order to reach various anatomical sites within the body is reported in relation to the external measurements of 50 infants dying during the perinatal period. The fundamental importance of knowledge of the whereabouts of the umbilical catheter in both clinical and research work is emphasized. In particular, the significance of the position of the catheter tip during exchange transfusion is discussed and the reasons given for believing that it should be sited in the inferior vena cava.