Association between Portal Vein Thrombosis after Umbilical Vein Catheterization and Neonatal Asphyxia.

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is frequently related to umbilical venous catheterization (UVC), but risk factors remain unclear. This study aims to analyze the variables associated to PVT in near- to full-term newborns with UVC, with a focus on newborns exposed to controlled therapeutic hypothermia (CTH) for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). METHODS: This is retrospective cohort study of infants delivered at or after 36 weeks and with a birthweight over 1,500 g. All infants were assessed for UVC location and PVT using ultrasonography performed between day 5 and day 10 after catheterization. RESULTS: Among 213 eligible patients, PVT was diagnosed in 57 (27%); among them, 54 (95%) were localized in the left portal vein branch. With all significant factors in univariate analysis considered, higher gestational age at birth (adjusted OR 1.35; 95% CI: 1.12-1.64, p = 0.002) and duration of UVC placement (adjusted OR 1.36; 95% CI: 1.11-1.67, p = 0.004) were the main risk factors of PVT. Among 87 infants who were cooled for HIE, 31 (36%) had PVT compared to 26 (21%) in infants without CTH. Using a multivariate model including variables linked to treatment procedures only, an increased PVT incidence was statistically associated with UVC duration (adjusted OR 1.33; 95% CI: 1.08; 1.63, p = 0.01) and CTH (adjusted OR 1.94; 95% CI: 1.04-3.65, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Left PVT was frequently observed in near- to full-term neonates with UVC. Among factors linked to treatment procedures, both duration of UVC and CTH exposure for HIE were found to be independent risk factors of PVT.

Point-of-care ultrasound for monitoring catheter tip location during umbilical vein catheterization in neonates: a prospective study.

Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can guide umbilical vein catheter placement in real time and monitor catheter tip position, allowing avoidance of severe complications due to catheter malposition. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of POCUS in guiding venous catheter insertion and monitoring complications. Methods: Sixty-eight neonates with ultrasound-guided venous catheter insertion at the Neonatal Department of Dongguan Children's Hospital between December 2020 and February 2022 were included. POCUS was applied to monitor catheter tip location daily until catheter removal. A displacement range exceeding the intersection of the inferior vena cava and right atrium by ±0.5 cm was considered misalignment. Results: Sixty-four neonates had a displaced catheter tip (94.1%, 64/68), with a median displacement distance of 0.4 cm (minimum -0.2 cm, maximum 1.2 cm). Ten neonates had a misalignment (14.7%, 10/68) caused by displacement. Displacement usually occurs within 2-4 days after placement, with displacement rates of 94.1% (64/68), 90.6% (58/64), and 98.3% (59/60) on days 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and could still occur on day 9 post-placement. In addition, misalignment mainly occurs on the second day after placement. During the monitoring process, 58 neonates had catheter tip displacement ≥2 times, resulting in 252 displacement and 22 misalignment incidents. Among them, the catheter tip migrated outward from the inferior vena cava seven times, all of which were removed in time. Ultrasound was used for positioning 486 times, and x-ray was indirectly avoided 486 times. Conclusion: The catheter tip is prone to displacement and misalignment after umbilical vein catheterization, which most commonly occurs on days 2-4. POCUS is recommended for daily monitoring of the tip location during umbilical vein catheterization until catheter removal.

Angiographic patterns of portal venous system in children with extrahepatic portal hypertension and its etiological and clinical relevance.

PURPOSE: To study the relationship between the angiographic pattern of extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) and its etiology and clinical manifestations. METHODS: Clinical, etiological, and angiographic findings in 155 children with EHPVO were reviewed. Anatomy of extrahepatic portal venous system (EPVS) was categorized into five imaging patterns. Assessment of the severity of esophageal and gastric varices (EV and GV) was performed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. RESULTS: Based on multislice CT angiography, most commonly observed pattern of EHPVO was type I (48.4%) and type II (29%). According to anamnesis, 68 (43.8%) children had pathological conditions in neonatal period. Of these, 35 (22.6%) had an umbilical vein catheterization, 11 (7.1%) had a history of omphalitis, and 9 (5.8%) had prolonged jaundice. Thirteen (8.4%) patients had various septic conditions in neonatal period and it was more common associated with widespread thrombosis throughout the EPVS (type 5)-28% of observations. Significantly lower risk of bleeding from EV (p = 0.01) was noted in children with type IV pattern, whereas children with type III and V patterns had higher grades of EV. CONCLUSION: Angiographic pattern of portomesenteric occlusion may provide a clue to its etiology, and clinical manifestation, especially in children with widespread thrombosis throughout the EPVS.

A Rare Complication of Umbilical Vein Catheterization: TPNoma: US, X-ray, and MRI Findings.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical vein catheterization (UVC) is an early venous access route in newborns and is frequently used for delivering total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and medications. Vascular, hepatic parenchymal, and infectious complications of UVC can be seen rarely. OBJECTIVE: We present preterm neonates' X-ray, US, and MRI findings with parenchymal TPN extravasation and portal vein thrombosis. Our case was the first case about MRI findings of TPNoma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30 week female with a birth weight of 1340 g was born via Cesarean section. Due to the diagnosis of transient tachypnea of the newborn and prematurity, the infant was hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit. On the first day of hospitalization, UVC was inserted and TPN with 20% lipid content was started. After 10 days, UVC was removed and TPN treatment was continued with a piccline catheter. Abdominal US and portal venous Doppler examination was applied to the patient whose general condition deteriorated on the 12th day. US and Doppler revealed a lesion of 17x17x18mm in size with lobulated contour, hyperechoic heterogeneous internal structure, and no central or peripheral blood supply was observed in the left lobe of the liver. Moreover, a filling defect compatible with a thrombus was observed in the proximal part of the left portal vein. An abdominal MRI was performed to characterize this liver lesion. Axial T1 weighted and T2- weighted images showed a heterogeneous hyperintense lesion without contrast enhancement. Axial fat saturation T1-weighted and out of phase T1-weighted images showed a reduction in signal intensity. US and MRI examinations showed that the thrombosed umbilical vein ended superior to the lesion. In the differential diagnoses, fat-containing lesions such as lipoma-teratoma and fat-containing collection secondary to extravasation of TPN treatment via UVC were thought. CONCLUSION: In the differential diagnosis of liver localized lesions in newborns, UVC-related liver injury should be considered and the localization of the catheter tip should be checked. In case of the doubt based on US and X-ray findings, presence of fat on MRI could be diagnosed. Serious complications should be avoided with catheter revision or removal.

Portal venous gas resulting from umbilical vein catheterization in a very-low-birth-weight infant with no interruption in early feeding.

INTRODUCTION: Portal venous gas (PVG) is common in necrotizing enterocolitis and occasionally occurs in neonates after umbilical vein catheterization (UVC). Therefore, determining the cause of PVG requires further clinical evaluation in these cases. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a very-low-birth-weight infant who underwent UVC after birth. PVG was an unexpected finding on ultrasound following catheterization. The UVC was immediately removed and replaced with a peripherally inserted central catheter. The infant's physical examination was unremarkable. Bedside X-ray revealed neither PVG nor pneumatosis intestinalis, which would indicate the onset of necrotizing enterocolitis. After full evaluation, breastfeeding was started on the same day. The infant did not develop feeding intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis, or other disorders. CONCLUSION: PVG occasionally occurs in neonates who undergo UVC and is considered to be caused by exogenous gases. PVG is more easily detected with ultrasound than with X-ray and does not affect early feeding in premature infants.

Hepatic extravasation complicated by umbilical venous catheterization in neonates: A 5-year, single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Care of newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit generally involves umbilical venous catheterization (UVC) for central vein access to enable medical needs. The study aimed to evaluate the sonographic appearance, risk factors, and outcomes of UVC-related hepatic extravasation (HE) in neonates. METHODS: A 5-year retrospective study where 33 neonates were enrolled with a diagnosis age ranging from 2 to 25 days. 78.8% of the subjects had UVC malpositioning shown on initial radiography. All neonates sonographically diagnosed with HE, and follow-up ultrasound (US) was performed. RESULTS: The main findings of HE on US were hyperechoic or heterogeneous lesions of a lobulated (51.7%) or wedge shape (48.3%), located mainly in the left lobe (72.7%). The mean time to resolution of HE was 2.25 months. Seven (21.2%) patients showed hepatic vascular thrombosis at follow-up. Two (6%) patients had abnormal liver function, which subsequently normalized. CONCLUSION: Malposition of the UV catheter was the predisposing factor for UVC-related HE in neonates. US facilitates detection of UVC malpositioning and diagnosis of HE, as well as delayed complications. A shorter duration of UVC placement is associated with favorable outcomes of UVC-related HE in neonates.

Risk factors for catheter tip displacement after ultrasound-guided umbilical vein catheterization in neonates / 医学研究生学报

Objective Catheter tip displacement (CTD) after ultrasound-guided umbilical vein catheterization (UVC) in neonates may influence the effect of treatment .This study was to investigate the risk factors for CTD . Methods This study included 159 neonates undergoing ultrasound -guided UVC in our hospital between January 2015 and June 2017.We recorded the one-time suc-cess rate of UVC and the numbers of cases of CTD and non -CTD at 7 days after UVC, and analyzed the risk factors for CTD by univari -ate and multivariate logistic regression analyses . Results Ultrasound-guided UVC was successfully performed in 106 (66.67％) of the neonatal patients, who underwent ultrasonography and thoracic and abdominal X -ray examinations 7 days later.CTD was observed in 19 (17.93％) of the 106 neonates, including 5 cases of upward shift (4.72％) and 14 cases of downward shift (13.21％), while the other 87 ( 82.07％) were non-CTD cases.Statistically significant differences were found between the CTD and non -CTD groups in the gestational age, body mass, catheter external fixation, restlessness, catheter-tending time, and catheter shifting (P<0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that the gestational age (OR =-1.315, P =0.015),body mass (OR=-1.214, P=0.019), catheter external fixation (OR =2.164, P =0.007), restlessness (OR =1.354, P =0.014), catheter-tending time (OR=1.458, P=0.012), and catheter shifting (OR=2.016, P=0.010) were the risk factors for CTD after ul-trasound-guided UVC. Conclusion There are quite a few risk factors for CTD after ultrasound -guided UVC, which can be reduced by relevant preventive measures .

Neonatal umbilical venous catheters-related infections / 中国小儿急救医学

The umbilical vein catheterization is one of the most common interventions in neonates.Central line-associated bloodstream infections is a frequent complication of umbilical vein catheterization.It may lead to increased morbidity and mortality by 7% to 11%.At present, published literature on umbilical vein catheter-related bloodstream infections is limited in China.Our better knowledge of its epidemiology, risk factors and preventive measures could help to improve clinical practice and guide future research.

Venobiliary fistula related to umbilical venous catheter in a newborn.

We present a case of venobiliary fistula due to umbilical venous catheter (UVC). UVC was inserted the day before surgery in a newborn who was scheduled for type IIIB jejunal atresia surgery. The UVC was superimposed on the liver. It was noted that the gastric drainage became chylous and increased to 790 and then 1977 mL daily. I.v. contrast tomography with 650 mL contrast showed that the opaque substance was dispersed around the catheter and a venobiliary fistula formed, with the administered fluid accumulating in the duodenum. Rapid improvement was seen in the clinical picture after the UVC was removed. Venobiliary fistula may develop in patients with UVC that is not placed appropriately, and can direct the fluid administered from the UVC to the gastrointestinal system through the choledochal duct. The importance of contrast computed tomography in the diagnosis of venobiliary fistula in the newborn is also emphasized.

Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension - diagnosis and management.

NCPH is a heterogeneous group of liver disorders of vascular origin, leading to PHT with near normal HVPG. NCPF/IPH is a disorder of young adults or middle aged women, whereas EHPVO is a disorder of childhood. Early age acute or recurrent infections in an individual with thrombotic predisposition constitute the likely pathogenesis. Both disorders present with clinically significant PHT with preserved liver functions. Diagnosis is easy and can often be made clinically with support from imaging modalities. Management centers on control and prophylaxis of variceal bleeding. In EHPVO, there are additional concerns of growth faltering, portal biliopathy, MHE and parenchymal dysfunction. Surgical shunts are indicated in patients with failure of endotherapy, bleeding from sites not amenable to endotherapy, symptomatic hypersplenism or symptomatic biliopathy. Persistent growth failure, symptomatic and recurrent hepatic encephalopathy, impaired quality of life or massive splenomegaly that interferes with daily activities are other surgical indications. Rex-shunt or MLPVB is the recommended shunt for EHPVO, but needs proper pre-operative radiological assessment and surgical expertise. Both disorders have otherwise a fairly good prognosis, but need regular and careful surveillance. Hepatic schistosomiasis, CHF and NRH have similar presentation and comparable prognosis.

Do term newborns respond similarly to different painful procedures?

OBJECTIVE: Although many methods for pain assessment in newborns are available, none of them are widely accepted. Our aim was to answer the question: do newborns respond similarly to different painful procedures? METHODS: Sixty term newborns were involved in non-randomized prospective study. They were classified into 2 groups: Group A (n=30) who needed intubation and Group B (n=30) who necessitated umbilical vein catheterization. Close observation prior to and 10 minutes after the painful procedures was performed for recording of physiological and behavioral indicators. Plasma renin activity (PRA) was measured before and 10 minutes after the painful procedures. FINDINGS: There was statistically significant difference between the 2 groups as regards physiological and hormonal responses to pain (P<0.05). Apart from palmar sweating and crying, there was no significant difference in behavioral response (P>0.05). The median pre- and post-intubation levels of PRA were 3.04 and 12.05 ng/ml/hour, respectively. There was significant (P<0.001) increase of PRA after intubation. On the other hand, the median pre- and post-catheterization levels of PRA were 5.21 and 9.19 ng/ml/hour, respectively. There was significant (P<0.001) increase of PRA after umbilical vein catheterization. We found that PRA was the only indicator of pain in group A (P=0.047). On the other hand, we did not find any indicator of pain in group B. CONCLUSION: We concluded that full-term newborns vary in their physiological and hormonal responses to different painful procedures but their behavioral response is the same.

Umbilical vein catheterization in very-low-birth-weight or low-birth-weight children / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective To probe the application of umbilical vein catheterization among the verylow-birth-weight or the low-birth-weight children.Methods In this retrospective study,the clinical condition of the very-low-birth-weight or the low-birth-weight infants in neonatal intensive care unit who had umbilical vein catheterization from June 2011 to January 2013 was concluded.Results Sixty-three cases were successfully catheterized,of which 41 cases were catheterized in inferior vena cava(65.1％).The retention time was 4 to 21 days,with an average of 12.9 days.Eleven cases suffered unplanned extubation of the indwelling catheters,and eight of them were located in the umbilical vein.There were statistically significant differences of unplanned extubation rates among different location of the catheters (x2 =8.38,P ＜ 0.01).All cases were intubated within 36 hours after birth,and the intubation time was not positively correlated to the success rate of catheterization in the inferior vena cava (x2 =0.223,P ＞ 0.1).Suspected catheter-related infections occurred in 5 cases and the infection rate was 6.2/1000 per intravascular catheter day.After extubation,bacterial cultures of the tips of the catheters and blood were arranged.The results suggest that the bacterial culture of the catheter tip was positive in only 1 case(1.6％),and yeast-like fungus was positive in 1 case (1.6％),while the retention time and incidence of catheter-related infection had no significant corelation(x2 =0.075,P ＞ 0.95).Conclusion Umbilical vein catheterization could be used at the early stage in preterm (very) low-birth-weight infants.