title: Intravascular catheter complications in the neonatal intensive care unit.
abstract: Central and peripheral intravascular catheters serve many important functions for sick neonates; however, the use of these catheters also carries significant risk of permanent disability or even death. This article examines the risks of catheter-related thromboembolic events, vasospasm, and infection. The article also looks at risks that are specific to umbilical artery catheters, umbilical vein catheters, peripherally-inserted central catheters, peripheral artery catheters, and peripheral intravenous catheters. Specific recommendations are made to reduce the possibility of an intravascular catheter-related complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Dartmouth Medical School, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001, USA. marcus.hermansen@snhmc.org
authors.forename: Marcus C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hermansen
authors.forename: Mary Goetz
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hermansen
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology; D014469:Umbilical Arteries; D014471:Umbilical Veins