title: Mal-positioned umbilical venous catheter causing liver abscess in a preterm infant.
abstract: Neonatal liver abscess is uncommon, carries a high mortality and is difficult to diagnose. We report an unusual case of liver abscess in a preterm infant presenting with abdominal distension and suspected gastrointestinal perforation, rather than the more usual features of fever, hepatomegaly, abdominal tenderness, right-sided pleural effusion, and leukocytosis. We discuss current treatments for neonatal liver abscess and argue that in view of the high mortality and difficulty in diagnosis, prevention should be the primary objective. We believe that mal-positioning the umbilical venous catheter in the liver substantially increases the life-threatening risk of this complication, and advocate extreme care in the placement and use of these catheters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: W C W
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Fok
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D014471:Umbilical Veins