Umbilical artery catheters in the newborn: effects of position of the catheter tip

Barrington KJ

Published Online:

January 20, 2010

High positioning of umbilical artery catheters in babies in neonatal intensive care leads to fewer complications than low positioning. The umbilical artery catheters (tubes) (UACs) commonly used in neonatal intensive care to monitor babies, can sometimes cause them problems. They can be used with different accompanying doses of the drug heparin, and different catheter materials and design. The catheter can also be placed in a low or high position. This review found that high catheter positions led to fewer complications, and reduced the need for replacement and re-insertion of catheters.

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

Umbilical arterial catheters (UACs) are among the most commonly used monitoring methodologies in neonatal intensive care. There seems to be significant variance between neonatal intensive care units in exactly how these catheters are used. This variance involves heparin dosing, catheter materials and catheter design and positioning of the catheter.

Objectives:

To determine whether the position of the tip of an umbilical arterial catheter influences the frequency of ischemic events, aortic thrombosis, intraventricular hemorrhage, mortality or necrotising enterocolitis in newborn infants.

Search strategy:

Randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials of umbilical catheterization use were obtained using the standard search methods of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group. The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (search via PubMed), CINAHL and EMBASE were searched from 1999 to 2009.

Selection criteria:

Randomized trials in newborn infants of any birthweight or gestation.
Comparison of high catheter placement with the tip above the diaphragm to a lower position just above the aortic bifurcation. End points included ischemic events, aortic thrombosis, necrotising enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, hypertension, hematuria or death.

Data collection and analysis:

Five randomized controlled trials and one alternate assignment study had sufficiently detailed data to allow interpretation.

Main results:

High placed umbilical artery catheters are associated with a lower incidence of clinical vascular complications, without an increase in any adverse sequelae. Intraventricular hemorrhage rates, death and necrotising enterocolitis are not more frequent with high compared to low catheters.

Authors' conclusions:

There appears to be no evidence to support the use of low placed umbilical artery catheters. High catheters should be used exclusively.

This record should be cited as:

Barrington KJ. Umbilical artery catheters in the newborn: effects of position of the catheter tip. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 1999, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD000505. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000505

Assessed as up to date:

August 4, 2009

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Primary Review Group:

Neonatal Group

Health topics:

Neonatal care > Oxygen administration

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

Umbilical artery catheters in the newborn: effects of position of the catheter tip

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