Umbilical catheters

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Umbilical catheters

Alternative Names:

UAC; UVC
Information:

There are 2 types of umbilical catheters. One is called an umbilical artery catheter (or UAC) and the other is called an umbilical venous catheter (UVC). The catheters are long, soft silastic tubes of varying sizes. Though most IV catheters have only one tube through which fluid can be given, many umbilical venous catheters have a second or third tube available to give fluids and medications.

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WHY ARE UMBILICAL CATHETERS USED?

UAC: The purpose of a UAC is to continuously monitor your baby?s blood pressure and allow frequent blood samples to be drawn for testing without repeatedly sticking your baby. A UAC is most often used if your baby has severe lung disease requiring mechanical ventilation or has blood pressure problems requiring the use of very strong medications.
UVC: The purpose of the UVC is to allow IV fluids and medications to be given without having to frequently replace an IV. Infants most likely to benefit from a UVC include very immature infants, infants with bowel problems preventing feeding, and infants who require powerful blood pressure medications.

HOW ARE UMBILICAL CATHETERS PLACED?

There are normally 2 umbilical arteries and one umbilical vein in the umbilical cord. The base of the umbilical cord at the belly button is cleaned using sterile techniques. The umbilical cord is cut off (there are no pain fibers in the umbilical cord) about a half inch to 1 inch above the belly button and the arteries and vein are identified.

The catheters are inserted to a predetermined distance and an x-ray is obtained to determine the exact positions of the catheters which are then tied in place with silk sutures (sterile thread). The catheters are often taped to the abdomen as a secondary way to hold the catheters in place.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF UMBILICAL CATHETERS?

As the UAC is placed into the main artery of the body (the aorta), the most serious risk is interruption of the blood supply to an organ (intestines, kidney, liver) or limb (leg or rear-end). Another serious risk is the formation of a large blood clot along the catheter.

Either of these complications can be life-threatening and require removal of the UAC. The NICU nurses carefully monitor your baby for these possible problems. The risks associated with UVCs include blood clot formation and infection.