270 Portal Vein Thrombosis in Neonates with Umbilical Vascular Catheterization

Background: Umbilical vascular catheters are routinely inserted in critically ill newborn infants in most neonatal intensive care units (NICU). The objectives of this study were to determine catheter-associated thrombosis by color Doppler ultrasonography and to detect duration of catheter placement as a risk factor for thrombosis. Material and methods: All newborn infants with umbilical vascular catheterization for more than 6h duration were included in this study. Color Doppler ultrasonography was performed within 24-48 hours of catheter insertion, 48-72 h after withdrawal and at weekly intervals until hospital discharge or clot resolution. Results: Ninety five (58%) of patients were boys. The most common underling medical condition in studied patients were respiratory distress syndrome Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) was determined in 5 cases (%3.04) of 164 infants received umbilical vascular catheterization. The mean duration of catheter placement in these infants was 3.4±1.94 day, which was not significantly different from infants without thrombosis (3.5 ±2.03). Thrombosis completely recanalized and resolved after 3-6 weeks in three survived neonates. There was history of exchange transfusion for hyperbilirubinemia via umbilical vein in two neonates with PVT. Conclusion: Catheter-associated portal venous thrombosis was uncommon in our study. The duration of catheter placement was not longer in patients with portal vein thrombosis than those without thrombosis.