Umbilical Vascular Catheter Associated Portal Vein Thrombosis Detected by Ultrasound

Objective To determine catheter-associated thrombosis by color Doppler ultrasound and to detect duration of catheter placement as a risk factor for thrombosis. Methods All newborn infants with umbilical vascular catheterization for more than 6 h duration were included in this study. Color Doppler ultrasound examination was performed within 24–48 h of catheter insertion, 48–72 h after its withdrawal and weekly until hospital discharge or clot resolution. Results Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) was determined in five cases (3.04%) of 164 infants received umbilical vascular catheterization. The mean duration of catheter placement in patients with PVT was 3.4 ± 1.94 days, which was not significantly different from infants without thrombosis (3.5 ± 2.03). Thrombosis was 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. Conclusions 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.