Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheters in Newborn Infants: Malpositioning and Spontaneous Correction of Catheter Tips

ABSTRACT

Peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) are increasingly used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Malpositioning of the catheter's tip is a known occurrence that may require repositioning or removal of the catheter. We report our experience with insertion and management of PICCs at the NICU of King Fahad National Guard Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, over a 1-year period. We also report on five newborn infants in whom the tips of the catheters were malpositioned. Their subsequent course showed spontaneous correction of the tips of those catheters within 1 day.

KEYWORDS

Peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC) - malpositioned - spontaneous correction - total parenteral nutrition

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