Causes and nursing strategies of umbilical vein catheterization complications in extremely preterm infants

Abstract

Objective To analyze major umbilical vein catheterization complications in extremely preterm infants and to propose nursing strategies accordingly. Methods The umbilical vein catheterization complications in totally 203 extremely premature infants admitted in BaYi Children's Hospital, Army General Hospital of PLA from October 2015 to October 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Different complications were found in 38 patients out of the 203 extremely premature infants receiving umbilical vein catheterization, with an incidence rate of 18.71%, including 14 cases with catheter misplacement, 8 with catheter slippage, 7 with umbilical bleeding, 6 with iatrogenic skin injury, and 3 with catheter-related infection. No adverse effects were observed because effective measures were taken timely. Conclusions According to the causes of complications, effective measures should be taken in time to develop nursing strategies in a targeted manner to prevent complications of umbilical vein catheterization in super-premature infants. Key words: Infants, premature; Nursing care; Complications; Umbilical vein catheterization