Abstract
Background: Umbilical vein catheterization is a routine procedure in neonatal intensive care units. This invasive procedure, though easy and useful, can result in disastrous complications. Clinical Description: A 28 day old baby boy presented with umbilical sepsis along with multiple skin abscesses. He had a history of double volume exchange transfusion for Glucose 6 Phosphate deficiency induced hyperbilirubinemia, during the postnatal period. Ultrasound whole abdomen done to look for intra-abdominal abscesses revealed extensive portal vein thrombosis including the main portal vein and its branches with cavernoma formation. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed Grade II esophageal varices suggestive of the development of portal hypertension. Management and Outcome: Baby was started on subcutaneous enoxaparin which continued for 3 months. Follow up ultrasound showed complete obliteration of portal vein, replaced by cavernomas with development of grade II esophageal varices seen on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Conclusion: This case highlights how umbilical vein catheterization in the neonatal period can lead to catastrophic complications such as obliteration of the entire main portal vein and its branches, formation of portal cavernoma, portal hypertension, and esophageal varices, all of which can develop silently, at a very early age.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
