Neonatal vascular catheters and their complications

The infant in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) receives multiple invasive procedures including the placement of vascular catheters. Although traditional sites of access continue to be used, peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC lines), and catheters for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are increasingly placed. The indications for these lines and the list of infusates are expanding. Radiologists are now placing many of these catheters. The method of placement, site of access, and use of the catheter are important because they directly contribute to the complications encountered.