Hepatic necrosis due to the umbilical vein catheter malposition: A case report with review of literature

A preterm infant was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit because of prematurity and respiratory distress syndrome. An umbilical venous catheter (UVC) was inserted for central line access and for giving total parenteral nutrition and antibiotic therapy to the patient. UVC tip location was confirmed with X-ray and was removed after 10 days. She was referred for ultrasonography abdomen for persistent fever. Ultrasound showed anechoic fluid collection in the center with peripheral mixed echoic solid lesion in left hepatic lobe along course ductus venosus suggestive of extravasated fluid with hepatic necrosis. Superadded infection could not be ruled out. Possibility of displacement of catheter during nursing care due to poor fixation was likely. The purpose of this case report is to create awareness of hepatic findings due to the umbilical vein catheter malposition.