Use Of Umbilical Catheters

A newly born infant is usually a source of joy for the entire family and friends of the happy parents. Yet, the condition of the infant may be worrisome and require special intervention by doctors many a time. A neonatal child born prematurely can add to the anxiety as well. The primary goal of the medical professionals is to keep the baby warm and the body weight up to the required standards. Most hospitals and clinics try to feed the newly born infant by means of a gavage tube therefore.

Unfortunately, the calorie needs of the infant in question are much more out of the uterus than inside. The tiny creature has to digest, respire as well as maintain the body temperature outside the warm and nurturing womb. It is certainly a tall order for the premature infants who have been pushed out of the mother’s body much earlier than expected.

Sure, tube feeding can help to provide adequate nutrition to the child but a certain amount of lipid loss has been noted during the process as well. Early studies have indicated that a considerable amount of the fat is left within the syringe used for this specific purpose. The position of the syringe during the process can also alter the amount of the fat loss. Research studies have also revealed that continuous feeding by infusion actually results in 50% loss of lipids and calcium thereby affecting the nutrition of the neonate. While some infants feeding by means of nasogastric method have shown weight gain yet the results are too few and sharply varied to be presented as conclusive evidence.

It is also important to consider several facts while dealing with a pre-term infant. The new born child weighing just a few grams at birth is likely to be severely ill soon after being removed from the womb. Use of umbilical catheters help to provide relief to the baby and most neonatal specialists recommend utilizing such catheters to draw blood from the weakened infant thus negating the possibility of shock via repeated needle insertions.

Types of Umbilical Catheters

• An artery catheter is employed when the neonate requires needs to have its blood pressure monitored 24X7 and requires medication for regulating it. A baby who is too weak to breathe properly can also be aided by a catheter inserted into the umbilical artery.


• A venous catheter, on the other hand, can be used for evacuating the bowels when the infant has problems feeding properly. Introducing medicines and performing transfusions are other scenarios that necessitate the use of a venous catheter through the umbilical area after the cord attaching the mother to the child is cut off.

A professional looks for the blood vessels after removal of the cord in order to place the said catheter into the vessel. The final position is X-Rayed as an extra precaution. The umbilical catheter is kept in place by tying with a silk thread usually or secured to the infant’s belly via a tape.