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Am J Perinatol 1990; 7(1): 8-12
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-999435
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1990 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Comparing Two Methods of Umbilical Artery Catheter Placement

Susan J. Squire, Thomasina L. Hornung, Karin T. Kirchhoff
  • Newborn Intensive Care Unit, University of Utah Health Science Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

This study compared the conventional method of umbilical artery catheter placement with a side-entry method. Criteria for comparison were: (1) frequency of correct placement; (2) time required for placement; and (3) incidence of bleeding. Newborn infants less than 3 hours of age who required placement of a umbilical artery catheter were admitted into the study with parental consent. The sample size was 32 catheter attempts (16 conventional method and 16 side-entry method). The side-entry method resulted in more successful catheter placements and required less time without incidence of bleeding. With the conventional method, there were five failures to place the catheter and three incidents of bleeding, resulting in a total blood loss of 14 cc.