Hydropericardium causing sudden infant death in glycogenosis type I: osmotic injury due to percutaneous silastic

P Mueller1, L C Horn, P Buehrdel

  • 1HELIOS Hospital Leisnig, Department of Pediatrics. pmueller@leisnig.helios-kliniken.de

Klinische Padiatrie
|September 30, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Peripheral silastic catheters pose risks for infants. A rare complication, hydropericardium with tamponade, led to sudden infant death in a 9-month-old, highlighting potential dangers.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Medical Device Safety

Background:

  • Investigating the risks associated with peripheral silastic catheters in neonates and infants.
  • Reviewing literature to identify potential complications in preterm and term infants.

Observation:

  • A case report of a 9-month-old female infant with glycogenosis type I a.
  • The infant experienced sudden death due to hydropericardium with tamponade, a rare catheter complication.

Findings:

  • The fatal complication is hypothesized to result from local osmotic imbalance due to catheter tip contact with the atrial wall.
  • No established link exists between inborn errors of metabolism and increased incidence of catheter complications.

Implications:

  • Highlights the critical need for vigilance regarding peripheral silastic catheter use in pediatric patients.
  • Underscores the potential for rare but severe complications, even without perforation.
  • Emphasizes the importance of careful catheter placement and monitoring in neonates and infants.
Abstract

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