Umbilical venous catheter-induced hepatic hematoma in neonates

Umbilical vessel catheterization is common practice for infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Umbilical venous catheters (UVC) although very useful as a means of obtaining vascular access, do not come without risks. Here we will describe three separate cases of infants in the NICU who, during their course of treatment, were found to have hepatic masses attributed to UVC misplacement. Two of the cases presented incidentally and one presented acutely. We believe liver hematomas may be a more common complication of malpositioned UVCs than previously believed. An appreciation of the complications of malpositioned UVCs should alert clinicians to screen for potential complications and to ensure ideal line placement.