Thrombotic complication of umbilical arterial catheterization and its sequelae

Umbilical arterial catheterization caused major complications including 5 deaths in 25 of 230 infants who underwent autopsy at the Kandang Kerbau Hospital in a two-and-a-half year period beginning May 1982. Arterial thrombosis developed in 25 of 129 (19.3%) autopsies with a history of umbilical arterial catheterization. Pathological sequelae of thrombosis occurred in 14 cases (peripheral gangrene 1, renal 6, gastrointestinal 3 and both renal and gastro-intestinal 4). The sequelae were clinically unsuspected in the majority. Early deaths were uncommon in the group with thrombosis. Comparison of neonatal factors revealed no significant differences between the group with sequelae and those without. Infants with indwelling umbilical arterial catheter should be actively monitored for complications.