Experience with double-lumen umbilical venous catheters in the low-birth-weight neonate

Reliable vascular access can be problematic in sick low-birth-weight neonates. Umbilical venous catheters are one form of vascular access that can be used in this population. A retrospective review of experience with umbilical venous catheters in our neonatal intensive care unit from January 1989 through December 1991 was conducted. This included 128 patients: 70 with single-lumen (Gesco Umbilicath II) and 58 with double-lumen (Becton-Dickinson Careflow) catheters. Birth weight, gestational age, catheter life span, complications, and number of punctures for peripheral intravenous lines were analyzed. The mean birth weight, gestational age, and catheter life span did not differ significantly between catheter types. The incidence of catheter-related sepsis did not differ significantly (two single-lumen, three double-lumen) and occurred only in neonates with a catheter life span greater than 10 days. The number of intravenous punctures was significantly decreased in those neonates with double-lumen umbilical venous catheters (p < 0.0001). We conclude that in sick low-birth-weight infants the use of double-lumen umbilical venous catheters entails no greater risk than the use of a single-lumen umbilical venous catheter and may reduce iatrogenic stress associated with the starting of peripheral intravenous lines.