Gupta et al reported a formula for the insertion of an umbilical venous catheter based on surface measurements of the neonate. The authors are from Nemours/Alfred I DuPont Hospital for Children and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
Patient selection: neonate
Parameters:
(1) distance from nipple to umbilicus in cm
(2) distance from umbilicus to symphysis pubis in cm
insertion length in cm for a venous catheter =
= (distance from nipple to umbilicus) - 1
insertion length in cm for an arterial catheter =
= (distance from nipple to umbilicus) + (2 * (distance from umbilicus to pubis)) -1
Performance:
• The venous formula was accurate in 94% of cases and the arterial in 92% of cases.
• The arterial formula performs well in very low birthweight neonates.
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