Purpose: Portal vein thrombosis has been associated with umbilical venous catheterization. This prospective study was done to determine the incidence of neonatal portal venous thrombosis associated with catheterization of the umbilical vein .
Methods: Neonates who had undergone umbilical vein catheterization for exchange transfusion between March 2003 and March 2004 in Children's Hospital of Tabriz, Iran, were included. Doppler ultrasonography was performed within 1-2 weeks after the removal of the catheter. In the cases with portal venous thrombosis, subsequent serial ultrasonography was performed at intervals of every 1-2 months until clot resolution. Risk factors, if any were identified and correlated with catheter-related thrombi.
Results: Ultrasonography detected clinically silent portal venous thrombosis in 17 (34%) of 50 neonates. Follow-up ultrasonography was available in 13 of 17 babies, and revealed complete or partial resolution in all the cases. Sepsis was identified as a significant risk factor (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Umbilical venous catheter-associated thrombosis is common, and spontaneous resolution occurs in most cases.