Background: Hepatic portal venous gas in infants is frequently due to late presentation of necrotizing enterocolitis which is considered a relative indicator for surgical intervention.
Case summary: A preterm baby underwent an umbilical catheter placement and discovered in abdominal radiograph to have air in the portal venous system due to malpositioning of the umbilical catheter.
Conclusion: Hepatic portal venous gas in infants without signs of necrotizing enterocolitis could result from malposition of umbilical venous catheter, and in that case, should be managed medically, with no need for surgical intervention.
Keywords: Case report; Catheter; Enterocolitis; Necrotizing; Neonate; Portal gas; Umbilical.
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