what do you think ? In our unit ,We are beginning to use PICC ( but we do not have much experience yet ) and want to make a protocol to treat the infant of the diabetic mother. Do you use umbilical via (probably will not for long) or PICC (course if required). Thanks in advance

We try to restrict the nb of days with UVC as much as possible, and switch over to a PICC if we believe an infant will need parenteral fluids for more than a just a few days.

Infants to diabetic mothers are usually cared with regular peripheral vein catheters.

Here's a reference about complications with all catheter types.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15777826

I think the picc line should be insertd as soon as posible for any baby who will not be on full oral feedin for 7-10 day,s because you need a good perepheral vein befor all good perepheral vein used .

This what we do in our unit.

Is there a study anyone knows which has conclusively proven that the incidence of complications is higher with UVC as compared to PICC. If not then why are we in a hurry to remove the UVC.

IF you use an UVC then what is the longest duration would you keep it.

If it is a high UVC (at T10 level), we have kept it for three weeks without any complications.

V.Baichoo

Consultant Neonatologist

Corniche Hospital

U.A.E.