An umbilical artery catheter (UAC) is a medical device used in the care of critically ill or premature newborns. This thin, flexible tube accesses a baby’s bloodstream. It provides a direct pathway for delivering medical interventions and closely monitoring health.
What is an Umbilical Artery Catheter?
An umbilical artery catheter is a slender, pliable tube that medical professionals insert into one of the two umbilical arteries in a newborn’s umbilical cord stump. Though these arteries naturally constrict after birth, they can be cannulated. Its fundamental purpose is to establish direct access to a baby’s arterial system. This access enables continuous monitoring and facilitates medical care without repeated needle sticks.
Why Babies Need an Umbilical Artery Catheter
Newborns, particularly premature or critically ill, often require a UAC. A primary indication is frequent blood sampling, especially for arterial blood gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide levels). Continuous blood pressure monitoring is another significant use, offering real-time data on cardiovascular status.
Conditions like respiratory distress syndrome, requiring precise blood gas monitoring for breathing support, often necessitate UAC placement. It is also used for infants needing medications to support blood pressure or undergoing exchange transfusions. The catheter can also administer fluids or nutrition when other venous access is unavailable or insufficient.
How the Catheter is Used
UAC insertion is a sterile procedure performed by trained medical staff, typically in a NICU. The umbilical cord stump and surrounding skin are cleaned with antiseptic, and sterile drapes are used. After identifying an umbilical artery, it is gently dilated before the catheter is carefully advanced.
Once in place, its position is confirmed by X-ray to ensure the tip is in the aorta. This direct access allows for several functions. Medical teams can draw frequent blood samples for tests like blood gases, avoiding repeated discomfort. The UAC also enables continuous blood pressure monitoring, providing immediate feedback on circulatory status. Additionally, it can administer fluids and medications directly into the bloodstream.
Monitoring and Potential Concerns
Close monitoring ensures the UAC’s function and the baby’s safety. Medical staff check the insertion site for infection (e.g., redness or discharge). They also observe the baby’s extremities for changes in color or temperature, which could indicate blood flow issues.
While UACs are important, potential concerns exist. These include infection at the insertion site or in the bloodstream. Blood clots are another possibility, potentially interrupting blood flow to organs or limbs. Serious complications are uncommon but closely monitored.
The catheter’s position is routinely checked for displacement. When no longer needed, the UAC is carefully removed, often slowly, to allow the artery to constrict naturally. After removal, the site is monitored for bleeding or complications.