A physician, resident physician, or advanced practice provider with training in how to place an umbilical vein catheter should perform the procedure. A second individual, such as a nurse or medic, should also be present to help monitor the patient throughout the process and provide assistance with positioning and supplies.

Equipment, as listed above, should be obtained and inspected. Appropriate lab work, if available, requires review. Written consent is necessary from the parent/guardian of the neonate after a discussion of the risks, benefits, and alternatives of this procedure if not performing the procedure emergently. A time out should be performed with particular attention to assure that the correct patient is identified and to assess for any contraindications for the procedure. The procedure should take place inside a radiant warmer to avoid environmental exposure to the infant. Flush the catheter with heparinized saline to ensure there is no air present in the catheter and to prevent clotting. Attach a three-way stop-cock to the catheter.

After donning sterile attire as discussed above, the umbilical stump should undergo preparation with a bactericidal solution, and a loop of umbilical tape placed at the junction of the skin and umbilical stump. Drape the procedural field with sterile drapes. Grasp the umbilical stump with non-toothed forceps and apply upward traction to straighten the umbilical stump. Take a scalpel and make a transverse cut completely through the umbilical stump 1 to 2 cm from the skin to expose the non-dried umbilical cord to aid in anatomical identification and cannulation of the umbilical vein. Identify the two umbilical arteries by their thicker walls and the umbilical vein by its position at 12 o’clock and its larger thin-walled appearance. Umbilical tape may be tightened to control bleeding if present. Gently use the iris forceps to cannulate and dilate the umbilical vein and to clear any thrombus present in the umbilical vein. Grasp the umbilical vein catheter with the iris forceps and gently introduce the catheter into the umbilical vein. If the clinician meets resistance, loosen the umbilical tape and attempt to advance the catheter again with gentle pressure. If the significant resistance is still present after loosening the umbilical tape, abandon the procedure and seek an alternative method of intravenous access. If the line placement is for emergency access, advance the catheter 1 to 2 cm past the point of initial blood return in the catheter, which is usually 4 to 5 cm in a full-term.[2] If the line placement is for more long-term access, the line should be advanced into the inferior vena cava just beneath the right atrium, which is usually 10 to 12 cm in a full-term neonate.

A catheter in the inferior vena cava is considered a central venous catheter and is appropriate for central venous pressure monitoring, or if infusing medications with a high concentration of glucose, or hyperalimentation solutions. If inferior vena cava placement is the intent, the line must be confirmed with X-ray imaging to be above the diaphragm but below the right atrium before use to avoid complications. Numerous standardized graphs and formulas exist to aid in estimating placement depth based on birth weight, shoulder to umbilicus distance. Anatomic landmark guided methods have shown to be able to predict insertion length accurately.[3] If placing an umbilical venous catheter for central venous access, follow the institutional guidelines/policies on placement depth. Upon placement of the catheter and the sterile field is taken down, the line may only be withdrawn and not advanced. Secure the catheter using a suture through the cord. After suturing the catheter in place, use tape to create a tape bridge between the abdomen and the catheter for extra protection against displacement. Place a transparent dressing over the umbilical stump and umbilical venous catheter.  

As with all central venous access, the complications of placement include uncontrolled bleeding, infection, damage to adjacent structures, thrombosis, and placement into an artery.[4] Specific to umbilical vein catheters is the risk of placement into the portal venous system, which can lead to hepatic necrosis if hyperosmotic solutions are extravasated.[5] Reports also describe liver abscess, portal vein thrombosis, and cavernoma formation.[6] Due to the small volume of the neonate’s venous system, central lines must be flushed with saline to assure no air is present in the line to prevent air embolism. Inadvertent placement in the umbilical artery can lead to catheter occlusion of limb arterial supply or thrombosis, leading to limb ischemia. Placement into the right atrium can lead to perforation and subsequent pericardial effusion.[7] In a neonate who becomes hemodynamically unstable following placement of an umbilical vein catheter, cardiac tamponade is a consideration.[8] Overall the complication rate of umbilical venous catheters similar to that of percutaneously placed central venous catheters.[9] Reports indicate significantly lower rates of thrombosis and iliofemoral vein occlusion with umbilical vein catheters compared to femoral central venous catheters.[10]

Umbilical vein catheterization remains a reliable form of emergency intravenous and central venous access in neonates up to 14 days old.

An umbilical vein catheterization is a unique form of intravenous access that can be considered by the healthcare team when caring for a neonate. Physicians, residents, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners may place umbilical vein catheters this the help of the nursing staff. In critically ill neonates, decisions about central venous access may require discussion between critical care providers and emergency personnel. Unique aspects of care of umbilical catheters require review between nurses, medics, and advanced providers. Neonatal ICU specialty-trained nurses should assume a significant role in the interprofessional healthcare team performing umbilical vein catheterization, preparing the patient, assisting during the procedure, and caring and monitoring the neonate afterward, while administering necessary medications. This interprofessional approach will lead to better patient outcomes. [Level V]

This activity cites levels of evidence 2 to 5. There does not appear to be any level 1 data available at the time of writing.

Umbilical vein catheterization requires assistance from several professionals, including the nurse. The nurse not only ensures that a consent has been obtained but prepares the kit for catheterization. After inserting the line, an X-ray of the abdomen is abdomen before use; it is the nurse's responsibility to ensure that the line is not used before verification of the X-ray unless it is a dire emergency. Finally, the nurse is in charge of dressing changes and ensuring the site is always clean and dry.

Once an umbilical vein catheterization has occurred, the nurse should ensure that all infusions take place in an aseptic manner. The wound site dressings have to be changed regularly, and the stump site requires observation for bleeding. If there is any change in the functioning of the line, nursing should report it to the physician.