To determine if estimation of the umbilical venous catheter (UVC) insertion depth by surface measurement (SM) will result in optimal catheter tip placement as compared with birth weight (BW)-derived formulae.
Methods:
Eligible neonates were randomized into two groups: UVC insertion depth was estimated by Gomella’s formula derived from SM and modified Shukla’s formula based on the BW method. The proportion of optimally placed UVCs in each group was compared and analyzed.
Results:
Estimating the insertion depth by the SM method resulted in an increased proportion of neonates with correctly placed UVC tips between the groups (SM 62/107 (57.9%) vs BW 36/107 (33.6%), RR 1.722 with 95% CI (1.261–2.351), p = 0.006). There was no significant difference in the incidence of malposition, complications associated with umbilical catheter insertion, and all-cause mortality.
Conclusion:
Gomella’s surface measurement formula achieved a higher rate of placing the UVC tip in the optimal position compared to the commonly used Modified Shukla’s formula and can be considered for estimating insertion length among neonates of all gestation and morphological status.
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