Central venous catheter-related complications in newborns and infants: a 587-case survey.

In an attempt to identify factors determining central venous catheter-related complications in newborns and infants, 587 cases have been retrospectively analyzed. Attention has been paid to the influence of the incidence of babies' body weight, site of insertion, and technique of placement of the catheter and the material used, ie, silicone (SI) or polyurethane (PU). Overall complications occurred in 28% of the catheters with 2 deaths due to cardiac tamponade.