Cardiac tamponade associated with umbilical venous catheter (UVC) placed in inappropriate position

Umbilical venous catheter (UVC) is widely used in neonatal intensive care units. Pericardial effusion is an uncommon but life-threatening complication; and tamponade have been reported in 3% of neonates having such catheters. We present a case of cardiac tamponade as a complication of venous catheter in a neonate. The patient was diagnosed at the appropriate time by echocardiography and the pericardiocentesis was performed, and after removal of the complete pericardial effusion, an improvement of the critical condition was achieved. It is important to document the optimal positioning of UVC before the start of infusions.