Narrative review reveals superior catheter localization accuracy via point-of-care ultrasound in neonates, indicating the need for standardized longitudinal bedside protocols.
Key Points
To establish a structured, image-based point-of-care ultrasound protocol for umbilical venous catheter placement, malposition correction, longitudinal surveillance, and clinical governance in neonates.
Conducted a targeted narrative review of literature published between 2005 and 2025, evaluating comparative studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and society guidelines on neonatal vascular access and ultrasound.
Synthesized findings into a continuous bedside workflow incorporating probe selection, multi-planar scanning views, and artefact recognition standards.
Point-of-care ultrasound achieved reported sensitivity and specificity exceeding 90% for cavoatrial junction localization, compared to 60% to 70% for conventional radiography.
Catheter tip migration occurred in 50% to 90% of neonates within the first 72 hours post-insertion, indicating that single initial radiographs fail to detect delayed displacement.
A structured three-view protocol (situs, subcostal inferior vena cava–right atrium, and coronal/oblique) reliably differentiated portal, hepatic, and intracardiac malpositions at the bedside.
Cite This Study
Bhojnagarwala et al. (2026) studied this question.