Hypoglycemia due to high positioning of umbilical artery catheters

Abstract

Three neonates with umbilical artery catheters positioned at the eighth and tenth thoracic vertebrae experienced hypoglycemia that resolved rapidly upon withdrawal of the catheters to low positions between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae. Streaming of glucose to the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries is a possible cause of this hypoglycemia.