Umbilical vein catheterization through Wharton's jelly: A possibility for a fast and safe way to deliver treatments in the delivery room?

Abstract

Fast and safe venous access can be a critical issue in the delivery room during neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation or before endotracheal intubation. Here, we describe a new method to inject drugs using the umbilical vein, directly punctured through Wharton's jelly, performed in ten newborns between November 2016 and May 2018. The umbilical vein was identified and punctured easily and a reflux was obtained in all patients. The treatments were efficient in all but two patients, which was imputable to the method in one patient. We describe a new route for administration of drugs that has been successfully used in neonates.

Keywords: Delivery room; Endotracheal intubation; Neonatal pre-medication; Umbilical vein.