Umbilical Catheter

An umbilical catheter is a flexible tube that is inserted into a blood vessel in a newborn's umbilical cord. This tube provides a painless way of drawing arterial blood for testing and for giving medication, nutrition, and fluids through a vein.

Current as of: May 12, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Sarah A. Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Kim E. Dow, MD, FRCPC - Neonatology

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