[Thrombosis: an underestimated complication of central catheters? Subclavian vein, vena cava and renal vein thrombosis after silastic catheters].

Besides systemic infections venous thromboses constitute major complications of central lines used in neonatal intensive care. Male triplet born at 25 weeks of gestation, birthweight 460 g during his first developed a catheter-associated thrombosis of the left vena subclavia without clinical symptoms. In addition, a second catheter-induced thrombosis of the vena cava inferior and right vena renalis manifested with typical clinical symptoms at an age of 4 weeks. Coagulation tests were normal. 7 months later the size and the renal function of the right kidney were markedly reduced. The incidence of catheter-associated thrombotic complications has not been defined yet; thromboses may develop without clinical signs. There is evidence that the rate of this complication is higher than generally assumed.