Total parenteral nutrition tamponade.

When Aubaniac first introduced the central venous catheter to clinical medicine he stated 'Elle est strictement sans danger'. Subsequently, central venous catheters have been used for monitoring, medicating and feeding intensive care patients of all ages. Complications are infrequent, but can, however, sometimes be fatal. Cardiac tamponade is a rare complication, and in this report prompt recognition and treatment prevented the death of a neonate.