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Am J Perinatol 1984; 1(4): 351-354
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1000038
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1984 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Hepatic Injury: A Possible Complication of Dopamine Infusion Through an Inappropriately Placed Umbilical Vein Catheter

Pankaja S. Venkataraman, Diane S. Babcock, Reginald C. Tsang, Jeanne L. Bollard
  • Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, and Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

A 34-week preterm infant was evaluated for direct hyperbilirubinemia and hepatomegaly at 2 weeks of age. Dopamine had been used in the management of hypotension in the early neonatal period; the drug had been inappropriately infused into the right branch of the portal vein. Ultrasonography of the abdomen at 2 weeks showed mild hepatomegaly and a hypoechoic area in the right lobe of the liver posteriorly. Follow-up ultrasonogram at 3 months showed the liver to be of normal size and echogenicity. Hyperbilirubinemia was resolved by 3œ weeks. No other problems were specifically related to the hepatic injury.