# Portal Hypertension in Children: Investigating Umbilical Catheterization in the Neonatal Period

## TL;DR

This paper discusses how umbilical catheterization in newborns can lead to serious liver-related complications in children, such as portal hypertension and life-threatening bleeding.

## Contribution

The paper highlights a rare but severe complication of neonatal umbilical catheterization through a case report.

## Key findings

- Neonatal umbilical catheterization can cause portal vein thrombosis and portal hypertension.
- A five-year-old child experienced upper GI bleeding due to ruptured esophageal varices from a portal cavernoma.
- The case emphasizes the risk of vascular complications from umbilical vein catheterization in newborns.

## Abstract

Portal cavernoma is a major cause of extrahepatic portal hypertension (EHPH) in children. It is a serious condition, due to the frequency and severity of digestive hemorrhages secondary to the rupture of esophageal varices (EV). Neonatal umbilical catheterization is a significant risk factor for the development of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and portal hypertension. We report a case of a five-year-old male who presented with upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding on ruptured esophageal varices resulting from a portal cavernoma, complicating neonatal umbilical vein catheterization. This case illustrates the risk of severe vascular complications, particularly portal hypertension that can result from neonatal umbilical vein catheterization.