PEDIATRICS Vol. 67 No. 4 April 1981, pp. 472-473
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Paraplegia Due to Peripheral Venous Air Embolus in a Neonate: A Case Report

John Willis MD1, Caroline Duncan MD1, and Sheila Gottschalk MD1

1 Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Louisiana State University Medical School, New Orleans

A term male infant with pneumonia was receiving fluid and antibiotics through an intravenous line in the scalp. Air was accidentally infused in this line. Subsequently, discoloration of the skin, a flaccid paraplegia, hematuria, and gastrointestinal bleeding occurred as the presumed effect of venous air entering the systemic arteries. The umbilical vessels were never catheterized. Absence of any apparent cerebral air embolism is interpreted as being due to the infant's position (head down) at the time of air infusion. The pathogeneis and prevention of this tragic complication are discussed.

Submitted on May 29, 1980
Accepted on August 4, 1980




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