Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42149206›Full record

ArticlePediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany)2026

Novel use of the Nuwellis® dual extended length catheter (dELC) as umbilical venous access for neonatal kidney replacement therapy: case series.

Kara Short, Alyssa Umberger, Meggie Mathis, Mallory Walker, Jacki Harmon, Lyndsay Harshman, Brynna Van Wyk, Kyle Merrill

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Kara ShortPediatric and Infant Center for Acute Nephrology, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA. kara.short@childrensal.org.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-7663-1119
Alyssa UmbergerPediatric and Infant Center for Acute Nephrology, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Meggie MathisNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Mallory WalkerNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Jacki HarmonNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Lyndsay HarshmanUniversity of Iowa Healthcare Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Brynna Van WykUniversity of Iowa Healthcare Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Kyle MerrillUniversity of Iowa Healthcare Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, IA, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNeonates with congenital kidney failure or acute kidney injury often require continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT). Historically, venous access for CKRT in this population has relied on non-approved adult catheters, commonly via the internal jugular (IJ) vein. Limited international reports describe using the umbilical vein for CKRT, but this practice is not widespread in the USA. The Nuwellis® dual lumen extended length catheter (dELC), originally created for adult ultrafiltration, may support alternative access for neonatal CKRT.

methodsThis case series describes the clinical course of four neonates requiring CKRT using a 6 French Nuwellis® dELC placed in the umbilical vein at University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital and Children's of Alabama. Patient demographics, CKRT prescriptions, access characteristics, and complications were reviewed.

resultsAll four neonates underwent successful umbilical vein placement of the 6 Fr dELC. Weight at initiation ranged from 2.23 to 4.1 kg, with blood flow rates 20-40 mL/min. Epoprostenol anticoagulation was used in three patients. Half of the cohort later transitioned to a tunneled catheter, and one transitioned to an IJ catheter following fluid removal. One catheter developed hub cracks likely related to lumen caps, and one patient experienced flow limitations attributed to positioning rather than catheter function. Two patients had no catheter-related complications.

conclusionsUmbilical venous access using the 6Fr dELC may represent a viable alternative for neonatal CKRT. Coil reinforcement within the catheter may support patency and better functionality. Additional studies are needed to assess safety and broader applicability.

Indexed as

Acute Kidney InjuryCatheterization, Central VenousCatheters, IndwellingContinuous Renal Replacement TherapyUmbilical VeinsEquipment DesignFemaleHumansInfant, NewbornMaleTreatment OutcomeCKRTContinuous kidney replacement therapyCritical careDialysisNeonatalVascular access

Identifiers

PMID42149206
PMCPMC13481557

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.