Hypertension in infants--a complication of umbilical arterial catheterization.

Hypertension was observed in ten infants. Seven had thrombosis either of one renal artery or of both. The seven infants had previously had an indwelling catheter in the umbilical artery. One infant who had not had an indwelling umbilical arterial catheter had stenosis of a renal artery. No etiology for the hypertension was found in two infants, one of whom had had an umbilical arterial catheter. Response to antihypertensive medication was generally poor. Five of the infants died. We recommend prompt diagnostic evaluation in hypertensive infants. Nephrectomy should be considered, if the renal artery is occluded. Hypertension appears to be a life-threatening complication of umbilical arterial catheterization.