Chylothorax secondary to catheter related thrombosis successfully treated with heparin

Abstract

It has been well recognized that intra-thoracic surgery is a major cause of chylothorax in the newborn period; however, catheter-related thrombosis could also be a cause. We report a preterm baby who presented with right chylothorax secondary to venous thrombosis postinadvertent right internal jugular vein catheterization. The complication resolved with drainage, catheter removal and low molecular weight heparin. The literature on neonatal chylothorax and thrombosis and case reports reporting thrombosis-related chylothorax that have been successfully treated with anticoagulation are reviewed.