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Umbilical catheter

An umbilical catheter is a flexible tube that is inserted into a blood vessel in a newborn's umbilical cord. This tube provides a painless way of drawing arterial blood for testing and for giving medication, nutrition, and fluids through a vein.

Current as of: May 1, 2026

Author: WebMD Ignite Staff

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All WebMD Ignite education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

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Measles in Cincinnati: What Parents Need to Know

Updated September 18, 2026 Written in collaboration with Dr. Leah Welty If you’ve seen recent news about measles cases in Cincinnati,

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