Acquired bone dysplasia secondary to catheder-related complications in the neonate

Four neonates presented with leg-length discrepancy in the first and second year of life, secondary to physeal growth arrest. All four had stormy postnatal periods, requiring indwelling arterial and/or hyperalimentation catheters. One had documented osteomyelitis. In the last three cases, the growth disturbance may have been secondary to aseptic emboli to the bones from the indwelling catheters. In two cases, there was evidence of other nonseptic embolic phenomena. (orig.)