NICU · Vascular Access
Umbilical Catheter Depth
UAC (high and low positions) and UVC insertion depth by birth weight or shoulder-umbilicus distance.
Birth weight
Placement targets
UAC HighT6–T9 (above diaphragm)
UAC LowL3–L4 (below renal arteries)
UVCJunction of IVC and right atrium
ConfirmChest/abdominal X-ray
Depth by weight
UAC High(3 × BW kg) + 9 cm
UAC LowBW (kg) + 7 cm
UVC(UAC High ÷ 2) + 1 cm
Depth by shoulder-umbilicus distance (Shukla & Dunn)
cm, shoulder tip to umbilical stump
UACSU × 1.0 + 1 cm
UVCSU × 0.5 + 1 cm
Enter a distance above to activate — used when available for greater accuracy.
Clinical decision support only. Always confirm catheter tip position with chest and/or abdominal radiograph before use. UAC high position targets T6–T9 vertebral bodies; UVC targets the IVC–RA junction. Measurement formulas are estimates. PediaSuite is not affiliated with any institution.