Contraindications of umbilical venous catheters include which condition?

• A. Polycythemia
• B. Omphalitis
• C. Thrombocytopenia
• D. Jaundice

Answer: (B)

An infected umbilical stump (omphalitis) makes umbilical venous catheter placement unsafe because the catheter would pass through an actively infected site, creating a direct route for bacteria into the central circulation. This dramatically increases the risk of catheter-associated bloodstream infection, sepsis, and meningitis, so placing a UVC is contraindicated until the infection is treated and the stump is clean. The other options do not involve an active infection of the umbilical site and thus do not carry the same clear contraindication; polycythemia, thrombocytopenia, and jaundice may influence management in other ways but do not by themselves prevent UVC placement.