Gangrene of the buttock: a devastating complication of the infusion of hyperosmolar solutions in the umbilical artery at birth.

This paper describes two cases of gangrene in the buttock secondary to infusion of a hyperosmolar solution into the umbilical artery at birth. Because of the frequent dilatation of the umbilical arteries in asphyxiated infants, needle puncture should not be used to infuse fluids into the umbilical vein. Moreover, hypertonic solutions that can produce vascular thrombosis should be avoided in metabolic resuscitation in the delivery room.