Limb length shortening associated with femoral arterial lines in the neonatal period.

Two cases involving toddlers who presented with limb length shortening and radiological findings consistent with growth plate arrest are presented. Both cases had been cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit because of extreme prematurity, and both cases had a femoral arterial line inserted on the side of the body with the short limb. This complication has not been previously described in the preterm population.