A preterm male infant who had an umbilical venous catheter (UVC) in situ for infusion of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) subsequently developed abdominal distension. He was initially diagnosed to have necrotising enterocolitis. However, a diagnostic abdominal paracentesis yielded fluid which biochemical analysis found to be consistent with TPN. TPN is often infused through a UVC, in the first few days of life, for the nutritional support of a premature infant. Various complications have been reported to be associated with this path of delivery, one of which will be illustrated in this case report.