Predicting factors for complications in peripheral intravenous catheters in the pediatric population

Ortal Resnick*, Wiessam Abu Ahmad, Daniel Bancovsky, Sonia Rogachev, Amit Ashash, Lea Ohana Sarna Cahan, David Rekhtman, Saar Hashavya, Itai Gross

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aim: To characterise the association between peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) gauge (G), the patient's age, insertion site and complication incidence. Methods: This prospective study was performed in Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel, between June 2018 and March 2019. Children with PIVC admitted to the paediatric departments were included. PIVCs were evaluated daily. Results: A total of 113 children with 132 PIVCs were included in the study. The most common site of insertion was the antecubital fossa (43.9%). PIVCs were most commonly used for intravenous (IV) antibiotics (46.6%). Complications were observed for 40.9% PIVCs. Dislodgement was the most common complication. The complication rate was higher for the lower limbs (60%) and external jugular veins (100%) p = 0.002. In infants younger than 12 months, the complication rate was higher for 22 G PIVCs or larger (58.7% versus 27.5%; p = 0.05). In contrast, for the 1-6 years age group, PIVCs smaller than 24 G had a higher complication rate (p = 0.004). Patients with comorbidities had a higher complication rate (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Risk factors for complications are comorbidities and sites of insertion other than the upper limbs. In infants, 24 G PIVC or smaller should be inserted, whereas 22 G PIVC or larger are superior for 1- to 6-year-old children.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1639-1644
Number of pages6
JournalActa Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics
Volume110
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2021
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Foundation Acta Pædiatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Keywords

  • catheter gauge
  • complications
  • paediatrics
  • peripheral intravenous cannulas
  • phlebitis

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