Vascular access in neonates and infants--indications, routes, techniques and devices, complications

Venous cannulation has been in regular use in neonates since the 1940s. This was at first through the umbilical vein, but the frequency of complications lead to other central and peripheral routes being used for infusion of fluid, nutrients and drugs. Today, peripheral venous access is preferred except for high volume fluid resuscitation, reliable infusion of irritant drugs and long-term parenteral nutrition. Intraosseous infusion provides a reliable alternative to peripheral veins for rapid infusion of fluid. Long, thin silastic catheters can be inserted through a peripheral venous cannulae for parenteral nutrition or other central venous infusions as an alternative to direct central venous cannulation using the Seldinger or other techniques. Broviac or Hickman catheters, inserted through a subcutaneous tunnel are only considered when central venous cannulation is likely to be needed for more than six weeks. The most common serious complication of vascular access is infection. Infection associated with central venous catheters is reduced by prophylactic vancomycin or teicoplanin. Other complications of central venous infusion are associated with cannulae malpositioning, bleeding and thrombosis. Distal hypoperfusion may follow arterial cannulation. Modern emergency and intensive care paediatrics is impossible without adequate venous and arterial vascular access. However no other skill for neonatal intensive care causes more anxiety in primary care providers or is more difficult to teach.