[PICC: central venous access by the peripheral route. Medical-nursing aspects]

To have access to central vein, for the infant in NICU,often have a role, for their, life-preserving. The increase of survival in the VLBW, and specially in the ELBW,is guaranteed, in the first days of the life also by a safe vascular access, in fact we can, in this way, to supply with parenteral nutrition to all the requirements that these special patients have. In the first approach to the seriously ill newborn, the umbilical vessels, are the first choice to use,we have the way more fast, stable and easy, to guarantee: the emergency therapy, monitoring and caloric requirements. After 6-7 days, however, specially in the ELBW, it is important to find a more stable vascular access, through we can to provide high osmolarity solutions without complications, to supplement the MEF (Minimal Enteral Feeding) with parenteral nutrition optimizing energy intake and caloric. At this time, for the preterm baby is more safe and easy choice the central venous catheter peripherally inserted (PICC). The Authors assess the medical nurse aspects related to this method starting from the choice of vase, the techniques of cannulation and dressing, then linger on the management and prevention of complications. We will, finally, show our data on PICC related to 212 preterms admitted in our NICU with weight <1500 gr and/o E.G. <30 ws.; from the year 2006 to 2009, that correspond to the our precence to the Vermont Oxford Network (VON).