Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026
Neonatal Pial Surface Electroporation
Published on: May 7, 2014
[Extravasation injuries in newborns: our experience about 15 cases]
K R Nandiolo-Anelone1, K C Allah2, L Cissé3
1Service de chirurgie pédiatrique, CHU de Treichville, 01 BP V 3, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire.
Insights
Extravasation injuries in newborns, often caused by glucose or calcium chloride infusions, can lead to severe sequelae. Early detection and prevention through staff training are crucial for managing these iatrogenic complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Iatrogenic Complications
- Neonatal Care
Context:
- Extravasation injuries are common during peripheral or central venous catheter infusions.
- In pediatric settings, these iatrogenic injuries can result in significant functional sequelae if detected late.
- This study focuses on managing therapeutic extravasations in newborns.
Purpose:
- To report the experience with managing iatrogenic extravasations for therapeutic purposes in newborns.
- To analyze the characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of these injuries.
Summary:
- Fifteen newborns with extravasation injuries from glucose or calcium chloride infusions were studied between 2010-2012.
- Most injuries were severe (Stage III/IV), affecting upper limbs, and treated conservatively (dressings) or surgically (grafting).
- Outcomes were satisfactory, but late presentation complicated management, highlighting the need for prevention.
Impact:
- Highlights the serious nature of neonatal extravasation injuries and their potential for long-term sequelae.
- Emphasizes the critical need for prevention through robust protocols and continuous staff training in infusion practices.
- Demonstrates satisfactory functional, aesthetic, and psychological outcomes with appropriate management, even in late-stage injuries.
Abstract:
Extravasation injuries are common complications that occur during infusion for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes by the peripheral or central venous catheters. In pediatric settings, iatrogenic extravasations are serious. When they are viewed late, they are sources of functional sequelae. The purpose of this study was to report our experience with the management of iatrogenic extravasations for therapeutic purposes. Between January 2010 and December 2012, fifteen newborns were supported for accidents of infusion of the upper and the lower limbs. The male was mostly affected. The mean age was 3.6days, with extremes of one and nine days. The average birth weight was 2900g. The range was 1200g and 3550g. Serum 10 % glucose and calcium chloride were implicated in all cases. The lesions were seen in the late stages III in six cases and IV in nine cases. The upper limbs were frequently affected. Nine lesions were in the upper limbs and six in the lower limbs. The dorsal surfaces, feet and hands were frequently affected in six and five cases, respectively. Two lesions were in the anterior aspect of the forearm and elbow. Elbows lesions were circular and realized a tourniquet effect. Treatment was conservative in eleven cases: five pro-inflammatory fatty dressings and six alcoholic dressings. The surgery was delayed in four cases. It combined excision-full thickness skin graft, excision-dressing-thin skin grafting, debridement and two-full thickness skin graft for retractable wrist scars. Two deaths were related to associate pathologies. One patient was lost for follow-up. Our results were satisfactory in functional, aesthetic and psychological aspects. Extravasation injuries are serious iatrogenic lesions. If the lesions are seen at an early stage in usual circumstances, in extreme exercise, they are seen late, sometimes at the stage of functional, psychological and cosmetic sequelae. The difficulty of the therapeutic management of these lesions requires prevention through the development of protocols and the permanent training of nursing staff for an efficient practice of infusion.
