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Splinting for Stabilizing Peripheral Intravenous Cannula in Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Ashish Rajeshwar Dongara1, Vivek Vijayamadhavan2, Torbjorn Hertzberg2
1Department of Neonatology, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Ajman, Ajman, United Arab Emirates, dongaraashish@yahoo.co.in.
Neonatology
|August 18, 2025
Summary
Splinting peripheral intravenous (PIV) cannulas in neonates does not improve their lifespan. Not using splints may even increase PIV cannula longevity in term, normal birthweight infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Intensive Care
- Pediatric Medical Devices
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Neonatal intensive care units (NICU) frequently require peripheral intravenous (PIV) cannulation for neonates.
- Conventional practice includes splinting PIVs, though its efficacy in extending cannula lifespan is unproven.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if standard fixation without splinting impacts PIV cannula lifespan in neonates when inserted near a joint.
Main Methods:
- An unmasked, parallel-group Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) involving 675 PIV cannulations.
- Participants were divided into "No Splint" and "Splint" groups, with the latter receiving a standard PIV fixation plus a readymade splint.
- The primary outcome was the difference in PIV cannula lifespan between the two groups.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in mean PIV cannula lifespan was observed between the "No Splint" (48.5 hours) and "Splint" (47.5 hours) groups (p=0.7).
- Subgroup analysis indicated a potentially longer PIV cannula lifespan in the "No Splint" group for term neonates weighing ≥2500 grams.
Conclusions:
- Standard fixation without splinting does not shorten PIV cannula life in neonates when placed over a joint.
- Omitting splints may be associated with improved PIV cannula longevity in term, normal birthweight neonates.
