Effect of Peripheral Venous Catheter Gauge in Children on Catheter Related Complications

Background: Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVC) insertion is a common procedure in hospitalized children. Only a few studies have examined the correlation between PIVC gauge and insertion site on complications and life span in the pediatric population.

Objective: To examine the correlation between PIVC gauge to complications and catheter lifespan.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted at Hadassah medical center, Jerusalem, Israel. Following informed consent, PIVC was inserted, catheter gauge, and site of insertion were chosen by the inserter as found suitable. PIVC insertion sites were examined daily for complications.

Results: 114 children and 132 PIVCs were included in the study. The average age was 4.5 years. The average catheter life span was 2.5 days. Complications including local infiltration, accidental removal, phlebitis and obstruction, were observed in 54/132 PIVCs (40.9%). Complication rate was 0%, 38%, 40%, 83% in catheters with a 20 (n-6), 22 (n-62), 24 (n-62) and 26 (n-2) gauge, respectively. No statistical difference was found between the insertion site and complication rate.

IV fluids administration through the PIVC was associated with a higher complication rate (P=0.04). Antibiotic treatment did not reduce the complication rate (P=0.82).

Conclusion: In children 1- 6 years of age the larger the inserted catheter was, the fewer complications that were encountered while in children younger the one year of age the opposite was true.

The insertion site of the catheter was not found to be important in terms of complication rate and lifespan.