Medium and long term central venous access in children.

From September 2000 to August 2001, 104 central venous access devices (CVAD) were inserted in 91 children, governed by a uniform protocol. Thirty catheters were inserted in neonates, 29 in infants, 37 in children and 8 in adolescents. Fifty-one were planned insertions in the operating suite and 53 were emergencies - often by the bedside. There were 12 insertion related complications-all of which were minor. Neonatal age and bedside introduction had a higher risk of insertion related problems. The incidence of non-infectious complications was 20% (rate of 13.7/1000 line days) and was influenced by the child's age and insertion site. Femoral route was the safest. Incidence of catheter associated infections (CAI) was 15.4% (rate of 11/1000 line days). Only 2 children had catheter associated bloodstream infection. Neonates were at higher risk of catheter related infections. Age, insertion site and occurence of insertion complications influenced duration of catheterization (median 7.5 days, range 2-243 days) There was no major complication, though more than 50% insertions were in neonates and infants. In our practice, use of CVAD is feasible and safe, especially in neonates and infants.