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IV Therapy Gone Wrong: What Puts Kids at Risk?

Imam Hossein Children's Hospital, Isfahan, IranMonday, January 6, 2025

Have you ever wondered what happens when medicine meant for a kid's veins leaks into surrounding tissues? This is called extravasation, a common injury in children's hospitals. It can cause harm and lengthen hospital stays. So, what puts kids at risk? A study in Iran tried to find out. Over a year, scientists watched 500 kids, aged from 1 month to 18 years, who were in a pediatric intensive care unit. Half were boys, and they were about 3 years old on average. Most had a deep vein catheter.

About 9. 8% of these kids (49) had extravasation. The risks were higher for girls, kids with deep vein catheters, those who stayed longer in the hospital, less conscious kids, and kids with tape holding their IV in place. Healthcare workers should know these risks to protect kids, especially the more vulnerable ones.

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