Clinical comparative analysis of neonatal scalp vein and axillary vein catheterization

Abstract

Objective: To compare the clinical effectiveness and safety of axillary vein catheterization (AVC) and scalp vein catheterization (SVC) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Design: Retrospective study Setting: The Central Hospital of Xinxiang, China Subjects: One hundred and fifteen cases from the NICU were enrolled from June 2012 to June 2013. Interventions: Fifty-four patients underwent AVC and 61 underwent SVC. Main outcome measure(s): Catheter-related bloodstream infection, catheter obstruction, ectopia, phlebitis, and local leaking Results: No significant difference between groups was observed for catheter related bloodstream infection (SVC: 4.4%, AVC: 3.7%, p = 0.56) and catheter obstruction (9.8% vs. 9.3%, P = 0.87) between the two catheterization methods. However, the rate of catheter ectopia, phlebitis and leaking in SVC were significantly higher than those for AVC (18.0% Vs. 3.7%, p = 0.02,18.0% Vs 3.7%, p = 0.02 and 16.4% Vs. 3.7%, p = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions: Although both SVC and AVC could be the choice for intravenous infusion in the NICU, AVC was safer than SVC in newborn infants.