Factors associated with peripheral intravenous catheterization failure in children with cancer

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of peripheral intravenous catheter insertion failure in children with cancer and its association with demographic, clinical, catheterization and previously used intravenous therapy characteristics. Methods: This is a cross-sectional and exploratory study conducted at the pediatric oncology clinic of a public hospital. Data from the observation of 130 peripheral intravenous catheterizations and medical records of children were used. We analyzed the demographic and clinical characteristics of peripheral intravenous catheterization and intravenous therapy used and its relationship with catheterization failure. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to determine the factors associated with the outcome studied, considering p<0.05. Results: The prevalence of failure was 38.5% and was statistically associated with length of stay (PR=1.6; 95%CI 1.05-2.56), previous prolonged intravenous therapy use (PR=2.1; 95%CI % 1.32-3.20), history of extravasation (PR=1.99; 95%CI 1.15-3.28) and child agitation (PR=1.41; 95%CI 1.02-1.94). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of peripheral intravenous catheterization failure in children with cancer, associated with length of hospitalization greater than or equal to eight days, previous prolonged IVT use, history of extravasation and child agitation during catheter insertion.