Infant venous access: ‘Counting fingers’ and ‘playing baseball’

Summary 

Gaining vascular access remains one of the first priorities after managing the airway and breathing in sick babies. However, there are many questions and myths attached to gaining intravenous access in small babies. What site, what size cannula, and what fluid are some of the many questions facing emergency personnel. This article will attempt to answer some of these questions and help simplify the process for emergency teams facing the stressors associated with infant vascular access.

Keywords: Infant vascular access, IV, Intraosseous, IO, Umbilical vein, Newborn, Emergency department