Pediatric Central Venous Catheter Management: A Review of Current Practice

Due to small vessel size, obtaining stable access in pediatric patients is difficult. In addition, because needle stick pain is a concern for patients with chronic illness, central venous catheters are often utilized to provide intravenous treatment. Catheter occlusion is a common complication in pediatric patients and must be addressed to salvage the catheter and ensure successful therapy. The use of fibrinolytics for occlusion treatment have been successful in pediatric populations.