Initial peripherally inserted central catheter tip position in neonates

This is a cross-sectional study aiming to identify the initial tip position of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) and to verify the prevalence of success in inserting such catheters in neonates. The study was carried out in the neonatal care unit of Hospital das Clinicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo. Data were collected prospectively from March to September 2006. 37 neonates underwent PICC insertion were included in the study. The rate of success for this procedure was 72.3% (27 neonates). Of them, four (14.8%) had the catheter tips placed in the axilary or inominate veins. Three others (11.1%) had them placed in a jugular vein. When these catheters were removed, 13 (48.2%) catheter tip were placed in the right atrium, and they were relocated to the superior vena cava.