PICC line for babies, for intravenous antibiotic treatment

Question

Hello,

Could you explain the benefits of this system in an IV treatment (benefits, risks, what it is, how is this set up), for children under 3 years?
thank you in advance

Answer

Hello,
A PICC line is a "Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter”. It's a long catheter inserted through a vein of the upper limb into a large vein: the superior vena cava, near the heart. The PICC is proposed as an alternative to a peripheral catheter or an implanted catheter system, for cystic fibrosis patients. It provides access to a safe and effective venous access: it avoids multiple venipunctures during the antibiotics intravenous treatment, facilitating homecare. The PICC does not interfere with daily activities. The system has to be protected to prevent an accidental removal by pulling the IV line. The dressing has to be protected in the bath, especially for a young child. The PICC is inserted by an experienced physician in very strict hygienic conditions, at the hospital. Means are implemented by health professionals to prevent pain during insertion. You can ask your CF centre about it. The technique is simple. A failure of insertion is rare but still possible. The time of insertion varies but does not exceed 2 hours. The PICC is removed at the end of the IV course but can be maintained in the event of extension. The removal of the PICC is quick and usually painless. A small trace stays at each point of insertion of the PICC after removal. The PICC requires a monitoring and a strict hygiene during care. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy and the safety of the PICC. As with any insertion of medical equipment, there are some complications that may occur during the insertion or the use of the PICC. They are very rare: infection (fever), occlusion by forming of a blood clot in the catheter, venous thrombosis, "mechanical” phlebitis of the arm (often transient), rupture of the catheter, sometimes pain in the arm on the path of nerve. A study about 49 PICC inserted on children with cystic fibrosis was made in Holland (Utrecht) in 2010. It evokes two failures pose, a blocked catheter and a swollen arm without thrombosis, no infection and a great satisfaction for patients who want a PICC again.
I hope that answers your request.
Best regards
Marythé Kerbrat

19.09.2011