A PROSPECTIVE COMPARISON OF CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL VEIN ACCESS FOR PARENTERAL-NUTRITION IN THE NEWBORN

Central venous parenteral nutrition (PN) is frequently used in preterm infants. Although central venous catheters (CVC) permit reliable deli very of hypertonic solution, they may be associated with more serious complications than when a peripheral venous infusion is used. The aim of this randomised prospective study was to compare complications of c entral versus peripheral venous access using Silastic catheters identi cal except for intravascular length. Eighty such devices were inserted , 38 central (CVC), 42 peripheral (PVC). Catheter life was not signifi cantly different between groups: median (range) CVC 10d (2-25); PVC 7d (1-22) with no difference in overall complication rate. Although peri pherally sited catheters tended not to function for as long as CVCs, t hey offer a useful alternative to central venous catheterisation.