Subcutaneous catheter used for administration of low-molecular-weight-heparin in pediatrics

Abstract

Introduction: Subcutaneous catheter is a device easy to assemble, which was created for the administration of insulin in diabetic patients, especially in children, aiming to reduce the number of punctures, pain and anxiety of patients and their parents. 

Objective: To describe the experience using the catheter for subcutaneous administration of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in hospitalized pediatric patients. 

Patients and Method: A prospective descriptive study in 28 patients who used 87 subcutaneous catheters for the administration of LMWH in the Pediatric Service of the Universidad Catolica de Chile between July, 2010 and November, 2011. 

Results: Complications associated with the catheter had an incidence of 33 % in total catheters evaluated; the most frequent complication was the presence of hematoma at the site of insertion (26%). These complications occurred more frequently in male (38% versus 31% in females) and younger patients (9 months versus 12 months), who received dalteparin (54% versus 30% of other types of heparin) administered every 24 hours (41% versus 30%, administered every 12 hours), and when the catheter was located on both thighs (36 % versus 32% in both arms); however, these differences were not statistically confirmed. 

Conclusion: The subcutaneous catheter is a good technique to be considered for LMWH in children as it presents minor complications for drug administration.