Neonatal ultrasound-guided placement of peripheral intravenous catheters

"While the location for PIV placement without POCUS often focuses on the dorsum of the hand or the foot, the use of POCUS can facilitate placement in veins located in the arm or leg, such as in the saphenous vein near the medial malleolus in the leg or the cephalic vein in the cubital fossa of the forearm" Hirsch et al (2026).

"While the location for PIV placement without POCUS often focuses on the dorsum of the hand or the foot, the use of POCUS can facilitate placement in veins located in the arm or leg, such as in the saphenous vein near the medial malleolus in the leg or the cephalic vein in the cubital fossa of the forearm" Hirsch et al (2026).

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Neonatal ultrasound-guided placement of peripheral intravenous catheters

Abstract:

Peripheral intravenous line (PIV) placement is often necessary in sick neonates, but placement of a PIV in a small and/or critically ill neonates can be challenging. The use of point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) to place umbilical venous catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters is recommended by national POCUS organizations. POCUS-guided PIV placement may improve first-time success, thereby decreasing cannulation attempts, reducing time to successful placement, and increasing dwell time (ie, time the PIV catheter remains in place).

While the location for PIV placement without POCUS often focuses on the dorsum of the hand or the foot, the use of POCUS can facilitate placement in veins located in the arm or leg, such as in the saphenous vein near the medial malleolus in the leg or the cephalic vein in the cubital fossa of the forearm.

Reference:

Hirsch K, Tuten A, Drake H, Bauer AS. Point-of-Care Ultrasonography-Guided Placement of a Peripheral Intravenous Line in a Neonate. Neoreviews. 2026 Oct 1;27(10):e660-e662. doi: 10.1542/neo.27-10-059. PMID: 42815924.