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. 2001 Apr;17(2):130-1.
doi: 10.1097/00006565-200104000-00013.

Transillumination of the palm for venipuncture in infants

A Goren  1 , J Laufer, N Yativ, J Kuint, M Ben Ackon, M Rubinshtein, G Paret, A Augarten
Affiliations

Transillumination of the palm for venipuncture in infants

A Goren et al. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2001 Apr.

Abstract

Aim: To assess the efficacy of transillumination of the palm of the hand in establishing venous access in small infants.

Methods: One hundred infants aged 2 to 36 months were considered for venipuncture under transillumination following failure to find an accessible vein or a failed venipuncture attempt.

Results: In 40 of the 100 infants, a vein was visible with transillumination. In 22 of these children, previous attempts to achieve a venous line failed (mean number of failed venipunctures 2.11 +/- 0.6) and in 18 infants, no vein could be identified. Using transillumination, venous access was established with just one venipuncture in 39 of the 40 patients.

Conclusions: Transillumination of the palm can aid in establishing venous access in infants. This can be easily carried out using a common otoscope.

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