Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Book

Scalp Catheterization(Archived)

In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
.
Affiliations
Free Books & Documents
Book

Scalp Catheterization(Archived)

Todd D. Doyle et al.
Free Books & Documents

Excerpt

Peripheral venous access is a hallmark of resuscitation in patients of all ages. Ideal sites for venous catheterization are easy to access and pose the least risk to the patient. Sites for venous access in young children include the hands, feet, forearms, and scalp. The most common reasons for intravenous therapy in infants are to deliver maintenance fluids, blood and blood products, medications, and nutrition. The scalp veins are commonly used to secure access in neonates and infants, often after unsuccessful attempts at cannulation of upper and lower limb veins. Scalp veins offer ease of stabilization and access in this age group. Scalp veins in neonates and infants typically have less overlying subcutaneous fat than other peripheral sites to allow easier visualization and cannulation. See Image. Scalp Veins Used for Catheterization.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Todd Doyle declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Sachit Anand declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Mary Ann Edens declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

    1. Bashir RA, Callejas AM, Osiovich HC, Ting JY. Percutaneously Inserted Central Catheter-Related Pleural Effusion in a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A 5-Year Review (2008-2012). JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2017 Sep;41(7):1234-1239. - PubMed
    1. Callejas A, Osiovich H, Ting JY. Use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) via scalp veins in neonates. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2016 Nov;29(21):3434-8. - PubMed
    1. Fortrat JO, Saumet M, Savagner C, Leblanc M, Bouderlique C. Bubbles in the brain veins as a complication of daily management of a scalp vein catheter. Am J Perinatol. 2005 Oct;22(7):361-3. - PubMed
    1. Meguro T, Terada K, Hirotsune N, Nishino S, Asano T. Postoperative extradural hematoma after removal of a subgaleal drainage catheter--case report. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 2007 Jul;47(7):314-6. - PubMed
    1. Al-Hathlol K, Al-Mane K, Al-Hathal M, Al-Tawil K, Abulaimoun B. Air emboli in the intracranial venous sinuses of neonates. Am J Perinatol. 2002 Jan;19(1):55-8. - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources