Pediatric vascular access can be a challenge especially in a critically ill child. When placing central lines finding information on what size catheter to use and the depth of insertion can be hard to locate so here are some starters :
Age (yrs) IJ SC Femoral
0-0.5 3F 3F 3F
0.5-2 3F 3F 3-4F
3-6 4F 4F 4-5F
7-12 4-5F 4-5F 5-8F
Use a single, double, or triple lumen. (General rule more lumens the better.)
Right IJ and Right SC Depth of insertion:
If Height < 100cm then Initial Catheter Depth (cm) = Ht (cm)/10 -1 cm
If Height > 100 cm then Initial Catheter Depth (cm) = Ht (cm)/10 -2 cm
These formulas will place 98% of catheters above R atrium.
