Factors associated with pediatric peripheral venous access complications: an integrative review

Objective: To analyze the evidence on the main modifiable risk factors for complications related to peripheral venous access in pediatric patients. Method: This is an integrative review conducted in the databases: Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Scopus, National Institute of Medicine (NIH-PUBMED) and Web of Science, using the descriptors: "pediatric nursing", "peripheral catheterization", "peripheral venous catheterization", "intravenous administration" and "pediatrics" in which 15 articles were selected in Portuguese, English and Spanish, from 2009 to 2020. Results: From the 15 articles analyzed, 12 were cohort studies, with level of evidence III (moderate). The risk factors found focused on the type of catheter used, the children's clinical and physical conditions, the type of drug infused and the insertion site. The most frequent factor was related to the use of cefotaxamine and vancomycin antibiotics and the phenytoin anticonvulsant. Conclusion: This review identified several risk factors for complications in pediatric peripheral venous access. The recognition of these risk factors by the nursing staff can prevent various complications of access, thus avoiding greater risks to children undergoing this procedure.