Vascular device practices in extremely preterm infants: an international cross-sectional survey
Abstract Objective To explore global practices in vascular device selection, securement, and monitoring for extremely preterm infants, and to assess regional variation. Study design A web-based cross-sectional survey was completed by one respondent per neonatal unit. Result We received 848 responses from 100 countries. Guideline availability varied: 85–98% for umbilical venous catheters (UVCs) and 29–97% for peripheral intravenous catheters. UVCs were the preferred initial vascular device at 23 to 26 weeks (70% and 63%, respectively). Transparent film dressings for peripheral catheters and Wharton’s jelly stitch for UVCs were the commonest securement methods. Peripherally inserted central catheter sites were assessed at intervals of < 8 h in 56% (434/780) units, and 58% (490/848) units did not use an extravasation injury detection tool. Guideline availability was two-fold higher in units caring for 22–23 vs 24–25 weeks’ gestation. Conclusion Significant global variation exists, highlighting the need for standardized, evidence-based vascular care.
Authors
- Wenhao Zhou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8956-7238)
- Vibhuti S Shah (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8685-2447)
- Pranav R. Jani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9802-5983)
- Duygu Gözen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9272-3561)
- Sabrina de Souza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3628-0134)
- Deanne L. August (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7204-7065)
- M. Satardien
- A. Priyadarshi
- A. Wright
- R. Maheshwari
- J. Buchmayer
- D. Shah
- U. Mishra
- S. Godambe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2148-2216)
- J. Moore
- K. Walker
- FC Cheah
- A. Khashana
- X. Hu
- U. Vaidya
- M. Culcer
- J. Marceau
- J. Oei
- D. D’Çruz
- K. Lowe
Institutions
- Suez Canal University (EG)
- Griffith University (AU)
- Mount Sinai Hospital (CA)
- The University of Sydney (AU)
- Koç University (TR)
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (GB)
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- Stellenbosch University (ZA)
- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (AU)
- Royal Hospital for Women (AU)
- Tygerberg Hospital (ZA)
- Westmead Hospital (AU)
- UNSW Sydney (AU)
- Connecticut Children's Medical Center (US)
- Mater Mothers' Hospital (AU)
- King Edward Memorial Hospital Research Centre (IN)
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University (CN)
- UConn Health (US)
- Medical University of Vienna (AT)
- National University of Malaysia (MY)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Perinatology
- Published
- 2026-10-07
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-026-02892-7
- Primary Topic
- Central Venous Catheters and Hemodialysis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00