RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Difficult Intravenous Access in Pediatric Patients: Paramedical Care Using Ultrasound Guidance

This study is exploring a new way to put in drips (intravenous catheters) for children who have veins that are hard to find. Often, nurses rely on feeling for a vein, but this can be difficult in children. The study will compare this traditional method with using a special ultrasound machine. A trained nurse will use the ultrasound to get a clear picture of the vein, which might make it much easier to put the drip in successfully on the first try. The main goal is to see if using ultrasound can reduce difficulties, pain, and other problems often linked with getting a drip into a child. Children will be looked after for up to 7 days, or until they go home from the hospital.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

CHU de Reims

Enrolment target

120

Start

17 Feb 2026

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2027

Catheter Related Complication

What is this study about?

When children are unwell in hospital, they often need a drip, also known as an intravenous (IV) catheter. This is a small tube inserted into a vein, usually in the arm or hand, to give them medicines or fluids. However, in some children, especially very young ones, finding a vein to put the drip in can be quite challenging. Their veins can be tiny and sometimes difficult to see or feel, which can lead to multiple attempts and a lot of distress for the child and their parents. This study aims to make this process much smoother and less stressful.

Currently, nurses usually try to find a vein by looking and gently feeling the skin. While often successful, this can be hard in some children. This study will compare this method with a different approach: using an ultrasound machine. An ultrasound uses sound waves to create a real-time picture of what's happening inside the body. A specially trained nurse will use this machine to see exactly where the veins are before putting in the drip. The idea is that having a clear picture of the vein could make it much easier to insert the drip correctly on the first attempt.

The researchers believe that using ultrasound could significantly improve the success rate of putting in drips for children with difficult veins. This could mean less pain and anxiety for the child, fewer attempts needed to get the drip in, and potentially fewer problems like bruising or swelling around the site. The study will also look at how much pain children experience and if there are any other issues, comparing both methods to see which works best for these children.

Key takeaways

Study aims to improve drip insertion for children with tricky veins.
Compares usual method with ultrasound-guided method by trained nurses.
Hopes to reduce pain, attempts, and problems during drip insertion.
Open to children aged 1 month to 18 years, who need a drip.
Participation involves being randomly assigned to one of two methods.
You can withdraw from the study at any time without affecting care.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, children need to be between 1 month and 18 years old and already require a drip for their hospital care. They must also be staying in one of the children's wards at Reims University Hospital and have been identified as having veins that are generally challenging to find, often needing several attempts.

Before taking part, the child (if old enough to understand) and their parent or guardian must agree to be part of the study and provide their permission. The family must also be registered with a social security scheme, which is standard for healthcare in the UK.

Some children won't be able to join the study. This includes newborn babies (under 1 month old), very premature babies, or those with certain known vein problems or serious heart or breathing issues that are not stable. If a child is on kidney dialysis that uses an AV fistula, they also won't be eligible.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Is your child between 1 month and 18 years old?
Does your child need a drip during their hospital stay?
Has your child been identified as having 'difficult' veins for drips?
Is your child currently staying in a children's ward at Reims University Hospital?
Are you (and your child if old enough) willing to give permission to participate?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If your child is eligible for this study and you agree to take part, a trained nurse will explain everything in detail. They'll ask for your informed consent, which means making sure you understand what's involved and agree to your child participating.

Your child will then be randomly assigned to one of two groups. In one group, the nurse will put the drip in using their usual method of looking and feeling for the vein. In the other group, a trained nurse will use an ultrasound machine to guide them while inserting the drip. Both methods are common medical practices.

Throughout your child's hospital stay, up to a maximum of 7 days or until they go home, the study team will be checking how well the drip insertion went, how much pain your child experienced, and if there were any issues. No extra visits are required beyond your child's standard hospital care. The total duration of participation will be for the length of your child's hospital stay, up to those 7 days.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer a potential benefit if your child is in the group receiving ultrasound-guided drip insertion, as it could lead to an easier and quicker procedure with fewer attempts. We hope this will reduce discomfort and anxiety. However, as with any medical procedure, there are always minor risks, such as slight pain or bruising at the insertion site, regardless of the method used. All procedures will be carried out by experienced nurses. Please remember that taking part is entirely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw your child from the study at any time, without it affecting their medical care.

Locations (1)

Chu Reims
Verified postcode
Reims, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is an intravenous (IV) drip?

An IV drip is a small, flexible tube inserted into a vein, usually in the arm, to give medicines or fluids directly into the bloodstream.

What is ultrasound?

Ultrasound uses sound waves to create live pictures of the inside of the body. It's a safe and painless way to see things like blood vessels.

Will my child definitely get the ultrasound method?

Not necessarily. Children in the study are randomly assigned to either the usual method or the ultrasound-guided method, like flipping a coin, to ensure fairness.

Will my child be in pain?

The study aims to see if the new method reduces pain. Nurses will take steps to manage any pain or discomfort, such as using numbing cream, as part of standard care.

What if we decide we don't want to continue?

You are free to withdraw your child from the study at any time without giving a reason, and it will not affect the medical care your child receives.

How to find out more

Cindy COLLET

cindycollet88@gmail.com 0326787878 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.