title: Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheters in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Patients in Tertiary Care Setting: A Developing Country Experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC) have been successfully used to provide central access for chemotherapy and frequent transfusions. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of PICCs and determine PICC-related complications in pediatric hematology/oncology patients in a resource-poor setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  All pediatric patients (age below 16 y) with hematologic and malignant disorders who underwent PICC line insertion at Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2008 to June 2010 were enrolled in the study. Demographic features, primary diagnosis, catheter days, complications, and reasons for removal of device were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total of 36 PICC lines were inserted in 32 pediatric patients. Complication rate of 5.29/1000 catheter days was recorded. Our study showed comparable complication profile such as infection rate, occlusion, breakage, and dislodgement. The median catheter life was found to be 69 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that PICC lines are feasible in a resource-poor setting and recommend its use for chemotherapy administration and prolonged venous access.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Pediatrics and Child Health and Department of Oncology †Department of Pediatrics and Child Health §Department of Radiology, Aga Khan University ‡Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Zehra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fadoo
authors.forename: Muhammad I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Nisar
authors.forename: Raza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iftikhar
authors.forename: Sajida
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Naureen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mushtaq
authors.forename: Raza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sayani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D062905:Central Venous Catheters / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D006405:Hematology / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D010154:Pakistan; D063128:Tertiary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data