Nurse-led ultrasound to place IVs in children with hard-to-find veins

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

Not applicable Interventional CHU de Reims · NCT06465121

This trial will test whether trained nurses using ultrasound can help get IVs more quickly and successfully in hospitalized children with hard-to-find veins compared with the usual palpation/visual method.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment120 (estimated)
Ages1 Month to 18 Years
SexAll
SponsorCHU de Reims Academic / other
Locations1 site (Reims)
Trial IDNCT06465121 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Hospitalized pediatric patients who need a peripheral IV and meet a difficult intravenous access score threshold are randomized to have catheterization performed either by standard visualization and palpation or by ultrasound guidance from a trained nurse. State-certified nurse investigators trained in ultrasound perform the ultrasound-guided insertions when enrolled patients require IV access in participating pediatric departments at CHU de Reims. The trial compares insertion success rates and frequency of related adverse events between the two approaches. Consent from parents or legal guardians (and assent when appropriate) is required before randomization.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Hospitalized children aged 1 month to under 18 years at CHU de Reims who need peripheral IV access and have a DIVA score of 4 or higher, with parental consent, are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Newborns under 1 month, premature neonates, patients with known vascular pathology, those on hemodialysis with an arteriovenous fistula, or children judged hemodynamically or respiratorily unstable are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could increase first-attempt IV success, reduce delays and pain, and lower complication rates for children with difficult IV access.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown ultrasound guidance improves peripheral IV success in children and adults, and nurse-led ultrasound insertion has demonstrated promising results in other settings.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria :

* age ≥ 1 month and \< 18 years
* intravenous catheter insertion indicated for hospital care
* DIVA (Difficult Intravenous Access Scale) score ≥ 4
* hospitalized in one of the pediatric departments of the Reims University Hospital
* who agree to participate in the study (if old enough to understand) and for whom the consent of the holder(s) of parental authority has been obtained
* affiliated to a social security scheme

Exclusion Criteria:

* Newborns (\< 1 month) and premature babies hospitalized in neonatal intensive care, neonatology and maternity units
* Known vascular pathology
* Hemodialysis with arteriovenous fistula
* Unstable hemodynamic and/or respiratory clinical state according to the judgment of the medical team

Where this trial is running

Reims

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Catheter Related Complication
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.