Newborn & Infant Nursing Reviews 13 (2013) 189–195

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Newborn & Infant Nursing Reviews

journal homepage: www.nainr.com

Neonatal Extravasation: An Overview and Algorithm for Evidence-based Treatment

Victoria Beall, BSN, CWOCN, RN a,⁎, Brent Hall, PharmD c,
James T. Mulholland, BSN, RN b, Sheila M. Gephart, PhD, RN b
a
Neonatal/Pediatric Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse, Diamond Children’s Medical Center at the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
b
The University of Arizona, College of Nursing, Tucson, AZ
c
Diamond Children's Medical Center at The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Keywords: The peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheter is the most used vascular access device for the administration of
Neonatal medications in hospitalized neonates, however 95% of PIV catheters are removed due to complications.
Infiltration Infiltration and extravasation are one of the most destructive complications to the neonate's fragile skin. This
Extravasation article reviews multiple aspects of infiltration and extravasation injury. First, starting at the cellular level the
Vesicant role of vesicants in vascular injury and its role triggering inflammation will be discussed, followed by a
Peripheral intravenous (PIV) therapy
comprehensive review of vesicants and their mechanism of injury, by pH, osmolality or chemical composition,
Algorithm
then an overview of the NICU nurses knowledge and actions to prevent infiltration and ending with the use of
an evidence-based algorithm that was developed at one children's hospital to minimize injury caused by
extravasations through targeted, prompt treatment.
© 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Many medications given to neonates have the potential to injure
when an extravasation occurs. An extravasation is described by the
Infusion Nurses Society (INS) as the inadvertent administration of a
vesicant solution or medication into the surrounding tissues. 1 A
vesicant is defined as a solution or medication that causes the
formation of blisters leading to tissue necrosis and sloughing.
Extravasation can result in varying degrees of localized tissue injury
and can cause pain, infection, and partial to full thickness tissue loss
involving muscles and nerves. If extravasation is severe and depend-
ing on the site, skin grafts, long hospitalization and high costs result.
Not surprisingly, with disfigurement and loss of function, parents may
try to recover payment for their loss by initiating lawsuits. 2,3
Infiltration Is Common Among Neonates
The peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheter is the most used vascular
access device for the administration of medications in hospitalized
neonates; however 95% of PIV catheters are removed due to com-
plications such as leaking, occlusion and infiltration.4 Infiltration rates
among neonates are as high as 57%–70% with extravasation occurring in
11–23%.5 Both infiltration and extravasation are destructive, causing
localized injury to the neonate's fragile skin.6 Infiltration of non-
vesicants can cause considerable tissue damage from pressure on inter-
⁎ Address correspondence to Victoria Beall, RN, BSN, CWOCN, Neonatal/Pediatric
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse, Diamond Children’s Medical Center at the
University of Arizona, 1501 N. Campbell Ave, P.O. Box 245116 Tucson, AZ 85724.
Tel.: +1 520 694 7328.
E-mail addresses: victoria.beall@uahealth.com (V. Beall), brent.hall@uahealth.com
(B. Hall), mulhollj@email.arizona.edu (J.T. Mulholland), gepharts@arizona.edu
(S.M. Gephart).
nal structures as additional fluid collects around the vein, and in severe
cases can result in compartment syndrome.6 Extravasations have the
potential to cause peripheral tissue injury depending on the type of
vesicant, concentration of the vesicant, location, amount, and duration of
exposure to the vesicant. Damage from a vesicant may progress over
time and become evident 48–72 hours after the extravasation occurs.7,8
Neonatal Vulnerability to Vascular Injury
The preterm and sick neonate is more susceptible to skin injury
and complications from extravasation injury than their mature,
healthy counterparts. Their immature skin structures, flexible subcu-
taneous tissue, small blood vessels and poor venous integrity increase
the risk of complication from venipuncture and IV infusions. 5,8 The
goal in neonatal care is to prevent skin breakdown whenever possible.
Similarly, attention to thermoregulation, pain and stress that infants
endure as a result of repeated IV attempts or restarts, and infiltrations
and extravasations must be considered and managed. 9,10 Multiple
tools are available to score pain responses and enable the NICU
(neonatal intensive care unit) nurses to manage this appropriately.
Nonpharmacologic measures to decrease pain include the use of a
pacifier, swaddling, or administration of sucrose during the insertion
of an IV or for infiltration and extravasation injury. 10 Aside from non-
pharmacologic interventions, treating infiltration and extravasation
pain with analgesics should be considered. 8
Inflammation in the Premature Infant
The neonatal immune system is poorly regulated compared to
adults and dysregulation is magnified when neonates are born

1527-3369/1304-0528$36.00/0 – see front matter © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.nainr.2013.09.001
190 V. Beall et al. / Newborn & Infant Nursing Reviews 13 (2013) 189–195
early. 11–13 While intravenous therapy is necessary in this population,
it is not without its risks. Vesicants can harm the endothelial lining of
the blood vessel, triggering production and release of oxygen
free radicals that spur inflammation. 14,15 The release of the locally
induced free radicals into the circulatory system when not controlled
can trigger a system-wide response to the stressor and further free
radical release. In a normal response, the infant's body mounts
an anti-inflammatory release of free radical scavengers. When this
anti-inflammatory response is inadequate, which is common in
prematurity, or the inflammatory assault is severe, endothelial
dysfunction leads to programmed cell death (apoptosis). 16 The load
of oxidative stress in premature infants is especially of concern as
it has been linked to various neonatal morbidities including
necrotizing enterocolitis, 16,17 retinopathy of prematurity, 18–20 and
chronic lung disease. 16,21–23
Pathophysiology of Vascular Injury
In the human body, vascular injury, oxidative stress, and
inflammation are intricately related. Infiltration and extravasation
are both symptoms of vascular injury. When vascular injury occurs,
the release of free radicals is stimulated and the energy producing
ability of the cell becomes dysfunctional as mitochondria are
damaged. As free radicals are released and the capacity of the
damaged mitochondria to produce energy is limited, the balance
between nitric oxide and superoxide is disrupted. This reactive
oxygen species excess extends the damage. 24–26 A continual cycle of
free radical production and endothelial apoptosis occurs leading to
injury of cell membranes and vessels. Symptoms of this process
include redness, swelling (inflammation with increasing vascular
permeability), and visible tissue injury. 25 The inflammatory process
involved in extravasation is depicted in Fig 1. Note how the
interaction of the biological response to chemical and non-chemical
risk factors when exposed to the harmful drug directly affects healthy
endothelium, leading to vascular injury. The framework is a helpful
tool in understanding the biological aspects of extravasation and
action targets to prevent injury.
Fig 1. Model of vascular injury.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurse's Role
NICU nurses monitor the PIV site with vigilance to aid in early
identification of infiltration and extravasation and prevent this type of
injury whenever possible. Identifying an infiltration may be difficult,
even for the most experienced nurse. 10 The NICU nurse is aware of the
subtle changes in heart rate, oxygen saturations, apnea, and the more
obvious change in behavior such crying and agitation that may
indicate problems with the PIV therapy. 4 Neonatal nursing entails not
only basic knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of neonatal skin
and how to prevent iatrogenic injury from routine nursing care but
also knowledge of vascular anatomy and infection control for the safe
delivery of infusion therapy. 4,8,10 Several organizations have devel-
oped standards and guidelines that assist nurses with the best practice
in infusion therapy. 10 These evidence-based guidelines and grading
scales for infiltrations can aid with standardizing documentation and
protocols that guide nursing care and improve patient outcomes. 5,6
Potential Origins of Infiltration
There is a supposition that an infiltration or extravasation is caused
by IV catheter dislodgement or puncture of the vein during insertion
or during handling of the infant. Chemical composition of medications
also impacts risk of vein rupture. 5 The vein's tolerance to an infusion is
affected by the osmolality and pH of the vesicant, the duration of the
exposure, and irritation to the endothelial cells. 4 An additional factor
in causing a cannulated vessel to rupture and leak is the pressure in
which the medication is being delivered by the infusion pump. 3,5
Janet Pettit describes the following 3 theories of the mechanism of
infiltration and extravasations. The first theory states that the
irritation of the venous endothelium from the infusate causes
vasoconstriction and diminished blood flow. 4 The second theory has
been confirmed by dye studies. It shows infiltration of the infusate
through the catheter insertion hole created with IV placement; this
can occur when the flow proximal to the catheter tip becomes
obstructed. 4 The third theory is that irritation of the venous
endothelium caused by the osmolality, pH, or chemical composition
 V. Beall et al. / Newborn & Infant Nursing Reviews 13 (2013) 189–195 191

of the infusate damages the lining of the vein and allows transmission
of the infusate into the tissue, without creating a puncture in the
vein. 4 These three theories demonstrate how infiltration and
extravasation can occur; the remainder of the damage is thought to
be caused by the irritants and vesicants.
Irritants and Vesicants Given to Neonates
Intravenous medications can be divided into three major sub-
categories: 1) non-vesicants, 2) irritants, and 3) vesicants. In order for
an infiltration to be a true extravasation, the offending agent, by
definition, must be a vesicant. There are a number of different
qualities that affect the potential for a medication to result in tissue
damage. These include, but are not limited to: osmolarity, pH, direct
medication effects and solubility. 27 See Table 1 for medications
categorized by their mechanism of injury.
Osmolarity describes the number of particles which are suspended
in solution. Normal serum osmolarity of a neonate is approximately
280 mOsm. When a solution has a higher osmolarity, it is considered
to be hyperosmolar. The effect causes cells to shrink as fluid shifts
from inside to outside of the cell. This response occurs in order to
increase the osmolarity inside the cell to equilibrate with the elevated
osmolarity of the serum. The opposite of this effect would be a
solution that has a lower osmolarity or is hypoosmolar. In this
situation, fluid would enter the cell in order to decrease the
osmolarity of the cell to equal that outside. At the most extreme,
this can result in cell lysis as the volume of the cell exceeds its
capacity. Osmolarity may be altered by how a medication is diluted.
Ampicillin is a good example of this. If 50 mg of ampicillin is mixed
with 1 mL of sterile water, the osmolarity is 243. If 50 mg of ampicillin
is mixed with 1 mL of normal saline, the osmolarity would be
increased to 493–520 and thus increase potential damage to tissue. 4 It
is generally felt that solutions with an osmolarity b900 mOsm can be
administered peripherally. This is based on an American Academy of
Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition recommendation governing the
use of peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN). 4 There is some
controversy with this recommendation due to a lack of supporting
evidence. The Infusion Nurses Society recommends limiting the
osmolarity of peripherally administered solutions to b 500 mOsm.
This is based on evidence that more concentrated solutions are more
likely to result in chemical phlebitis. 4
The measurement of the concentration of hydrogen ions, pH, is
another important consideration when evaluating a medication's risk
of infiltration or extravasation. A normal pH of blood is between 7.35
and 7.45 (arterially). As the pH of a medication moves away from this
normal range, the risk of tissue injury is higher. As the number of
hydrogen ions increase, the solution will become more acidic (pH
b7.35). The majority of medications have an acidic to neutral pH. Once
medications move out of the range of 5–9, risk of inflammation and
vascular injury increases significantly. Vancomycin, for example, has a
pH of 2.5–4.5, which helps to explain its potential for extravasation.
Medications with alkalotic pH (N7.45) can be just as damaging to
tissue. One example is phenytoin with a pH of 10–12, approximating
that of household bleach.
Medications have specific mechanisms of action that may result in
cellular damage when an infiltration/extravasation occurs. Vasoactive
medications such as dopamine have effects on alpha-receptors. If this
product is introduced into tissue, this alpha stimulation will result in
constriction of capillary beds, which subsequently will decrease local
blood flow. Local tissue will be deprived of oxygen and ischemic injury
will ensue. 4 Another group of medications that may have direct effects
on tissues are electrolytes. Calcium is necessary for depolarization and
contraction of smooth muscle. If a concentrated calcium solution is

Table 1
Medication Mechanisms of Vascular Injury.

Inciting Agent

Hyperosmolar
(N10% dextrose,
mannitol,
potassium, propofol
Vesicants and sodium Vasoactive Highly-Lipophilic
(phenylephrine) Irritants Hypo-osmolar bicarbonate) Alkalotic Medication Medication Medications

Definition Medications capable Causes pain within Osmolarity Osmolarity High concentration Alpha-receptor Medications do not
of causing tissue the vessel or b280 mOsm N280 mOsm, of hydrogen ions stimulation dilute well in water,
damage9 surrounding tissue causing cells to causing cells to (high pH) causes constricts capillary making it difficult to
e.g. Calcium but does not result swell as fluid shifts shrink as fluid shifts inflammation and beds, decreases local flush out or wash
stimulates smooth in tissue necrosis into the cell. As the outside of the cell can lead to vascular blood flow and off, damage results
muscle to contract intracellular volume injury deprives local tissue from the high
capillaries, leading exceeds its capacity, of oxygen leading to concentration of the
to hypo-perfusion cells can lyse. ischemic injury5 medication in the
and ischemic injury tissue

Medication Acyclovir Aminophylline 0.2 % NaCl 3% sodium chloride Sodium Bicarbonate Dobutamine Diazepam
Examples Aminophylline Calcium Gluconate Sterile water5 Calcium chloride Phenobarbital Epinephrine Digoxin
Calcium Chloride Digoxin, Contrast media Sodium thiopental Norepinephrine Nitroglycerine
Dobutamine Erythromycin, Total parenteral Phenytoin Vasopressin Phenytoin
Dopamine Gentamicin, nutrition5
Epinephrine Theophylline3
Nafcillin
Norepinephrine
Oxacillin
Penicillin
Phenytoin,
Potassium Salts
Total parenteral
nutrition (TPN)
Peripheral
parenteral nutrition
(PPN)
Vancomycin3
192 V. Beall et al. / Newborn & Infant Nursing Reviews 13 (2013) 189–195
infused into tissue, this may result in capillary constriction via
stimulation of smooth muscle, which will also result in ischemic
injury to hypoperfused tissue. 4,7 Finally the solubility of a medication
can influence its contribution to local tissue damage. The more
lipophilic a medication, the less water-soluble it is. This makes
washing out the site impractical and leads to high concentrations of
medications located in relatively small areas of tissue that can lead to
concentration dependent direct tissue damage.
Nursing Actions to Prevent Vascular Injury
The best method to decrease complications of PIV therapy is to
prevent them in the first place.2 Serious complications are not entirely
preventable, but following recommended standards of IV therapy is the
best approach for avoiding complications.3 The decision to place a
peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) or central venous lines
(CVL) might be needed if vascular access is difficult or long-term
parenteral therapy is planned. However, this may be difficult in low birth
weight (LBW) neonates when access for a CVL is limited, central line
infection prevention initiatives are paramount, or a variety of incompat-
ible infusions are indicated.2,6 The risks and benefits of PICC and CVL are
evaluated by the medical and surgical teams. If the risks are reasoned to
be too great for PICC or CVL, responsibility will be on the nurse to manage
the PIV and when vesicants are being infused vigilance needs to heighten.
Evidence-based guidelines for infusion therapy start with the insertion.
See Table 2 for recommendations to prevent peripheral vascular injury.
On insertion, attention needs to be paid to the selection of the appropriate
catheter, site selection, skin antisepsis and stabilization once the device is
in place.10 NICU nurses learn to leave the neonates' extremity out of the
swaddling or sleep sacks for easy visualization of the PIV site; so that
hourly assessments (and more frequent assessments if a known vesicant
is infusing) do not interrupt the neonate's developmental sleep. Warning
signs of possible complication warranting further investigation include a
PIV that is difficult to flush or an infant who responds to the flush with
crying or flinching.3 Assessments might reveal swelling, redness, and
coolness of the skin. Most infiltrates resolve spontaneously after the IV
catheter is removed, however in severe cases blistering and skin necrosis,
prolonged capillary refill and decreased pulses and movement of the
extremities can result. Infiltration scales can be useful to nurses in
identifying the severity of the assessment findings.3
Key Actions to Minimize Injury When Extravasation Occurs
Once an infiltration or extravasation is discovered, immediate
treatment is the key to preventing progressive damage from the
vesicant. 2 Treatment decisions are based on the size and appearance
Table 2
Recommendations for Practice to Prevent Vascular Injury.
Peripheral IV Insertion and Maintenance
Use small enough plastic/silicone catheter to avoid restriction of blood flow
Avoid repeated use of a vein
Avoid placing a PIV in an areas difficult to immobilize
Use transparent tape to secure
Cover the site with a sterile semi-permeable transparent dressing that will permit
ongoing visualization of the insertion site
Upper extremities less likely to infiltrate or leak compared with peripheral IV in
lower extremities or scalp veins
Place tape loosely over boney prominences to avoid restricting blood flow to the
extremity
Infusion Maintenance
Limit PIV glucose to 12.5%
Dilute medications as much as possible before administration are other solutions
to preventing extravasation
PIV= peripheral intravenous.
of the injury, type of IV infusing, duration of exposure and location. 8
Protocols and algorithms can be used to assist nurses in the steps
needed to minimize the potential damage and start the treatment
process. Stopping the infusion and elevation of the extremity is the
first actions followed by placement of a saline soaked gauze or
prepackaged normal saline pad. The saline draws out the vesicant, and
impedes a scab from forming to allow fluid to leak out. Gently
squeezing the fluid from the open insertion site can also help to
remove the offensive agent. 8 While the saline soaks are held in place,
assistance with the various tasks that are required for treatment may
require additional personnel. A new PIV may need to be inserted
immediately, the physician or nurse practitioner (NP) will be called to
assess the site and plan for pharmacologic treatment if indicated. For
an extravasation, treatment should be determined prior to catheter
removal. 8 The administration of antidotes or enzymes such as
hyaluronidase is the method of choice to manage IV extravasation. 6
Treatment that improves tissue perfusion and prevents progressive
tissue necrosis has been shown to be most effective if initiated within
1 hour. 8 Ongoing assessment of the neonate and measures to improve
comfort or alleviate pain may be indicated. Compassionately reporting
the situation to the family as soon as possible and keeping them up to
date on the plan of action are required. 8 Prior exposure to standards of
care, protocols and algorithms and staff education could aid the
process of administering antidotes, as this could be time consuming
“on-the-job-training” for an inexperienced NICU nurse, when timely
treatment provides better patient outcomes. 8 An algorithm based on
the work of Sawatzky-Dickson and colleagues (2006) (see Fig 2) was
developed to streamline the described process and improved patient
outcomes. 2
The quality improvement initiatives implementing the algorithm
have not been formally evaluated. However, physicians, pharmacists
and nurses are managing infiltration and extravasations promptly as a
team. The administration of hyaluronidase or the appropriate antidote
without the WOCN's assistance, as well as a decline in referrals for
long-term wound management for extravasation injuries are now the
NICU's norm.
Pharmacologic Options to Treat Extravasations
Currently there are multiple medications that are used to treat
extravasations. These include hyaluronidase, phentolamine, and
topical nitroglycerin 2% ointment. 8 Sodium thiosulfate, dimethyl
sulfoxide (DMSO) and dexrazoxane are antidotes primarily associated
with treatment of chemotherapy extravasations. As the scope of this
article is directed at the neonatal population, it will focus on the first
three non-chemotherapeutic extravasation medications: hyaluroni-
dase, phentolamine and nitroglycerin. 7,8,26,27
Hyaluronidase
Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid, a
compound best described as the “glue” which holds cells together.
When this extracellular glue is dissolved, cells are separated. This is
helpful in extravasations as it allows for the medication to distribute
through a larger area by breaking down the walls that keep it
localized. This not only helps to decrease the concentration effects of
the extravasated product, but also exposes the medication to more
capillary beds that allows for reduction of edema via more rapid
reabsorption and removal of the product from the damaged area. The
overall effect is to minimize the local damage caused by the
extravasation. This change is not permanent, as hyaluronic acid will
be regenerated within a 24 to 48 hour period. Efficacy of hyaluron-
idase is supported by an FDA subcommittee evaluation from 2009
based on evidence from animal studies, human studies and clinical
case reports. Hyaluronidase has been used to limit extravasation
injury since 1976. One study suggested that use of hyaluronidase may
 V. Beall et al. / Newborn & Infant Nursing Reviews 13 (2013) 189–195 193

Fig 2. Diamond Children’s IV Infiltration and Extravasation Algorithm (adapted from Sawatzky-Dickson and colleagues, [2006]). LIP = Licensed Independent Practitioner, MD =
Medical Doctor, WOCN =Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse.
194 V. Beall et al. / Newborn & Infant Nursing Reviews 13 (2013) 189–195
decrease the development of skin ulcers by 50–60% and decrease skin
ulcer size by as much as 50%. 7,28,29
Hyaluronidase has been used in various ways and consensus is
lacking on which way is best. Most protocols advocate administration
of hyaluronidase within 1 to 2 hours of the initial injury but there are
case reports suggesting administration as far out as 10 days may be
beneficial. Concentrations of hyaluronidase used in studies ranges
from 15 unit/mL to 1500 unit/mL but standard practice for neonatal
and pediatric patients is to use a concentration of 15 unit/mL. Some
centers will have the practitioner pull back the infiltrated IV 1 to
2 mm to avoid IV injection and then administer 0.2 mL of a 15 unit/mL
solution through the catheter to deliver hyaluronidase directly to the
site of extravasation. The standard way to utilize hyaluronidase is to
draw up 5 syringes of 0.2 mL of the 15 unit/mL concentrations and,
after cleansing the site, inject these at 5 separate sites around the area
of extravasation. Again, the idea is to break down the barrier that is
holding the medication in that specific area and allow it to disperse to
a larger surface area. 26,28 Adverse effects are uncommon but
potentially include tachycardia, hypotension, dizziness, chills, urti-
carial erythema, angioedema, nausea and vomiting.
Phentolamine
Phentolamine is an antidote that will counteract the effect of
vasoactive agents such as dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine
and phenylephrine. 8 These medications result in vasoconstriction via
stimulation of alpha-receptors. Phentolamine acts to block the activity
of alpha-receptors and subsequently will help relax vascular smooth
muscle. This will improve circulation in the area of the extravasation
and thus decrease ischemia and cell death. Phentolamine can also be
utilized for vasopressin or dopamine extravasation. 28 Phentolamine
should be administered within 12 hours of initial exposure but
administration should occur as soon as possible. Prepare a 0.5 to
1 mg/mL solution and administer 0.1 mg/kg (to a max of 2.5 mg in
neonates, 10 mg in older children and adults) into the existing IV
of the affected area. Neonates should be monitored closely for
potential development of hypotension, dysrhythmias and tachycardia
due to potential systemic absorption of phentolamine. 3,28 The
efficacy of phentolamine has been demonstrated in animal studies
and case reports. 30–32
Nitroglycerin Ointment (2%)
Nitroglycerin 2% is an option to treat extravasations. 8 Nitroglycerin
acts to relax smooth muscle resulting in arteriolar, arterial and venous
vasodilation that results in increased capillary blood flow, counter-
acting the effects of vasoactive medications. This will help to reverse
tissue ischemia and cell death. In the neonatal population, there is a
case report describing the use of 1 inch of 2% nitroglycerin ointment
for treatment of a dopamine extravasation, located in the dorsum of
the left hand, in a 1.8 kg 34 week preemie. This resulted in return of
circulation within a few minutes. Of note, treatment was started
almost 12 hours after the extravasation was initially noted and
patient had no significant change in hemodynamics. 33
Ongoing Assessment and Wound Care
If the skin is intact, elevation of the extremity and hourly
observation for the next 12 crucial hours will aid in resolution of
the edema and early identification for the development of surface skin
injury. If there is blistering or skin breakdown; moist wound healing is
indicated. The days that these injuries were left open to dry out and
heal on their own should be gone and moist wound healing methods
took their place. A moist wound environment will facilitate epidermal
regeneration, fibroblast proliferation, and endothelial cell prolifera-
tion. 2 Now with advanced wound care treatments; healing can be safe
and atraumatic for the neonate with minor skin breakdown or in the
neonate with full thickness wounds requiring wound care for weeks.
Hydrogel dressings are one of the moist wound healing treatments
that have been found to be evidence-based and safe for neonates of all
gestations. 8,9 Hydrogels consist of 80–90% water, which can be
soothing and gentle to skin and keeps the wound moist to facilitate
auto-debridement of wounds by rehydrating sloughing tissue and
enhancing the rate of autolysis. 8 A section of hydrogel sheet cut to
cover the wound and secured with transparent dressing reduces
dressing changes to every 3 days, resulting in decreased handling and
discomfort of the neonate, and less trauma to regenerated tissue, as
well as protects the tissue from outside oxygen tension and provides a
lower pH, which inhibits the growth of pathogens. 2,3 Full thickness
injury may require surgical debridement and skin grafting, by a
pediatric or plastic surgeon. 8 Adhesive silicone foam can be used for
shallow wounds that may only require a small daily application of
amorphous gel to maintain moisture to the site. The moisture of
hydrogels at times can macerate the periwound, in infants greater
than 30 days; an alcohol free skin barrier can be applied to protect the
fragile skin surrounding the wound. 8
Conclusions
Preventing and detecting early damage from vesicants are a
priority of every neonatal nurse. In this article we have described the
pathophysiology of vascular injury, the medications that incite it and
recommendations to prevent and treat infiltrations and extravasa-
tions. Incorporating training on critical nursing assessments, signs of
injury and key actions to treat it are an important part of every NICU's
education plan. We recommend using an algorithm, like the one
presented here, to guide actions once extravasation occurs. Using
non-pharmacologic approaches to treat the injury is a first step in the
process of limiting damage. For certain vesicant-induced injury,
pharmacologic treatment using hyaluronidase, in particular, has been
shown to limit the injury. If ineffective or the injury is extensive,
surgical treatment may be necessary and a plastic surgeon may need
to be consulted. Along the way, openly speaking with the parents
about the treatment is necessary and important to maintain the
family-healthcare partnership.
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