Pediatric intramuscular injections: Do you know the procedure and complications?

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Abstract
The practice of outpatient intramuscular antibiotic therapy for infants and children at risk for serious bacterial infections is an attractive alternative to hospitalization. The use of this alternative is likely to increase. Pediatric emergency physicians and pediatric residents at our institution were surveyed to determine their knowledge of intramuscular injection techniques. The dorsogluteal site is contraindicated in infants and children, but it was selected for 14 (21%) of the patients presented in the survey. One-inch needles are recommended for children 0 to 24 months of age, but 1 '/2-inch needles were preferred for 13 (30%) of these younger children. A volume of 1 ml to be injected at one site was exceeded 10 (47%) times. Such practices increase the risk for infectious complications and neurovascular and muscle injuries. To avoid these complications, guidelines for pediatric intramuscular injections are presented.

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