IV infiltration with 2nd & 3rd degree burns

[remirylanreiden]

I am caring for a 2 1/2 month old infant who suffered an IV infiltration before transfer to my facility. The IV was in his hand and he suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns just beyond his elbow. The solution was D5.2ns. Has anyone ever seen this severity of an infiltration from this solution? It was infusing at 20cc/hr. I am looking for any input here. How often should a pediatric IV site be checked, what are the blisters from...Thanks for your help!

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

How strange. I've never seen an infiltrate with MIV before that causes this. I've seen pretty severe burns with Levo though.

Do you think it might have been an IVP of a med, perhaps one that wasn't diluted and was given too fast?

[TiredMD]

I once saw a very similar patient. In my case, the child's IV site was wrapped with a too-tight dressing to keep him from pulling out the IV, and so when it infiltrated the tight dressing kept the tissue from expanding resulting in pressure necrosis (similar to compartment syndrome). Could this have happened in your case?