Visualizing Veins With Near-Infrared Light to Facilitate Blood Withdrawal in Children

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to evaluate for the first time the value of visualizing veins by a prototype of a near-infrared (NIR) vascular imaging system for venipuncture in children. METHODS: An observational feasibility study of venipunctures in children (0-6 years) attending the clinical laboratory of a pediatric university hospital during a period of 2 months without (n = 80) and subsequently during a period of 1 month with a prototype of an NIR vascular imaging system (n = 45) was conducted. Failure rate (ie, more than 1 puncture) and time of needle manipulation were determined. RESULTS: With the NIR vascular imaging system, failure rate decreased from 10/80 to 1/45 (P = .05) and time decreased from 2 seconds (1-10) to 1 second (1-4, P = .07). CONCLUSION: This study showed promising results on the value of an NIR vascular imaging system in facilitating venipunctures.