A central line is a thin, flexible tube placed in a large vein in the neck, upper chest or groin, with its tip near the heart or in a large vein. It allows strong medicines, nutrition and fluids to be given safely, and it lets doctors measure pressure in the veins. A PICU hospital in Mumbai places these lines when small veins cannot carry the treatment a child needs.

Ultrasound is usually used to find the vein. The skin is cleaned thoroughly, the child is given numbing medicine and sedation, and the line is inserted under sterile conditions. Its position is confirmed by X-ray. Nurses care for the dressing carefully and assess the site every day.

How the Procedure Can Help

It gives dependable access for medicines that cannot be given safely through small veins and avoids repeated needle pricks.

Risks and Considerations

Risks include infection, blood clots, bleeding, injury to nearby structures, air leak into the chest and rhythm changes. The line is removed as soon as it is no longer needed. Fever, redness or swelling around the line needs urgent review.