ANNEX: Definition of invasive pediatric procedures
- Placement of intravenous access and / or blood drawning: placing of a small needle through the skin that is incorporated into a vein to draw blood or administer medication.
- Nasogastric and bladder catheter placement; placement of a small tube through the nose or mouth into the stomach for feeding or removing gastric contents (nasogástric or orogastric tube) or into the urethra to collect urine (urinary catheter)
- Suture of wounds: procedure of sewing a wound in the skin with a special needle and thread. Before performing an anesthetic is applied at the wound so that the child does not feel any pain.
- Lumbar puncture: introduction of a needle into the lower back between the vertebrae to extract cerebrospinal fluid or give medication (the procedure is similar to epidural anesthesia during labor)
- Sedation: administration of medication to get the child asleep to perform a procedure that generates pain or anxiety.
- Reduction of a bone fracture: placement of a bone in its original place (necessary in certain fractures when the bone pieces have moved).
- Endotracheal intubation: placing a tube through the mouth or nose into the trachea, to supply the respiratory function. The procedure is performed with the child asleep and unconscious without feeling anything.
- CPR-maneuvers (cardiopulmonary resuscitation): performing cardiac massage and ventilation (artificial respiration) in case of cardiac arrest (heart stops beating and the child does not breathe)