Vascular Access — Catheter Size Guide — Clinical Pathway: Inpatient

Vascular Access — Catheter Size Guide — Clinical Pathway: Inpatient

Catheter Size Guide for Central Line Placement for Neonates, Infants or Children

Catheter size depends on the following:

  • Diameter of the vein (catheter to occupy ≤ 50% of the vein lumen)
  • History of prior thrombosis/occlusion
  • Presence of pre-existing lines

More specific guidance for:

Catheter Size Guide

Abbreviations Key — UE Upper Extremity, LE Lower Extremity

Weight PICC Cuffed Line
(Broviac)		 Port
< 1 kg
  • UE 1.9 Fr single/double
  • LE 1.9 or 2.6 Fr double
 N/A N/A
1-3 kg
  • UE 1.9 Fr single
  • UE 1.9 Fr double
     
  • LE 1.9 Fr single
  • LE 1.9 or 2.6 Fr double
  • 2.7-5 Fr single
  • 5.0 Fr double
    • 25.0 Fr
    3-10 kg
    • UE 1.9 or 3.0 Fr single
    • UE 2.6 Fr double
       
    • LE 3 Fr single
    • 3-5 Fr single
    • 5-6 Fr double
    • 5-6 Fr
    10-20 kg
    • UE 3 or 4 Fr single
    • UE 3.5 or 4 Fr double
    • 5-6.6 Fr single
    • 5-6 Fr double
    • 5-6 Fr single
    20-40 kg
    • UE 3 or 4 Fr single
    • 3.5 to 5 Fr double
    • 5-7 Fr single
    • 6-7 Fr double
    • 6-8 Fr single
    > 40 kg
    • UE 3 or 4 Fr single
    • UE 5 or 6 Fr double
    • 6-7 Fr single
    • 6-9 Fr double
    • 7-9 Fr single

    PICU Guidelines for Catheter Selection

      Neonate
    < 1 mo
    2.5-5 kg    		 Infant
    1-12 mos
    5-10 kg    		 Toddler
    13-36 mos
    10-20 kg    		 Young Child
    3-8 yrs
    15-25 kg    		 Older Child
    8-12 yrs
    20-50 kg    		 Adolescent
    13-18 yrs
    40-70 kg    		 Adult
    18+ yrs
    70 kg
    Arterial Catheter (G x cm) 24 x 2.5 24 x 2.5 24 x 5 24 x 5 22 x 5 22 x 5 22 x 8
    Central Venous catheter (Fr) 4 4 5 5 5 7 7
    Dialysis/Pheresis catheter (Fr) 7 8, 9 9 9, 11.5, 12 12 12 12

    Central Venous Vessel Diameter (not for arteries)

    Gauge or French 24 G 22 G 2.5 Fr 3 Fr 4 Fr 5 Fr 7 Fr 9 Fr 12 Fr
    Catheter Diameter in cm 0.07 0.09 0.08 0.1 0.13 0.17 0.23 0.3 0.4
    Minimal Vessel Diameter in cm 0.14 0.18 0.16 0.2 0.26 0.34 0.46 0.6 0.8

    Pheresis/Dialysis Catheter Sizes Stored in the PICU

    • 7 Fr 7 cm DL
    • 8 Fr 12 cm DL
    • 9 Fr 12 cm DL
    • 11.5 Fr 15 cm DL
    • 12 Fr 13 cm TL
    • 12 Fr 16 cm TL
    • 12 Fr 20 cm TL
    • 12 Fr 24 cm TL