Needle length for epinephrine prefilled syringes in children and adolescents: Is one inch needle appropriate?

BACKGROUND: Intramuscular epinephrine is the first line drug in the treatment of anaphylaxis. This study was to identify the appropriateness of 1 inch needle length for epinephrine prefilled syringes in children.

METHODS: Children aged 1 month to 18 years were enrolled. Skin to muscle depth (STMD) and skin to bone depth (STBD) were measured using an ultrasonography at the mid-anterolateral thigh. A 1 inch needle was considered as being appropriate if the STBD was more than 1 inch and the STMD was less than 1 inch.

RESULTS: Seventy five infants, 75 pre-school aged children, 75 school aged children and 147 adolescent were enrolled: 196 (52.7%) children were male. A 1 inch needle length was appropriate for 61% of the infants, for 88% of the preschool children, for 99% of the school aged children and for 95% of the adolescents. Thigh circumference ≥23 cm, BMI ≥16 kg/m2 and BW ≥ 6 kg in infants provided the sensitivity of 74%-96% in predicting the appropriateness of 1 inch needle. In preschool group, thigh circumference ≥25 cm, BMI ≥13.5 kg/m2 and BW ≥ 10 kg provided the sensitivity of 98.5-100% in predicting the appropriateness of 1 inch needle. Thigh circumference ≥ 49 cm in adolescents provided the sensitivity of 75% in predicting that a 1 inch needle was too short.

CONCLUSION: One inch needle length may not be appropriated for intramuscular injection at thigh in all children. Thigh circumference, BMI and body weight are useful for predictor for using the 1 inch needle.