BackgroundPeripheral venous catheterization (PVC) is frequently used in children. This procedure is not free from potential complications. Our purpose was to identify the types and incidences of PVC complications in children and their predisposing factors in a developing country.MethodsWe conducted a prospective observational multicenter study in five pediatric and pediatric surgery departments over a period of 2 months. Two hundred fifteen PVC procedures were conducted in 98 children. The times of insertion and removal and the reasons for termination were noted, and the lifespan was calculated. Descriptive data were expressed as percentages, means, standard deviations, medians and interquartile ranges. The Chi2 test or the Fisher test, with hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI95%), as well as Student’s t test or the Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare categorical and quantitative variables, respectively, in groups with and without complications. The Spearman test was used to determine correlations between the lifespan and the quantitative variables. The Kruskal Wallis test was used to test for differences in the median lifespan within 3 or more subgroups of a variable. Linear regression and logistic binary regression were used for multivariate analysis. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe mean lifespan was 68.82 ± 35.71 h. A local complication occurred in 111 PIVC (51.9%) cases. The risk factors identified were a small catheter gauge (24-gauge) (p = 0.023), the use of a volume-controlled burette (p = 0.036), a longer duration of intravenous therapy (p < 0.001), a medical diagnosis of respiratory or infectious disease (p = 0.047), the use of antibiotics (p = 0.005), including cefotaxime (p = 0.024) and vancomycin (p = 0.031), and the use of proton pump inhibitors (p = 0.004).The lifespan of the catheters was reduced with the occurrence of a complication (p < 0.001), including the use of 24-gauge catheters (p = 0.001), the use of an electronic pump or syringe(p = 0.036) and a higher rank of the intravenous device in each patient (p = 0.010).ConclusionsPVC complications were frequent in our pediatric departments and are often associated with misuse of the device. These results could engender awareness among both doctors and nurses regarding the need for rationalization of the use of PVC and better adherence to the recommendations for the use of each drug and each administration method.

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PurposeUveal melanoma (UM) is a rare intraocular tumour with an incidence of 5 cases per million individuals per year. Up to 30% of UM patients develop metastases, most often in the liver, and there is no therapy to either prevent or treat these metastases. Despite new discoveries in the genetic and molecular background of the primary tumour, little is known about the metastatic disease.In UM Cure 2020, funded by European Union's Horizon 2020 programme, we will identify and validate at the preclinical level novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of UM metastases (www.umcure2020.org). The Consortium brings together major EU experts in clinical, translational and basic research on UM, as well as patient representatives and innovative biotech companies.MethodsAn ambitious multidisciplinary approach is proposed to move from patient tissue characterisation to preclinical evaluation of single or combinations of drugs. We will characterise the genetic landscape of metastatic UM and its microenvironment, perform proteomic studies to address signalling pathway deregulation and establish novel relevant in vitro and in vivo UM models. Underpinning this will be our virtual sample registry, linking existing biobanks into a harmonised network, which will prospectively collect primary and metastatic UM samples.ResultsIn parallel, we are already evaluating in the first phase of the project the efficacy of a series of active compounds using partners’ available models. In addition to the initiation of UM‐dedicated clinical trials, dissemination of results includes initiatives to increase patient information and disease awareness, in particular by supporting the formation of a European UM patient network.ConclusionsThe UM Cure 2020 Consortium holds great potential to make significant advances in the treatment of metastatic UM, at present an incurable disease.