ABSTRACT
Aim: To analyze the clinical evidence for a diagnosis of peripheral vascular trauma based on occurrence and type, in children between six months and twelve years old. Method: Survey of peripheral venous punctures performed in children having a first puncture on that site. Daily clinical evaluations were performed on the puncture site and adjacent areas at intervals, commencing within 24 hours following the puncture and continuing until the resolution of the trauma, or the patients discharge, excluding any subsequent punctures. Results: From the 338 punctures observed, 53.3% presented with at least one clinical manifestation of trauma, characterized by: pain (30.1%), change in the skin color (18.6%), skin integrity (47.7%), functional capacity (6.2%) or local temperature (14.2%). Discussion: The defining characteristics of peripheral vascular trauma generated a scientific theoretical structure for the nurses in their clinical practice, alerting them to the occurrence of this event in children. Conclusion: The characterization of vascular trauma in children permits a re-evaluation of this procedure.