European Society Issued Neonatal Access Guidelines
New standards aim to improve skin health and safety for infants requiring vascular access.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Babies
The European Society for Paediatric Research has released new recommendations for managing neonatal vascular access exit sites. The guidance covers ten distinct protocols to minimize risks associated with peripheral and central venous catheters.
Why it matters
Neonates are particularly vulnerable to infections, device dislodgement, and skin injuries due to their physiological immaturity. These standardized practices were developed to provide clinical consistency and improve safety outcomes for infants in neonatal care.
The guidelines include ten recommendations for managing various catheters, including the use of chlorhexidine-based antisepsis and semipermeable transparent dressings. These protocols address peripheral, central, and intra-arterial vascular access sites.
The players
European Society for Paediatric Research
This is a professional organization dedicated to advancing child health through high-quality scientific research and the promotion of evidence-based clinical practices.
The details
Developed through a multidisciplinary consensus process, the report details requirements for standardized skin assessments and the use of sutureless securement devices. Clinicians are directed to choose between Standard-ANTT or Surgical-ANTT application techniques based on the specific risk level of the neonate.
Timeline
September 19, 2026: The ESPR published the new vascular access management recommendations.
Culture Shift
The introduction of these protocols signals a move toward standardized care models in neonatal medicine, similar to the established safety benchmarks seen in adult intensive care. This shift helps bridge the gap between varying clinical practices, aligning institutional procedures with the latest evidence.
Parents and caregivers should know that these protocols prioritize minimizing skin trauma and infection risk for infants requiring medical access. These measures ensure that hospital staff follow uniform, evidence-based procedures when managing a child's medical devices.
The takeaway
Standardizing neonatal care helps protect the delicate skin and overall health of infants during clinical procedures. Health providers are encouraged to review these ten recommendations to improve safety and device longevity in their units.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest clinical standards in our Babies section.
More information
Read the full ESPR neonatal vascular access recommendation to understand the new protocols.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nature.
