Intraosseous emergency infusion

Difficulties in establishing an intravenous line in the critically ill child may lead to failure and thus endanger life. The technique of intraosseous infusion, once common, was abandoned in the early 1950s, but is now being reintroduced. It is safe, does not require prior skills, has few complications and may be lifesaving. Substances absorbed through the bone marrow are delivered into the blood circulation as soon as after intravenous injection. A critically ill, preterm neonate who needed emergency fluids and in whom intraosseous infusion was given, is presented.