How Approprıate are the Lengths of Syringe Needles Used for Subcutaneous Injections to the Children at School Age?

Aims: To define the normal ranges of the thicknesses of the skin and subcutaneous tissues via ultrasonography, and to determine whether the current syringe needle-lengths used for the subcutaneous injections were appropriate. Methods: The thicknesses of the skin and subcutaneous tissues of 2244 studentswere measured at the left arm using ultrasonography. Patients were divided into three groups based on age: 6 to 8, 9 to 12 and 13 to 17 year. Results: The thicknesses of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and skin-subcutaneous tissue were found to be positively correletated with age, body mass index and body surface area. All these were observed to be gender related. There is a possibility to make intramuscular injections for the 50%, 25% and 25% percent of boys with age groups of 6 to 8, 9 to 12 and 13 to 17 year, respectively.For the girls, the risk of intramuscular injection is 25% percent for all age groups. Conclusions: Our study has shown that the skin and skin-subcutaneous tissue thicknesses varies as a function of age, gender, body mass index and body surface area.

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