ABSTRACT
Access for the administration of medicines as well as nutritional support is achieved using two main routes, the gastrointestinal tract and the bloodstream. Devices are required to access each of these systems and their placement is performed by those from many disciplines of medicine. Enteral and parenteral access in children is a particular challenge given the size of these patients as well as their dependence on others for the administration of care and the use of these devices. This care and use is often performed by parents and therefore these systems must be simple and straightforward. This chapter will explore the complications encountered in performing enteral and parenteral access procedures and attempt to list some of the pitfalls in order that these potentially life-threatening complications may be avoided.
