Medical Encyclopedia

Intravenous fluid sites

Intravenous (IV) lines are often placed into a vein in the hand, foot, or scalp of babies who are too sick to get all of their feedings and fluids by mouth. The belly button also has a large vessel that may be used for intravenous fluids. Sometimes a large IV called a central line or PICC line is placed by sterile technique or by surgery to provide long-term, highly concentrated intravenous fluid.