Table 1. Reported risk factors for difficult intravenous (IV) access in children according to the literature.

Type of risk factor	Variables
Patient-related factors8-13	Age
	Weight
	Prematurity
	Fragility of the veins
	Poor visibility and palpability of the veins
	Location of IV attempt
	Rolling, dark, or scarred veins
	Race/ethnicity
	Peripheral vasoconstriction
	Mental/emotional status
	Needle phobia and pain
	Anxiety and fear
Disease-related factors8,10	Acute conditions (e.g., dehydration)
	Chronic illnesses (e.g., cancer)
Treatment-related factors8,10,14	Long-term treatment
	Repeated IV treatment for chronic conditions