Sir.—Intraosseous infusion is considered infrequently, or not at all, in pediatric emergency care. There is a long history of successful use of this infusion technique, including injection into the sternum, ilium, femur, and tibia.1,2 Amino acids and other fluids have been infused. The technique has been used since 1935 at the University of Michigan and since 1937 at Wayne County (Michigan) General Hospital, as well as in the armed forces throughout World War II.
In a recent tragic example, an anesthetic could not be administered parenterally because a vein could not be located for infusion. As a result, inhalation therapy with halothane (Fluothane) was carried out, and a lengthy period of oxygen deprivation resulted. The 3-year-old child was left blind and brain damaged (Detroit News, July 7, 1982, 6). Intraosseous blood channels communicate directly with the general circulation. Fluids administered by intraosseous infusion can be considered