RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: to assess the use of peripherally inserted central catheters regarding the neonate's profile, indications for use, and catheterized vein; the relation between the number of puncture attempts and vein; and assessment of the catheter tip position. METHOD: documentary, descriptive, retrospective, quantitative study, developed in a tertiary maternity hospital in Ceará. A total of 3,005 PICC insertion formularies was included and 1,583 were excluded due to incomplete data, with a convenience sampling of 1,422 insertions being obtained. RESULTS: There were 1,200 (84.4%) newborns with gestational age below 37 weeks; 781 (54.9%) males; Apgar score above 7 in the first (628-44.2%) and fifth minutes (1,085-76.3%); and weight between 1,000 and 1,499 grams on the day of insertion (417-29.3%). Antibiotic therapy had 1,155-53.8% indications for insertion; the basilic was the most used vein (485-34.1%); basilic and cephalic veins had lower median puncture attempts and 1,124-79% insertions were centrally positioned. CONCLUSION: The results of this research highlight the continuous need to improve technical-scientific knowledge to qualify actions in neonatology.