ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous silastic central venous catheters have contributed to improve the care of neonates. They are quite safe; however, sometimes complications occur, with infections being the most frequent. A prospective study was undertaken in our NICU to know the rate of catheter-related sepsis, the influence of the duration of catheterization, the predominant portal of entry and the microorganisms isolated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two catheters were analyzed. Cultures were obtained once a week by aspiration from the catheter hub, the luer-lock connection and parenteral nutrition solution directly from the bag. If sepsis was suspected, blood cultures were obtained from a different vein. The tip was cultured after catheter withdrawal by the semiquantitative technique of Maki. RESULTS: Nineteen catheters (36.5%), 19 luer-lock connections (21.3%) and 7 parenteral nutrition solutions were colonized. We found a significant increase of the rate of colonization after the catheter had been in place 3 weeks or more (p < 0.05). Coagulase negative Staphylococcus was isolated in 75.7% of the samples. The rate of catheter related sepsis was 15.4% (7/8 caused by coagulase negative Staphylococcus). CONCLUSIONS: Catheter related sepsis may be more frequent than expected it colonization of the catheter were analyzed systematically. Screening catheter colonization allows an earlier diagnosis of pathogens if sepsis develops. Finally, we believe that the use of sterile techniques to handle the catheter and connections will further decrease catheter related infections.
