Administration of low-dose heparin in total nutrient admixture prevents central venous catheter-related infections in neonates / 中国当代儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is widely used to provide a long-term access for the administration of total parenteral nutrition and medications. Catheter-related infections (CRI) are common complications of PICC. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the role of low-dose heparin added to the total nutrient admixture (CTNA) in the prevention of CRI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-three neonates who underwent PICC received TNA with (heparin group, n=43) or without heparin (0.5 U/mL) (control group, n=40). The incidence of CRI was compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidences of catheter obstruction (5% vs 20%) and the catheter-tip colonization (2% vs 18%) in the heparin group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.05). None of the neonates in the heparin group had clinical evidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection, but 5 cases in the control group (p<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The administration of low-dose heparin in TNA may decrease the incidences of catheter obstruction and CRI.</p>