Complications associated with central venous catheters inserted in critically ill neonates

To assess the incidence and spectrum of complications associated with central venous catheter (CVC) placement in the critically ill infant.

A prospective study of all babies hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from January 1989 to December 1989. Potential risk factors associated with infection were evaluated by a case-control comparison.

Conducted at a university-affiliated, tertiary care community hospital.

Neonates requiring intensive care and a central venous catheter. Controls consisted of noninfected babies.

Of 263 critically ill neonates, only 13 (4.9%) required a CVC insertion. Seventeen CVCs were placed in these 13 neonates for a total duration of 600 days (median, 32 days/cannula). Fifteen (88%) of these cannulas had one or more complications during its catheter life including dislodgement or leakage (53%), occlusion or thrombosis (47%), infections (29%), or minor bleeding (12%). Five babies (29%) developed 6 episodes of bloodstream infection including 3 sporadic cases due to Staphylococcus epidermidis and a cluster of fungemia due to Malassezia furfur associated with lipid emulsion therapy. Infants with a CVC-associated infection were a younger gestational age (24 weeks versus 32 weeks, p = .04) and weighed less at birth (580 g versus 1285 g, p = .02). The overall rate of bloodstream infection was one episode per 100 days of catheter use.

CVCs may be lifesaving to a critically ill neonate, but complications occur frequently. Use must be restricted to infants in whom alternate delivery routes of intravenous therapy or support are otherwise unavailable.