Central line-associated bloodstream infection in infants admitted to a level lllneonatal intensive care unit

Central line (CL)-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is one of the most common and yet preventable hospital-acquired infections in infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and is associated with significant morbidity. The objectives of this retrospective study were to 1) determine the incidence rates of CLABSI in infants admitted to a level lll NICU and to 2) identify independent CLABSI risk factors in high-risk infants.

Data were collected from patient medical records, and incidence rates were calculated per 1,000 CL days and per 1,000 patient (PT) days. Univariate analyses were performed to identify potential risk factors associated with CLABSI, and those with a p-value ≤ 0.05 were assessed in multivariate analyses.

The cohort represented 382 infants in whom 512 CLs were inserted. The CLABSI incidence rates per 1,000 CL days and per 1,000 PT days were 13.41 and 3.18, respectively. The only independent risk factor for CLABSI was prolonged CL dwell-time for the groups of umbilical catheters (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.42 per day (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15-1.75)) and central venous catheters (aOR = 1.04 per day (95% CI: 1.01-1.07)).

Compared with other high-income countries, our overall incidence rate seems high. Since units of measurement and the definition used for CLABSI vary between studies, it is important to keep this in mind when comparing findings. Future research should focus on preventative measures in relation to CLs.

none Trial registration. not relevant.