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Intravascular catheter colonization in critically ill children
T A Schlager1, M Hidde, P Rodger
1University of Virginia HSC, Department of Pediatrics, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|May 1, 1997
Summary
Intensive care unit intravascular catheters showed a 30% colonization rate, primarily with coagulase-negative staphylococci. However, catheter-related bacteremia remained low at 2%.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Intensive Care
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Device Infections
Background:
- Intravascular catheters are essential in intensive care units but pose infection risks.
- Catheter colonization is a known precursor to catheter-related bloodstream infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the rate of intravascular catheter colonization in a pediatric intensive care unit.
- To assess the incidence of catheter-related bacteremia in this population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study design.
- Cultures obtained from all removed intravascular catheters.
- Microbiological analysis to identify colonizing organisms.
Main Results:
- 366 catheters from 217 children were analyzed.
- 110 catheters (30%) demonstrated microbial colonization.
- Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most frequent colonizing bacteria.
- Only 9 cases (2%) of catheter-related bacteremia were identified.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of pediatric intensive care unit catheters become colonized.
- The rate of catheter-related bacteremia is relatively low despite high colonization rates.
- Further research may explore preventative strategies for catheter colonization.