title: Prophylactic antibiotics in neonates with umbilical artery catheter placement: a prospective study of 137 patients.
abstract: To analyze the risk of cannula sepsis from indwelling umbilical arterial catheters and the indication for prophylactic antibiotics, 137 catheterized neonates with respiratory distress were prospectively placed into either antibiotic-treated (penicillin 50,000U/kg/day and kanamycin 15 mg./kg./day) or non-treated groups. Although bacteria were frequently isolated from blood and catheter tip cultures obtained upon removal of the catheter, especially among non-antibiotic treated infants, these isolates were predominantly non-pathogens and probably skin flora. Corresponding peripheral blood cultures were usually sterile. No cases of cannula-associated sepsis occurred among treated and non-treated newborns. The risk of bacteriologically proven sepsis resulting from an indwelling umbilical artery catheter appears insufficient to justify prophylactic antibiotics.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014469:Umbilical Arteries
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents