Which central venous catheter for neonatal use?
Complications in 100 percutaneous central venous catheters used for parenteral nutrition were monitored prospectively in patients on a regional neonatal medical and surgical unit. Infants were randomly allocated to receive either a Vygon Epicutaneous catheter or Dow Corning silastic tubing. The majority of lines -63 - were removed electively when parenteral feeding was no longer required. The most common serious complication was catheter sepsis for which 11 lines were removed; all patients made a complete recovery. Minor mechanical complications were encountered with 17 catheters. There was no difference in performance or complication rate comparing the two types of catheter. Percutaneous central venous catheters provide a suitable and safe means of administration of parenteral nutrition to preterm infants over an extended period of time.
Rushforth
J A
JA
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Clarendon Wing, The General Infirmary at Leeds, Belmont Grove, Leeds LS2 9NS, UK.
Wood
C
C
Quinn
M W
MW
Puntis
J W
JW