Catheter related bloodstream infection following PICC removal in preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
Describe the incidence of catheter-related blood stream infection (CRBSI), following removal of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC) in preterm infants.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study of infants <29 weeks gestational age with a PICC revealed 101 PICCs placed (2159 PICC days). Patients were hospitalized in a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) between January 2002 and December 2003. Chi(2) analysis was performed.


RESULTS
One infection was detected after the removal of a PICC (1 per 202 days). Ten infants had a CRBSI attributed to a PICC (1 per 216 PICC days). CRBSI during indwelling PICC was associated with increased risk for sepsis evaluation after PICC removal (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of CRBSI in the 48 h following PICC removal was not different than the incidence of CRBSI while a PICC was in-dwelling. There was no evidence from this study to support antibacterial prophylaxis before PICC removal.
Brooker
R W
RW
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63104, USA. brookerw@slu.edu
Keenan
W J
WJ
D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous; D020878:Device Removal; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control