Umbilical Venous Catheters and Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters: Are They Equally Safe in VLBW Infants? A Non-Randomized Single Center Study

Abstract

Background and Objective: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) and umbilical venous catheters (UVC) are frequently used for vascular access in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). While there is a significant need for these devices for critically ill neonates, there are many complications associated with their use. We aimed at investigating the incidence of UVC and PICC complications in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Materials and Methods: This is an observational study performed with neonates of the tertiary General Hospital of Piraeus, Greece, during an 18 month-period. Seventy-one neonates were recruited and divided into two groups: 34 neonates with PICC and 37 neonates with UVC. We recorded: Catheter dwell time, the causes of catheter removal, other complications, infections, and catheter tip colonization rates. Results: No significant statistical differences were noticed between the 2 study groups with regards to demographic characteristics, causes for catheter removal, catheter indwelling time or the incidence of nosocomial infection. Eleven UVC tips and no PICC tips were proved colonized (p = 0.001) following catheter removal. Conclusions: The incidence of complications associated with the use of UVCs and PICCs in VLBW infants did not significantly differ in our study. Their use seems to be equally safe. Further studies, with larger samples, are necessary to confirm our results.

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“…However, there is no clear evidence in the literature indicating the association of catheter tip position and complication rates in neonatal PICCs [2]. starting TPN [19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. In most cases TPN was used longer than the PICC duration itself due to underlying surgical conditions [or] for infectious reasons.…”

Complications of umbilical venous catheters in neonates: A safety reappraisal

“…Konstantinidi et al also compared the incidence of PICC and UVC complications in very low birth weight infants. 2 They found no significant differences between the 2 study groups with regard to demographic characteristics, causes for catheter removal, catheter indwelling time, or the incidence of nosocomial infection. The use of UVC and PICC seemed to be equally safe.…”

Colonization and Bacteremia due to Peripheral Venous Catheters in Hospitalized Children

“…It is estimated that more than 200,000 cases of CRBSI occur annually in the United States, resulting in approximately 12-25% mortality [8]. CRBSI incidence relate to the catheter type, the catheter usage prolongation, manipulation of it and patient's background diseases [9]. The most common central venous catheter used in patients is the no tunneled CVC and this catheter is responsible for 90% of all systemic catheter infections.…”

“…Catheter-induced bacteremia is the most serious complication of venous catheter use [10]. Although the infection may be due to contamination of the injectable material, or colonization of the catheter hub, most infections are due to the secondary implantation of the patient's dermal flora microorganisms into the intradermal pathway of the catheter [6,9,11]. Have been shown a correlation between isolated organisms in bacteremia caused by catheter and the skin flora adjacent to catheter [10][11][12].…”