Abstract

Objective: In the present study, the purpose was to investigate and compare the use of antimicrobialimpregnated peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC) and standard PICC catheters in premature infants who are hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Methods: The infants, who were younger than 32 weeks, and who were treated with PICC catheters were included in this retrospective observational study.

Results: The 58 infants included in the study. Antimicrobial-impregnated PICC catheter was used for 23 infants and standard PICC catheters were used for 35 infants. Although no difference was detected between the groups regarding the week of birth, birth weight, gender, and age at catheter insertion, the duration of catheter use was longer in the antimicrobial-impregnated PICC group (14.6±6.5 days vs. 11±5.9 days, p=0.03). When the groups were compared in terms of the reasons for catheter termination, the rate of planned catheter removal upon completion of treatment was 65.2% in the antimicrobial-impregnated PICC catheter group, and it was 34.3% in the standard PICC catheter group (p<0.05). The central line bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rate was 3/336 (0.89%) per 1.000 catheter days in the antimicrobial-impregnated PICC group, and the CLABSI rate was 8/385 (2%) per 1.000 catheter days in the standard PICC group (p=0.165).

Conclusion: Antimicrobial-impregnated PICC catheters did not statistically significantly reduce CLABSI in premature infants in the NICU when compared with standard PICC catheters; however, the rate of planned catheter removal was found to be higher in the antimicrobial-impregnated PICC catheter group.