Analysis of peripherally inserted central catheter-related infections in a level III neonatal intensive care unit
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51723/hrj.v7i34.1296Keywords:
Catheterization, Peripheral, Neonatal sepsis, Catheter-related infections, Intensive care units, neonatalAbstract
Objective: To analyze infections associated with the use of the Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) in newborns, identifying the profile of affected patients and the clinical and device characteristics involved. Method: Retrospective cohort study conducted in a level III neonatal intensive care unit, covering the year 2024. 64 medical records of devices removed due to suspected infection, clinical sepsis, or confirmed sepsis were analyzed, stratifying demographic, clinical, and catheter-specific variables. Descriptive statistics and inferential tests were used with a 5% significance level. Results: Extremely low birth weight (60.94%) and preterm infants (mean 29.6 weeks) predominated. The device (mostly polyurethane and 1 French) was used for an average of 16.8 days, with total parenteral nutrition (92.2%) as the main indication. High blood culture positivity was observed (70.31%), with a predominance of coagulase-negative staphylococci. There were no statistically significant differences between positive and negative culture groups regarding birth variables or catheter time. Overall mortality was 28.1%. Conclusions: The findings characterize a profile of high clinical vulnerability and therapeutic complexity. The clinical similarity between groups reinforces that sepsis diagnosis in extreme prematurity must be based on an integrated interpretation of signs and the care context, regardless of microbiological isolation.
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