Occurrence of bloodstream infection with different types of central vascular catheter in critically neonates.

Objective: The aim of this research was to assess the incidence of CVC-associated/related to bloodstream infection (BSI) to different types of CVC, by classes of neonatal birth weight.

Methods: The research was conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Uberlandia University Hospital from April/2006 through April/2008. The population analyzed comprised neonates who had at least one CVC placed for longer than 24h, followed-up through epidemiologic vigilance "National Healthcare Safety Network". Patients were followed daily from their entry into the study to their discharge or death.

Results: At birth, 50.7% of neonates had low weight (< or = 1500g), 24.5% between 1501 and 2500g and 24.8% over 2500g. The highest density of CVC use (0.96) was found in neonates with birth weight ranging from 751g to 1000g. The incidence of CVC-associated/related to BSI was 13.0 and 2.1 per 1000 days CVC, respectively, and the higher representativeness in the weight group of 1501-2500g (15.8) and < or = 750g (3.3), respectively. A higher proportion of CVC-associated to BSI was observed in PICC (6.0) than in the other CVCs (P<0.01). Coagulase negative Staphylococcus was the most common microorganism (39.7%) in BSI, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (24. 6%) and Gram-negative bacilli (19.2%).

Conclusion: Although neonates weighing less than 750g comprise the group with lower representativeness at the unit (5.4%), they reveal the highest CVC related to BSI incidence rate (3.3/1000 days CVC).