To identify risk factors and describe the microbiology of catheter exit-site and hub colonization in neonates.

During a period of 2 years, we prospectively investigated 14 risk factors for catheter exit-site and hub colonization in 862 central venous catheters in a cohort of 441 neonates. Cultures of the catheter exit-site and hub were obtained using semiquantitative techniques at time of catheter removal.

A neonatal intensive care unit at a university hospital.

Catheter exit-site colonization was found in 7.2% and hub colonization in 5.3%. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were predominant at both sites. Pathogenic flora were found more frequently at the catheter hub (36% vs 14%; P<.05). Through logistic regression, factors associated with exit-site colonization were identified as umbilical insertion (odds ratio [OR], 8.1; 95% confidence interval [CI95], 2.35-27.6; P<.001), subclavian insertion (OR, 54.6; CI95, 12.2-244; P<.001), and colonization of the catheter hub (OR, 8.9; CI95,3.5-22.8; P<.001). Catheter-hub colonization was associated with total parenteral nutrition ([TPN] OR for each day of TPN, 1.056; CI95,1.029-1.083; P<.001) and catheter exit-site colonization (OR, 6.11; CI95, 2.603-14.34; P<.001). No association was found between colonization at these sites and duration of catheterzation and venue of insertion, physician's experience, postnatal age and patient's weight, ventilation, steroids or antibiotics, and catheter repositioning.

These data support that colonization of the catheter exit-site is associated with the site of insertion and colonization of the catheter hub with the use of TPN. There is a very strong association between colonization at both catheter sites.