Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters in Newborns: A Seven-Year Single-Center Experience from a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical characteristics, complication rates, and predictors of adverse outcomes related to peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) in newborns over a seven-year period in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Materials and

Methods

This retrospective observational study included all neonates who underwent their first PICC placement between January 2017 and January 2024 in a single tertiary NICU. Demographic, clinical, and procedural data were collected, including birth weight, gestational age, catheter type, insertion site, dwell time, and reason for removal. Primary outcomes were PICC-related complications and catheter dwell time. Statistical analyses included chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, Student's t-test or ANOVA, and multivariable logistic regression to identify independent predictors of complications.

Results

A total of 610 PICCs were evaluated. The mean gestational age was 31.0 ± 4.7 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 1579 ± 870 g. The majority of catheters (96.1%) terminated at the central location, with a mean dwell time of 12.9 ± 9.0 days. The most common removal reason was completion of therapy (60.3%), followed by mechanical complications (36.7%) and suspected infection (14.6%). Overall complication rate was 34.9%. In multivariable analysis, birth weight > 1000 g was associated with a lower risk of complications compared to <1000 g (1000-1500 g: OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.22-0.56; 1500-2000 g: OR 0.29, 0.15-0.54; >2000 g: OR 0.44, 0.21-0.92). Midline (OR 4.16, 1.76-9.83) and peripheral (OR 3.51, 1.82-6.76) terminations carried higher risk compared to central terminations. Use of antimicrobial-impregnated catheters reduced complication risk (OR 0.44, 0.26-0.74), while temporal vein insertion increased it (OR 4.14, 1.23-13.86).

Conclusions

Low birth weight (<1000 g) and non-central catheter tip location are significant predictors of PICC-related complications in neonates, while antimicrobial-impregnated catheters have a protective effect. Targeted preventive strategies, strict adherence to insertion and maintenance bundles, and careful patient selection are recommended to improve outcomes in NICU patients.