Prophylactic antibiotics in chronic umbilical artery catheterization in respiratory distress syndrome

Abstract

The use of prophylactic antibiotics with indwelling umbilical artery catheters under continuous perfusion in 75 high risk newborns with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was evaluated. These infants were divided alternatively into 'treated' and 'nontreated' groups. The incidence of bacteraemia during chronic catheterization was 1·3%, and the incidence of septic complications probably related to the catheterization was 2·6%. There was a total of 11·7% colonization of catheter tips with pathogens, with no significant difference between the nontreated and the treated group. There was no difference in mortality or morbidity between the two groups. One nontreated infant showed a bacteraemia while an indwelling catheter was present, and a second was found to be septicaemic two days after removal. 2 infants, 1 from each group, developed a localized skin infection, probably related to catheterization. Antibiotic coverage during chronic umbilical artery catheterization in infants with RDS has dubious prophylactic value.