Complicaciones de los accesos vasculares centrales en los recién nacidos del Instituto Nacional de Perinatología

Abstract

Introduction

Vascular catheters are considered an essential procedure for the management of newborns in neonatal intensive care units. However, their insertion and length ot time used are considered risk factors for neonatal complications. The focus of this study was to determine the technical aspects, complications and morbidity associated with vascular catheters in the Mexican National Institute of Perinatology (Instituto Nacional de Perinatología).

Material and methods

A descriptive, prospective and longitudinal study was conducted including all newborns in whom a central vascular catheter was inserted between January and December of 2015. The types of catheter, infectious and non-infectious complications were registered. Central tendency measurements were used for the data analysis.

Results

Mean weight and gestational age were 1,330 g and 29 weeks, respectively. The mean time the catheter was inserted was 12.9 days. The incidence of complications was 31.5 per 1,000 catheter-days, with 14.1 per 1,000 in the non-infectious complications and 17.3 per 1,000 in the infectious complications group. Percutaneous catheters were the most frequently used type of catheter. Sepsis associated with catheters was the most common complication found, with a frequency of 17.3 episodes per 1,000 days-catheter.

Conclusion

The incidence of complications associated to vascular catheters continues to be a problem in every neonatal intensive care unit; sepsis is the most common complication and also the one with the higher impact on neonatal morbidity and mortality.