Objective?To investigate the role of low-dose heparin added to total nutrient admixture (TNA) solutions in the prevention of catheter related infections (CRIs). Methods?One-hundred three newborn infants with periph-erally inserted central catheter (PICC) were divided into heparin group (n=63) and control group (n=40). The patients in the heparin group received TNA with 0.5 U/ ml heparin. The patients in the control group received TNA without heparin. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of CRTs in the two groups. Results?We found that the incidence of CRIs was 0 in the heparin group and 12.5% (5/40) in the control group. The incidence of catheter obstruction was 6.3% (4/63) in the heparin group and 20% (8/40) in the control group. The incidence of catheter-tip colonization was 1.58% (1/40) in the heparin group and 17.5% (7/40) in the control group. The incidences of CRIs, catheter obstruction, and catheter-tip colonization were signiicantly lower in the heparin group than those in the control group (Plt;0.05). Conclusion?TNA solutions with 0.5U/ml heparin have decreased catheter obstruction and CRIs.
