Objective: To study the application of umbilical venous catheter (UVC) combined with peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs).
Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the VLBWIs in the neonatal intensive care unit who received UVC combined with PICC (catheter group, n=63) or did not receive the catheter treatment (non-catheter group, n=38) to compare the differences in nosocomial infection, weight gain, and length of hospital stay between the two groups.
Results: The rate of nosocomial infection was 17% in the catheter group and 24% in the non-catheter group (P>0.05). Compared with the non-catheter group, the catheter group had a significantly higher weight gain (11.7±2.0 g/kg•d vs 10.6±2.3 g/kg•d; P<0.05) and a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (40±11 days vs 45±14 days; P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups.
Conclusions: Compared with those not receiving catheter treatment, the VLBWIs receiving UVC combined with PICC have a markedly higher weight gain and a markedly shorter length of hospital stay and show a declining trend in the rate of nosocomial infection.