Central line-associated bloodstream infection in pediatric oncology patients in Qatar: A prospective study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rate and risk factors in hospitalized pediatric oncology patients in Qatar. Materials and Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted in pediatric oncology department at Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014. All children Results: Thirty-seven subcutaneous tunneled catheters were inserted. Majority of the patients were younger than 10 years of age (88%), and the male-to-female ratio was 1.3:1. Leukemia was the most frequently encountered diagnosis. The overall mean central venous catheter (CVC) infection rate was 4.12 CLABSI per 1000 CVC days (95% confidence interval 2.41, 7.05). Thirteen catheters were infected (35.1%), of which 11 catheters were Porta-a-Cath, and two catheters were Hickman double lumen line. Gram-negative bacteria were found in 69.2% of the CLABSI cases, and no fungal infection was detected. Gender, age, type of disease, and type of catheter were not associated with increased risk for CLABSI (P > 0.05). The mean number of days with neutropenia was more in the patients who had CLABSI 73.5 ± 44.5 compared to the patients who did not have CLABSI 48.9 ± 52.1, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.140). Conclusion: The incidence rate of CLABSI continues to be a concern in hospitalized pediatric oncology patients in Qatar. This study showed that mean CVC infection rate was 4.12 CLABSI per 1000 CVC days. Gram-negative bacteria CLABSI were the dominant organism in this group of patients and catheters.