# The Prevalence and Impact of Bacteremia Among Neonates Receiving Parenteral Nutrition: A Multicenter Retrospective Study from Saudi Arabia

## TL;DR

This study examines how common blood infections are in newborns receiving nutrition through veins in Saudi Arabia and identifies risk factors.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific risk factors for bacteremia in neonates receiving parenteral nutrition in Saudi Arabia.

## Key findings

- 24.9% of neonates receiving parenteral nutrition had positive blood cultures.
- Use of fat emulsion, birth weight <700 g, and gestational age within 27 weeks predicted bacteremia.
- 7.8% mortality rate was observed following bacteremia in the studied neonates.

## Abstract

(1) Background: We aimed to determine rates of bacteremia and multidrug resistance (MDR) bacteremia and associated risk factors among neonates receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). (2) Methods: This is a multicenter study conducted in three neonatal intensive care units in Saudi Arabia, including 414 neonates who received PN. Associations were assessed using Chi-square or Fisher’s Exact tests when applicable and logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine factors predicting outcomes. Odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals were computed, and a p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. (3) Results: PN was started within the first 10 days of life in 74.4% of cases. Fat emulsion was administered to 38.9% of the newborns. Blood cultures were positive in 24.9% of patients. Among the positive cultures, 4.9% were confirmed to have MDR bacteria. The mortality rate following bacteremia was 7.8%. The use of fat emulsion (p = 0.003), birth weight < 700 g (p < 0.001), and a gestational age within 27 weeks (p < 0.001) predicted bacteremia. (4) Conclusions: There was an association between the PN and bacteremia. Significant predictors of bacteremia were the use of fat emulsion, birth weight < 700 g, and a gestational age within 27 weeks.