# Retrospective Evaluation of Central Venous Catheter Use for Parenteral Nutrition in Pediatric Intestinal Failure: Infections and Taurolidine Role

## TL;DR

This study examines infections in children with intestinal failure receiving nutrition through catheters and finds that taurolidine therapy helps reduce infection rates.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence on the effectiveness of taurolidine lock therapy in reducing catheter-related infections in pediatric intestinal failure patients.

## Key findings

- Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most common infection-causing microorganisms.
- Taurolidine lock therapy was significantly associated with lower infection rates per 1000 catheter days.
- Most infections occurred in patients not using taurolidine lock therapy.

## Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to describe the main microorganisms causing catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) and to evaluate the effectiveness of taurolidine catheter lock therapy in children with intestinal failure (IF) receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). Study design: This retrospective study included 31 pediatric patients with IF admitted between 2017 and 2022 who received PN via central venous catheters (CVCs). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected, along with information on PN use, catheter characteristics, and infection episodes, including clinical signs, microbiological cultures, and antimicrobial therapy. Serum C-reactive protein and albumin levels, as well as the use of taurolidine lock therapy, were analyzed. Results: The median age was 54.4 days among patients who developed CRBSI and 154.1 days among those without CRBSI. The median duration of PN was 119 days in patients with CRBSI and 89 days in those without. Nineteen patients experienced CRBSI, accounting for 55 infection episodes confirmed by blood cultures obtained from CVCs. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Taurolidine lock therapy was significantly associated with lower infection rates per 1000 catheter days, with most infected catheters and infection episodes occurring in the absence of taurolidine use. Conclusions: These findings contribute to the characterization of the microbiological profile of CRBSIs in pediatric patients with IF and support the use of advanced preventive strategies, such as taurolidine lock therapy, to reduce infection rates in children receiving long-term PN.