Iranian Journal of Surgery

Incidence of Infection in Central Venous Catheters in Children Hospitalized at Tehran Children’s Medical Center from 2011 to 2020

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Bahar Ashjaei 1
Meysam Sharifzadeh 2
Hossein Hamzeh-Louei 3
Shakiba Amiri 3
Merisa Movahedi Jadid 4

1 Associate Professor of Pediatric Surgery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Markaz Tebi Hospital, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences,

3 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 Yeditepe university Faculty of medicine

10.22034/ijs.2026.2104547.1035
Abstract
Background: Central venous catheters (CVCs) are widely used in pediatric care but may cause complications, including catheter-related infections, thrombosis, and phlebitis.
Objective:To investigate the incidence of catheter-related infections and associated risk factors in children undergoing CVC insertion at the Children’s Medical Center in Tehran from 2011 to 2020.
Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study reviewed the medical records of 254 children who underwent CVC insertion between spring 2011 and winter 2020. Demographic, clinical, and potential infection-related risk factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:The mean patient age was 35.280 months, and the mean catheter dwell time was 12.500 days. Of the patients, 131 (51.600%) were male and 230 (90.600%) had underlying diseases. The femoral vein was the most common insertion site (147 patients; 57.900%), and antibiotic administration was the most common indication (182 patients; 71.700%). Infection occurred in 35 patients (13.800%). Antibiotic use (OR = 9.826; 95% CI: 3.812–25.331; P < 0.001) and catheter dwell time (OR = 1.055; 95% CI: 1.006–1.107; P = 0.027) were independent predictors of infection. Other variables were not significantly associated with infection (P > 0.05).
Conclusion:Catheter-related infections occurred in 13.800% of patients. Antibiotic use and catheter dwell time were independent predictors of infection. Reviewing antibiotic use and minimizing catheter dwell time may help prevent catheter-related infections.
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Iranian Journal of Surgery

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 07 November 2026

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