Aim The aim of study was to compare the effectiveness of antimicrobial-impregnated peripherally inserted central venous catheters (abPICC) and standard PICC (sPICC) catheters in newborn.

Material and Method The study was planned as prospective, randomized and case-controlled. Newborns with a birth weight of less than 1500 grams in three-year period were included in the study. Babies who needed a PICC were allocated randomly (1:1) to receive either a abPICC or a sPICC. Cases with a duration of catheter use less than 7 days were excluded from the study. The primary outcome was the first microbiologically confirmed bloodstream. The reasons for PICC withdrawal, the frequency and causes of complications, the treatment interventions, and the length of stay of the catheter were compared between the groups.

Results There were a total of 206 infants from both groups during the study. The mean gestational time of the whole group was 28.1±2.8 weeks and the mean birth weight was 1012±285 grams. The median time of insertion of the catheter was 8 days (range 1–37 days), and the median length of stay was 16,3 days. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of birth weight, gestational week, gender, length of catheter stay and hospital stay. The frequency of catheter withdrawal due to complications was 34.9% in the sPICC group and 22.3% in the abPICC group (p:0.49). The frequency of catheter-related infections was 16.5% (n:17) in the sPICC group and 7.2% (n:6) in the abPICC group (p:0.012).

Conclusions The frequency of catheter-related infections decreased in the use of antibiotic-coated PICC catheter in premature newborn. In developing countries, studies on the use of antibiotic-coated catheters are needed.