J Perinatol. 2025 Nov 7. doi: 10.1038/s41372-025-02460-5. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study determined factors associated with persistent bloodstream infections (BSIs) for infants in the NICU to identify when follow up blood cultures (FUBCs) have increased utility.
STUDY DESIGN: Single center study of all infants in a level IV NICU (n = 121) with a positive blood culture over a five-year period. Clinical and microbiological variables were examined with bivariate and multi-regression analyses to identify factors associated with persistent BSI, defined as growth of the same organism >48 h after the index culture.
RESULTS: The recovery of Staphylococcus aureus (OR = 6.10, p < 0.001), male sex (OR = 3.31, p = 0.020), the presence of a central venous catheter (OR = 3.73, p = 0.020), and BSI in the setting of late-onset sepsis (p < 0.001) were associated with persistent BSI. No infants with either early-onset sepsis or growth of Streptococcal sp. had a persistent BSI.
CONCLUSION: In the NICU, both patient and microbial characteristics can inform diagnostic stewardship regarding the need for FUBCs.
PMID:41203901 | DOI:10.1038/s41372-025-02460-5
