Umbilical catheters are commonly used in neonates for vascular access.

Catheter tips can become colonized with pathogenic organisms, leading to bloodstream infections.

Clinical uses include:

Detecting catheter‑related sepsis in neonates.

Identifying bacterial or fungal colonization of the catheter.

Guiding antibiotic therapy in suspected neonatal sepsis.

Supporting infection control and monitoring in NICU settings.

Often performed alongside blood cultures, CRP, and sepsis workup for comprehensive evaluation.

Analyte: Microbial growth from the umbilical catheter tip (culture and sensitivity).

Normal Result: No growth (sterile).

Abnormal Findings:

Positive culture: Indicates colonization or infection by bacteria/fungi (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, Candida).

Antibiotic sensitivity testing helps guide targeted therapy.

Clinical Use:

Provides a direct assessment of catheter‑related infection risk.

Helps guide diagnosis, treatment, and infection control measures.

Supports neonatology, pediatrics, and microbiology evaluations.