Distinguishing true coagulase-negative Staphylococcus infections from contaminants in the neonatal intensive care unit

Objective:to characterize true coagulase-negative staphylococcus (cons) infections in infants receiving neonatal intensive care.study design:retrospective cohort study of neonatal intensive care unit (nicu) infants with clinical sepsis and cons isolated from ⩾2 blood cultures (bcs) or one bc and a sterile site (proved infection) or cons isolated from one bc and deemed significant after blinded data review (probable infection).result:in all, 98% of 40 proved and 96% of 55 probable infections occurred in infants with birth weight (bw) <2000 g and gestation <34 weeks. total central lines (cls) placed, but not cl duration or presence in situ, predicted proved (odds ratio (or) 3.5, 95% confidence interval (ci) 1.4 to 8.3; p=0.005) and probable infection (or 2.7, 95% ci 1.3 to 5.6; p=0.007) by multivariate analysis as did lethargy and gastric residuals.conclusion:true cons infection is unlikely in infants with bw >2000 g and gestation >34 weeks. total cl required for care, lethargy and gastric residuals predicted true cons infection.