Sodium bicarbonate locks for CLABSI prevention
Abstract:
Background: Pediatric patients with intestinal failure (IF) require long-term central vascular catheters (CVCs) for parenteral nutrition, placing them at high risk for catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) locks have shown potential in reducing CRBSIs in adult populations, but data in pediatric patients with IF remain limited.
Methods: We conducted an open-label prospective cohort study at a tertiary medical center to evaluate the impact of 8.4% NaHCO₃ locks on CRBSI and CVC replacement rates in pediatric patients with IF (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05927484). The baseline period (heparin locks) was assessed retrospectively, whereas the intervention period (NaHCO₃ locks) was evaluated prospectively. Primary outcome was CRBSI rate; secondary outcomes included CVC replacement because of CRBSI and infection-related hospitalizations.
Results: In the per‑protocol analysis, six patients contributed 5733 total catheter days (3244 on heparin, 2489 on NaHCO₃). CRBSI rates decreased from a median of 8.2 to 3.0 per 1000 catheter days after switching to NaHCO₃ locks (P = 0.11). A similar downward trend was observed in the intent‑to‑treat analysis. A statistically significant reduction in CVC replacement because of CRBSI was observed (2.3 vs 0 per 1000 catheter days; P = 0.03). Trends toward reduced hospital and intensive care unit admissions were also noted in the intervention group. No serious adverse events were attributed to NaHCO₃ lock use.
Conclusion: NaHCO₃ locks appear to be a safe and promising strategy for reducing CRBSI-related complications in pediatric patients with IF, especially where access to more effective lock solutions is limited. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Reference:
Davis MBH, Smelser A, Rahhal R. Pilot trial: 8.4% sodium bicarbonate locks for infection prevention in pediatric intestinal failure. Nutr Clin Pract. 2026 Feb 25. doi: 10.1002/ncp.70112. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41741971.