Objective To analyze the causes of non-elective removal of pereutaneously inserted central venous catheters (PICC) in premature infants. Methods We retrospectively collected the clinical data of 104 premature infants and analyzed the causes of non-elective removal of PICC. Results PICC was removed when the treatment was finished (n = 93, elective removal group) or due to complications ( n = 7, non-elective removal group). In non-elective removal group, the percentage of catheter tip located in the subclavian jugular was signifi-cantly higher in non-elective removal group than in the elective removal group (X2 = 24.931, P = 0. 000 ). The length of inserted catheter was ( 8.4 + 2.2 ) cm in the non-elective removal group and ( ( 10.2:1:1.6) cm in the elective removal group ( t = 3. 391, P = 0. 001 ). Conclusion The main cause of non-elective removal of cathe-ters in premature infants may be that catheter tip fails to reach the vena cava.

OBJECTIVE To analyze 28 cases in an outbreak of neonatal enterovirus nosocomial infection during summer of 2006.METHODS Demographic characteristics,clinical manifestations,laboratory data and outcome were analyzed to reveal the clinical severity.RESULTS The outbreak lasted more than one month and the nosocomial infection rate increased to 6.4%.There were 22 cases(78.6%) first presented with fever.Half of the patients were detected enterovirus from blood or cerebrospinal fluid by PCR.All of the 28 cases were diagnosed enterovirus infection based on the contact history,clinical signs and laboratory results.Among them,ten cases had viral meningitis.All patients discharged home after hospitalization with no sequelae.CONCLUSIONS Although this group of neonatal enterovirus infection developed viral meningitis,they had relatively mild illness with benign clinical course.Extreme vigilance is required in interrupting the spread of nosocomial enterovirus infections in neonatal units.This includes respect of strict hygiene measures and meticulous hand-washing.