The objective of this review is to characterize the risk of bloodstream infection (BSI) and urinary tract infection (UTI) and describe antibiotic use in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

18 of the 338 patients identified had ≥1 bloodstream infection during their ECMO course. The likelihood of bloodstream infection increased with time: 1.2/1000 ECMO days; 0.6% (2/315) in the first week and rising to 14.6/1000; 8.6% (5/58) after 21 days (p = 0.002).

Confirmed bloodstream infection is rare in infants with CDH treated with ECMO in the first week, but increases with the duration of ECMO. Use of antibiotics was extensive and did not correspond to infection frequency.

Read More