Central line sepsis in children with gastrointestinal disorders.

Central venous catheter sepsis is the most common complication encountered when children are maintained on total parenteral nutritional therapy. In this article, the author describes children with gastrointestinal diseases who require total parenteral nutritional therapy. The organisms involved in causing central line sepsis and clinical presentation of the infection are covered. Pharmacological interventions aimed at treating the infection as well as infection control measures are described. Implications for infection control for nurses and others caring for these children are offered.