Infants in this group received the Algidex patch on top of the line insertion sites of any of the following lines: umbilical arterial line, umbilical venous line, peripheral arterial line, peripheral long line, and central venous line. This is a sterile patch of polyurethane foam coated with silver alginate and maltodextrin matrix that is impregnated with 141 mg of ionic silver per 100 cm2. Every 7 days, each insertion site was cleansed and then a new patch was placed and covered with a fresh occlusive dressing (Tegaderm, Opsite).

Infants in this group served as the control group and received line-dressing changes every 7 days according to standard hospital protocol specific for the type of line inserted. Insertion sites were covered with only an occlusive dressing (Tegaderm, Opsite).

This is a sterile patch of polyurethane foam coated with silver alginate and maltodextrin matrix that is impregnated with 141 mg of ionic silver per 100 cm2.

Serum silver concentrations were obtained from both groups on study days 1, 7, and 28. Study day 1 was defined as the 24 hour period in which participants enrolled in the study. Here we are examining the results of first day, or 24 hours from enrollment. Silver samples were analyzed using a dual inductively coupled plasma -mass spectrometry methodology. Accepted reference values for non-exposure silver concentrations are defined as <15 ng ml -1 with standard Mayo Clinic reference technique.

Serum silver concentrations were obtained from both groups on study days 1, 7, and 28. Study day 1 was defined as the 24 hour period in which participants enrolled in the study. Here we examine the results at 7 days from enrollment. Silver samples were analyzed using a dual inductively coupled plasma -mass spectrometry methodology. Accepted reference values for non-exposure silver concentrations are defined as <15 ng ml -1 with standard Mayo Clinic reference technique.

Serum silver concentrations were obtained from both groups on study days 1, 7, and 28. Study day 1 was defined as the 24 hour period in which participants enrolled in the study. Here we examine results at 28 days from enrollment. Silver samples were analyzed using a dual inductively coupled plasma -mass spectrometry methodology. Accepted reference values for non-exposure silver concentrations are defined as <15 ng ml -1 with standard Mayo Clinic reference technique.

Infection was defined as recovery of a bacterial pathogen or fungus from any single blood culture. Infection rate was defined as Infections/1000 line days.

Infants in this group served as the control group and received line-dressing changes every 7 days according to standard hospital protocol specific for the type of line inserted. Insertion sites were covered with only an occlusive dressing (Tegaderm, Opsite).

weeks of gestation

Serum silver concentrations were obtained from both groups on study days 1, 7, and 28. Study day 1 was defined as the 24 hour period in which participants enrolled in the study. Here we are examining the results of first day, or 24 hours from enrollment. Silver samples were analyzed using a dual inductively coupled plasma -mass spectrometry methodology. Accepted reference values for non-exposure silver concentrations are defined as <15 ng ml -1 with standard Mayo Clinic reference technique.

Study design included intent-to-treat for data collection and intention to stop if signs of toxicities or adverse effects were noted.

Complications of prematurity