Blood cultures from the umbilical vein in the newborn infant

A study was done to investigate the routine use of blood obtained from the umbilical vein for blood cultures in newborn infants. It was found that 45% of such samples will be contaminated with the same organisms as are found on the umbilical stump. The pathogenesis of the bacteremia indicated by positive cultures from samples of blood obtained from the umbilical vein is discussed. Positive cultures from the blood samples obtained at the start of exchange transfusions do not necessarily indicate either bacteremia or septicemia.