8.4% Sodium Bicarbonate Locks in Intestinal Failure

We plan to include children with intestinal failure, a condition where the gut is not functioning properly, leading these children to need central venous catheters (line that goes through the skin into the blood stream) for nutritional support and hydration. Such patients have a very high risk for catheter infection. The study will include placing an agent (sodium bicarbonate) into the central catheter when the catheter is not in use. This is referred to as a lock. The lock would be used daily and removed when patients start their nutritional support and hydration through the catheter.

Children with intestinal failure who rely on a silicone based central venous catheter for parenteral nutrition to provide nutritional support and hydration will be invited to participate in this study. The intervention will offer use of a specific catheter lock solution (8.4% sodium bicarbonate) when the catheter is not in use. This includes daily lock use with removal of the lock at end of dwell time.