Comparison 1. Primary analysis: less versus more frequent.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Catheter‐related bloodstream infection	8	1794	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.06 [0.67, 1.69]
1.1 48 hours or more versus 24 hours	2	143	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.08 [0.07, 16.95]
1.2 72 hours or more versus 48 hours	3	298	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.80 [0.21, 3.01]
1.3 96 hours or more versus 72 hours	3	1353	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.10 [0.67, 1.83]
2 Infusate‐related bloodstream infection	10	1419	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.67 [0.27, 1.70]
2.1 48 hours or more versus 24 hours	4	341	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.58 [0.25, 1.35]
2.2 72 hours or more versus 48 hours	6	1078	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	3.20 [0.13, 77.10]
3 Catheter colonization	4	1448	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.07 [0.93, 1.22]
3.1 48 hours or more versus 24 hours	1	182	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.81 [0.52, 1.26]
3.2 72 hours or more versus 48 hours	2	198	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.28 [0.81, 2.03]
3.3 96 hours or more versus 72 hours	3	1068	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.11 [0.85, 1.44]
4 Infusate colonization	8	1549	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.10 [0.68, 1.79]
4.1 48 hours or more versus 24 hours	4	793	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.06 [0.62, 1.82]
4.2 72 hours or more versus 48 hours	3	328	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.23 [0.29, 17.01]
4.3 96 hours or more versus 72 hours	1	428	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.02 [0.28, 3.75]
5 All‐cause bloodstream infection	6	2297	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.73 [0.54, 0.98]
5.1 48 hours or more versus 24 hours	3	871	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.84 [0.48, 1.48]
5.2 72 hours or more versus 48 hours	2	657	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.71 [0.18, 2.88]
5.3 96 hours or more versus 72 hours	1	769	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.69 [0.48, 0.99]
6 Mortality	2	1355	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.84 [1.00, 3.36]
6.1 48 hours or more versus 24 hours (neonatal population only)	2	1355	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.84 [1.00, 3.36]