van den Hoogen 2006.

Methods	Parallel, quasi‐randomised controlled trial
Participants	442 neonates requiring IV fluids via an umbilical or percutaneous central venous catheter or a catheter inserted in the subclavian or femoral vein. All neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and required fluids via a central venous catheter were eligible Gestation: 25 ‐ 43 weeks Birth weight: 600 ‐ 4640 gm
Interventions	Experimental group: 0.22 micron intravenous filter (N = 228) Control group: No filter (N = 214) Catheter tips cultured after removal Administration set changed daily in the control group. Administration set changed every 96 hours in treatment group
Outcomes	1. Mortality 2. Phlebitis: defined as 'signs of local infection and a positive culture from the infected site' 2. Proven Sepsis: defined as 'occurrence of clinical signs of local infection and a positive blood culture' 3. Number of catheter days 4. Length of stay in hospital 5. Financial costs
Notes	Sample size calculation: Not reported
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	High risk	Each baby that required intravenous infusion was entered into the study with alternate babies having an in‐line filter
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	High risk	No
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes	High risk	No
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes	High risk	No
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Not described
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Low risk	Data for 65 infants were excluded post randomisation 'because the patient was discharged soon after birth, died after a few days, or because of incomplete data (approximately 14% loss to follow‐up).
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Unclear risk	We were unable to obtain the study protocol. There was incomplete reporting on reasons for catheter removal and reinsertion for both treatment and control group