OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence and pathogens of umbilical venous catheterization (UVC) related infection in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: A total of 112 neonates (birth weight 1 500 g) who received UVC within 24 hrs after birth were included. Blood culture was performed right after UVC. At 24 hrs and 1 week after UVC, umbilical skin scrub cultures were performed. Skin redness and swelling for more than 24 h, or severe abdominal distension, or poor general condition for unknown reason after UVC, or positive blood culture results, were the criteria for catheterization related infection. RESULTS: The incidence rate for UVC related infection was 8.9%. Total culture positive rate was 9.4%. At 24 hrs and 1 week after UVC, the umbilical skin scrub culture positive rate was 7.1% and 16.2%, respectively. Rate of Gram positive and Gram negative pathogens was 55.2% and 44.8%, respectively. Group B Streptococcus was main Gram positive pathogen. Klebsiella and E.coli were the main Gram negative pathogens. CONCLUSIONS: UVC is, to some extent, related to nosocomial infection in the NICU. Among UVC related infection, Gram positive and Gram negative pathogens take almost the chance.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2010, 12 (8):619-621］