The well known negative effect of infection on nutrition causes the cycle 'infection-malnutrition-infection'. Prolonged parenteral nutrition requires central venous catheterization. Due to the possibility of 'catheter related sepsis' (CRS) catheters should be used correctly to avoid septic complications. A very high percentage of central venous catheters (CVC) removed because of presumed infections are not infected when culture is done. In some patients infections are successfully treated with antibiotics without catheter removal. Removal of the line is recommended when catheter-associated sepsis is suspected or proven, but not for the extremely ill preterm infant or when such removal may be impractical. A therapeutic protocol is suggested to avoid future canalizations in the neonate, sometimes in a critical situation. Current literature referring to CRS in the newborn infant is reviewed.