Identify percutaneous catheter-related complications in preterm and term newborns. Comparative cross-section. Were included newborns whit percutaneous catheter insertion, blood culture results and distal catheter segment. Were formed two groups: Preterm and term. Were analyzed the data of preterm (n = 50) and term (n = 50) newborn, the gestational age was 30 ± 3 and 40 ± 2 (p = 0.01). The frecuency in preterm and term newborn was respectively, sepsis catheter 36 and 18% (p = 0.02; OR: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.02-7.17), infected catheter 50 and 22% (p = 0.01; OR: 5.92; 95% CI: 1.66-23.12), colonized catheter of 24 and 14% (p = 0.01; OR: 3.58; 95% CI: 1.32-9.90), local infection 14 and 8% (p = 0.03; OR: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.45-8.29), infiltration 18 and 4% (p = 0.02; OR: 5.27; 95% CI: 1.17-59), accidental removal 6 and 22% (p = 0.02; OR: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.05-0.87) and catheter rupture 10 and 28% (p = 0.02; OR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.08-0.98). We found a higher association of infections and infiltrations by percutaneous catheter in preterm and term prevailed in accidental removal and catheter rupture.