Nosocomial infection (NI), particularly with positive blood or cerebrospinal fluid bacterial cultures, is a major cause of morbidity in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Rates of NI appear to vary substantially between NICUs. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for NI, as well as the risk-adjusted variations in NI rates among Canadian NICUs.
From January 1996 to October 1997, data on demographics, intervention, illness severity and NI rates were submitted from 17 Canadian NICUs. Infants admitted at 48 hrs in hospital.
765 (23.5%) of 3253 infants or = 1500 g developed at least one episode of NI. Over 95% of episodes were due to nosocomial bacteremia. Major morbidity was more common amongst those with NI versus those without. Mortality was more strongly associated with NI versus those without for infants > or = 1500 g, but not for infants
Notes
Cites: Pediatrics. 2000 Nov;106(5):1070-911061777
Cites: Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2000 Jan;19(1):56-6510643852
