Neonatal nosocomial infections-rates, characteristics and microbiological profile

Abstract

Introduction The prevention and control of nosocomial infections (NI) is a real challenge for all the people, responsible for the hospital care of newborns. The clinical presentation and the outcome of those infections depend on the gestational age and the birthweight. Some organisational factors like overcrowding of the intensive units and the suboptimal proportion of medical staff can additionally contribute to an increase in the frequency of those infections. The aim of the present study is to analyse the main epidemiological characteristics of NI in the neonatology unit and to outline directions for future studies. Methods A retrospective epidemiologic study for the period 2012–2016 has been conducted in the Neonatology clinic of UMHAT St. George Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Information has been collected for 10,273 newborns (9166 full-term and 1107 premature). Data from 224 tracheal aspirates, 39 hemocultures and 55 mucous secretions (eye, nose and throat swabs) has been analysed. The methods used are conventional microbiological methods for identification of the isolated microorganisms and standard statistical methods for processing data. The rates of NI have been calculated per 100 newborns. Results For the period 2012–2016 the incidence of NI varies in the range of 3.92% for 2012 to 2.16% for 2016 with an average rate for the period of 3.03%. The prevailing type of NI registered are the ventilator-associated pneumonias (VAP) - 68.6%, followed by the bloodstream infections - 11.38%, (P Conclusion For the period 2012–2016 the incidence of NI in the neonatology clinic of UMHAT “St. George” is relatively low, in the reference ranges. VAP is the leading type of infection, followed by bloodstream infections. The Gram negative microorganisms are the prevailing type of microorganisms isolated with P. aeruginosa as a leading causative agent. The results from this study outline the necessity to direct the attention of the medical staff to the importance of observing and complying with the infection control practices when caring for newborns in the neonatology unit.