ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the prevalence and risk factor of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin colonization in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Methods One thousand six hundred and seventyeight newborns (938 boys and 740 girls) in NICU were selected,with a mean age of (5.9 ±6.4) days,ranging from 1 to 28 days.Nasal swabs were collected by medical cotton and Staphylococcus aureus (SA) was isolated.All of SA was detected and the mecA gene was detected to determine MRSA through PCR method.The rate of MRSA skin colonization was recorded,and the correlation was analyzed between the rate of MRSA skin colonization and some parameters.The rates of MRSA skin colonization of different time points were compared.Results In NICU,the rate of SA and MRSA skin colonization were 21.10％ (354/1678 cases) and 3.69％ (62/1678 cases),respectively.With the prolongation of hospital stay,the rate of MRSA skin colonization increased,in the order of 7 d ＞ 3 d ＞ 1 d,and the differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).But the rates of MRSA skin colonization had no significant difference between 7 d and 14 d (P ＞ O.05).Logistic regression analysis showed negative correlation between gestational age,weight,and Apgar scores with MRSA skin colonization but positive correlation between surgery or invasive procedures and antibiotics exposure with MRSA skin colonization.Conclusions Newborns in NICU have high rate of MRSA skin colonization.With the prolongation of hospital stay,the rate of MRSA skin colonization has an increase within 7 days.Gestational age,weight,Apgar scores,surgery or invasive procedures and antibiotics exposure are risk factors of newborn MRSA skin colonization.