ABSTRACT
Objective. To determine the profile and risk factors of neonatal nosocomial infections and determine the antibiotic susceptibilities of these isolates. Methods. Cohort study was conducted at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, from July 2005 to September 2006. Neonates admitted for more than forty-eight hours in the NICU, who developed infections/ sepsis as evidenced by the clinical findings were included in the study. Chi-square test, Proportion tests were used, P value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results. Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) producing Klebsiella species and Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were the predominant nosocomial pathogens. Significant risk factors included prematurity, low birth weight and increased duration of hospital stay. Conclusion. A revised infection control program with emphasis on handwashing techniques and antibiotic cycling helped to control these hospital infections.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use , Cohort Studies , Cross Infection/drug therapy , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Cross Infection/microbiology , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Intensive Care Units, Neonatal/statistics & numerical data , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Sepsis/drug therapy , Sepsis/epidemiology , Sepsis/microbiology , beta-Lactams/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Klebsiella pneumoniae has long been a prominent cause of nosocomial infections and outbreaks have been observed in the intensive care units and in high risk groups. We present here a brief report on an outbreak of Klebsiella pneumoniae which occurred in a neonatal intensive care unit in our teaching hospital. As neonates are at highest risk for acquisition of Klebsiella pneumoniae producing extended spectrum beta-lactamase, infection control policies and procedures should be strictly followed to prevent such outbreaks.