ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) can significantly improve the outcomes of preterm infants. This study aimed to describe the ACS use rates among preterm infants admitted to Chinese neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and to explore perinatal factors associated with ACS use, using the largest contemporary cohort of very preterm infants in China.@*METHODS@#This cross-sectional study enrolled all infants born at 24 +0 to 31 +6 weeks and admitted to 57 NICUs of the Chinese Neonatal Network from January 1st, 2019 to December 30th, 2019. The ACS administration was defined as at least one dose of dexamethasone and betamethasone given before delivery. Multiple logistic regressions were applied to determine the association between perinatal factors and ACS usage.@*RESULTS@#A total of 7828 infants were enrolled, among which 6103 (78.0%) infants received ACS. ACS use rates increased with increasing gestational age (GA), from 177/259 (68.3%) at 24 to 25 weeks' gestation to 3120/3960 (78.8%) at 30 to 31 weeks' gestation. Among infants exposed to ACS, 2999 of 6103 (49.1%) infants received a single complete course, and 33.4% (2039/6103) infants received a partial course. ACS use rates varied from 30.2% to 100% among different hospitals. Multivariate regression showed that increasing GA, born in hospital (inborn), increasing maternal age, maternal hypertension and premature rupture of membranes were associated with higher likelihood to receive ACS.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The use rate of ACS remained low for infants at 24 to 31 weeks' gestation admitted to Chinese NICUs, with fewer infants receiving a complete course. The use rates varied significantly among different hospitals. Efforts are urgently needed to propose improvement measures and thus improve the usage of ACS.
Subject(s)
Humans , Infant, Newborn , Infant , Pregnancy , Female , Gestational Age , Infant, Premature , Intensive Care Units, Neonatal , Cross-Sectional Studies , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Preterm birth is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in neonates. Continuous quality improvement (CQI) can reduce clinically avoidable adverse events (neonatal death or severe morbidity) by changing and improving clinical practice to improve patient outcomes. Researches show that CQI can prevent severe morbidity, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, severe neurologic injury, retinopathy of prematurity, etc., in preterm infants. CQI reduces disease-related mortality and morbidity and eases the burden on society and family. As an effective method for further improving preterm infants' care quality in the neonatal intensive unit (NICU), the CQI has been widely adopted in developed countries and achieved significant results. The number of preterm infants in NICU is currently extensive in China, with an increased survival rate. However, severe morbidity is significantly higher than that in developed countries. There is an urgent need to establish an appropriate continuous quality improvement system in China regarding the critical issues to improve the outcomes of preterm infants in the NICU. We review the origin and history of CQI, its methodology and effects when applied to NICUs in developed countries, and its status, challenges, and prospects in Chinese NICUs.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the association of molecular subtypes with local recurrence, distant metastasis and prognosis in breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant therapy after modified radical mastectomy as well as its significance.Methods:The clinical data of 108 patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant therapy after modified radical operation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from March 2002 to March 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the expressions of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), patients with breast cancer were divided into 4 molecular subtypes, including Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2-positive and triple-negative. The relationship between clinicopathological factors and molecular subtypes was analyzed, and the local recurrence rate and distant metastasis rate of breast cancer patients with various molecular subtypes were compared. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to make single factor analysis of survival. Cox proportional hazard model was used to make multi-factor survival analysis.Results:Among 108 patients, 41 cases were Luminal A, 40 cases were Luminal B, 17 cases were HER2-positive and 10 cases were triple-negative. The differences in compositions of patients with age, tumor size, pathological type, lymph node metastasis, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging, vascular tumor thrombus, resection margin, and chemotherapy cycle number among groups with 4 molecular subtypes were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05), while the difference in compositions of patients receiving endocrine therapy was statistically significant ( P < 0.01). The local recurrence rate of patients with Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2 positive and triple-negative was 14.6% (6/41),15.0% (6/40), 11.8% (2/17), 10.0% (1/10), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). The distant metastasis rate of patients with HER2-positive and triple-negative was 35.3% (6/17) and 40% (4/10), respectively, which was higher than that of patients with Luminal A [24.4% (10/41)] and Luminal B [22.5% (9/40)], but there was no statistically significant difference among the four types ( P > 0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed there was no statistical difference in progression-free survival of patients with Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2-positive and triple-negative ( P > 0.05), while there was a statistical difference in the overall survival (OS) ( P = 0.047), and the OS of triple-negative patients was the worst, meanwhile AJCC staging, lymph node metastasis and endocrine therapy were associated with the OS (all P < 0.05). Multi-factor Cox proportional hazard model analysis showed that lymph node metastasis ( OR = 4.481, 95% CI 1.377-14.580, P = 0.013) and endocrine therapy ( OR = 0.165, 95% CI 0.034-0.800, P = 0.025) were independent prognostic factors affecting OS. Conclusions:There is no statistically significant difference in local recurrence rate for breast cancer patients with different molecular types undergoing adjuvant therapy after modified radical mastectomy. Breast cancer patients with Luminal have better OS, while those with triple-negative have the worst OS. Molecular subtypes may have an important significance for the treatment choice and prognosis judgement of breast cancer.
ABSTRACT
Early-onset sepsis (EOS) continues to be a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in neonates, with difficulty in early identification and a worse prognosis if the treatment is delayed. Clinically, a comprehensive evaluation is usually carried out according to high-risk factors in the perinatal period, early clinical manifestations after birth, and laboratory tests of patients. early empirical antibiotic treatment as soon as possible in suspected cases. However, there is an evidence gap for the standardized evaluation of the EOS risk factors and clinical manifestation, leading to unnecessary early antibiotic treatment in those neonates who are misdiagnosed with neonatal sepsis, resulting in adverse outcomes in the short and long term. Neonatal EOS risk calculator (NEOSC), a new quantitative algorithm for the evaluation of EOS risk in neonates in recent years, has been extensively reached in some developed countries and has been applied in clinical research, providing a new strategy to guide early antibiotic management in patients with suspected EOS. This review summarizes the research progress on NEOSC and its clinical application.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the influence of short-time pasteurization (62.5±0.5℃ for 5 s) on the main bioactive components and immune cells in human breast milk.Methods:Fresh breast milk was collected from 53 women whose premature infants were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the Children's Hospital of Fudan University from May 2020 to October 2020. Each sample (20 ml) was divided into unsterilized, Holder pasteurized (62.5 ℃ for 30 min), or short-time pasteurized groups. The concentration of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), lactoferrin (LTF), lysozyme (LZM), and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in breastmilk whey were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the number of viable immune cells (leukocytes, monocytes, T cells, and B cells) in breastmilk by flow cytometry.Results:(1) A total of 87 breast milk samples were collected. The levels of sIgA, LTF, and LZM were the highest in the unsterilized group, followed by the short-time and Holder pasteurized group [0.42 mg/ml (0.33-0.65 mg/ml) vs 0.40 mg/ml (0.28-0.62 mg/ml) and 0.25 mg/ml (0.17-0.37 mg/ml); (3.57±1.06) vs (3.53±1.11) and (0.85±0.58) mg/ml; 128.60 μg/ml (77.18-203.00 μg/ml) vs 121.70 μg/ml (68.66-188.20 μg/ml) and 83.40 μg/ml (47.40-151.40 μg/ml); all P<0.05]. There was no significant difference in the level of IGFBP-3 among the groups. The median retention rates of sIgA, LTF, and LZM in the Holder pasteurized group were all lower than those in the short-time pasteurized group [55.87% (46.01%-71.41%) vs 96.93% (83.03%-115.90%); 21.72% (12.54%-29.42%) vs 97.88% (88.98%-104.30%); 69.26% (49.42%-89.08%) vs 93.80% (74.85%-110.20%); all P<0.05]. No significant difference in the level of preserved IGFBP-3 was observed between the three groups ( P>0.05). (2) The number of viable leukocytes, monocytes, T cells, and B cells in the Holder pasteurized group were lower than those in the unsterilized group [leukocytes: 185.50 (87.00-356.50) vs 1 271.00 (540.50-2 283.00); monocytes: 12.00 (6.00-16.75) vs 266.00 (137.30-518.80); T cells: 1.00 (0.00-2.00) vs 47.50 (28.50-116.00); B cells: 1.00 (0.00-1.75) vs 21.00(10.00-41.50); all P<0.05]. The percentage of viable leukocyte to the total leukocyte and the viable monocytes, T cells, and B cells to the viable leukocytes were lower in the Holder pasteurized group than those in the unsterilized group [24.80%(16.00%-36.80%) vs 74.20%(63.55%-86.45%); 5.91%(4.09%-8.77%) vs 21.90%(17.40%-29.30%); 0.31%(0.00%-1.31%) vs 4.00%(2.69%-6.43%); 0.30%(0.00%-0.86%) vs 1.27%(0.57%-2.85%); all P<0.05]. A similar trend was observed between short-time pasteurization and unsterilized groups (all P<0.05). (3) The percentages of viable monocytes, T cells, and B cells in their subsets were lower in both Holder and short-time pasteurized groups than those in the unsterilized group [2.94%(1.33%-7.14%) vs 9.72%(5.77%-16.00%) and 52.60%(31.35%-68.75%); 0.00%(0.00%-1.61%) vs 0.49%(0.00%-2.53%) and 28.10%(10.55%-57.00%); 0.00%(0.00%-0.83%) vs 0.24%(0.00%-2.47%) and 13.80%(3.27%-41.00%); all P<0.05].The number and percentage of viable leukocytes in total leukocytes and viable monocytes in total monocytes [leukocytes: 279.50(116.80-548.50), 32.20%(20.70%-45.75%); monocytes: 32.00(21.00- 83.75),15.60%(11.10%-19.15%)] were higher than those in the pasteurized group (all P>0.05). The short-time pasteurized group was noted only for a higher percentage of the viable monocytes to viable leukocytes than the Holder pasteurized group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with the Holder pasteurization, sIgA, LTF, LZM level, and monocyte activity in breast milk can be better preserved by short-time pasteurization.
ABSTRACT
Carbapenem-resistance is an emerging problem in Chinese neonatal intensive care units.Carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae(CRE)can hydrolyze almost all β-lactam antibiotics including carbapenems by producing carbapenemase.There are three groups of carbapenemases, namely Amber A, B and D groups, which have different hydrolytic activities to specific β-lactam antibiotics.Currently, Chinese NICUs have been facing high colonization and infection rates of CRE, with high fatality rate and rapid transmission.The treatment of neonatal CRE infections is extremely difficult.The limited choice of antibiotics, the lack of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data and the uncertainty of the optimal dose and interval bring great challenges to the effective therapy of neonatal CRE infections.The main antimicrobial agents for CRE in adults and children include carbapenems, ceftazidime/averbactam, fosfomycin, polymyxin, aztreonam, etc., but there are few studies in neonates.Once infants are colonized or infected by CRE, decolonization and treatment are very difficult.Therefore, strict implementation of infection control and neonatal antimicrobial stewardship programs to reduce CRE production, transmission and infection, are the most important measures to cope with the prevalence of CRE.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effects of the quality-improving program on reducing the bloodstream infection of preterm infants in NICU.The program included emphasizing hand hygiene,strictly controlling the use of antibiotics and following the extubation indications of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC).Method From October 2016 to March 2017,preterm infants admitted to NICU after the implementation of quality improvement program were assigned into the intervention group,and the infants admitted from April 2016 to September 2016 without the program were in the control group.The x2 test and t test were used to analyse the effects of the program,the rate of bloodstream infection and related complications.Result A total of 432 cases were enrolled in this study.Among them,221 cases were in the intervention group and 211 cases the control group.The rate of hand hygiene in the intervention group was significantly higher and the duration of antibiotic use per 1 000 hospitalization days and the average days of retaining the PICC were significantly shorter than the control group (P ＜ 0.001).The incidence of bloodstream infection in the intervention group was lower than the control group (5.9％ vs.11.4％,P =0.047),and the duration of non-invasive ventilation,parenteral nutrition,average hospitalization days,and the incidence of stage 11 and above necrotizing enterocolitis were lower than the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The evidence-based quality improvement program has positive effects on reducing the bloodstream infections and related complications of preterm infants in NICU.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To investigate the incidence and pathogen distribution of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) among preterm infants admitted to level Ⅲ neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in China.@*Method@#A prospective study was conducted in 25 level Ⅲ NICU, enrolling all preterm infants <34 weeks gestational age admitted to the participating NICU within the first 7 days of life from May 2015 to April 2016. Chi-square test, t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis.@*Result@#A total of 7 918 patients were enrolled, within whom 4 623(58.4%) were males. The birth weight was (1 639±415) g and the gestational age was (31.4±2.0) weeks; 4 654(58.8%) infants required non-invasive mechanical ventilation and 2 154(27.2%) required intubation. Of all the mechanically ventilated patients, VAP occurred in 95 patients. The overall VAP rate was 7.0 episodes per 1 000 ventilator days, varying from 0 to 34.4 episodes per 1 000 ventilator days in different centers. The incidence of VAP was 9.6 and 6.0 per 1 000 ventilator days in children′s hospitals and maternity-infant hospitals respectively, without significant differences (t=1.002, P=0.327). Gram-negative bacilli (76 strains, 91.6%) were the primary VAP microorganisms, mainly Acinetobacter baumannii (24 strains, 28.9%), Klebsiella pneumonia (23 strains, 27.7%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10 strains, 12.0%).@*Conclusion@#The incidence of VAP in China is similar to that in developed counties, with substantial variability in different NICU settings. More efforts are needed to monitor and evaluate the preventable factors associated with VAP and conduct interventions that could effectively reduce the occurrence of VAP.
ABSTRACT
After major operation,a series of complicated pathological and physiological changes will occur during the trauma and stress state.The protein synthesis is affected,which results in negative nitrogen balance.In addition,the release of inflammatory factors can damage the capillary endothelial cells and increase the permeability of micrangium,induce vascular colloidal albumin leakage to the extravascular tissue,decrease plasma albumin,make wound edema,eventually lead to postoperative hypoproteinemia.Except for albumin supplement,it should be aimed at the mechanism to control the stress response and reduce the leakage caused by the release of inflammatory factors to solve this problem radically in clinical work.The reports about the causes and treatment of hypoproteinemia after major surgery were reviewed to provide evidence for clinical treatment.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical features of neonatal invasive fungal infection(IFI) so as to guide diagnosis,prevention and treatment of IFI.Methods Seventy-six neonates with IFI admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children's Hospital of Fudan University from 2004 to 2014 were included in the study.Pathogens,clinical manifestation,risk factor exposure,laboratory findings,complications,and clinical outcome of neonatal IFI were analyzed.Results Seventy-six cases were diagnosed as IFI between 2004 and 2014,with an yearly increasing trend.Sixty-eight patients were premature infants (89.5％).Of the 76 cases,except one with unknown birth weight,11(14.7％),34(45.3％),20(26.7％)and 10 (13.3％) cases had birth weight ＜ 1 000 g,(≥ 1 000-＜1 500) g,(≥ 1 500-＜2 500) g and ≥ 2 500 g,respectively.The pathogens were mainly Candida (74/76,97.4％),including 26 cases of Candida albicans (34.2％).However,the incidence of non-Candida albicans infection was increasing.Candida guilliermondii was the most common in nonCandida albicans,accounting for 29.2％ (14/48).All Candida albicans were sensitive to fluconazole.One strain of Candida glabrata was resistant to fluconazole.The most common risk factors included use of broad-spectrum antibiotics(93.3％,56/60),parenteral nutrition(70.0％,42/60),central vein catheterization(53.3％,32/60),invasive ventilation(40.0％,24/60) and history of abdominal surgery(21.7％,13/60).Clinical manifestations of IFI included temperature instability,frequent apnea,increased requirement of respiratory support and feeding intolerance.Among all cases,six were diagnosed as central nervous system infection.Of the patients who received cranial MRI,46.8％(22/47) showed multiple abnormal signals in cerebral parenchyma.Fiftytwo patients were cured and seven patients died before discharge,including one death due to fungal infection.Conclusions There is an increasing trend of IFI cases in NICU,especially in premature infants.Non-Candida albicans has become the main pathogenic fungus.There are no specific clinical manifestations in neonatal IFI.Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics,parenteral nutrition and central venous catheterization are common risk factors,and preventive measures should be taken in high-risk infants.In addition,IFI in neonates may affect important organs such as central nervous system,thus early treatment is necessary in suspected patients.
ABSTRACT
Objective To identify the clinical and imaging characteristics in neonatal refractory purulent meningitis. Methods Clinical data of 70 cases of neonatal purulent meningitis admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Children's Hospital of Fudan University from January, 2009 to December, 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into refractory group (n=28) and non-refractory group (n=42) according to the course of antimicrobial therapy.The clinical and brain MRI characteristics of neonatal refractory purulent meningitis were analyzed. Parameters were compared between the two groups using Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, and Wilcoxon tests where appropriate. Risk factors of neonatal refractory purulent meningitis were investigated by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results Among the 70 cases, 31(44.3%) were positive for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/blood culture. The positive rate was higher in the refractory group than in the non-refractory group [75.0%(21/28) vs 23.8%(10/42),χ2=17.843, P<0.01]. The most common pathogenic bacteria isolated in the refractory group were Escherichia coli [8 cases (38.1%)] and group B streptococci [5 cases (23.8%)]. Compared to the non-refractory group, patients in the refractory group were more likely to have seizure, higher CSF white blood cell count, higher CSF protein concentration and lower CSF glucose concentration [53.6%(15/28) vs 7.1% (3/42), 965.0 (463.0-2 200.0)×106/L vs 116.5 (61.0-327.5)×106/L, 3 221.1(2 354.3-4 633.5) mg/L vs 1 487.6(988.2-1 924.1) mg/L, and 0.2 (0.1-0.8) mmol/L vs 1.5 (1.2-1.8) mmol/L; all P<0.01]. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that seizure, low CSF glucose concentration on admission, and a positive CSF/blood culture result neonatal refractory purulent meningitis (OR=9.6, 95%CI: 1.2-76.0; OR=15.0, 95%CI: 5.6-63.3; and OR=7.3, 95%CI: 1.5-36.0, respectively). Abnormal brain MRI findings, including intracranial extracerebral space abnormality, ventricular dilatation and periventricular white matter injury, were more common in the refractory group [100.0%(28/28) vs 61.9%(26/42), χ2=13.827 totally; 64.3%(18/28) vs 21.4%(9/42), χ2=13.023 for intracranial extracerebral space abnormality; 60.7%(17/28) vs 19.0%(8/42), χ2=12.704 for ventricular dilation and 28.6%(8/28) vs 2.4%(1/42) for periventricular white matter injury; all P <0.01]. Compared with the non-refractory group, the refractory group had a longer hospital stay [(48.0±17.4) d vs (26.0±10.2) d, t=6.016, P<0.01] and more adverse events [67.9%(19/28) vs 31.0%(13/42), χ2=9.220, P=0.002], including hearing impairment and requirement of neurosurgical intervention [14/18 ears vs 10/46 ears (21.7%), χ2=4.292, P=0.038]. There was no death in both groups during hospitalization. Conclusions Neonates with seizure, low CSF glucose concentration and positive CSF/blood culture results are more likely to have refractory purulent meningitis. Brain MRI abnormalities are more common in neonatal refractory purulent meningitis.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify protein-protein interaction partners of PER1 (period circadian protein homolog 1), key component of the molecular oscillation system of the circadian rhythm in tumors using bacterial two-hybrid system technique.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human cervical carcinoma cell Hela library was adopted. Recombinant bait plasmid pBT-PER1 and pTRG cDNA plasmid library were cotransformed into the two-hybrid system reporter strain cultured in a special selective medium. Target clones were screened. After isolating the positive clones, the target clones were sequenced and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fourteen protein coding genes were identified, 4 of which were found to contain whole coding regions of genes, which included optic atrophy 3 protein (OPA3) associated with mitochondrial dynamics and homo sapiens cutA divalent cation tolerance homolog of E. coli (CUTA) associated with copper metabolism. There were also cellular events related proteins and proteins which are involved in biochemical reaction and signal transduction-related proteins.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Identification of potential interacting proteins with PER1 in tumors may provide us new insights into the functions of the circadian clock protein PER1 during tumorigenesis.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Base Sequence , Cell Line, Tumor , Escherichia coli , Genetics , Metabolism , Molecular Sequence Data , Neoplasms , Genetics , Metabolism , Period Circadian Proteins , Genetics , Metabolism , Protein Binding , Proteins , Genetics , Metabolism , Two-Hybrid System TechniquesABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the respiratory burst function of neutrophils in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI).Methods Twenty two VLBWI was divided into two groups:neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) and non NRDS (11 in each).The respiratory burst function of neutrophils in the peripheral blood of VLBWI within 48 hours after birth was determined using the flow cytometrydihydrorhodamine 1,2,3 method before and after the chemical stimulation of phorbol-12-myrismte 14 acetate (PMA),and the gp91Phox was also measured in resting neutrophils by flow cytometry.Twenty healthy term neonates served as controls.Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis.Results Before the stimulation of PMA,the percentage of activated neutrophils of VLBWI [(49.10±20.19) ％] producing a respiratory burst was higher than that of term neonates [(18.73 ±6.81) ％] (Z--4.911,P=0.000),however,after the stimulation of PMA,the percentage of activated neutrophils of VLBWI [(96.58 ± 3.44) ％] was lower than that of term neonates [(99.20±0.62) ％] (Z--3.186,P=0.001),and the stimulation index (SI) of VLBWI (171.40 ± 103.35) was lower than that of term neonates (306.30 ± 138.47),with significant difference (Z=-3.413,P=0.001).The geometric mean of gp91Phox in VLBWI (21.66± 19.87) was higher compared with term neonates (19.60±8.03),however,the difference was not significant (P=0.350).The percentage of neutrophils that expressed gp91Phox [(56.11 ± 29.40) ％] was lower in VLBWI than that in term neonates [(80.14± 14.87) ％],with significant difference (Z=-2.374,P=0.018).Before the stimulation of PMA,the percentage of activated neutrophils of VLBWI with NRDS (63.40± 16.45) ％] was higher than that of VLBWI without NRDS [(34.80± 11.65) ％],with significant difference (Z=-3.382,P=0.001),the SI of VLBWI with NRDS (129.46 ± 75.36) was significantly lower than that of VLBWI without NRDS (213.35 ± 113.49) (Z=-2.331,P=0.020).Conclusions Neutrophils producing a respiratory burst in both VLBWI and term neonates are active without stimulation of PMA,while the phenomenon is more obvious in VLBWI.Neutrophils in VLBWI and term infants can be activated by the stimulation of PMA,and express gp91Phox.The activation and gp91Phox expression of neutrophils in VLBWI with NRDS tend to be lower than those in VLBWI without NRDS.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the incidence,bacterial spectrum and clinical features of peripherally inserted central catheter-associated bloodstream infection in neonates, and to investigate the effect of infection control strategies on the occurrence of infection,by which it is helpful in choosing effective strategies for clinical practice. Methods Clinical data, results of blood culture and culture of the catheter tip were collected from 72 infants (66 of them were very low birth weight) admitted to NICU from July, 2007 to August, 2008. The incidence of PICC-associated bloodstream infection (PICC-BSI) in the old hospital was compared with that of the new hospital. Results Bacterial colonization was not found. PICC-BSI was found in 15 cases (18. 1%), including 11 cases (13.2%) with definite sepsis and 4 cases (4. 8 %) with clinical sepsis.The incidence of PICC-BSI was 10. 2/1 000 PICC-days as a whole,with 16. 1/1 000 PICC-days in the old hospital and,7. 7/1 000 PICC-days in the new hospital respectively. Eleven organisms were isolated including Coagulase negative staphylococcus (CoNS) (4 strains), Acinetobacter baumannii (3 strains), Klebsiella pneumonia (2 strains), Enterococcus(1 strain), and Candida parapsilosis (1 strain). The incidence of PICC-BSI in the new hospital was lower compared with that of the old hospital. Conclusion Most of the isolated organisms of PICC-BSI are opportunistic and multi-drug resistant pathogen. PICC-BSI can be reduced by the effective infection control strategies in NICU.