The Changes of Incidence of Nosocomial Sepsis, and Risk Factors in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To know whether the changes in the risk factors of nosocomial sepsis had an impact on the occurrence of nosocomial sepsis (NS) in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBW I). METHODS: ELBW I who were admitted to the NICU at Samsung Medical Center from October 1994 to December 2000 were devided into three groups according to periods (period I1994.10-1996.9, period II1996.10-1998.12, period III1999.1-2000.12), and charts were reviewed retrospectively for demographic profile, incidence of NS, and changing patterns of risk factors of NS. RESULTS: Gestational age and birth weight of ELBW I decreased and the incidence of NS increased significantly during third period. However, cumulative incidence of NS corrected by hospital days was not changed irrespective of periods. Among the risk factors of NS in 3rd period, use of antibiotics in the 1st day, postnatal dexamethasone and use and duration of indwelling umbilical catheters decreased significantly and the use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure increased significantly especially, in ELBW I under 800 g of birth weight. In the ELBW I under 800 g of birth weight, cumulative incidence of NS and mortality among the infants who suffered from NS decreased significantly in 3rd period. CONCLUSION: Efforts to decrease the risk factors of NS can prevent the increase in incidence of NS in ELBW I.