Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in hospitalized children.
OBJECTIVE
Determine the epidemiology and risk factors for colonization with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium.


METHODS
Survey; case-control study.


METHODS
Children's hospital.


METHODS
Pediatric oncology patients.


METHODS
Contact isolation, restriction of vancomycin prescribing.


RESULTS
There was a high prevalence of colonization with vancomycin-resistant enterococci among pediatric oncology patients. The length of hospitalization and the administration of vancomycin and other intravenous antibiotics was associated with colonization. Prevention of colonization was associated with restriction of vancomycin use and contact isolation.


CONCLUSIONS
Vancomycin use may predispose to colonization with vancomycin-resistant E faecium. Vancomycin-resistant E faecium may be nosocomially spread. Contact isolation and restriction of vancomycin use may prevent spread of vancomycin-resistant E faecium.
Rubin
L G
LG
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Schneider Children's Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY 11042.
Tucci
V
V
Cercenado
E
E
Eliopoulos
G
G
Isenberg
H D
HD
D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004363:Drug Utilization; D016984:Enterococcus faecium / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006760:Hospitalization; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014640:Vancomycin