title: Infection and cross-infection in a paediatric gastro-enteritis unit.
abstract: A two month study to investigate the incidence of nosocomial infection was conducted in a paediatric gastroenteritis ward of a black academic hospital. Enteric pathogens were identified on admission in 61 (47.2%) of 129 patients; 56 bacterial and 25 viral. Six per cent of patients had a combination of bacterial and viral pathogens. Enteric pathogens most frequently identified on admission were Campylobacter jejuni in 22%. Rotavirus in 19.3%, EPEC in 10.8% and Shigella spp. in 6.9% patients. Twenty six (20%) patients had more than 1 enteric pathogen. The nosocomial infection rate was recorded at 17.1%. EPEC occurred most commonly in 5.3% patients, Salmonella typhimurium in 4.6% and Shigella spp. in 2.3%. Nosocomial infections increased the mean length of hospital stay from 7.2-20.2 days. Contributory factors to the spread of nosocomial infection were the unsatisfactory methods of bathing patients and giving naso-gastric feeds.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bowen-Jones
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D001741:Black or African American; D001494:Baths; D044383:Black People; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013019:South Africa