[Secondary costs due to nosocomial infections in 2 pediatric intensive care units].
OBJECTIVE
We estimated associated costs to nosocomial infections in two pediatric intensive care units in Mexico City.


METHODS
A transversal study in the neonatal (NICU) and pediatric (PICU) intensive care units, was done. We reviewed use and cost of diagnostic procedures, medications, and excess of hospital stay.


RESULTS
There were 102 infections, 46 in the NICU and 56 in the PICU. The average cost per infection was $11,682 USD and the overall expense was 1,184.71 USD. Infected children had an excess of hospital stay of 9.6 days, 13.7 more laboratory tests and 3.3 more cultures. Hospital stay represented 97% of the overall cost.


CONCLUSIONS
This is one of the first estimations of nosocomial infections cost done in Mexico. These results justify the introduction of infection control programs to decrease these complications.
Navarrete-Navarro
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Unidad de Investigación en Epidemiología Hospitalaria, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), México.
Armengol-Sánchez
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D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000191:economics; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric / Q000191:economics*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D008800:Mexico