title: Nosocomial bacterial sepsis in babies weighing 1000-1499 g in Kelantan.
abstract: From January to December 1992, 92 babies weighing 1000-1499 gm here to referred as very low birth weight (VLBW) were admitted to NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), Hospital University Sains Malaysia (HUSM). Sixty babies were inborn giving a VLBW rate of 7.5 per 1000 live births. Incidence of nosocomial sepsis was 32.6% (30/92) of whom 43.3% (13/30) died. Eighty percent (24/30) of the septic babies had blood culture positive for gram negative organisms of which 40% (12/30) were sensitive only to imipenem. Ventilator support within 24 hours of life was required in 41.3% (38/94) babies of whom 42% (16/38) babies developed nosocomial sepsis. Delayed initiation of feeding was significantly associated with nosocomial sepsis. A strict asepsis policy and early feeding of the VLBW infant are essential components of any strategy to prevent of sepsis due to nosocomial infection.
authors.affiliation: Rustaq Hospital, Rustaq, Sultanate of Oman.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Halder
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Haque
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Zabidi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kamaruzzaman
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male