[Nosocomial viral infections in a pediatric service: example of rotaviral gastroenteritis and respiratory syncytial viral bronchiolitis].
Nosocomial infections are a preoccupation in a pediatric hospital mainly during the winter with bronchiolitis and gastroenteritis epidemics. We have examined the risk factors of nosocomial infections.


METHODS
A prospective study was conducted between November, 1999 and March, 2000 in the infants units of the Le Havre hospital. We systematically listed the admissions and contacted the family after their discharge by phone. A geographic information system was implemented to display the epidemiological data; this software is able to illustrate the sectors at risk.


RESULTS
During the study, 687 infants were hospitalized of whom 458 for bronchiolitis and community-acquired gastroenteritis. Mean age was 5.4 months old. No nosocomial bronchiolitis occurred. Prevalence of nosocomial gastroenteritis was 10% (68 cases including nine after discharge). Infants with nosocomial infection were younger than those with community-acquired infection (6.6 months vs. 11.2 months, P < 0.01). The mean length of stay was longer in nosocomial infection (7.7 vs. 4.1 days, P < 0.05). Among the infants with bronchiolitis, 16% have developed nosocomial intestinal infections (RR = 2.65, IC: 1.59-4.4; P < 0.01). The geographic analysis pointed the area with nosocomial risk (bedroom without water, nearness of nurse office and games room).


CONCLUSIONS
Geographic information system is a part of the quality control system and may have some interaction effect on final decision making. Incidence of nosocomial infections showed the need for a prevention strategy in a pediatric hospital.
Département de pédiatrie groupe hospitalier, 55 bis, rue Gustave-Flaubert, 76600 Le Havre, France. pleroux@ch-havre.fr
P
P
Le Roux
B
B
Marshall
F
F
Toutain
J-F
JF
Mary
G
G
Pinon
E
E
Briquet
B
B
Le Luyer
D017677:Age Distribution; D001990:Bronchiolitis, Viral / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D017053:Infection Control / Q000458:organization & administration; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010372:Pediatrics; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control