title: Epidemiology of nosocomial infections in selected neonatal intensive care units in Colombia, South America.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The epidemiology of nosocomial infections (NI) in neonatal intensive care units in developing countries has been poorly studied. We conducted a prospective study in selected neonatal units in Colombia, SA, to describe the incidence rate, causative organisms, and interinstitutional differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected prospectively from February 20 to August 30, 2001 from eight neonatal units. NI was defined as culture-proven infection diagnosed after 72 h of hospitalization, resulting in treatment with antibiotics for >3 days. Linear regression models were used to describe associations between institutional variables and NI rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1504 infants were hospitalized for more than 72 h, and therefore, at risk for NI. Of all, 127 infections were reported among 80 patients (5.3%). The incidence density rate was 6.2 per 1000 patient-days. Bloodstream infections accounted for 78% of NIs. Gram-negative organisms predominated over gram-positive organisms (55 vs 38%) and were prevalent in infants < or =2000 g (54%). The most common pathogens were Staphylococcus epidermidis (26%) and Klebsiella pneumonia (12%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gram-negative organisms predominate in Colombia among infants <2000 g. The emergence of gram-negative organisms and their associated risk factors requires further study.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina (M.M.E., M.A.R., C.L.B.), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Meica M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Efird
authors.forename: Mario A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: Juan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lozano
authors.forename: Carl L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Bose
authors.forename: María X
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: Martín A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rondón
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: Juan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Piñeros
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Robayo
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoyos
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gosendi
authors.forename: Hernan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leon
mesh_terms: D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016014:Linear Models; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies