Risk factors for nosocomial infections in selected neonatal intensive care units in Colombia, South America.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to identify risk factors for nosocomial infections among infants admitted into eight neonatal intensive care units in Colombia. Knowledge of modifiable risk factors could be used to guide the design of interventions to prevent the problem.


METHODS
Data were collected prospectively from eight neonatal units. Nosocomial infection was defined as culture-proven infection diagnosed after 72 hours of hospitalization, resulting in treatment with antibiotics for >3 days. Associations were expressed as odds ratios. Logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders.


RESULTS
From a total of 1504 eligible infants, 80 were treated for 127 episodes of nosocomial infection. Logistic regression analysis identified the combined exposure to postnatal steroids and H2-blockers, and use of oral gastric tubes for enteral nutrition as risk factors significantly associated with nosocomial infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Nosocomial infections in Colombian neonatal intensive care units were associated with modifiable risk factors including use of postnatal steroids and H2-blockers.
Rojas
Mario A
MA
Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Efird
Meica M
MM
Lozano
Juan M
JM
Bose
Carl L
CL
Rojas
María X
MX
Rondón
Martín A
MA
Ruiz
Gloria
G
Piñeros
Juan G
JG
Rojas
Catherine
C
Robayo
Guillermo
G
Hoyos
Angela
A
Gosendi
Maria H
MH
Cruz
Hernan
H
O'Shea
Michael
M
Leon
Angela
A
D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007440:Intubation / Q000009:adverse effects; D016015:Logistic Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013256:Steroids / Q000009:adverse effects; D013270:Stomach
D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D013256:Steroids