title: Epidemiologic trends in nosocomial bacteremia in a neonatal intensive care unit.
abstract: The primary goal of this study was to analyze the epidemiologic features of nosocomial bloodstream infection (NBSI) in a neonatal intensive care unit over a 7-year period. All neonatal patients with NBSI treated from January 1997 to December 2003 were retrospectively analyzed. 232 NBSI episodes were diagnosed in 208 patients. The average NBSI patient-day rates were 4.69 and 2.59 per 1000 patient-days in 1997-1999 and 2000-2003, respectively. The average NBSI rates were 5.00 and 1.50 per 1000 patient days in neonates <1500 g and > or =1500 g, respectively. The proportion of Gram-positive organisms increased from 24% in 1997-2001 to 41% in 2002-2003, whereas the proportion of Gram-negative isolates decreased from 65% in 1997-2001 to 47% in 2002-2003. The implementation of measures for the prevention of nosocomial infection was associated with the reduction of NBSI rates. Low birth weight was demonstrated to be a significant risk factor for NBSI. The fact that Gram-positive organisms were isolated in increasing frequency may impact on the appropriate selection of empiric antimicrobial therapy for NBSI in the neonatal intensive care unit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Sung-Hsi
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Hsiu-Hui
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Kuo-Chen
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Jen-Hsian
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Bai-Horng
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Hung-Chih
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Tsung-Wen
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Hsiao-Chuan
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001724:Birth Weight; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D013997:Time Factors