Incidence of infection for preterm twins cared for in cobedding in the neonatal intensive-care unit.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the incidence of infection in a group of cobedded preterm twin infants and compare it to the incidence of infection in a cohort of preterm twin infants cared for in the same institution prior to the onset of cobedding.


METHODS
Retrospective descriptive design.


METHODS
Tertiary, referral neonatal intensive-care unit in the Midwest.


METHODS
Preterm twin infants between 23 and 35 weeks gestational age.


METHODS
Data from 1997 to 2001 (cobedding) compared to data from 1992 to 1996 (no cobedding).


METHODS
Infection as evidenced by positive blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or urine culture or radiographic evidence of pneumonia or necrotizing enterocolitis.


RESULTS
Independent samples t test found the cobedded and non-cobedded infants to be homogenous in demographic data. A 2-way analysis of variance demonstrated no significant effects for cobedded infants on number of sepsis evaluations or number of positive blood cultures. There was a statistically significant difference for number of positive blood cultures at discharge reflecting the increased number of positive blood cultures in the non-cobedded infants. Finally, there were no statistically significant differences found between cobedded and non-cobedded for the presence of pneumonia or necrotizing enterocolitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Cobedding of preterm twins cared for in the intensive-care nursery was not associated with an increased incidence of infection. Prospective studies are needed on cobedding before a change in practice is implemented.
LaMar
Kim
K
Development and Research at Banner Desert Medical Center, Mesa, AZ 85202, USA. kimberly.lamar@bannerhealth.com
Dowling
Donna A
DA
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007186:Incubators, Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017053:Infection Control; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D012107:Research Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology