Nosocomial infection in a Danish Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and identify independent risk factors for nosocomial infections in a Danish Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and to compare these findings with international results.


METHODS
The study was performed prospectively from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005 in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen. Specific criteria for blood stream infection and respiratory tract infection adapted for neonates in our ward were worked out.


RESULTS
Six hundred and eighty-three patients were included. The overall incidence of nosocomial infection was 8.8/1000 hospital days. Blood stream infection was the most frequent type of infection, with an incidence of 5.1/1000 hospital days. Multivariate analysis showed gestational age and heart disease to be significant independent risk factors for both first time blood stream infection and respiratory tract infection, and central venous catheter and parenteral nutrition risk factors for first time blood stream infection.


CONCLUSIONS
This first prospective study of nosocomial infection in a Danish Neonatal Intensive Care Unit found an overall incidence of 8.8/1000 hospital days, which is low or similar compared to other studies. Further Danish multicentre studies are needed, and we suggest that procedures related to central venous catheters should be a future focus area.
National Center for Antimicrobials and Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark. fugl@dadlnet.dk
Anne L
AL
Olsen
Jes
J
Reinholdt
Anders Mørup
AM
Jensen
Leif P
LP
Andersen
Elsebeth Tvenstrup
ET
Jensen
D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000151:congenital; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology