title: [Germ circulation in neonatal units--risk factors for maternal-foetal infection].
abstract: Infections are the third most important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal units. Infection rates are 2-5% in I-II level units, 10% in IIIrd level units and 7-24% in NICUs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify risk factors contributing to maternal-foetal and hospital infections in neonatal units of different levels in two maternity hospitals in Romania: Buna Vestire Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital in Galati (Lot A) and Cuza-Voda Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital in Iasi (Lot B).
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective and prospective study during four years in two neonatal units in maternity hospitals of different levels from Moldova: level II - Lot A and level III - Lot B.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neonatal infection rates were significantly higher in preemies compared to term newborns (5.91% - Lot A vs. 9.9% - Lot B). Predominant maternal colonization and infection bacteria were E. coli (16.12% - Lot A vs. 12.6% - Lot B) and S. aureus (1.3% - Lot A vs. 2.03% - Lot B). Personnel colonization, predominantly with MRSA, presented little hazard for neonatal infection (RR 0.9 - Lot A, RR 0.7 - Lot B). Hospital environment contamination also presented minor risk for neonatal infection (RR 1.7 - Lot A, RR 0.2 - Lot B).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The main risk factors for neonatal infections were gestational age (premature infants have immunological underdevelopment) and maternal colonization. Personnel colonization and hospital contamination are of little importance in the development of neonatal infections.
authors.affiliation: Facultatea de Medicină, Universităţii de Medicină si Farmacie Gr.T.Popa Iaşi.
authors.forename: Genoveva
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vasilcan
authors.forename: Andreea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avasiloaiei
authors.forename: Mihaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moscalu
authors.forename: Al G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Dimitriu
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stamatin
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification