title: Colonization and infection in the newborn infant: Does chlorhexidine play a role in infection prevention?
abstract: Healthcare-associated infections are a major problem in newborn infants, considering their high morbidity, mortality, and long-term sequelae. In preterm infants, it has been shown that skin and gastrointestinal tract colonization undergoes variations compared to healthy term infants, and that preterm infants are more exposed to nosocomial microorganisms given their higher probability of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit where they are cared for. This document reviews normal colonization, the changes observed during hospitalization, prematurity, and the potential role of chlorhexidine in the prevention of resistant microorganism transmission, as well as its side effects in newborn infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.
authors.affiliation: Universidad del Rosario, Programa de Neonatología, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Lizeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ortegón
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Interna y Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puentes-Herrera
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Neonatología, Fundación Cardioinfantil, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Ivohne F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Corrales
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Interna y Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia. jacortesl@unal.edu.co.
authors.forename: Jorge A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cortés
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002710:Chlorhexidine
keywords: chlorhexidine; nosocomial infection; preterm infant; primary prevention; sepsis