Healthcare-associated Infections in Very Low Birth-weight Infants in a South African Neonatal Unit: Disease Burden, Associated Factors and Short-term Outcomes.
Pediatr Infect Dis J 2022;
41:911-916. [PMID:
35980840 PMCID:
PMC9555825 DOI:
10.1097/inf.0000000000003666]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Infection is a leading cause of death among very low birth-weight (VLBW) infants in resource-limited settings.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective review of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) episodes among VLBW infants from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2017. The epidemiology, causative organisms and short-term outcomes were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to investigate for factors associated with development of HAI.
RESULTS
During the study period, 715 VLBW infants with suspected HAI were investigated, including 162/715 (22.7%) proven and 158/715 (22.1%) presumed HAI. Of the proven infections, 99/162 (61.1%) contained at least one Gram-negative organism per blood culture; 84/162 (51.9%) single Gram-negative organisms and 15/162 (9.3%) polymicrobial growth. Independent factors associated with development of any HAI included low gestational age, small for gestational age, indwelling central venous catheter and invasive ventilation. Compared with infants in whom HAI had been excluded, infants with HAI were more likely to be diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (5.6% vs. 23.1%; P < 0.001) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (1.0% vs. 4.4%; P = 0.007). Infants with any HAI also had a longer hospital stay [44 (25-65) vs. 38 (26-53) days; P < 0.001] and increased mortality [90/320 (28.1%) vs. 21/395 (5.3%); P < 0.001] compared with infants who did not develop HAI episodes.
CONCLUSIONS
Proven and presumed HAI are a major contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality; further research is urgently needed to better understand potential targets for prevention and treatment of HAI in resource-limited neonatal units.
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