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Epidemiology of Nosocomial Infections in Selected Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Colombia, South America

Journal of Perinatology volume 25, pages 531–536 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The epidemiology of nosocomial infections (NI) in neonatal intensive care units in developing countries has been poorly studied. We conducted a prospective study in selected neonatal units in Colombia, SA, to describe the incidence rate, causative organisms, and interinstitutional differences.

STUDY DESIGN:

Data were collected prospectively from February 20 to August 30, 2001 from eight neonatal units. NI was defined as culture-proven infection diagnosed after 72 h of hospitalization, resulting in treatment with antibiotics for >3 days. Linear regression models were used to describe associations between institutional variables and NI rates.

RESULTS:

A total of 1504 infants were hospitalized for more than 72 h, and therefore, at risk for NI. Of all, 127 infections were reported among 80 patients (5.3%). The incidence density rate was 6.2 per 1000 patient-days. Bloodstream infections accounted for 78% of NIs. Gram-negative organisms predominated over gram-positive organisms (55 vs 38%) and were prevalent in infants ≤2000 g (54%). The most common pathogens were Staphylococcus epidermidis (26%) and Klebsiella pneumonia (12%).

CONCLUSION:

Gram-negative organisms predominate in Colombia among infants <2000 g. The emergence of gram-negative organisms and their associated risk factors requires further study.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Forest Pharmaceuticals, The Institute of Latin American Studies (ILAS), University Center for International Studies (UCIS), and the Tinker Foundation for their financial support. We are grateful to the many research nurses involved in data collection from Clínica del Country, Clínica San Pedro Claver del ISS, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Fundación Valle de Lilli, Hospital Simón Bolivar, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Hospital Universitario Clínica San Rafael, and Centro Policlínico del Olaya. We also thank Molly Young for her support with the statistical analysis. We are also greatful to Esperanza Peña for her support with the coordination of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, SA

    Meica M Efird MD, MSPH, Mario A Rojas MD & Carl L Bose MD

  2. Javeriana University, Bogotá, Colombia, SA

    Juan M Lozano MD, MSc, María X Rojas RN, Martín A Rondón MSc & Gloria Ruiz MD

  3. Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia, SA

    Juan G Piñeros MD

  4. Centro Policlínico del Olaya, Bogotá, Colombia, SA

    Catherine Rojas MD

  5. Hospital Universitario Clínica San Rafael, Bogotá, Colombia, SA

    Guillermo Robayo MD

  6. Clínica del Country, Bogotá, Colombia, SA

    Angela Hoyos MD

  7. Clínica San Pedro Claver, Bogotá, Colombia, SA

    Maria E Gosendi MD

  8. Fundación Valle de Lilli, Cali, Colombia, SA

    Hernan Cruz MD

  9. Hospital Simon Bolivar, Bogotá, Colombia, SA

    Angela Leon MD

Authors
  1. Meica M Efird MD, MSPH
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  2. Mario A Rojas MD
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  6. Martín A Rondón MSc
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  7. Gloria Ruiz MD
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  8. Juan G Piñeros MD
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  9. Catherine Rojas MD
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  11. Angela Hoyos MD
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  12. Maria E Gosendi MD
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  13. Hernan Cruz MD
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  14. Angela Leon MD
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Consortia

Colombian Neonatal Research Network

Additional information

Research supported in part by Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc., The Institute of Latin American Studies (ILAS), University Center for International Studies (UCIS), and The Tinker Foundation of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

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Efird, M., Rojas, M., Lozano, J. et al. Epidemiology of Nosocomial Infections in Selected Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Colombia, South America. J Perinatol 25, 531–536 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211345

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