Original Article

Journal of Perinatology (2005) 25, 537–541. doi:10.1038/sj.jp.7211353

Risk Factors for Nosocomial Infections in Selected Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Colombia, South America

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

Mario A Rojas MD1, Meica M Efird MDMSPH1, Juan M Lozano MDMSc2, Carl L Bose MD1, María X Rojas RN2, Martín A Rondón MSc2, Gloria Ruiz MD2, Juan G Piñeros MD3, Catherine Rojas MD4, Guillermo Robayo MD5, Angela Hoyos MD6, Maria H Gosendi MD7, Hernan Cruz MD8, Michael O'Shea MDMPH9 and Angela Leon MD10 Colombian Neonatal Research Network

  1. 1Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina (M.A.R., M.M.E., C.L.B.), Chapel Hill, NC, USA
  2. 2Department of Pediatrics, Javeriana University (J.M.L., M.X.R., M.A.R., G.R.), Bogotá, Colombia
  3. 3Department of Pediatrics, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá (J.G.P.), Bogotá, Colombia
  4. 4Department of Pediatrics, Centro Policlínico del Olaya (C.R.), Bogotá, Colombia
  5. 5Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario Clínica San Raphael (G.R.), Bogotá, Colombia
  6. 6Department of Pediatrics, Clínica del Country (A.H.), Bogotá, Colombia
  7. 7Department of Pediatrics, Clínica San Pedro Claver (M.H.G.), Bogotá, Colombia
  8. 8Department of Pediatrics, Fundación Valle de Lilli (H.C.), Cali, Colombia
  9. 9Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University (T.M.O.), Winston Salem, USA
  10. 10Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Simon Bolivar (A.L.), Bogotá, Colombia

Correspondence: Mario A. Rojas, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, VUMC A-0126 MCN, Nashville, TN 37232-2370, USA

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

 

This study was designed to identify risk factors for nosocomial infections among infants admitted into eight neonatal intensive care units in Colombia. Knowledge of modifiable risk factors could be used to guide the design of interventions to prevent the problem.

STUDY DESIGN:

 

Data were collected prospectively from eight neonatal units. Nosocomial infection was defined as culture-proven infection diagnosed after 72 hours of hospitalization, resulting in treatment with antibiotics for >3 days. Associations were expressed as odds ratios. Logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders.

RESULTS:

 

From a total of 1504 eligible infants, 80 were treated for 127 episodes of nosocomial infection. Logistic regression analysis identified the combined exposure to postnatal steroids and H2-blockers, and use of oral gastric tubes for enteral nutrition as risk factors significantly associated with nosocomial infection.

CONCLUSION:

 

Nosocomial infections in Colombian neonatal intensive care units were associated with modifiable risk factors including use of postnatal steroids and H2-blockers.

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