The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
2010 , Vol 52 , Num 1
Nosocomial infections in neonatal units in Turkey: epidemiology, problems, unit policies and opinions of healthcare workers
The epidemiology of nosocomial infections in Turkish neonatal intensive care
units (NICUs) shows that nosocomial sepsis is an important problem, especially
for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, and gram-negative agents, particularly
Klebsiella species, are still the major causes of nosocomial infections. Sepsis
frequency was 6.4%, ranging from 2.1 to 17%, in 16 centers in Turkey. Sepsis
frequency was 22% in infants <1500 g, 6% in those 1500-2500 g, and 3% in
those >2500 g. Sepsis-related mortality was 24.4 for 100 sepsis cases, ranging
from 0 to 75 for 100 cases. Ventilator-associated pneumonia frequency was
1.7%, catheter-related infection frequency was 0.14% and urinary tract infection
frequency was 3.7%.
Healthcare workers (HCWs) complain of the inadequacy of some basic facilities and of staffing; however, they are aware of the causes and solutions and are willing to overcome this major health problem. We conclude that Turkish neonatal HCWs are quite optimistic about preventing neonatal nosocomial infections.
Keywords : nosocomial infection, newborn, epidemiology, infection control.