The Study of Nosocomial Infections in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Study in Northwest Iran

Background: Nosocomial infections are an important cause of mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Therefore, in this study, the incidence and prevalence of nosocomial infections were determined in NICUs of the three largest neonatal centers in northwest Iran, and the causative bacteria were identified in order to provide potential solutions to control the infections in these hospitals. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive-prospective study in which the cases of nosocomial infections were examined in the three largest hospitals in Tabriz city in northwest Iran, during one year (from June 2012 to May 2013) based on clinical findings, medical and nursing reports of patients, and laboratory results. Results: Of the 3129 patients hospitalized in NICUs of the three hospitals, 208 patients were diagnosed with nosocomial infections. The incidence rate of nosocomial infections was 11.34% (per 100 patient-days) with: 52.4% bacteremia, 32.69% pneumonia, 5.77% urinary tract infections, 5.29% wound infections, and 3.85% necrotizing enterocolitis. There was a statistically significant relationship between invasive procedures (such as umbilical catheters, central venous catheters, surgery, and TPN) and sepsis (P=0.001).The relationships between urinary tract infection and urinary catheter (P=0.000), and aggressive procedures (such as suctioning and intubation) and pneumonia (P=0.001) were also statistically significant. Conclusion: Incidence of nosocomial infections in premature and low birth weight newborns is considered as a health threat. The findings of this research reiterate the importance of giving further attention to prevention and control of nosocomial infections in the NICU.