Incidence and factors associated with nosocomial infections in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of an urban children's hospital in China

Objective: The study's aim was to assess incidence and epidemiologic profile of nosocomial infection (NI) in a NICU of China, and to identify main risk factors of NIs. Materials and Methods: Chi square test for discrete variables and independent t-test for continuous variables to examine the association with NI. Univariate regression model was applied to the variables to predict the NI status. Finally the multivariate model was utilized with stepwise methods included all variables in the univariate model to extrapolate the independent variables to NI. Results: Infection rate in NICU during the study period was 6.2 episodes per 100 patients. Infection density was 4.2 episodes per 1,000 patient-days. Infection rate of ventilation-related pneumonia was 3.4 episodes per 1,000 mechanical ventilation (MV) days. Central line-associated bloodstream infection rate was 5.4 episodes per 1,000 central line days. Gestational age <32 weeks, with congenital malformation, twins or triplets, gastric tube feeding, operation, duration of prophylaxis antibiotic use, duration of probiotic use, duration of parenteral nutrition were the risk factors associated with NI in NICU. We discussed the association between intrinsic factors of infants and health care procedures with NI. Conclusion: This study provided information for prevention strategies of NI, that will ultimately improve the healthcare service level.