Incidence and risk factors of health-care-associated infection in the neonatal intensive care unit of Assiut University Children's Hospital

Introduction
One of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity in neonates, particularly in developing countries is hospital-acquired infections. Healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) are common in pediatric wards and are also one of the major causes of death in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Risk factors involved in nosocomial infection (NI) including gestational age, birth weight, severity of illness, and its related length of hospital stay and devices used are assessed.
Objective
The objective of study was to detect the incidence, anatomical sites, causative organisms, and risk factors related to HCAI in NICU in Assiut University Children Hospital.
Materials and methods
A cross-sectional (observational descriptive) study was done in the NICU of the Assiut University Children Hospital, during a period of 12 months (from February 2018 to February 2019). A total of 150 noninfected neonates at admission were included, where blood, pus, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine specimen were collected and processed.
Results
Out of 150 neonates, 107 (71.3%) developed NI. Most of the infections were caused by (22.7%) and spp. (16.0%). Bloodstream infection was the main site for NI in neonates (68.3%), followed by respiratory infection (20.8%). The reported risk factors for NI were low birth weight and prematurity. The outcome of HCAIs was death in 52% of neonates.
Conclusion
HCAIs was reported to have high incidence rate in neonates admitted in the NICU, especially in premature and low birth weight neonates. Early detection of NI and related risk factors remain the way to manage this problem.