Evaluation of proven nosocomial sepsis agents in a level ııı neonatal intensive care center: a 2- year analysis

PURPOSE: Despite advances in supportive care and use of antibiotics, sepsis neonatorum preserves its importance due to its high mortality and morbidity. Identifying the causative agents and antibiotic resistance yearly in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) helps the physician to choose the most appropriate empirical therapy. In this study we aimed to evaluate positive blood cultures and antibiotic susceptibilities of newborns with proven sepsis in the years 2000-2001 in our NICU. MATERIALS-METHODS: The charts of hospitalized newborns between 2000-2001 were retrospectively studied. The causative agents and antibiotic susceptibilities in newborns with proven sepsis were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 48 positive results were obtained in 44 newborns among 576 newborns in this time period. Although most of the admitted patients were preterm infants (86.7 %) the frequency of proven sepsis was low (7.6%). Mortality rate of septicemia was 15.9 %. The most commonly isolated microorganisms were Coagulase- negative Staphylococci (CNS) (27.1%), Candida spp. (18.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (14.6%), Enterobacter spp (14.6%). The antibiotic susceptibilities of microorganisms were as follows: For CNS: Teicoplanin and Vancomycin 100%, Gentamicin 54% for S. aureus: Teicoplanin and Vancomycin 100%, Clindamycin 72%, Gentamicin 57%, for Enterobacter spp.: Meropenem and Piperacillin-tazobactam 100%, quinolones 86%. Methicillin resistance was 100% for CNS and 72% for S.aureus. In the year 2001, a significant increase in the frequency of Enterobacter spp. (11-16.6%) and Candida spp. infections (5.5-26.7%) was observed compared to the previous year. CONCLUSION: We concluded that initial empirical antibiotic therapy for nosocomial sepsis withTeicoplanin+Piperacillin-tazobactam/Meropenem plus antifungal therapy (Fluconazole or Amphotericine B) may be the best combination until the culture results arrive

Evaluation of 3 year surveillance of device associated infections in a neonatal intensive care unit

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the rates of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) and device associated healthcare associated infections (DA-HAIs) as well as the rates of invasive device utilization in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); and to compare findings with national and international reports. Materials and methods: A total of 1984 patients who admitted to NICU between January 2016 and December 2018 were enrolled. We retrospectively analysed patient’s characteristics, etiologic pathogens and antibiotic susceptibility, mortality from medical charts and infection control committee surveillance reports. Infections were defined using the standart Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Results: During the 3-year period, total 98 HAI cases 69 of which were DA-HAI were detected. The overall incidence of HAIs was 4.9% and rate was 3.7 per 1000 patient days. The most common HAI was blood stream infection (BSI) (n=64, 65.3%) of those 52 were central line-associated (CLA). The CLA-BSI rate was 8.6 per 1000 central line days with central line utilization ratio of 0.22. Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) rate was 5.1 per 1000 ventilator days with ventilator utilization ratio of 0.12. The most common pathogens were Klebsiella pneumonia. (38.9%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (22.1%) and Candida spp. (11.6%). The overall mortality rate was 3%. The HAI-related mortality rate was 9.2%. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of an surveillance approach in the NICU setting. HAI rates were lower than the rates reported from developing countries. However, with device utilization rates similar to those in developed countries our HAI rates were higher than that of the developed countries. Continous monitoring and implementation of necessary precautions are essential to decrease the rates of HAIs

Predictors of postnatal complications and congenital cardiac diseases in infants of mothers with pregestational and gestational diabetes

© 2014 by Turkish Pediatric Association.Aim: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the postnatal problems of infants of mothers with pregestational and gestational diabetes and the clinical properties of infants who were found to have congenital cardiac disease.Material and Methods: We retrospectively examined the records of 337 newborns who were followed up with a diagnosis of infant of diabetic mother between January 2010 and January 2012 in our Neonatology Unit. The demographic data of the diabetic mothers and their babies, the postnatal problems of the babies of diabetic mothers and congenital heart diseases found on transthoracic echocardiography were examined.Results: The patients were classified as group A, B and C in accordance with the recommendations of The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) according to the type of diabetes. The most common postnatal problems included hyperbilirubinemia, respiratory distress, hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia. The rate of congenital heart disease was found be 17.3% in group A, 50% in group B and 9% in group C. No correlation was found between congenital heart disease and gender, multiple pregnancy, diabetes type, diet treatment, use of oral antidiabetic drugs and drug usage. A positive significant correlation was found between congenital heart disease and genetic disease, murmur, cyanosis and presence of gestational hypertension. It was shown that use of insulin, genetic disease and presence of gestational diabetes increased the risk of congenital heart disease.Conclusions: In our study, the overall incidence of congenital heart disease was found to be 24% in infants of diabetic mothers. It should be kept in mind that it is important to investigate the infants of mothers with pregestational and gestational diabetes in terms of the risk of congenital heart disease

Urea Cycle Disorders in Neonates: Six Case Reports

Urea cycle disorders are a group of diseases associated with hyperammonemia, which causes severe neurological sequelae, seizures and psychomotor retardation. In this study, six newborn cases diagnosed between 2010-2014 as citrullinemia Type I (four cases) and argininosuccinic aciduria (two cases) are presented in terms of clinical course and treatment responses