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 in northwest Iran during 1 year (from June 2012 until 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

Findings of Brain CT Scan in Patients Hospitalized with Meningitis in Tabriz Children's Hospital and Its Association with Prognosis

Background. Children's meningitis is associated with many complications and deaths. Therefore, it is critical to develop reliable and available methods to predict these complications, diagnose them in a timely manner, and prevent the progression of complications. This study aimed to investigate the findings of computed tomography (CT) scan in patients with meningitis and evaluate its association with prognosis. Methods. In this cross-sectional analytical study, we investigated the clinical files of 100 patients with meningitis (preferably bacterial meningitis) in Tabriz Children's Hospital, Iran between 2013-2017. The results of CT scan and disease complications were recorded and analyzed by statistical software. Results. Common symptoms identified in the patients included fever (88%), nausea and vomiting (36%), headache (27%), and convulsions (25%). Also, the results of CT scan included cerebral effusion (16%), hydrocephalus (7%), diffuse cerebral edema (7%), and cerebral atrophy (4%). Statistical analysis indicated a statistically significant association between the complications of meningitis (learning disorder, epilepsy, and hearing disorder) and the results of CT scan (cerebral effusion, diffuse cerebral edema, and hydrocephalus). Conclusion. CT scan can be used as an early diagnostic and prognostic method in children with meningitis. Practical Implications. Meningitis is associated with many complications and deaths, and the lack of diagnostic methods and accurate prognosis is one of the important challenges in this field. Therefore, identifying and introducing accurate and cheap methods for predicting these complications and taking early measures to prevent the development of complications and treatment can be beneficial. The results of the present study showed that CT scan can be used as an early diagnostic and prognostic method in children with meningitis