Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Premature and New-Borns

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Prevention and Control of Infections in Hospitals

Abstract

At birth, most children are “sterile”, except for the amount and type of microbes that come in by the birth canal or by early amniotic rupture and retrograde invasion from the vagina. Susceptibility to infections is present especially among premature new-borns. An important start of life is to be protected against serious hospital infections. Premature and new-born babies that need medical assistance during the first period of life are often treated with invasive procedures which may include a risk of infections. Many neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) have few resources and are understaffed with a lack of competent personnel. This may increase risk of infection. The following chapter is focused on practical measures to reduce the incidence of infections among premature and new-borns in general and in the NICU, in particular.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Polak JD, Ringler N, Daugherty B. Unit based procedures: impact on the incidence of nosocomial infections in the newborn intensive care unit. NAINR. 2004;4:1.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Borghesi A, Stronati M. Strategies for the prevention of hospital-acquired infections in the neonatal intensive care unit. J Hosp Infect. 2008;68:293–300.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Polin RA, Denson S, Brady MT, et al. Epidemiology and diagnosis of healthcare-associated infections in the NICU. Pediatrics. 2012;129:E1104–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Polin RA, Denson S, Brady MT, et al. Strategies for prevention of healthcare-associated infections in the NICU. Epidemiology and diagnosis of healthcare-associated infections in the NICU. Pediatrics. 2012;129:e1085–E1093.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Manzoni P, De Luca D, Stronati M, et al. Prevention of nosocomial infections in neonatal intensive care units. Am J Perinatol. 2013;30:81–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Patrick SW, Kawai AT, Kleinman K, et al. Health care-associated infections among critically ill children in the US, 2007–2012. Pediatrics. 2014;134:705–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Niedner MF, Huskins C, Colantuoni E, et al. Epidemiology of central-line-associated bloodstream infections in the pediatric intensive care unit. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2011;32:1200–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. O’Grady NP, Alexander M, Burns LA, et al. Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections, 2011. CDC. 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Weisman LE, Pammie M. Treatment and prevention of bacterial sepsis in the preterm infant. UpToDate Wolters Kluwer on 07 July 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Mahieu LM, Dooy JJ, Muynck A, Melckebeke G, Iieven MM, Reempts PJ. Microbiology and risk factors for catheter exit site and hub colonization in neonatal intensive care unit patients. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2001;22:357–62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Bø BI, Gutteberg TJ, Størvold G. Neonatal meningitis caused by Flavobacterium meningosepticum. Tidsskr Nor Legeforen. 1986;106:751–3.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hals J, Lindemann R. Early neonatal septicaemia. Tidsskr Nor Legeforen. 1987;107:1228–2030.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Wesenberg F. Immunological maturity in the newborn child. Tidsskr Nor Legeforen. 1982;102:1494–6.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Andersen BM, Lindemann R, Bergh K, Nesheim BI, Syversen G, Solheim N, Laugerud F. Spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a neonatal intensive unit associated with understaffing, overcrowding and mixing of patients. J Hosp Infect. 2002;1:1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Grub C, Holberg Petersen M, Medbøe S, Andersen BM, et al. A multi-drug resistant, methicillin-susceptible strain of Staphylococcus aureus from a neonatal intensive care unit in Oslo. Scand J Infect Dis. 2010;42:148–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Haley RW, Bregman DA. The role of understaffing and owercrowding in recurrent outbreak of staphylococcal infection in a neonatal special-care unit. J Infect Dis. 1982;145:875–85.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Jackson MM. The healthcare market place in the next millennium and nurses’ roles in infection prevention and control. Nurs Clin North Am. 1999;34:411–26.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Farr BM. Understaffing: A risk factor for infection in the era of downsizing? Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1997;17:147–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Archibald LK, Manning M, Bell LM, et al. Patient density, nurse-to-patient ratio and nosocomial infection risk in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. Pediatr Infect Dis. 1997;16:1045–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Lorenzini E, Costa da Costa T, da Silva EF. Infection prevention and control in neonatal intensive care units. Rev Gaucha Enferm. 2013;34:107–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Lindemann R, Strand B, Hanche-Olsen K, Grøgaard J, Solheim N, Rasch M, Andersen BM. Prevention of infection in premature and newborn. In: Handbook of hygiene and infection control in hospitals. Oslo: Ullevaal University Hospital; 2003. p. 231–41.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Lindemann R, Jarl BS, Hanche-Olsen K, Grøgaard J, Rasch M, Seljordslia B, Andersen BM. Prevention of infection in premature and newborn. In: Handbook of hygiene and infection control in hospitals. Oslo: Ullevaal University Hospital; 2008. p. 390–9.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Bukholm G, Tannæs T, Kjelsberg ABB, Smith-Erichsen N. An outbreak of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa associated with increased risk of patient death in an intensive care unit. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2002;23:441–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Andersen, Rasch M, Hochlin K, Jensen FH, Wismar P, Fredriksen JE. Decontamination of rooms, medical equipment and ambulances, using a dry mist of hydrogen peroxide disinfectant. J Hosp Infect. 2006;62:149–55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Andersen BM, Hochlin K, Daling JP. Cleaning and decontamination of reusable medical equipment, including the use of hydrogen peroxide dry-mist gas decontamination. J Microbiol Biochem Technol. 2012;4:57–62.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Andersen BM, Syversen G, Thoresen H, Rasch M, Hochlin K, Seljordslia B, Snevold I, Berg E. Failure of dry mist of hydrogen peroxide 5% to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Hosp Infect. 2010;76:80–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Campbell JR, Hulten K, baked CJ. Cluster of Bacillus species bacteremia cases in neonates during a hospital construction project. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2011;32:1035–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Kalpoe JS, Hogenbirch K, van Maarsveen NM, et al. Dissemination of Bacillus cereus in a pediatric intensive care unit traced to insufficiently treated disinfection of reusable ventilator air-flow sensors. J Hosp Infect. 2008;68:341–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Turabelidze G, Gee JE, Hoffmaster AR, et al. Contaminated ventilator air flow sensor linked to Bacillus cereus colonization of newborns. Emerg Infect Dis. 2013;19:781–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Chu SM, Yang MC, Hsiao HF, et al. One-week versus 2-day ventilator circuit change in neonates with prolonged ventilation, cost-effectiveness and impact on ventilator-associated pneumonia. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2015;36:287–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Promed-mail on 19 Mar 2015. Rouxiella chamberiensis – France: contaminated infant food, fatal 2013 new.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Holy O, Forsythe S. Cronobacter spp. as emerging causes of healthcare-associated infection. J Hosp Infect. 2014;86:169–77.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Norwegian State of Health. Report on the operation and organization of human milk banks. IK-2760, Oslo: Norwegian Board of Health in 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Boo NY, Nordiah AJ, Alfizah H, Nor-Rohaini AH, Lim VKE. Contamination of breast milk obtained by manual expression and breast pumps in mothers of very low birth weight infants. J Hosp Infect. 2001;49:274–81.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Hosein IK, Hoffman PN, Ellam S, et al. Summertime Bacillus cereus colonization of hospital newborns traced to contaminated, laundered linen. J Hosp Infect. 2013;85:149–54.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Promed-mail on 28 Apr 2014. Mucormycosis - USA: (Lousiana) 2009. Children's hospital linen, fatal.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Strabelli TMV, Cais DP, Ziegler R, et al. Clustering of Enterococcus faecalis infections in a cardiology hospital neonatal intensive care unit. Braz J Infect Dis. 2006;10:113–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Adams-Chapman I, Stoll BJ. Prevention of nosocomial infections in the neonatal intensive care unit. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2002;14:157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Stray-Pedersen B. Pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Forum Tidssk Med Klin Farmasi. 1987;2:27–30.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Ruud Hansen TW, Gaustad P, Rollag H, Abrahamsen TG, Finne PH. Diagnosis and treatment of infections in a neonatalavdeling- viral, spiroket- and toksoplasmainfeksjoner. Tidsskr Nor Legeforen. 1993;113:1701–5.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Ruud Hansen TW, Gaustad P Rollag H, Abrahamsen TG, Finding PH. Diagnosis and treatment of infections in a neonatal department- bacterial and fungal infections. Tidsskr Nor Legeforen. 1993;113:17501–1734.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Weisman LE. Nosocomial viral infections in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. UpToDate. Wolters Kluwer. 20 Mar 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Fritschel E, Sanyal K, Threadgill H, Cervantes D. Fatal legionellosis after waterbirth, Texas, USA, 2014. Emerg Infect Dis. 2015;21:130–2.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Edwards MS, Baker CJ. Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B streptococcus). In: Mandell, Douglas, Bennests, editors. Principles and practice of infectious diseases, 7th, 8th edn. London: Elsevier Chuchill Livingstone; 2010. p. 2655–66. and 2015: 2340–8.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Andersen BM, Bredrup Dahl L, Maltau JM, Group B Streptococcus and Pregnancy. The need for routine checks? Tidsskr Nor Legeforen. 1992;112:2866–8.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Money D, Allen VM. The prevention of early-onset neonatal group B streptococcal disease. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2013;35:e1–e10.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Verani JR, McGee L, Schrag SJ. Prevention of perinatal group B streptococcal disease. Revised guidelines from the CDC, 2010. MMWR. 2010;59:1–34.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Puopolo KM, Baker CJ. Group B streptococcal infection in neonates and young infants. UpToDate. Wolters Kluwer. 08 June 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Rupp ME, Fey PD. Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative staphylococci. In: Mandell, Douglas, Bennests, editors. Principles and practice of infectious diseases, 7th, 8th edn. London: Elsevier Chuchill Livingstone; 2010. p. 2579–89. and 2015: 2272–82.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Dong Y, Speer CP. Late-onset neonatal sepsis: recent development. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2014;0:F1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Patrick CH, John JF, Levkoff AH, et al. Relatedness of strains of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus colonizing hospital personnel and producing bacteremia in a neonatal intensive care unit. Pediatr Infect Dis. 1992;11:935–40.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Huebner J, Pier GB, Maslow JN, et al. Endemic nosocomial transmission of Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteremia isolates in a neonatal intensive care unit over 10 years. J Infect Dis. 1994;169:526–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Scheifele DW, Bjornson GL, Dyer RA, Dimmick JE. Delta-like toxin produced by coagulase-negative staphylococci is associated with neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis. Infect Immun. 1987;55:2268–73.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  54. Refsahl K, Andersen BM. Clinically significant coagulase-negative staphylococci: identification and resistance patterns. J Hosp Infect. 1992;22:19–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Orsi GB, Natale F, Ettorre G, et al. Mobile phone microbial contamination among neonatal unit healthcare workers. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2015;36:487–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Von Dolinger de Brito D, Silva H, Oliveira EJ, et al. Effect of neonatal intensive care unit environment on the incidence of hospital-acquired infections in neonates. J Hosp Infect. 2007;65:314–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Shiomori T, Miyamoto H, Makishima F, Yoshida M, Fujiyoshi T, Udaka T, et al. Evaluation of bedmaking-related airborne and surface methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination. J Hosp Infect. 2002;50:30–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Verstraete E, Boelens J, De Coeb K, et al. Healthcare-associated bloodstream infections in neonatal intensive care unit over a 20-year period (1992–2011): trends in incidence, pathogens, and mortality. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2014;35:511–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Semple A, O'Curráin E, O'Donovan D, Ní riain U, Moylett E. Neonatal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus surveillance and management practice: results of a National Irish survey. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2014;35:1438–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Morioka I, Yahata M, Shibata A, et al. Impact of pre-emptive contact precautions for outborn neonates on the incidence of healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus transmission in a Japanese neonatal intensive care unit. J Hosp Infect. 2013;84:66–70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Dijk Y, Bik EM, Hochstenbach-Vernooij S, et al. Management of an outbreak of Enterobacter cloacae in a neonatal unit using simple preventive measures. J Hosp Infect. 2002;51:21–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Prasad GA, Jones PG, Michael J, Garland JS, Shivpuri CR. Outbreak of Serratia marcescens infection in a neonatal intensive care unit. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2001;22:303–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Samuelsson A, Isaksson B, Hanberger H, Olhager E. Late-onset neonatal sepsis, risk factors and interventions: an analysis of recurrent outbreak of Serratia marcescens, 2006–2011. J Hosp Infect. 2014;86:57–63.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Promed-mail on 13 Mar 2007. Serratia marcescens, hospital, neonatal. Honduras.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Raymond J, Aujard Y, The European Study Group. Nosocomial infections in paediatric patients: a European multicenter prospective study. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2000;21:260–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Adderson EE, Boudreaux JW, Hayden R. Infections caused by Coryneform bacteria in paediatric oncology patients. Ped Infect Dis J. 2008;27:136–41.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hospital Infections, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    Bjørg Marit Andersen

  2. Faculty of Health and Social Science, University of South-Eastern Norway, Oslo, Norway

    Bjørg Marit Andersen

Authors
  1. Bjørg Marit Andersen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Andersen, B.M. (2019). Premature and New-Borns. In: Prevention and Control of Infections in Hospitals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99921-0_44

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99921-0_44

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-99920-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-99921-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation