Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
In Iraq, the true magnitude of the neonatal infection among newborns receiving care is not known as health system was badly eroded in the last two decades. This work was carried out to find factors associated with neonatal infection among newborns receiving care in intensive unit.
METHODS:
The records of a total of 723 neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive unit at Baghdad teaching hospital during the period Nov. 2003 to Oct. 2004 were reviewed. Information regarded birth weight, gestational age, medical history of the mothers, bacterial infections and management procedures were collected.
RESULTS:
Out of the total neonates, 9.3% had bacterial infection. Low birth weight, prematurity and prolonged rupture of membrane were factors significantly associated with bacterial infection (p = 0.001, 0.002 and 0.03, respectively). Oxygen therapy, invasive procedures, and the nasogastric tube (p = 0.01) were significantly associated with infection. S. aureus, enterbacter and E. coli were the commonest pathogens.
CONCLUSION:
The study provides useful information for future surveillance in association with preventive program as there were several factors associated with neonatal infection which could be prevented.