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Review
. 2004 Nov 27;329(7477):1277-80.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.329.7477.1277.

Infection in the preterm infant

William McGuire  1 , Linda Clerihew, Peter W Fowlie
Affiliations
Review

Infection in the preterm infant

William McGuire et al. BMJ. .
No abstract available

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Gram negative bacilli, particularly E coli, are an increasingly common cause of early onset infection in very low birthweight infants
Figure 2
Figure 2
A preterm infant may need invasive interventions, such as ventilation and vascular access, which may increase the risk of infection
Figure 3
Figure 3
Central venous catheters, often used to deliver parenteral nutrition to preterm infants, can act as a nidus for infection. This ultrasonogram shows a long line associated (infected) thrombus in the inferior vena cava (IVC)
Figure 4
Figure 4
If a blood sample of insufficient volume is obtained the result may be false negative. Skin contaminants in samples that have been taken inappropriately may give false positive results
Figure 5
Figure 5
The layout and organisation of the neonatal unit may have an important effect on infection control practices
Figure 6
Figure 6
Hand washing is a cornerstone of infection control
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Stoll BJ, Hansen N, Fanaroff AA, Wright LL, Carlo WA, Ehrenkranz RA, et al. Late-onset sepsis in very low birth weight neonates: the experience of the NICHD Neonatal Research Network. Pediatrics 2002;110: 285-91 - PubMed
    1. Stoll BJ, Hansen N, Fanaroff AA, Wright LL, Carlo WA, Ehrenkranz RA, et al Changes in pathogens causing early-onset sepsis in very-low-birth-weight infants. N Engl J Med 2002;347: 240-7 - PubMed
    1. Fanaroff AA, Korones SB, Wright LL, Verter J, Poland RL, Bauer O, et al. Incidence, presenting features, risk factors and significance of late onset septicaemia in very low birth weight infants. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1998;17: 593-8 - PubMed
    1. Saiman L, Ludington E, Pfaller M, Rangel-Fraustro S, Wilbin TR, Dawson J, et al. Risk factors for candidemia in neonatal intensive care unit patients. The National Epidemiology of Mycosis Survey Study Group. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2000;19: 319-24 - PubMed
    1. Adams-Chapman I, Stoll BJ. Prevention of nosocomial infections in the neonatal intensive care unit. Curr Opin Pediatr 2002;14: 157-64 - PubMed

MeSH terms