[Nosocomial infections in a children's hospital. Results of a prospective study covering 3 1/2 years (author's transl)]

Abstract

The average nosocomial infection rate of 2,950 patients of a University Childrens Hospital (among them 672 patients of a newborn intensive care unit) was 16.4%. The most common infections were: of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (42%), upper respiratory tract infections (21.1%) gastrointestinal infections (12.6%) wound infections (6.8%), septicemia (5.6%) and pneumonia (3.3%). Bacterial species most commonly isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The prevention and control of hospital acquired infection is of utmost importance for the care of children in hospitals.