Bacteriology and Infectious Diseases

Infections contribute to significant morbidity and mortality in NICU. NICU population is vulnerable for infections because of immaturity of the immune system, need for invasive devices, delayed enteral feeding and multiple encounters with humans. Infections in NICU are classified as; congenital, perinatal, early neonatal sepsis and hospital-acquired infection. Early and

late neonatal and sepsis is preventable and reduceable provided certain measures are strictly and consistently implemented. Causative organisms of NICU infections are either related to the mother birth canal or commensal. Premature babies are in particular susceptible with higher mortality and morbidity rate comparing to term babies. Usage of antibiotics in NICU is high

and mostly for culture negative sepsis or empirical for presence of maternal or newborn risk factor.