Nosocomial infections in neonatal units in Turkey: epidemiology, problems, unit policies and opinions of healthcare workers

In the last two decades, the survival rates of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants increased with the broad use of exogenous surfactant and new ventilation techniques. These preterm infants are one of the most vulnerable groups of patients for nosocomial infections (NIs) due to their immature immune system, necessary medical treatments, mechanical ventilation, and invasive procedures performed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Prolonged hospital stay with the decreasing gestational age also carries the risk of introduction of resistant hospital pathogens1-3. For the above reasons, as the survival rates of these infants increase, NIs become a greater concern in the NICU, with increased morbidity, mortality and treatment costs.