Introduction
Hospitalized children are at a greater risk for HAIs because of the severity of illness and immature immune systems. The prevalence of HAI ranged from 3.5%-12% and 5.7%-19.1% in developed and Low-and Middle-Income Countries, respectively. Most common types of HAIs includePneumonia (21.8%), surgical site infections (SSI) (21.8%), gastrointestinal infections (17.1%), urinary tract infections (12.9%), and primary bloodstream infection (PBSI) (9.9%). Most of them; caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. The patient's environment serves as a major reservoir of microorganisms so it is extremely important to undertake actions to protect patients from the negative health effects of the hospital environment.
Aim
Describe the prevalence, clinical and microbiological characteristicsof the healthcare-associated infections among children admitted to Alexandria University Children's Hospital.
Subjects and Methods
This cross-sectional observational study was conducted during six-month period on children admitted to pediatric wards and PICU from the first of March to the first of September, 2019. The children admitted during this period were followed on daily basis by resident doctors and infection control nurse for the development of symptoms and signs of HAIs based on clinical and laboratory criteria of the CDC case definitions for HAIs. Clinical data were collected from each HAI confirmed case and detailed characteristics of each HAI episode were described. Bacteriologic cultures from different sites were collected on suspecting HAI andisolated organisms were identifiedand tested for antibiotic Susceptibility using the guidelines of Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).