Abstract

Nosocomial infections are one of the most important reason for late neonatal morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Neonatal nosocomial infections are highier than those in adult and pediatric intensive care units. Recent marked advances in intensive care conditiones have improved the survival rate of high risk babies, however neonates have also increase the frequency of invasive procedures. Because most of neonates in NICUs are premature and highly susceptible to infection due to immaturity of immune function and impaired defense mechanism, most of invasive procedures can easily cause the infections. Therefore, nosocomial infections are an important cause of high morbidity, mortality and health care costs in high risk neonates.

Key words: Newborn, nosocomial infection, sepsis