A Bacteriologic Evaluation of Tracheal Cultures in Incubated Infants in NICU at Mashhad Bahman 22nd during 2006-2007

spite of the recent improvements in prenatal and postnatal cares, there is an increase of respiratory distress in premature newborns that need to be put on ventilators. Due to intratracheal intubation and ventilation systems, there is an increase of ventilator-associated infection among such neonates; thus, calling for more attention and evaluation. Accurate diagnosis and immediate treatment of these infections may decrease the onset of respiratory complications, the cost due to prolonged hospitalization, drug consumption and neonatal mortality. In spite of the recent improvements in prenatal and postnatal cares, there is an increase of respiratory distress in premature newborns that need to be put on ventilators. Due to intratracheal intubation and ventilation systems, there is an increase of ventilator-associated infection among such neonates; thus, calling for more attention and evaluation. Accurate diagnosis and immediate treatment of these infections may decrease the onset of respiratory complications, the cost due to prolonged hospitalization, drug consumption and neonatal mortality. This is a cross-sectional study. The sampling technique used for the study was easy and based on goals. The population of the study were selected among intubated newborns in neonatal intensive care of Bahman 22nd Hospital in Mashhad. The subjects were diagnosed for Respiratory Distresses (RDS) during the years 2006 to 2007. Tracheal culture was done and antibiograms were created for all the cases while changing the tube. Also, the results of blood culture, the number of tubes being changed, the duration of intubation and the number of suctions were studied. Having completed the information forms, the data were evaluated with SPSS software running Fisher test and K2. Among 100 neonates who were studied, 34 cases had positive tracheal culture. The organisms identified included: Coagulase positive staph (30%), C. Negative staph (23%) and E. coli (23%). The results of blood culture were positive in 6% of the cases. 40% of the subjects were suctioned 10-12 times a day and 60% of them were put on intubators 3-5 days and 50% of them had their tracheal tubes changed 3 to 4 times during hospitalization period. Repeated sterile suctioning as well as reducing the time of intubation and the number of tube changing diminished the formation of organism colonization in trachea.