Risk factors associated to neonatal cross-infection

Late-onset sepsis (occurring after 3 days of age) either cross-infection (CI) or perinatal is the first cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) around the world. Our objective was to determine the current incidence of CI risk factors in neonates admitted to the NICU of the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara during a 9-month period. A case-control study with 114 newborns; 38 with CI and 76 controls. Odds ratio with 95 % confidence interval were calculated. Associated risk factors were total parenteral nutrition (OR = 16.54, CI = 6.30-43.39, p < 0.001); weight < 1000 g (OR = 7.33, CI = 2.15-25.01, p < 0.001); intravascular catheter (OR = 6.79, CI = 2.68-17.00, p < 0.001); gestational age < 30 weeks (OR = 4.54, CI = 1.61-12.81, p < 0.003); intratracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation with (OR = 6.98, CI = 2.94-16.5, p < 0.001). Total parenteral nutrition and weight < 1000 g showed the greatest association with cross-infection; in this study, male gender was not a risk factor.