NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS IN PEDIATRICS

High incidence of nosocomial infections in children is partly explaine d by immunodeficiency, particularly in newborn. Frequency of infection s is correlated with the duration of hospitalization and inversely cor related with age. A rate of 1 day infection/100 days central catheter is common in neonatal wards. Coagulase negative staphylococci are the main pathogens involved in nosocomial infections. Others pathogens as Pseudomonas, enterobacteriaceae and Candida can be observed. These pat hogens are usually multiresistant and prognosis depends also of the pr esumptive antibiotherapy choice. Antibiotic regimen is choosen accordi ng to the age, immunologic status, presence of catheter or others prot hesis and antibiotic sensitivities of pathogens usually responsible of nosocomial infections in the hospital and ward. Tritherapy as the com bination of ceftazidime with vancomycin and aminoglycoside is commonly used and adapted after pathogen identification. Infection control pol icies, more than immunomodulator agents and antibiotic prophylaxis can decrease nosocomial infections rates.