ACINETOBACTER-BAUMANNII COLONIZATION IN VENTILATED PRETERM INFANTS

The role of Acinetobacter baumannii in infections in ventilated preter m infants was evaluated in 15 colonized infants (11 male, 4 female) in a pediatric intensive care unit. These cases were randomly matched by birth weight and gestational age with ventilated non-colonized contro ls (8 male, 7 female). Case records were reviewed for signs and sympto ms of infection. Colonized infants were ventilated significantly longe r (p < 0.05) than controls, and had body temperatures of > 37 degrees C for a significantly longer period of time (p < 0.05). No other param eter of infection differed significantly between the groups. The durat ion of intensive care treatment did not differ between cases and contr ols, nor did the weight gain during intensive care treatment. No fatal ities occurred in either group.