Hospital-acquired infections are one of the leading causes of preventable morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Known risk factors include birth weight, gestational age, severity of illness, length of stay, and invasive procedures. Infections result in prolonged hospital stays and, consequently, increased hospital costs. As advances in medical technology improve mortality in the very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, it is imperative that health care providers identify effective interventions to minimize the risks of hospital-acquired infections in the NICU. Several strategies are available and include: hand hygiene practices, prevention of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections, judicious use of antimicrobials for therapy and prophylaxis, enhancement of host defences, skin care and early enteral feeding with human milk.
Keywords: hospital-acquired infections, prevention, neonatal intensive care unit