Infectión del torrente circulatorio en una unidad de neonatología de Medellín-Colombia, 2008-2009

Bloodstream infection (BS1) is one of the main causes of sepsis and death in newborns. The relative importance of nosocomial and non-nosocomial agents in developing countries is not clear. We conducted a prospective study of newborns hospitalized with a first episode of BS1 in order to classify it as early, late or nosocomial, describe the clinical and microbiological charateristics, and explore risk factors between hospital-acquired vs community-acquiered BS1 (HA-BS1 vs CA-BS1). Twenty-seven newborns with a first episode of BS1 were identified. Streptococcus agalactiae and coagulase negative Staphylococcus were the main agents in CA-BS1 and HA-BS1, respectively. The only significant intrinsic risk factor between HA-BS1 and CA-BS1 was gestational age. The frequent finding of S. agalactiae warrants routine screening and prophylaxis in pregnant women. The risk factors for HA-BS1 were mostly extrinsic, and thus, susceptible of being modified.