Pediatric Nosocomial Infections: A Critical Review of Literature with Special Emphasis on Importance of Surveillance Practices

Nosocomial infections (NIs) are known to increase the risk for patient morbidity and mortality in different healthcare settings and thereby to cause additional costs. NI rates vary widely between different patient populations, with the highest rates usually occurring in intensive care units (ICUs). This also applies to pediatric patients: patients treated in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) or pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) are at the highest risk for NIs. Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are the most common NIs in this setting, often leading to increased morbidity and mortality as well as long-term consequences, and also resulting in pain and suffering of the child and the family. Furthermore, prolonged need of hospitalization due to NIs may give rise to substantial additional costs. Surveillance of NIs has proved essential in infection control; by determining the baseline NI rates, changes in the rates can be detected and further measures introduced.