THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF NOSOCOMIAL VIRAL INFECTIONS IN INFANTS WHO ARE LONG TERM RESIDENTS OF THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT.
Contributors: Indiana University School of Nursing.
Published: 1986
Number of pages: 156
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The host-microorganism-environment interaction model was applied in the prospective investigation of nosocomial viral infections in hospitalized premature newborns. The purposes were to describe the epidemiology of nosocomial viral infections and to determine the relationship of selected variables to the occurrence of viral infections. Forty-five newborns with a mean birth weight of 1114 grams and a mean gestational age of 28 weeks were cultured weekly for six months. Variables studied included length of stay, prematurity, nosocomial viral infections, compromised portals of entry, potential indicators of host resistance, and demographic characteristics of the sample.

Nosocomial viral infections were present in 22% of the sample. Rotavirus was identified as the responsible pathogen in all cases. Cytomegalovirus was detected in 7% of the newborns. It was not possible to determine the time of acquisition of the cytomegalovirus infections. Significant relationships between host and environmental variables measured and the occurrence of nosocomial viral infections were not identified (p $<$.01). Mean length of stay for newborns with nosocomial viral infections exceeded that of the control newborns (p $<$.01).

A major impact of nosocomial viral infections is an increased length of hospital stay with increased cost to the family. This observation was supported by the study. Further investigation is recommended to determine the relationship of host and environmental factors to nosocomial viral infections. Interventions to alter the caregiving environment of the newborn intensive care unit are not recommended at this point; however, nursing interventions aimed at decreasing length of stay are warranted.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-10, Section: B, page: 4237.

Thesis (D.N.S.)--INDIANA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING, 1986.

School code: 0815.