Infection and cross-infection in a paediatric gastro-enteritis unit

A two month study to investigate the incidence of nosocomial infection was conducted in a paediatric gastroenteritis ward of a black academic hospital. Enteric pathogens were identified on admission in 61 (47.2%) of 129 patients; 56 bacterial and 25 viral. Six per cent of patients had a combination of bacterial and viral pathogens. Enteric pathogens most frequently identified on admission were Campylobacter jejuni in 22%. Rotavirus in 19.3%, EPEC in 10.8% and Shigella spp. in 6.9% patients. Twenty six (20%) patients had more than 1 enteric pathogen. The nosocomial infection rate was recorded at 17.1%. EPEC occurred most commonly in 5.3% patients, Salmonella typhimurium in 4.6% and Shigella spp. in 2.3%. Nosocomial infections increased the mean length of hospital stay from 7.2-20.2 days. Contributory factors to the spread of nosocomial infection were the unsatisfactory methods of bathing patients and giving naso-gastric feeds.