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Published on: June 24, 2020
Colonization and infection in the newborn infant: Does chlorhexidine play a role in infection prevention?
Lizeth Ortegón1, Marcela Puentes-Herrera2, Ivohne F Corrales3
1Universidad del Rosario, Programa de Neonatología, Bogotá, Colombia.
Insights
Healthcare-associated infections pose risks for newborns, especially preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units. This review explores colonization changes and chlorhexidine
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Infectious diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant concern in newborn infants, leading to high morbidity, mortality, and long-term issues.
- Preterm infants exhibit altered skin and gut colonization patterns compared to term infants.
- Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission increases exposure to nosocomial microorganisms for vulnerable infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review normal microbial colonization in neonates.
- To examine colonization changes during hospitalization and in preterm infants.
- To assess the role of chlorhexidine in preventing resistant microorganism transmission and its side effects in NICU neonates.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on neonatal colonization.
- Analysis of factors influencing microbial changes in hospitalized and preterm infants.
- Evaluation of chlorhexidine's efficacy and safety in the NICU setting.
Main Results:
- Hospitalization and prematurity significantly alter neonatal microbial colonization.
- Chlorhexidine shows potential in reducing resistant microorganism transmission.
- Understanding side effects of chlorhexidine in neonates is crucial.
Conclusions:
- Altered colonization in preterm infants increases infection risk.
- Chlorhexidine may be a valuable tool for HAI prevention in NICUs.
- Further research on chlorhexidine's safety and efficacy in neonates is warranted.
Abstract:
Healthcare-associated infections are a major problem in newborn infants, considering their high morbidity, mortality, and long-term sequelae. In preterm infants, it has been shown that skin and gastrointestinal tract colonization undergoes variations compared to healthy term infants, and that preterm infants are more exposed to nosocomial microorganisms given their higher probability of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit where they are cared for. This document reviews normal colonization, the changes observed during hospitalization, prematurity, and the potential role of chlorhexidine in the prevention of resistant microorganism transmission, as well as its side effects in newborn infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.
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