[Nosocomial infections in rooming-in system: results of a two-year study]

Nosocomial infections of 1356 mothers and their newborn have been analyzed and compared in three different regimens for postnatal care of newborn (rooming-in service, mixed service and central newborn nursery). The average nosocomial infection rate of mothers was significantly lower in the rooming-in service as compared to the newborn nursery. Most common nosocomial infections of mothers were urinary tract infections, endometritis, wound infection, enteritis and mastitis; in newborn enteritis, oral candida infections, panaritium, conjunctivitis and staphylococcus skin infections. Staphylococcal infection of newborn were higher in the newborn nursery as compared to the rooming-in service. Epidermic nosocomial infections (e.g. enteritis, candida infections) occurred more often in the newborn nursery as compared to the mixed system and rooming-in service. There was an increased risk of cross infections from mothers with wound infection, endometritis and mastitis to their children.