Identifying Risk Factors for Healthcare-Associated Infections Caused by Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Objectives: Acinetobacter baumannii is a causative pathogen of various healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and is particularly prevalent in high-risk hospital settings. This study aimed to determine risk factors associated with HAIs caused by carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: This prospective study was performed between January 2013 and June 2014 among NICU patients at the Mansoura University Children’s Hospital, Mansoura, Egypt. Neonates who developed HAIs due to CRAB were assigned to a case group, while those infected with carbapenem-sensitive A. baumannii (CSAB) were assigned to a control group. Results: Among the 124 neonates who developed A. baumannii-caused HAIs during the study period, 91 (73.4%) were caused by CRAB and 33 (26.6%) were caused by CSAB. Prematurity, premature rupture of the membranes (PROM), a previous stay in another hospital, prolonged NICU stay, the presence of invasive devices, previous exposure to carbapenems or aminoglycosides and prolonged antibiotic therapy before infection were significantly associated with CRAB-caused HAIs. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified prematurity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 25.3; P <0.01), mechanical ventilation (aOR = 18.9; P <0.01) and the previous use of carbapenems (aOR = 124.7; P <0.01) or aminoglycosides (aOR = 22.6; P = 0.04) to be independent risk factors for CRAB infections. Conclusion: Various risk factors were significantly associated with CRAB-caused HAIs among the studied NICU patients.