Abstract
Background:
Nosocomial infections increase mortality rate in neonates. Studies have attributed the use of H2 blockers as one of the various factors that increase the risk of nosocomial infections.Objectives:
To define the relationship between nosocomial infection and Ranitidine in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants admitted in the NICU of a tertiary care hospital.Patients and Methods:
All VLBW infants admitted during the study period of 3 years from April 2008 to March 2011 were included. All relevant pre-and peri-natal data including all administered medications was collected from the case notes and documented on a pre-designed questionnaire. Rate of nosocomial infection (NI) had been compared between patients who were administered Ranitidine and those who did not receive this medication.Results:
During the study period, 564 VLBW infants were admitted in the NICU; 157, (27.8%) contracted nosocomial infections, 130 (82.8%) developed pneumonia, 21, (13.4%) had sepsis with positive blood cultures and 6 infants (1.1%) developed necrotizing enterocolitis. Factors remaining independently significant for development of NI after adjustment were as follows: RDS (P = 0.001. OR = 3.29; 95%CI = 1.646.6); CLD (P < 0.001. OR = 3.83; 95%CI = 2.067.11); anemia (P = 0.005. OR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.23-3.13); use of Ibuprofen (P = 0.03. OR = 1.99; 95%CI = 1.06-3.74), and treatment with Ranitidine (P = 0.009, OR = 1.92, 95%CI = 1.18-3.12).Conclusions:
Use of Ranitidine was associated with a significantly increased risk of nosocomial infections in VLBW infant.Keywords
Cross Infection Infant Very Low Birth Weight Ranitidine Risk Factors Intensive Care Units Neonatal
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