Epidemiologic profile of nosocomial infections among paediatric patients in a referral hospital in Hamadan, west of Iran

Healthcare-associated infections (HC-AI) are major health problem with high financial impact. HC-AIs are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in paediatric hospitals. This study was performed to determine the epidemiology of HC-AIs in children admitted to medical wards of Besat Hospital in Hamadan, west of Iran. Data on cases of HC-AIs in paediatrics were collected from March 2017 to February 2018 in Besat Hospital. The medical records of eligible cases were extracted from Iranian Nosocomial Infections Surveillance Software. During the study period, a total of 355 HC-AIs in children were detected, 213 (60%) in boys and 214 (60.3%) in the 0–4-year age group. Of these, bloodstream infection was the most frequent infection in both age groups (37.38% in 0–4 years and 34.75% in 5–14 years). Escherichia coli was the common detected microorganism in girls (25.84% in those aged 0–4 years and 24.53% in 5–14 years), whereas Staphylococcus was more prevalent in boys (33.6% in those aged 0–4 years and 29.55% in 5–14 years). HC-AIs were more prevalent in burn, haematology and intensive care unit wards. In Besat Hospital, bloodstream infection and urinary tract infection were the most frequent infections among paediatric patients, and E. coli and Staphylococcus were the commonest detected microorganism in girls and boys respectively. Preventive activities should be targeted to reduce the rate of HC-AIs in wards associated with more contamination.