INVESTIGATION OF POSITIVE BLOOD CULTURES IN INFANTS ADMITTED TO NICU OF MUSTAFA-KHOMEINI HOSPITAL, ILAM

Infections are one of the most common causes of death in infancy. 2% of embryos and 10% of newborn infants are afflicted with infection during the first 6 months of life. Blood culture is one of the most important diagnostic methods in severe infections. The aim of this study was conducted investigate positive blood cultures in infants admitted to NICU of Mustafa-Khomeini Hospital, Ilam. The present descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in Mustafa-Khomeini Hospital Laboratory on all infants admitted to the NICU in May and September 2016 whose pediatricians requested a blood culture. For this purpose, required blood samples were collected. blood cultures were rapidly transferred to the laboratory, where it was transferred to the 37c° carburetor and the microbial examination was carried out. The interpretation of real and fake positive cases was conducted based on clinical and laboratory symptoms. The data collected were analyzed by SPSS version 18 through using descriptive-analytical statistics and chi-squared statistical test. 185 infants blood samples, of which 87 (47.1%) cases were boy and 98 (52.9%) cases were girl, were examined in the present study. The highest frequency of differential diagnosis of the type of microorganisms was related to Staphylococcus-Epidermidis and the lowest frequency was related to E.coli. The results of the present study are based on the high incidence of false positives in the blood culture of the neonates in the early stages, which impose huge costs on the therapeutic system, wasting time and manpower and worsening of the treatment process. Therefore, it is essential to establish better coordination between the clinical and laboratory departments and medical centers. It is also necessary to educate health personnel in order to collect blood sample with utmost precision and do their best to maintain proper blood stream. Keywords: Positive Blood Cultures, Infants, NICU, Ilam, Iran