Prevalence of viruses in stool of premature neonates at a neonatal intensive care unit. Issue 3 (22nd February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Naing, Zin; Rayner, Benjamin; Killikulangara, Ananthen; Vunnam, Krishna; Leach, Steven; McIver, Christopher J; Scott, Gillian M; Craig, Maria E; Lui, Kei; Rawlinson, William D
• Is Part Of: Journal of paediatrics and child health. Volume 49:Issue 3(2013:Mar.)
• Page Start: E221
• Page End: E226
• Publication Date: 2013-02-22
• Subjects: Children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12113
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1034-4810

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jpc12113-sec-9001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>Premature neonates represent a population highly vulnerable to infection. This study aims to profile viral colonisation of gut and the associated clinical manifestations among premature neonates admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Australia.</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12113-sec-9002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>In a cohort of 75 premature neonates born at less than 32 weeks gestation, who were followed for 4 weeks following admission to a NICU in Sydney, Australia, multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays were used to determine viral presence in stool, and clinical data were examined.</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12113-sec-9003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Overall, viral RNA or DNA was detected in 24/419 (5.7%) of specimens, including norovirus genogroup 2 (1.9%), enterovirus (1.2%), herpes simplex virus‐2 (1.2%), cytomegalovirus (0.7%), Epstein‐Barr virus (0.5%) and rotavirus (0.2%). Viral infection was detected in 13/75 (17%) of premature neonates at some time point, including five (7%) neonates shedding more than one type of virus in stool. A higher rate of infection was observed among premature neonates with intrauterine growth restriction (56%) compared with those infants born appropriate for gestational age (12%. <italic>P</italic> = 0.006).</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12113-sec-9004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>The overall viral detection rate in stool of 5.7% (affecting 17% of neonates) indicates viral infections are an important health risk for premature infants in NICU.</p> </sec> </abstract>