Infection control practices in the NICU: What is evidence-based?

Nosocomial infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients. Neonates, particularly those who are preterm and low birth weight, are at higher risk of acquiring infections compared with term and older infants. As a result, many interventions have been established in the NICU to attempt to decrease the infants' risk of acquiring infection. Over time, various interventions have been adopted as "standard of care," but other practices vary substantially from one unit to another. This review examines several infection prevention strategies used in the NICU and reviews the literature related to such practices. Evidence-based recommendations are made when supportive scientific evidence is available for this specific patient population.