The Relationship of Nosocomial Infection Reduction to Changes in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Rates of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether recent reductions in rates of nosocomial infection have contributed to changes in rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in a population-based cohort.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective, population-based cohort study that used the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative database from 2006 to 2013. Eligible infants included those less than 30 weeks' gestational age and less than 1500 g who survived to 3 days of life. Primary variables of interest were rates of nosocomial infections and BPD. Adjusted rates of nosocomial infections and BPD from a baseline period (2006-2010) were compared with a later period (2011-2013). The correlation of changes in rates across periods for both variables was assessed by hospital of care.

RESULTS: A total of 22 967 infants from 129 hospitals were included in the study. From the first to second time period, the incidence of nosocomial infections declined from 24.7% to 15% and BPD declined from 35% to 30%. Adjusted hospital rates of BPD and nosocomial infections were correlated positively with a calculated 8% reduction of BPD rates attributable to reductions in nosocomial infections.

CONCLUSIONS: Successful interventions to reduce rates of nosocomial infections may have a positive impact on other comorbidities such as BPD. The prevention of nosocomial infections should be viewed as a significant component in avoiding long-term neonatal morbidities.