Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infection in Neonates.

Kim,  Ellen A

doi:2013.20.3.354

Neonatal Med > Volume 20(3); 2013 > Article

Review

Neonatal Medicine 2013;20(3):354-360.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5385/nm.2013.20.3.354 Published online October 29, 2013.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infection in Neonates.

Ellen A Kim

Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. arkim@amc.seoul.kr

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is composed of 80% of isolated Staphylococcus aureus in intensive care units and has become a threat to critically ill population including neonates not only in Korea. A key to success in eradicating MRSA infection within neonatal intensive care unit involves formulating an infection control guideline that is sustainable under the support of senior leader and day to day leader. When decolonization is done with mupirocin, judicious use of mupirocin should be done due to prevalance of mupirocin resistant MRSA strains found in Korea especially in the community hospitals. Implementing an effective infection control strategies to eradicate MRSA among neonatal population in Korea must include medical facilities in the community.

Key Words: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Neonates; Infection; Colonization; Prevention