Oral care in a neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Objective: Compare the oral colonization profile of premature infants admitted at NICU before and after doing oral care routine with sterile water versus no intervention.

Methods: It was a randomized clinical trial composed of 37 premature infants admitted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with a birth weight (BW) <1500 g. They were distributed in two groups: the study group (SG) with 15 patients who received an oral hygiene with sterile water; and a control group (CG) (no intervention) formed by 22 patients. Primary outcome was oral colonization profile before and after doing oral care.

Result: In the study group, the number of patients colonized by the Gram-positive bacteria at the beginning of the study was 53% versus 40% at the end (p=0.10). For Gram negative, 40% at the study’s beginning versus 60% at the end (p=0.18). In the control group, the number of colonized patients for the Gram-positive bacteria at the onset of the study was 54.5% versus 32% patients at the end (p=0.24). For Gram negative, 32% patients at the start of the study versus 77% at the end (p = 0.003).

Conclusion: There is a significant increase of the Gram-negative flora in those patients without oral care.

Keywords:

• Infection
• newborn
• oral care
• prematurity
• sepsis

Acknowledgements

Special mentions to the nursing staff of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Hospital 12 de Octubre (Madrid, Spain) and to the parents of all premature infants who participated in the study. This research has been conducted, thanks to their collaboration and help.

Declaration of interest

We declare there is not any competing financial or conflict of interest in relation to the work herein described.

This material is an original research, has not been previously published and has not been submitted for publication elsewhere while under consideration. There is not conflict of interest. There are not any competing financial interests in relation to this work.