Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 37 3 2008 09 15 107 112 AMK Jarousha Dept. of Laboratory Medicine, Al Azhar University, Gaza, Palestine IA Qouqa Dept. of Medical Technology, Military Medical Services, Gaza, Palestine AHN Jadba Dept. of Medical Microbiology, Al Dorra Pediatric Hospital, Gaza, Palestine AS Afifi Dept. of Medical Technology, Al Nasser Pediatric Hospital, Gaza, Palestine 2015 10 03 Background: To perform a prospective case control study of blood stream infection to determine the infection rate of Acine­tobac­ter baumannii and the risk factors associated with mortality. Methods:   From February 2004 to January 2005, 579 consecutive episodes of blood stream infection were obtained at two neo­na­tal intensive care units Al Nasser and Al Shifa hospitals in Gaza City. Forty (6.9%) isolates of A. baumannii were ob­tained from the neonates under 28 d. Most of the isolates (92%) were from hospitalized patients in the intensive care units. Results: Community acquired infection was 8%.  Sixty three percent of the patients were males. The isolates of A. bauman­nii were resistant to commonly used antibiotics while being sensitive to meropenem (92.5%), imipenem (90%), chloram­pheni­col (80%), ciprofloxacin (75%), gentamicin (57.5%), ceftriaxone (50%), amikacin (37.5%), cefuroxime and ce­fo­taxime (35%). Over all crude mortality rate was 20% with much higher crude mortality among patients with noso­co­mial infec­tion.  Based on logistic regression, the following factors were statistically significant: weight < 1500g, age < 7 d, mean of hospitalization equal 20 days, antibiotic use, and mechanical ventilation, when compared to the control group (P< 0.05). Conclusion:  Infection rate of nosocomial blood stream infection was considerable and alarming in neonatal intensive care unit infants and associated with a significant excess length of NICU stay and a significant economic burden.   https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2042 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/2042/2023