The aim of this review is to discuss the local experience of Tuzla’s hospital staff and the knowledge needed to become a Baby-Friendly Hospital (BFH). We also discuss the risks of formula feeding. While breast milk is the natural modality of infant feeding, in Tuzla Canton, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life is only 12%. During the war of 1992-1995, which was the worst European atrocity since World War II and the worst set of events in the recent history of Bosnia-Herzegovina, we had the opportunity to learn more about the impact of breastfeeding on child health from Chloe Fisher, a renowned clinical specialist on infant feeding. The United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) held several seminars, about recommended practices and procedures needed to become a BFH. As a result, the Maternity Hospital was certified as a BFH in 2004 and has been operating with this status since then. While our Maternity Hospital and other related departments provided services and care of infants, many infant formula companies donated milk and organized conferences and other paediatric events to promote infant formula. This and other obstacles resulted in the fact that currently only 3 out of 7 mothers in our neonatology department breastfeed, and only 1 baby out of 7 is exclusively breastfed. Conclusion – Transforming a hospital in Baby-Friendly means, amongst other things, all professionals must provide breastfeeding management to ensure a long-term breastfeeding policy. The current low breastfeeding rate in our hospitals is the result of inconsistent policies in achieving long-term goals in breastfeeding practices.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence, mortality, risk factors, aetiology and the susceptibility to antibiotics of the bacteria responsible for sepsis. MATERIAL AND METHODS A single centre, prospective, observational study, involving 200 neonates admitted over 12 months to the NICU of the University Children's Hospital, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. RESULTS The crude incidence of all neonatal sepsis was 68.0% (136/200) and that of late-onset sepsis (LOS) was 48.5% (97/200), yelding an incidence density of LOS of 41.6/1000 patient days. LOS represented the most frequent infection and was significantly more frequent than early-onset sepsis (EOS) (71.3% versus 28.7% p<0.001). The overall mortality was 14.0%, and 18.4% among infected neonates. Risk factors associated with LOS were: mechanical ventilation, intravascular catheter, surgical procedures, birth weight ≤1500 g, gestational age ≤ 28 weeks and Apgar score ≤ 3 at 5 minutes. Culture proven sepsis developed in 43.4% of neonates. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis were the predominant bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria were susceptible to amikacin, imipenem and meropenem; gram-positive bacteria to vancomycin and amikacin. CONCLUSION Neonatal sepsis in our NICU showed a high incidence rate, and gram-negative bacteria were predominant. Low gestational age, mechanical ventilation and an intra-vascular catheter were significantly associated with sepsis. It is necessary to develop a multidisciplinary approach for routine surveillance of nosocomial infections, to improve the asepsis of therapeutic procedures, and to implement the more appropriate use of antibiotics.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of bacterial meningitis observed in neonates born in the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, admitted to Intensive care unit (NICU) or readmitted, because of suspected infection, after discharge from the nursery. SUBJECTS AND METHODS This study was carried out from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. During this period 4136 neonates were born. All neonates admitted to the Intensive care unit with signs and symptoms of systemic infections, and neonates readmitted to the Intensive care unit, after discharge from the nursery for sepsis work up were included in the study. RESULTS Eighteen of 200 neonates (9%) admitted or readmitted to the NICU developed meningitis. 61% cases were late onset meningitis. The overall incidence was 4.4/1000 live births. The mortality rate was 11.1%. The mean age of symptom presentation was 8.7 days. The most common clinical features were: fever, respiratory distress and jaundice. Significant risk factors for acquiring meningitis were: male gender, Caesarean delivery, stained amniotic fluid. Positive CSF finding were detected in 6/18 (33.3%) of cases. Gram-positive bacteria were more frequently responsible for confirmed meningitis. In all neonates with meningitis blood culture was examined and 5 (50%) yielded Gram-negative bacteria. CONCLUSION The high rates of neonatal meningitis with predominant late onset may suggest nosocomial origin. Measures to improve antenatal, intrapartum and delivery care and measures during NICU hospitalisation are necessary to lower the risk of nosocomial infections.

Objective – We present a case of osteoarthritis in a ten day old newborn who underwent aspiration and drainage on the fifth day after admission instead of on the first day . The aim of this case report is to describe the importance of a team approach and clinical management algorithms for the successful treatment of septic arthritis in newborns. Case report – We describe a 3580 g male baby, who underwent aspiration and drainage on the fifth day after admission to our Unit for septic arthritis of the right knee. After the surgical drainage of the joint, local signs of inflammation began to improve. Microbiological analysis did not reveal the causative agent. Conclusion – Septic arthritis requires early diagnosis, prompt administration of antibiotics and rapid removal of pus by surgical treatment, due to the possible development of serious and irreversible damage, and even lethal outcome. A team approach with treatment guidelines of septic arthritis in newborns is mandatory.

Objective – Outbreaks of sepsis caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in neonatal intensive care units have been reported, but rarely from our country. We describe such an outbreak in the Department of Paediatrics of the University Clinical Centre Tuzla in 2012 to investigate risk factors, the mode of transmission and to assess control measures. Setting – An 18 bed, level 3 neonatal intensive care unit in a university affiliated teaching hospital. Patients and methods – Seventeen neonates who developed multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii nosocomial infection were matched to 17 neonates who were admitted to the same unit without infections, during the outbreak period. Cases and controls were compared for possible risk factors (birth weight, gender, intubation, antibiotic use, etc.). Surveillance cultures were collected from health care personnel and the environment. Results – Six out of the 17 neonates (35.3%) died. Surveillance cultures were negative. Seventeen isolates from newborns had the same patterns of resistance. Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii was brought into the unit by an infected infant who was transferred from the neurosurgery hospital. Risk factors significantly associated with the infection were: incubator care (OR 6.66; p =0.034), exposure to a central venous catheter (OR 13.75; p=0.004), mechanical ventilation (OR 5.25;p =0.031) and exposure to a patient with Acinetobacter baumannii infection (OR 38.40; p =0.02). Conclusion – Surveillance cultures for all newborns transferred from other hospitals and isolation measures are important to prevent nosocomial infections and outbreak. Negative environmental and health care worker cultures have to be meticulously analyzed. Cohorting of affected newborns and nursing staff, contact isolation, and environmental cleaning are crucial to control the outbreak.