Abstract
Author(s): Thöni A, Mroczka W, Moroder L
Introduction. Recently numerous reports have informed on an aspect of increased infection risk connected with labour in water. The aim of the paper was to estimate water in labour bath for the presence of pathogenic microorganisms, as well as to compare infection index of neonates bone in water with those born in traditional way. Materials and methods. Material for bacteriological prospective estimation came from 300 labours. Every time two water samples were taken, the first one after filling the bath with running water (Sample A), the second one after labour in water (Sample B). Any symptoms of infection that occurred during neonates’ hospitalisation were documented by a paediatrician. Results. Generally in samples A presence of following bacteria was stated: in 29% Legionella, in 22% Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in 18% Enterococci, in 32% bacteria from coliforme group and in 8% Escherichia coli. After filters installation, water infection with Legionella was not found any more and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was presented only in 3% of total samples A. In samples B in 81% increase of bacteria from coliforme group and in 58 % increased titre of Escherichia coli were stated. Due to clinical and biological indexes of infection initialization in 1.15% of neonates born in water (14 from 1215) and in 2.30% of neonates bon in traditional way antibiotic was used. Conclusions. It is a fact that in the phase of tenesmus, defecation to water environment takes place and in the aftermath of that water contamination mainly by Escherichia coli and bacteria from coli family and insignificantly by bacteria Staphylococcus aureus occurs. Due to used system of running water filters, level of water contamination with Legionella and Pseudomonas was significantly reduced. As a consequence more frequent infections in neonates born in water in comparison with those born in traditional way were not observed.