When Ventilator-Associated Pneumonias Haunt Your NICU—One Unit’s Story

IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM, LEVEL III NICUs are increasingly caring for low birth weight (LBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. This subpopulation represents a most fragile and vulnerable group that is subject to numerous complications. An ever-important concern is the development of health care– associated infections. This article focuses on the occurrence and prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia, better known as VAP, which is an infection of the lung occurring in patients who are being mechanically ventilated at the onset of the infection or have been mechanically ventilated within 48 hours of its onset.¹