Multistate Outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia Complex Bloodstream Infections After Exposure to Contaminated Saline Flush Syringes: United States, 2016-2017.

Background: Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) has caused healthcare-associated outbreaks, often in association with contaminated products. The identification of 4 Bcc bloodstream infections in patients residing at a single skilled nursing facility (SNF) within 1 week led to an epidemiological investigation to identify additional cases and the outbreak source.

Methods: A case was initially defined via a blood culture yielding Bcc in a SNF resident receiving intravenous therapy after 1 August 2016.

Increasing illness severity in very low birth weight infants over a 9-year period.

Background: Recent reports have documented a leveling-off of survival rates in preterm infants through the 1990's. The objective of this study was to determine temporal changes in illness severity in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in relationship to the outcomes of death and/or severe IVH.

Methods: Cohort study of 1414 VLBW infants cared for in a single level III neonatal intensive care unit in Delaware from 1993-2002.

Is infant mortality in Delaware truly increasing? Evidence for increasing illness severity and shift to fetal deaths and previable births.

The infant mortality rate, considered an important proxy for societal health, has been recently rising in Delaware. In fact, in 2001, Delaware's infant mortality rate (10.1/1,000 births) was the highest in the country.