Abstract

The following two papers consider the problem of resistant staphylococcal infection in infants and young children. The strains of this organism which have become resistant to the common antibiotics are carried in the nasal passages especially of hospital personnel. In the nurseries for the newborn infections with such organisms may become epidemic, manifested as infections of the skin, subcutaneous tissues, lungs and/or blood stream. Many end fatally. Not infrequently the infections manifest themselves after the child has been discharged from the hospital. Strict aseptic technics, screening of personnel for carrier-states, and cleanliness in the hospital are the major prophylactic measures. The newer, albeit more toxic antibiotics, are the more successful in combating the infections with resistant staphylococci.