Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia in Pediatric Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Background:Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the leading cause of antibiotic use in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Given its high prevalence and significant treatment costs, there is a pressing need for comprehensive epidemiological and clinical investigations into this condition. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of VAP and its association with factors such as age, sex, and the initial diagnosis in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in the intensive care units (ICU).Materials and Methods:In this study, VAP cases were initially diagnosed based on the clinical and radiological criteria established by the department of pediatric (CDC). Subsequently, the frequency of VAP-associated pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance profiles were assessed in samples obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids.Results:Among 119 children who received mechanical ventilation in the ICU of Imam Hossein Hospital, 49 (41.2) were diagnosed with VAP. Gram-negative organisms were the most common pathogens, with Acinetobacter (30.6), Klebsiella (18.4), and Pseudomonas (10.2) being the most prevalent. The mortality rate among VAP patients (38.8) was comparable to that of non-VAP patients (38.7).Conclusion:Patients with VAP had significantly longer durations of mechanical ventilation, ICU stay, and overall hospitalization.