Frequency of healthcare-associated infection and its bacteriological pattern in the pediatric intensive care unit
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61529/idjp.v35i2.566Abstract
Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
Material and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pediatric Intensive Care and High Dependency Unit, Department of Pediatric Medicine, Dr Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi, from 1st November 2025 to 30th April 2026. Children aged 1 month to 12 years admitted to the PICU were enrolled through non probability consecutive sampling. In children with suspected HAIs, site specific samples were collected under strict aseptic technique. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 26.0, and p<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Among 139 PICU patients, 76 (54.7%) were males and 63 (45.3%) were females. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occurred in 36 (25.9%) patients, while mortality was observed in 26 (18.7%). Most participants were from urban areas (75.5%). The median PICU stay was 5 days (IQR: 3–6). No significant associations were found between HAI occurrence and gender (p=0.368), age group (p=0.437), or residence (p=0.591). Bloodstream infection was the most common HAI (33.3%), followed by ventilator-associated pneumonia (25.0%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated pathogen (25.0% of isolates). Overall, HAIs remained common among critically ill children, highlighting the importance of effective infection prevention strategies.
Conclusion: Healthcare associated infections represented an important burden in the PICU affecting nearly 1/4th of children. Bloodstream infection with HAI, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was the predominant pathogen isolated.
Keywords: Blood culture, Children, infection, Paediatric intensive care unit, Urinary tract infection
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