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Risk factors for sternal wound and other infections in pediatric cardiac surgery patients

P A Mehta1, C K Cunningham, C B Colella

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|October 31, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric cardiac surgery patients face significant infection risks. Identifying risk factors like lower age and longer hospital stays can improve prevention and treatment strategies for sternal wound infections.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric cardiac surgery
  • Infectious disease epidemiology
  • Surgical site infections

Background:

  • Infections pose a significant threat to pediatric cardiac surgery patients.
  • Understanding infection incidence, pathogens, and risk factors is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence, pathogens, and risk factors for sternal wound and other infections in children undergoing cardiac surgery.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of pediatric cardiac surgeries (1996-1998).
  • Analysis focused on patients undergoing sternotomy to identify risk factors for sternal wound infection.
  • Comparison of infected vs. non-infected patients for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors.

Main Results:

  • Sternal wound infection occurred in 5% of pediatric cardiac surgery patients (10/202).
  • Risk factors included younger age, higher American Society of Anesthesiologist score, longer preoperative stay, ventilation, inotropic support, and hospital stays.
  • Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen; other infections included pneumonia, UTI, and bacteremia.

Conclusions:

  • Infections remain a major cause of morbidity in pediatric cardiac surgery.
  • Identifying specific risk factors aids in developing targeted preventive and treatment strategies for high-risk children.
Abstract

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