Infection risk factors in pediatric cardiac surgery

Cardiac operations were preformed in 499 children from January 1998 through December 1999. Their median age was 263 days. A positive culture from blood, bronchoalveolar lavage, wound, or central catheter was obtained in 110 patients (22%). Age, sex, presence of pulmonary hypertension, body surface area, ratio of body surface area to oxygenator surface area, whether heart surgery was open or closed, and the duration of the operation, cardiopulmonary bypass, intubation, and intensive care were analyzed. Patients who developed infections were significantly younger, with smaller body surface areas and disparity with the oxygenator surface area, longer operative and bypass times, extended intubation, and prolonged intensive care. There was a significant correlation between infection and pulmonary hypertension. Sex and type of operation were not predictors of infection.