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Nosocomial infections due to Acinetobacter baumannii in a pediatric intensive care unit in Turkey

Halil Ozdemir1, Tanil Kendirli, Hüseyin Ergün

  • 1Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.

The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
|October 11, 2011
PubMed

Insights

This study details Acinetobacter baumannii infections in a Turkish pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Multidrug-resistant strains were linked to longer stays and increased mortality in critically ill children.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatric Critical Care
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Acinetobacter baumannii is a significant cause of nosocomial infections, particularly in intensive care settings.
  • Pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) face challenges managing Acinetobacter baumannii due to its propensity for multidrug resistance.
  • Understanding the clinical profile and outcomes of Acinetobacter baumannii in pediatric populations is crucial for effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To document the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Acinetobacter baumannii infections in pediatric patients admitted to a PICU in Turkey.
  • To identify common diagnoses, risk factors, and underlying conditions associated with Acinetobacter baumannii infections in this cohort.
  • To assess the impact of these infections on length of stay and mortality rates within the PICU.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of pediatric patients diagnosed with Acinetobacter baumannii infections in a Turkish PICU.
  • Data collection included patient demographics, clinical diagnoses, risk factors (mechanical ventilation, catheters, antibiotic use), and underlying diseases.
  • Outcomes assessed included length of PICU stay and mortality rates.

Main Results:

  • The study included patients aged 1 month to 16 years, with a mean age of 55.5 months and a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.5.
  • Ventilator-associated pneumonia was the most frequent diagnosis (10 patients), followed by catheter-related bloodstream infections (4 patients).
  • Frequent risk factors included mechanical ventilation (93.3%), urinary catheters (93.3%), central venous catheters (73.3%), and broad-spectrum antibiotic use (80%). Neuromuscular and malignant disorders were common comorbidities.

Conclusions:

  • Nosocomial Acinetobacter baumannii infections in pediatric critical care are frequently multidrug-resistant.
  • These infections are associated with prolonged PICU length of stay.
  • Acinetobacter baumannii infections significantly increase mortality rates in critically ill pediatric patients.

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