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Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
04:32

Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia

Published on: June 28, 2018

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in a tertiary paediatric intensive care unit: a 1-year prospective observational

Anil Gautam1, Subodh S Ganu, Oliver J Tegg

  • 1The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia. anilgautam2005@rediffmail.com

Critical Care and Resuscitation : Journal of the Australasian Academy of Critical Care Medicine
|December 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in children leads to longer hospital stays. Enteral feeding and stress ulcer prophylaxis significantly reduce VAP risk in intubated patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Intensive Care
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a significant concern in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
  • Understanding VAP incidence, risk factors, and impact is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence, risk factors, and impact of VAP in a mixed tertiary pediatric intensive care unit.
  • To identify protective measures against VAP in mechanically ventilated children.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective observational study was conducted in a mixed tertiary PICU.
  • Patients mechanically ventilated for over 48 hours were assessed daily for VAP diagnosis.
  • Potential risk factors were documented, and statistical analyses were performed.

Main Results:

  • The VAP incidence density was 7.02 per 1000 intubation days among eligible patients (6.7% incidence).
  • VAP was associated with significantly longer ICU stays (19.35 vs 7.35 days), ventilation durations (11.99 vs 4.92 days), and hospital stays (35.5 vs 20 days).
  • Enteral feeding and stress ulcer prophylaxis were independently associated with reduced VAP incidence (HR 0.27 and 0.29, respectively).

Conclusions:

  • VAP in children is linked to substantial morbidity and prolonged hospitalizations.
  • Enteral feeding and stress ulcer prophylaxis are protective factors against VAP in intubated children.
  • These findings support the implementation of these interventions to mitigate VAP risk in PICUs.
Abstract

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