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Impact of vancomycin-resistant enterococci colonization in critically ill pediatric patients

Murat Sutcu1, Hacer Akturk1, Manolya Acar1

  • 1Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.

American Journal of Infection Control
|January 20, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infections occurred in 10.2% of previously VRE-colonized children in the PICU. Long hospital stays and glycopeptide use increased VRE infection risk.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) colonization is a concern in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
  • Understanding VRE infection frequency and risk factors in colonized children is crucial for effective infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infection in previously VRE-colonized children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
  • To identify risk factors associated with the development of VRE infection among colonized pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective surveillance data from January 2010 to December 2014 in PICUs were reviewed.
  • A case-control study design was employed to analyze risk factors for VRE infection in VRE-colonized patients.
  • Logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Out of 1,134 PICU admissions, 108 patients (9.5%) were colonized with VRE.
  • Systemic VRE infections developed in 11 of the 108 colonized patients (10.2%), including bloodstream infections and urinary tract infections.
  • Long hospital stay (≥30 days) and glycopeptide use post-colonization were significant risk factors for VRE infection (OR 5.76 and 12.8, respectively).

Conclusions:

  • VRE colonization poses significant risks for pediatric patients in intensive care settings.
  • Implementing stringent infection control measures is essential to prevent VRE colonization and subsequent infections.
  • Restricting irrational antibiotic use, particularly glycopeptides, in VRE-colonized patients is recommended to mitigate infection risk.
Abstract

Keywords:
Vancomycin-resistant enterococcicolonizationinfectionpediatric intensive care unit

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