Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Microinjection of CRISPR/Cas9 Protein into Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Embryos for Gene Editing
Published on: January 20, 2018
Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcome in Paediatric Intensive Care Units at Cairo
Yasmine S Galal1, Meray Rene L Youssef2, Sally K Ibrahiem2
1Faculty of Medicine, Departments of Public Health and Community Medicine, Cairo University , Egypt .
Insights
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) affected 31% of pediatric patients, with higher risks in younger, comatose, or critically ill patients. Key risk factors included prior antibiotic use and reintubation, leading to significantly higher mortality.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients.
- Limited data exist on VAP in pediatric populations, particularly in developing countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of VAP in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
Main Methods:
- A prospective study of 427 mechanically ventilated patients in two PICUs over one year.
- Daily monitoring for VAP, with comprehensive data collection on patient characteristics and clinical factors.
Main Results:
- VAP incidence was 31%, with an incidence density of 21.3 per 1000 ventilator days.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter, and MRSA were the most common pathogens.
- Independent predictors of VAP included multi-organ failure (MOSF), prior antibiotic use (>48h), reintubation, coma, and younger age.
- Mortality was significantly higher in VAP patients (68.2%) compared to non-VAP patients (48.5%).
Conclusions:
- VAP incidence in this PICU cohort was high.
- Identifying risk factors like MOSF, prior antibiotic use, reintubation, coma, and age is crucial for prevention.
- Strict infection control, appropriate antibiotic stewardship, and staff training are essential to improve outcomes.
Introduction:
Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is a major cause of hospital morbidity, mortality and increased health care costs. Although the epidemiology, pathogenesis and outcome of VAP are well described in adults; few data exist regarding VAP in paediatric patients, especially in developing countries.
Aim:
To determine the incidence, risk factors and outcome of VAP in two Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) at Cairo University Hospital.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 427 patients who received Mechanical Ventilation (MV) were included in this prospective study during the period from September 2014 till September 2015. Patients were observed daily till VAP occurrence, discharge from the unit or death, whichever came first. Demographic, clinical characteristics, laboratory results, radiographic and microbiological reports were recorded for all patients.
Results:
Nearly 31% patients developed VAP among the entire cohort. The incidence density was 21.3 per 1000 ventilator days. The most frequently isolated organisms from VAP patients were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (47.7%), Acinetobacter (18.2%) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (14.4%). VAP patients were significantly younger than non-VAP ones. The incidence of VAP in comatose patients and those with MOSF was significantly higher. Prior antibiotic use for > 48 h before MV, supine body positioning and reintubation were significantly associated with VAP. On multiple logistic regression analysis, MOSF; prior antibiotic use > 48h; reintubation; coma; and age remained independent predictors of VAP. Mortality rate among the VAP group was significantly higher compared to the non-VAP one (68.2% vs. 48.5%, p<0.001). Survival curve analysis showed a shorter median survival time in VAP patients.
Conclusion:
Identification of risk factors and outcome of VAP in PICUs may help in reducing the incidence and improving patients' outcomes. The incidence of VAP in this study was relatively high. The most prominent risk factors for occurrence of VAP were MOSF, prior antibiotic use for > 48 h before MV, reintubation, coma and age. Proper use of antibiotics before MV in PICUs is essential. Also, adequate training of nurses and strict supervision of infection control protocols are crucial. Lack of a gold standard for the diagnosis of VAP and difficulty in sampling procedures were among the study limitations.
More Related Videos
04:09Development and Characterization of Fusidic Acid-Loaded Alginate-Aloe vera Based Hydrogel FilmWound Healing
Published on: December 13, 2024
11:17A Simple Fractionated Extraction Method for the Comprehensive Analysis of Metabolites, Lipids, and Proteins from a Single Sample
Published on: June 1, 2017