Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2026

A Detailed Protocol for Physiological Parameters Acquisition and Analysis in Neurosurgical Critical Patients
Published on: October 17, 2017
Infectious complications and duration of intracranial pressure monitoring
Insights
Infectious complications from intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring in children with acute brain injury decrease over time. Infection risk is highest early, suggesting insertion time is key.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neurocritical Care
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is crucial for managing acute brain injury in children.
- The risk of infectious complications associated with prolonged ICP monitoring requires careful evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the relationship between the duration of ICP monitoring and the incidence of infectious complications in pediatric patients.
- To analyze infection risk trends over the course of ICP monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 65 children with acute brain injury undergoing ICP monitoring.
- Tracking the duration of ICP monitor placement and occurrence of infectious complications.
- Calculating infection rates per 100 monitor-days.
Main Results:
- Nine infections occurred between days 2 and 11 of monitoring.
- The overall infection risk was 1.5 per 100 monitor-days.
- Infection risk and the percentage of infected monitors decreased significantly after day 6.
Conclusions:
- The declining risk of infection over time suggests that contamination often occurs during monitor insertion.
- Prolonged use of a single ICP monitor, without routine reinsertion, may reduce infection risk.
- A protocol for single ICP monitor use, with reinsertion only for malfunction or infection, is supported.
Abstract:
We studied 65 children with acute brain injury to determine how the risk of infectious complications changed with duration of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. More than half of the 72 monitors inserted in these patients were in place at least 7 days (range 1 to 28). Nine infections occurred on days 2 through 11. The overall risk was 1.5 infections per 100 monitor-days. After day 6 the risk of subsequent infection diminished, as did the percent of monitors which subsequently became infected. The declining risk of infection over time suggests that infection is introduced at the time of monitor insertion. These findings justify a protocol in which a single ICP monitoring device is used as long as necessary, with reinsertion of a new monitor only if a malfunction occurs, or if daily surveillance cultures demonstrate an infection. Routine reinsertion of a new monitor might increase risk by unnecessarily re-exposing the patient to contamination at the time of insertion.
Related Concept Videos
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology
Brain Abscess l: Introduction
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology

