Ventilator associated pneumonia and its outcome in children admitted at pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of VAP and its outcome in children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Children Hospital Multan, Pakistan. Period: February 2024 to July 2024. Methods: A total of 139 patients of both genders, ages 6 months to 12 years, admitted to the ICU for MV were included. All of the relevant information was noted, and the patients were followed until the final outcome, which included discharge from ICU or expiry. Results: In a total of 139 children, 87 (62.6%) were male. The mean age was 5.94±2.47 years. The development of VAP was observed in 45 (33.1%) patients. Age between 7 to 12 years (p=0.0158), and weight > 20kg (p=0.0053) were having significant association with the development of VAP. Age between 7-12 years (p<0.0001), female gender (p=0.0491), and weight > 20kg (<0.0001) were having significant association with mortality. Mortality was significantly associated with VAP (67.7% vs. 26.4%, p<0.0001), duration of MV > 7 days (p<0.0001), and duration of PICU stay > 10 days (p<0.0001). Conclusion: This study found a relatively high incidence of VAP in the PICU, with significant associations between VAP and age, weight, and mortality.