ABSTRACT
Objectives To determine the risk factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the pediatric intensive care unit and to explore effective strategies to reduce the morbidity of VAP. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 455 children admitted into the PICU of Hunan Children's Hospital from June 2014 to June 2017. The 455 children were divided into VAP group (n=43) and non-VAP group (n=412). The incidence of VAP was identified and risk factors were compared using the logistic regression analysis via SPSS 19.0 software.Results There were 311 males and 144 females with a median age of 11 months old (29 days to 9 years and 4 months). The incidence of VAP was 9.45% (43/455). Congenital laryngeal and trachea malformation with pulmonary infection was the first reason for the occurrence of VAP (23.3%), followed by congenital heart diseases with pulmonary infection (18.6%). Via univariate analysis, types of endotracheal intubation (χ2=45.33, P<0.001), duration of mechanical ventilation (Z=1.21, P=0.034), re-intubation (χ2=20.22, P=0.004), early usage of antibiotics (χ2=4.98, P=0.026),and methods of nutritional support(χ2=10.15,P=0.006)were identified as risk factors of VAP in the pediatric intensive care unit patients (P<0.05). Based on the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the followings were all independent predictor for VAP:types of endotracheal intubation(OR=1.87,95%CI:1.48~9.75),duration of mechanical ventilation(OR=1.14, 95%CI:1.08~2.35), re-intubation (OR=3.42, 95%CI:1.26~5.57), early usage of antibiotics (OR=4.55, 95%CI:2.21~8.77). Conclusions Many risk factors were found related with the occurrence of VAP. A comprehensive analysis of the host factors and iatrogenic factors should be conducted. Rational use of antibiotics and daily assessment of extubation might help reduce the incidence of VAP.