RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study risk factors for the occurrence of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) in children with sepsis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A nest case-control study was employed. According to intra-abdominal pressures (IAP) measured by cystometry, 119 children with sepsis were classified into normal IAP (control, n = 80) and IAH groups (n = 39). Risk factors for the occurrence of IAH were investigated by monovariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Monovariable analysis showed that there were significant differences in pediatric critical illness score (PCIS), procalcitonin (PCT) level, PaCO(2), blood lactate level, rates of intestinal or intra-abdominal infection, ascites, gastrointestinal dysfunction, mechanical ventilation, shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) between the IAH and control groups (P < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that decreased PCIS, MODS, shock, gastrointestinal dysfunction and ascites were major risk factors for the occurrence of IAH.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Children with sepsis who have decreased PCIS, MODS, shock, gastrointestinal dysfunction and ascites are at risk for the occurrence of IAH.</p>