Microbial resistance in patients with healthcare-associated infections in pediatric intensive care

Introduction: The study of microbial resistance in healthcare-associated infections is very important in pediatrics since the immaturity of the cellular and humoral defense system in these patients prevents an optimal response of the immune system, facilitating the development of serious and/or irreversible complications. Aim: to determine the isolated germs and their resistance in patients with healthcare-related infections in the Intensive Care Unit. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Northern Children's Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, in the period between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020. Clinical and epidemiological variables were related to microbiological results. Results: In the study, male patients between 5 and 9 years of age predominated. 27.3% of the patients studied presented pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation. Of the 159 isolates performed, Klebsiella spp. and Acinetobacter spp. predominated. Staphylococcus aureus was more resistant to ceftriaxone, Streptococcus pneumoniae to ciprofloxacin, while coagulase-negative Staphylococcus to gentamicin. Conclusions: Microbial resistance is a challenge in patients admitted to pediatric intensive care units, where germs such as Klebsiella spp., Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most frequently isolated. There was a more pronounced pattern of resistance to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin by Gram-negative germs.