Aim: Multidrug-resistant infections are an increasingly common condition particularly in critical care units. This study aimed to determine the incidence and types of resistant bacteria acquired in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a university hospital.
Subject and methods: A prospective study was conducted during the year 2016. All children aged below 16 years were studied for infection development and pattern of susceptibility to various groups of antibiotics.
Results: A total of 264 patients were admitted to the PICU: 16 patients had community-acquired infection (CAI), 23 had hospital-acquired infection, and 24 patients had PICU-acquired infection (with 36 episodes) which is equivalent to 14.75 case/1,000 patient days. The study revealed high incidence of resistant organisms in the PICU but more important is the appearance of multi- and extreme drug-resistant bacteria in CAI. The study revealed that gram-negative bacteria were more prevalent in PICU, especially Klebsiella (30.5%), Acinetobacter baumanii (22.22%), and Pseudomonas (16.67%). Infection with resistant organisms in the PICU caused initial treatment failure and increased fourfold risk of mortality.
Conclusion: The incidence of resistant bacteria especially gram-negative pathogens was very high in the PICU. The top three resistant organisms of concern were Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas. This is a global concern that necessitates new strategies.
Keywords: antimicrobial; bacteria; microbial drug resistance; nosocomial infections; resistance.