Healthcare-associated infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in pediatric
intensive care unit (PICU) patients. Critically ill children frequently require the
placement of invasive devices, such as central venous catheters, urinary catheters,
and endotracheal tubes. Each device increases a patient's risk of acquiring infection.
In this review, the diagnosis and management of common healthcare-associated infections
in the PICU is discussed. This review also examines several infection prevention strategies
used in the PICU.
Keywords
Healthcare-associated infection - central line-associated bloodstream infection -
ventilator-associated pneumonia - catheter-associated urinary tract infection - hospital-onset
respiratory virus infection
