ABSTRACT
Objectives: We studied the profile of bloodstream infections (BSI) in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and identified predictors of mortality. Methods: The study collected data from hospital records for children younger than 18-years who developed BSI during their PICU stay between 2014 and 2019. Results: In 114 patients, 136 PICU-acquired BSIs with 152 pathogens were documented. The incidence of BSI was 47.12/1000 PICU admissions and 7.95/1000 PICU hospital days. Gram-negative rods accounted for 75% of isolates, Gram-positive cocci accounted for 21.7% of isolates, and fungi accounted for 3.3% of isolated pathogens. ICU mortality was observed in 25 (21.9%) patients with a BSI compared to 94 (3.1%) patients without a BSI (P<0.001). Hemodynamic instability (P=0.014, OR 4.10, 95%CI 1.33-12.66), higher blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (P=0.044), and lower albumin levels (P=0.029) were associated with increased risk of ICU mortality. Conclusion: BSI in the PICU is associated with increased mortality. Early identification and management of risk factors independently associated with poor clinical outcomes in these patients should be aimed to ensure improved survival.