[Risk factors for nosocomial infection in pediatric burn patients]

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine risk factors associated with nosocomial infections in children hospitalized for skin burn.

Study design: Prospective study including children hospitalized for skin burn.

Methods: We collected demographic characteristic, mode of admission, mechanism of burn, extent of burn surface by the tables of Lund and Browder, depth of the lesions according to clinical criteria and evolution, type of invasive care (urinary catheterization, central catheterization or mechanical ventilation), nosocomial infection and its time of occurrence, prescription of empirical antibiotic therapy and evolution during hospitalization. The criteria for "American Burn Association" were used to define a severe burn in children.

Results: One hundred eighty-two children were included. In univariate analysis, six risk factors were significantly associated with the occurrence of nosocomial infection: extent of burn surface, severe burn, urinary catheterization and its duration and central catheterization and its duration. Extent of burn surface greater than 10% of total body surface is an independent factor of the occurrence of nosocomial infection (P=0.009) in Multivariate analysis.

Conclusion: In our study, extent of burn surface greater than 10% of total body surface is as an independent risk factor for the occurrence of nosocomial infection.