Prevalence, Etiology, and Clinical Outcomes of Healthcare-Associated Infections in a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are becoming an ever more prominent concern within hospitals and global challenges which can increase the rate of mortality and morbidity, especially in children. This study aimed to survey the prevalence of HAIs in a referral children’s hospital in Iran, including their frequency, isolated bacteria, antibiotic resistance patterns, mortality rates, and length of hospital stay. Method: In this cross-sectional study, all pediatric patients hospitalized for more than 48 hours were surveyed, and patients confirmed with HAI were included. The information of patients was extracted from their records. Results: The prevalence of HAIs was 5%. Patients with HAIs experienced a significant increase in both mortality rates and length of hospitalization. The study also highlighted the prevalence of high-carbapenem-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii as major contributors to HAIs. Conclusion: This study highlights the significance of HAIs and their impact on patient mortality, as well as the duration of hospital stays. Furthermore, it is important to consider the antibiotic resistance of the causative pathogens.