Children in Intensive Care Get New Infections

NEW YORK - A new study of pediatric patients has found that as many as 12 percent leave the intensive care unit with life-threatening infections acquired during their time in the hospital.

The national survey, which was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), noted that out of 512 children surveyed, there were 75 infections in 61 patients. The most prevalent infections were staphylococci, Candida spp, enterococci and pseudomonas aeruginosa.

These infections reportedly increase tripled the risk of death of non-infected children within four weeks of surgery. Children who had a catheter, IV or were on a ventilator were at an increased risk for infection.

Information from www.reuters.com