Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prevention in Pediatric Patients: Narrative Review

Natália Antalová, Jozef Klučka, Markéta Říhová, Silvie Poláčková, Andrea Pokorná, Petr Štourač, Natália Antalová, Jozef Klučka, Markéta Říhová, Silvie Poláčková, Andrea Pokorná, Petr Štourač

Abstract

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), one of the most common healthcare-associated infections in intensive care settings, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. VAP is diagnosed in >10% of patients on mechanical ventilation, incidence rising with number of ventilator days. In recent decades, the pathophysiology of VAP, VAP risk factors and treatment have been extensively studied. In critically ill pediatric patients, mechanical issues such as insufficient tightness of the ventilator circuit (mainly due to historically based preference of uncuffed tubes) and excessive humidity in the circuit are both significant risk factors of VAP development. Protocol-based approaches to critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation, closed suctioning, upper body position, enteral feeding and selective gastric acid suppression medication have a beneficial effect on VAP incidence. In recent decades, cuffed tubes applied to the whole spectrum of critically ill pediatric patients (except neonates <2700 g of weight), together with cuff-oriented nursing care including proper cuff-pressure (<20 cm H2O) management and the use of specialized tracheal tubes with subglottic suction ports combined with close infraglottic tracheal suctioning, have been implemented. The aim of this review was to summarize the current evidence-based knowledge about the pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of VAP in clinically oriented settings.

Keywords: children; intensive care; pediatric; prevention; ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the article; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Endotracheal tube with a subglottic suction.

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