Healthcare-Associated Infections in COVID-19 Patients in a Tertiary Care Pediatric Hospital
Gamiño-Arroyo Ana Estela, Ortega Riosvelasco Fernando, Mejía Rosales Pedro Arturo, Medina Pelcastre Marisol, Rosas Mateos Isabel, Ramírez Fuentes Lorena, Beristain Díaz Marisol, Laurel Apaez Alejandra, Ramírez Vela Nancy, Prado-Galbarro Francisco Javier, Guerra de Blas Paola del Carmen, Pérez Campos Itzel StellaAbstract
Background
During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) was reported. There are reports of incidence of 46% and ventilator-associated pneumonia at 50% due to the higher number of patients requiring intensive care and the use of invasive devices (1). In a cross-sectional analysis of more than 5 million hospitalizations between 2020 and 2022, catheter-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia were found to be 2.7 to 3.7 times higher in the COVID-19 population (2). Additionally, there is evidence indicating that during the pandemic, HAIs caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria increased (3).
Methods
A retrospective and observational study was conducted. Active surveillance of HAIs was carried out, and cases were recorded and analyzed. The period of study spanned from March 2020 to January 2024. The studied population included pediatric patients under 18 years of age who were hospitalized in a tertiary care pediatric hospital with COVID-19.
Results
Out of 455 COVID-19 admissions from the community to the hospital, 17 HAIs were detected in 16 patients from the start of the pandemic until January 2024, resulting in a prevalence of 3.7%. One patient had two HAIs. Both sexes were equally affected. The mean age was 9 years (range 2 months to 17 years).
Conclusions
Compared to patients without COVID-19 in the hospital and other hospitals, a lower rate of HAIs was observed in pediatric patients. The hospital was designated as a COVID hospital from the start of the pandemic, implementing measures for the prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Unlike other hospitals, COVID-19 patients did not receive steroids or antibiotics early on. They were placed in isolated rooms or therapy areas, with access limited to one primary caregiver, except in the intensive care unit.