Risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia in infants and children: a cross-sectional cohort study.

Background: The epidemiology of ventilator-associated pneumonia is well described for adults, but little information is available on risk factors for this disease in children.

Objective: To identify predisposing factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia in children.

Methods: A cross-sectional prospective cohort study of 96 patients in a 9-bed pediatric intensive care unit was performed.