Risk Factors for Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CA-UTI) in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Objective: To describe the occurrence, microbiology, and risk factors of catheter- associated urinary tract infections (CA-UTI) in critically ill children.

Methods: We conducted a review of hospital records for CA-UTI in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) over a 7-year period (2014-2020).

Results: 62 CA-UTI cases (48% boys, median (IQR) age 36 (12,96 month) were identified during the study period with occurrence rate of 7.2/1000 catheter-days. The most common organisms were Escherichia coli (32.4%) and Enterococcus faecalis (30.6%). Using a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the significant associated variables for CA-UTI were duration of catheter drainage (a OR (95% CI) 1.14, (1.03,1.27), P=-0.009), PICU stay (aOR (95% CI) 1.13 (1.05,1.21) (P<0.001), and hospital stay (aOR (95% CI): 1.03 (1.01,1.06), P=0.015).

Conclusion: CA-UTI is not an uncommon nosocomial infection in PICU. The risk increases with increasing duration of catheter drainage, and hospital or PICU stay.