Reduction of colonization and infection rate during pediatric intensive care by selective decontamination of the digestive tract.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of two different antibiotic regimes on the colonization and infection rates of critically ill pediatric patients.

DESIGN

A prospective randomized trial.

SETTING

A pediatric ICU in a university hospital.

PATIENTS

Fifty critically ill pediatric patients who required intensive care for at least 4 days were randomly allocated to either the selective parenteral and enteral antisepsis regimen (treatment group, n = 25) or the control group (n = 25).

INTERVENTIONS

The treatment group received oral nonabsorbable antimicrobial agents (polymyxin E, gentamicin, and amphotericin B) and parenteral cefotaxime, whereas the control group received either perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis or antibiotic therapy according to clinical or microbiological evidence of infection.

RESULTS

Both groups were comparable for age, body weight, sex, and severity of illness. Colonization with Gram-negative microorganisms and yeasts in the oropharynx, and digestive and respiratory tracts increased rapidly up to 52% in the control group, whereas there was no colonization with these microorganisms in the treatment group. The occurrence rates of acquired secondary infections in the control and treatment groups were 36% and 8%, respectively (p less than .025). There were no differences between groups in the duration of intensive care or mortality rate.

CONCLUSION

Selective oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal decontamination combined with systemic cefotaxime application allows for a significant reduction of the colonization rate with Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts in critically ill pediatric patients undergoing prolonged intensive care. In addition, it significantly reduces the Gram-negative infection rate of the respiratory system. However, this therapeutic approach does not alter ICU length of stay or mortality rate.