Risk factors associated with length of hospital stay in children with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia Original Research

Abstract

Introduction: Severe infections such as bacteremia have a high rate of morbidity and mortality, and high healthcare costs. These statistics could be modified by a better understanding of the risk factors that may influence the development of the disease and length of hospital stay.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study that included patients older than 28 days of life up to 15 years who were hospitalized with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in a public hospital in Ecuador. The data were obtained from medical records, clinical characteristics, weight, comorbidities, antibiotic resistance and length of hospitalization due to this pathology. A univariate analysis was performed and descriptive statistics were used.

Results: 126 cases were included. 74/126 (59%) were male. Average age was 4.8 ± 5.1 years, average weight was 16.5 ± 2.3 Kg, and average hospitalization length was 10.47 days. Resistance to oxacillin was observed in 56/126 cases (44.4%) 95% CI 43.67-45.22%. There was prior use of antibiotics in 81/126 cases (64.29%) 95% CI 63.54-65.03%). The factors associated with a longer hospital stay were cardiac comorbidity OR 1.53 ((95% CI 1.33-1.75) P = 0.005; Admission to the PICU OR 5.3 (2.03 to 14.03) P <0.001, and peripheral access route OR 0.367 (95% CI 0.17-0.82) P = 0.015. Other variables were not significant.

Conclusions: Admission to intensive care is related to an increase in the length of hospital stay. The only comorbidity identified as a risk factor was heart disease, while the use of a peripheral intravenous device was found to be a protective factor.