Probiotics Can Reduce Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Mechanically Ventilated Children

Abstract

Background:Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is a common nosocomial infection in ICU patients, regardless of the admission or ventilation cause.Objective: This study aims to assess probiotics role in VAP prevention in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods: The clinical trial included eighty critically ill children of different morbidities that were categorized into two groups: Probiotic group (forty children) and Non-probiotic group (forty children), who did not receive probiotics. All subjects in the study received full assessment and proper management according to their original illness. Results: The incidence of VAP among the studied eighty patients was 44 cases (55%). The incidence was significantly higher in the non-probiotic group (72.5%) than in the probiotic group. Weaning failure, complications, and mortality showed non-significant differences between groups, regardless of the cause of ventilation. Conclusion: Using probiotics is safe and effective in the prevention of VAP but does not affect the general prognosis of different cases.