New parameters for childhood ventilator associated pneumonia diagnosis

Summary Purpose Our aim is to determine whether the presence of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells‐1 (s‐TREM‐1) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), serum procalcitonin levels (PCT), and Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) have diagnostic value in children with VAP. Methods All children followed in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) who were mechanically ventilated at least for 48 hr between January 2014 and December 2015 were enrolled into our study. BALF sample was obtained via non‐bronchoscopic method from the children with VAP suspicion (case group) and s‐TREM‐1 levels were measured. Furthermore we calculated CPIS and measured serum PCT levels. Same procedures were applied to the control group who were admitted to PICU without infectious problems and who were not under antimicrobial therapy. First we compared the case group with the control group and then we compared the quantitative culture confirmed and non‐confirmed VAP cases among themselves. Results Case group (n:58) had significant higher PCT and s‐TREM‐1 levels compared to control group (n:58). The VAP confirmed cases had higher s‐TREM‐1, PCT ve CPIS levels compared to non‐confirmed VAP cases. s‐TREM‐1, PCT ve CPIS variables were found to be independent risk factors for VAP. The cutoff values for s‐TREM‐1, CPIS, and PCT, are 281 pg/ml, 6, and 1.9 ng/ml, respectively. The patients whose s‐TREM‐1, CPIS, and PCT values above the cutoff levels were found to have higher cumulative VAP rate. Conclusions s‐TREM‐1 of BALF, serum PCT levels, and CPIS are useful predictors for ventilator‐associated pneumonia diagnosis in children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:119–128. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.