OBJECTIVETo study the risk factors for infection with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing strains in children.

METHODSThe clinical data of 242 pediatric in-patients with lower respiratory tract infections from February 2009 to January 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. The risk factors of ESBL-producing strain infections were investigated using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSUnivariate analysis showed that six factors were related with ESBL-producing strain infections: repeated sucking of phlegm (OR: 2.279, P<0.01), tracheal intubation(OR: 3.101, P<0.01), administration of the third generation cephalosporin for more than three days (OR: 3.628, P<0.01), admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) (OR: 2.378, P<0.01), indwelling of nasogastric tube (OR: 2.460, P<0.01), prophylactic use of antibiotics (OR: 1.747, P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that the application of the third-generation cephalosporin for more than three days (OR: 5.672, P<0.01), repeated sucking of phlegm (OR: 3.917, P<0.01), tracheal intubation (OR: 3.717, P<0.01), indwelling of nasogastric tube (OR: 2.961, P<0.01), and admission to PICU (OR: 3.237, P<0.01) were the independent risk factors for the infections.

CONCLUSIONSThe infections of ESBL-producing strains are caused by many factors, among which the application of the third-generation cephalosporin for more than three days, invasive operations, and admission to PICU are the independent risk factors.