Sep 5, 2026
2:00 PM3:30 PM
ePoster presentations
PP019
CHRONIC MALNUTRITION AS A PREDICTOR OF NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION IN PEDIATRIC BURN PATIENTS: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH, LIMA–PERU
R. Machado1,*, M. Lazo2, J. Candela2, E. Mezones3
1National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases (INEN), 2National Institute of Child Health, 3San Ignacio de Loyola University, Lima, Peru
Rationale: Chronic malnutrition may impair immunity and recovery in pediatric patients, and burn injuries further increase vulnerability to nosocomial infections (NI). This study assessed whether chronic malnutrition independently increases NI risk in pediatric burn patients.
Methods: A retrospective cohort was conducted at the National Institute of Child Health including children under five admitted for burn injuries (2012–2017). Chronic malnutrition was defined using WHO height-for-age Z-scores, and NI was identified according to CDC/NHSN criteria. Demographic and clinical variables were collected. Relative risks (RR) were estimated using generalized linear Poisson regression with robust standard errors.
Results: A total of 170 patients were included; 35% had chronic malnutrition. The overall NI incidence was 22.3%. NI occurred in 40% of malnourished children versus 12.7% of well-nourished peers. Chronic malnutrition showed a strong association with NI (crude RR: 3.14; 95% CI: 1.75–5.61). This association remained significant after adjustment for statistical criteria (adjusted RR: 2.88; 95% CI: 1.63–5.09) and epidemiological criteria (adjusted RR: 3.19; 95% CI: 1.71–5.93). Skin and soft-tissue infections were the most frequent.
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Conclusion: Chronic malnutrition is an independent predictor of nosocomial infection in pediatric burn patients. Early nutritional assessment and timely nutrition support should be integrated into pediatric burn care to reduce infection risk and improve clinical outcomes.
Disclosure of Interest: None declared