Introduction:

Infections associated with healthcare represent a serious health problem and an economic impact, elements that lead to an increase in the number of days/stay, worsen the prognosis of the seriously ill patient and conditions family and social cost.

Objective:

To determine the main risk factors associated with healthcare-related infections in the intensive care unit.

Methods:

Observational, analytical, case-control type study in the intensive care unit of "Paquito González Cueto" University Pediatric Hospital in patients with infections related to health services, from January 2018 to December 2020.

Results:

Children under 4 years of age predominated, mainly the group of 1-4 years with a 2.1 times higher risk for infections, with a slight predominance of the male sex, the normal weight prevailed (31.6%) who presented some nutritional deficit by default, with a risk of infection of 7.2 times for malnourished; 48.3% of the patients had an associated intrinsic factor. Chronic neurological, onco-proliferative and immunodeficiencies diseases were the most representative; the previous use of antibiotics, catheterization and prolonged hospital stay were the extrinsic factors that predominated, with significant risk in almost all patients.

Conclusions:

There is an association with an elevated risk of infection in children under 4 years of age, with nutritional deficit by default; intrinsic factors such as chronic diseases with a predominance of neurological diseases and significant extrinsic risk factors. This makes it possible to direct improvement strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality.

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