Role of Oral Chlorhexidine Gel in Prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia

Oral Mucosal Decontamination With Chlorhexidine for Prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in Children - A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to determine if oral mucosal application of chlorhexidine gel will prevent the development of ventilator associated pneumonia in children.

Ventilator associated pneumonia as the name suggests refers to pneumonia occurring in the setting of mechanical ventilation. It accounts of 86% of nosocomial pneumonia and in contrast to other more common nosocomial infections is accompanied by a mortality rate of upto 76% in certain settings. A number of preventive methods have been studied to reduce the rate of VAP but a consensus is lacking with regards to appropriate preventive strategies. Studies in adults have shown a beneficial effect of oral mucosal application of chlorhexidine but similar studies in pediatric population are not available. This research project aims at addressing the gap.

Inclusion criteria:

1. Patients in PICU requiring mechanical ventilation
2. Above the age of 3 months
3. Oro or nasotracheal intubation

Exclusion criteria:

1. Known hypersensitivity to chlorhexidine
2. Inability to access the oral cavity for any reason
3. Patients with tracheostomy
4. Mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours prior to PICU admission.
5. Death or extubation within 24 hours of ICU admission.