Chlorhexidine Gluconate for Prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in Children.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate for Prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

To determine the efficacy of prophylaxis with 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate compared with placebo to prevent ventilator associated pneumonia in children admitted to a pediatric critical care unit.

Randomised controlled trial to determine the efficacy of 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate compared with placebo to prevent ventilator associated pneumonia in children admitted to a pediatric critical care unit.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children aged 1 month to 18 years admitted to the intensive care unit.
• Intubated for more than 48 hours.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clinical or radiological diagnosis of pneumonia previous to the endotracheal intubation.
• Allergy to chlorhexidine.
• Known immune deficiency.

Elimination Criteria:

• Transfer to another hospital.