Objective: This study evaluates the characteristics of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) among pediatric patients hospitalized in various inpatient units.

Material and Method: All patients admitted to the pediatric ward, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Suleyman Demirel University Research and Application Hospital who developed HCAIs were prospectively assessed. Infections were classified according to the CDC criteria.

Results: Of 1,291 hospitalized patients, 65 (5.03%) developed 102 infection episodes. These occurred in 16 (24.8%) patients in the pediatric ward, nine (13.8%) in the PICU, and 40 (61.5%) in the NICU. The overall HCAI rate was 7.9%, with an incidence of 9.31 per 1,000 patient-days. Patient-based infection rates were 33.3% in the PICU, 32.3% in the NICU, and 1.74% in the pediatric ward. Bloodstream infections were the most common type (49%), followed by pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 52.8% of pathogens, gram-positive bacteria for 28.5%, and fungi for 17.3%. E. coli was among the predominant agents and showed notable antibiotic resistance. The overall HCAI-associated mortality was 7.6%, with a higher rate of 12.5% in the NICU.

Conclusion: HCAIs remain a significant concern in pediatric inpatient care, especially in critical care units. The high frequency of bloodstream infections and predominance of gram-negative and fungal pathogens underscore the need for stringent infection prevention strategies, robust antimicrobial stewardship, and sustained epidemiological monitoring to reduce preventable morbidity and mortality in vulnerable pediatric populations.