Clinical burden and outcomes of pediatric carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections in a tertiary care center
In brief
Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella caused 17% of pediatric bloodstream infections at one center
Among 86 children with Klebsiella bloodstream infections, 15 (17.4%) had carbapenem-resistant infections. Three-month mortality was 40% in this group versus 15.9% with susceptible infections, but the difference was not statistically significant; no independent factor linked to resistance was identified. The small number of resistant cases limits conclusions about risk factors and outcomes.
- Journal
- European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology (Q1)
- Published
- 11 October 2026
- Study design
- Retrospective cohort
- Evidence level
- Level 3, Low (CEBM 3b)
- Authors
- Sevliya Öcal Demi̇r, Seyhan Yilmaz, Meryem Çağla Abacı Çapar, Sıla Cura, Faruk Odabaşi, Ahmet Furkan Eser, et al.
- PMID
- 42859370
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10096-026-05697-w
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Pediatrics and Child Health (paper of the day, 13 October 2026): Carbapenem‑resistant Klebsiella sepsis in children
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) is an emerging threat in pediatric healthcare settings because of limited treatment options and high morbidity and mortality. However, data regarding pediatric CRKP bloodstream infection (BSI) remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of CRKP BSI in children. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among children hospitalized with Klebsiella pneumoniae BSI between 2020 and 2025. Demographic characteristics, healthcare exposures, laboratory findings, antimicrobial therapy, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 86 children were included; the median age was 12 months, and 50% were male. Overall, 91.9% had at least one underlying comorbidity, 89.5% had a history of previous hospitalization, 83.3% had prior antibiotic usage, and 25.9% had undergone surgical intervention. During the index hospitalization, 57.0% required intensive care unit admission and 77.6% had at least one invasive device. Fifteen children (17.4%) had CRKP BSI. Prior carbapenem exposure and longer antibiotic use were more frequent in the CRKP group, although the differences were not statistically significant. White blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts were significantly lower in patients with CRKP BSI. Three-month mortality was 40.0% in the CRKP group and 15.9% in the CSKP group, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.069). Length of hospital stay was also similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: CRKP accounted for 17.4% of K. pneumoniae BSIs in this pediatric cohort. No independent factor associated with carbapenem resistance was identified. The small number of CRKP cases limited the statistical power of the study. Larger multicenter studies are needed to better define factors associated with CRKP and its clinical outcomes in children.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.