The Importance of Nonpharmacological Applications in the Management of Infections Caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in Pediatric Patients: A Single-Center Experience

Objective This study aimed to contribute to the literature by evaluating the clinical characteristics of children with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection, predisposing factors, and implementation of additional measures for disease control, with the goal of improving survival and reducing mortality in pediatric patients. Methods Clinical data and microbiological test results of patients with S. maltophilia growth in cultures of samples from any biological site and clinical symptoms of systemic infection referred to the pediatric clinic of a tertiary university hospital between January 2021 and August 2023 were reviewed. Results The study included 40 patients with a median age of 2.5 years (range 1-16 years). Medical devices were present in 26 patients (65%). Polymicrobial growth occurred in 16 patients (40%). Prior to the detection of S. maltophilia infection, 35 patients (87.5%) received broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy. Death occurred in 11 patients (27.5%). In 2022, there were 23 cases of S. maltophilia infection, with the highest number occurring in March 2022 (9 cases per month). After that date, various nonpharmacological measures were implemented for all patients with confirmed infection, including strict contact isolation in single-occupancy, high-efficiency particulate air-filtered rooms. Conclusion There were multiple risk factors for increased mortality in our study population. Despite these unfavorable factors, the mortality rate was low. Disease control was achieved through nonpharmacological interventions implemented alongside antimicrobial therapy, resulting in effective prevention of potential outbreaks. Implementation of nonpharmacological interventions alongside medical treatment can reduce mortality and improve survival in pediatric patients with S. maltophilia infection.