Abstract: Objective To analyze the situation of secondary central nervous system infection(CNSI) in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit(PICU) in Department of Neurosurgery, and to study the risk factors for secondary infection.
Methods The clinical data of 825 children in PICU were analyzed. The children were divided into CNSI group and non-CNSI group according to their CNSI. Univariate analysis was performed for the differences in indicators between two groups, and multivariate Logistic analysis was performed for the risk factors of secondary CNSI in children in PICU in Department of Neurosurgery. 
Results The incidence of CNSI in children in PICU in Department of Neurosurgery was 3.03%. There were significant differences in age, concomitant diabetes mellitus(DM), Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS) score, leucopenia, length of hospital stay between the CNSI group and the non-CNSI group(P＜0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the duration of operation, subtentorial craniotomy, typeⅠ surgical incision between the CNSI group and the non-CNSI group(P＜0.05). There were significant differences in invasive operation, indwelling site and indwelling time between the CNSI group and the non-CNSI group(P＜0.05). Significant differences were found in systemic antibiotics and staphylococcus aureus infection between the CNSI group and the non-CNSI group(P＜0.05).The independent risk factors for CNSI in patients in PICU included age<8 years, concomitant DM, GCS score＜8 points, leukopenia, length of hospital stay≥10 d, or duration ofoperation≥4 h, subtentorial craniotomy, invasive operation, indwelling drainage tube outside the ventricle,drainage tube indwelling time≥7 d, systemic application of antibiotics, or staphylococcus aureus infection. 
Conclusion There are various risk factors for CNSI in children in PICU in Department of Neurosurgery. Therefore, optimized surgical plan, personalized treatment, reduced duration of operation and length of hospital stay, standardized invasive operation,regular infection prevention of indwelling tube, and rational use of antibiotics can effectively prevent the occurrence of CNSI.

Key words: central nervous system infection, intensive care unit, pediatric, risk factors