Abstract:ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic bacteria in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and provide reference for preventing and controlling healthcareassociated infection and rational use of antimicrobial agents. MethodsIsolation rate and distribution of pathogenic bacteria isolated from PICU patients from June 2010 to May 2011were analyzed statistically. Results A total of 245 pathogenic bacterial strains were isolated, 73.88%, 22.86% and 3.26% were gramnegative bacteria, grampositive bacteria and fungi, respectively. The isolation rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus was 18.78%, 14.29%, 11.43%, 8.16%, 5.31% and 4.90%, respectively. The percentage of extendedspectrum βlactamaseproducing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli was 11.63% and 8.85%, respectively; detection rate of methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus was 16.67%. Most gramnegative bacteria were sensitive to carbapenems and cefoperazone / sulbactam, and relatively resistant to other antimicrobial agents. Acinetobacter baumannii was highly resistant to carbapenems(75.00%). Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus were highly sensitive to ceftriaxone, cefazolin and cefepime(0.00%-7.69%); no bacterial strain was found to be resistant to vancomycin. ConclusionGramnegative bacteria is the main pathogenic bacteria in PICU patients, most isolates are highly drugresistant. Analysis of pathogenic bacteria and drugresistance surveillance are of vital importance to guide treatments for critically ill children and reduce drugresistant bacterial strains.