Grosse-Onnebrink J, Rudloff J, Kessler C, et al. - In this retrospective study researchers recognized risk factors for lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs) in children and adolescents with a tracheostomy. Seventy-eight individuals had 148 LRI, of which 99 were treated in hospital. In 315 specimens, 613 pathogens were identified, of which, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Haemophilus influenzae were most commonly discovered. An independent risk factor for LRI and hospital admissions for LRI was Acinetobacter baumannii. In conclusion, children with tracheostomy have various LRI. In children with a long-term tracheostomy, A. baumannii however not P. aeruginosa or S. aureus in TA is a risk factor for LRI. This encourages a repetitive culture of TA for a microbiologic workup to recognize kids and adolescents with a heightened risk for LRI.