Airway Microbiome Changes After Artificial Airway Exchange in Critically-ill Pediatric Patients.

In this study, we are looking at how changing artificial airways, like tubes used for breathing in sick children, affects the bacteria in their airways. In the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), these breathing tubes can help save lives but may also lead to infections. We want to see if changing these tubes changes the types and amounts of bacteria there. We will take samples from the tubes before and after they are changed to study this. The samples are collected as part of routine care and pose minimal risk. This research happens at Cohen Children's Medical Center and uses a technique called 16srDNA sequencing to study bacterial changes. No specific treatments are given during this research, and there are no known risks from participation. The results will help us understand and improve care for children with artificial airways.

• Participants: Children with breathing tubes in PICU or NICU.
• Duration: 72-hour window for sample collection before and after tube change.
• No known risks or exclusions for joining the study.