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Efficacy and outcome of intensive care in pediatric oncologic patients

R Heying1, D T Schneider, D Körholz

  • 1Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital, Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf, Germany.

Critical Care Medicine
|January 22, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric intensive care improves outcomes for children with cancer. While newly diagnosed patients generally benefit, those undergoing ongoing treatment face higher mortality risks, especially with severe complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Improved survival in pediatric cancer necessitates advanced critical care.
  • Intensive care medicine plays a crucial role in managing life-threatening conditions in children with cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the efficacy of pediatric intensive care for newly diagnosed and ongoing oncologic treatment patients.
  • Evaluate the impact of intensive care on outcomes for pediatric cancer patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 48 pediatric cancer patients admitted to the PICU.
  • Categorized patients into newly diagnosed (Group A) and ongoing treatment (Group B).
  • Evaluated diagnoses, risk factors, complications, PICU therapy, PRISM, and TISS scores.

Main Results:

  • Respiratory insufficiency was the primary reason for PICU admission.
  • Group A (newly diagnosed) had a high survival rate (1/48 died).
  • Group B (ongoing treatment) had a significantly higher mortality rate (12/35 died), with PRISM scores >20 predicting non-survival.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric intensive care can benefit children with cancer.
  • Severe complications and ongoing treatment negatively impact prognosis in the PICU.
  • Risk stratification scores like PRISM are crucial for predicting outcomes in critically ill pediatric cancer patients.
Abstract

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