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What is the daily practice of mechanical ventilation in pediatric intensive care units? A multicenter study

J A Farias1, F Frutos, A Esteban

  • 1Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, Hospital de Niños R Gutiérrez, B de Irigoyen 49, 1834 Temperley, Buenos Aires, Argentina. jufarias@intramed.net.ar

Intensive Care Medicine
|March 19, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is required by 35% of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients, primarily for acute respiratory failure (ARF). Overall survival for these critically ill children receiving MV for over 12 hours is 85%.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Clinical Research

Background:

  • Mechanical ventilation (MV) is a cornerstone of critical care for infants and children.
  • Understanding the daily practice and outcomes of MV in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) is crucial for optimizing patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the current practice patterns of mechanical ventilation (MV) in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
  • To evaluate the outcomes associated with MV in a broad population of infants and children.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study was conducted across 36 medical-surgical PICUs.
  • Data were collected on all consecutive patients requiring MV for at least 12 hours over a 2-month period.

Main Results:

  • Of 1893 admitted patients, 659 (35%) received MV, with a median duration of 4 days.
  • Acute respiratory failure (ARF) was the primary indication for MV (72%), followed by altered mental status (14%).
  • The overall PICU mortality rate was 15%, with higher mortality observed in patients with ARDS (50%) and altered mental status (24%).

Conclusions:

  • Approximately one-third of PICU admissions necessitate ventilatory support.
  • Acute respiratory failure is the most frequent indication for MV in pediatric patients.
  • The survival rate for unselected infants and children receiving MV for over 12 hours was 85%.
Abstract

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