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Clinical profile and outcome in a paediatric intensive care unit in Pakistan

Anwarul Haque1, Surraiya Bano

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. anwar.haq@aku.edu

Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP
|August 5, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This study reviewed pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions in Pakistan, finding a 14% mortality rate. Results support the need for more pediatric critical care units to improve outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
  • Intensive Care Unit Management

Background:

  • Paediatric critical care medicine is an emerging subspecialty in Pakistan.
  • Limited data exists on the clinical profile and outcomes of critically ill children in Pakistani PICUs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in Pakistan.
  • To provide baseline data for future improvements in pediatric critical care in the region.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 314 pediatric patients admitted to the PICU between January and December 2007.
  • Data collected included patient demographics, PRISM score, medical vs. surgical cases, interventions (mechanical ventilation, vasoactive drugs), nosocomial infections, length of stay, and mortality.

Main Results:

  • The average patient age was 24 months, with 66% males. Medical and surgical cases were nearly equally distributed (46% vs. 54%).
  • Mechanical ventilation was used in 90% of patients, and 50% received vasoactive drugs. The nosocomial infection rate was 4.7%.
  • The average PICU length of stay was 3.2 days, with an overall mortality rate of 14%.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides valuable insights into the profile and outcomes of pediatric critical care in Pakistan.
  • The observed mortality rate, while significant, is considered encouraging given the context.
  • Expansion and establishment of more PICUs are recommended to enhance pediatric critical care services and improve patient outcomes.

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