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Deprivation, ethnicity and prematurity in infant respiratory failure in PICU in the UK

D R O'Donnell1, R C Parslow, E S Draper

  • 1Cambridge University Clinical School, Department of Paediatrics, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK. drod@addenbrookes.nhs.uk

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|March 19, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Infant acute respiratory failure (ARF) drives unplanned intensive care admissions. While South Asian infants have lower bronchiolitis admissions, their overall mortality risk in pediatric intensive care (PIC) is higher, alongside risks from prematurity and deprivation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Intensive Care
  • Epidemiology
  • Respiratory Failure

Background:

  • Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is a significant cause of infant hospitalizations.
  • Understanding epidemiological trends in pediatric intensive care (PIC) admissions is crucial for resource allocation and targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the epidemiology of infants admitted to PIC with ARF, including bronchiolitis.
  • To identify risk factors and outcomes associated with infant PIC admissions for ARF.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 4641 infant admissions (2004-2007) to all 29 PICUs in England and Wales.
  • Examined admission rates, risk-adjusted mortality, length of stay, ventilation, preterm birth, deprivation, and ethnicity.

Main Results:

  • Infant ARF admission rate was 1.80 per 1000 infants/year.
  • Preterm infants had higher admission rates and longer stays but similar mortality.
  • South Asian infants showed reduced bronchiolitis PICU admissions but higher overall risk-adjusted mortality.

Conclusions:

  • ARF is the primary driver of seasonal unplanned PIC admissions in infants.
  • Socioeconomic deprivation and prematurity are significant risk factors for PIC admission.
  • Ethnic disparities exist, with South Asian infants facing higher mortality risks despite lower bronchiolitis admission rates.
Abstract

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