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Burden of neurological illnesses in a pediatric intensive care unit of developing country

Qalab Abbas1, Amber Shabbir2, Naveedur Rehman Siddiqui3

  • 1Qalab Abbas, MBBS, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences
|February 13, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Acute neurological disorders are common in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and lead to higher mortality rates. Central nervous system infections, status epilepticus, and severe traumatic brain injuries were the most frequent causes in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Pediatric neurology
  • Neurocritical care

Background:

  • Neurological illnesses represent a significant burden in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
  • Understanding the spectrum and outcomes of these conditions is crucial for optimizing patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence and types of acute neurological disorders in a PICU population.
  • To analyze the mortality associated with these neurological conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records for children aged 1 month to 16 years admitted to the PICU between January 2008 and December 2011.
  • Data collected included demographics, neurological diagnoses, diagnostic procedures, therapies, and patient outcomes.
  • Analysis focused on neurological and neurosurgical admissions, resource utilization, and mortality rates.

Main Results:

  • 231 patients (19.3%) had acute neurological illnesses; 144 (62.3%) had primary neurological conditions, and 87 (37.7%) had neurosurgical diagnoses.
  • Common neurological diagnoses included non-traumatic coma (51.5%), CNS infections (26%), and neuromuscular illness (10.8%).
  • Status epilepticus (10%) and severe traumatic brain injury (21.2%) were significant contributors; mortality for neurological cases was 18%, higher than the overall PICU mortality of 12%.

Conclusions:

  • Acute neurological disorders are prevalent in the PICU and are associated with increased mortality.
  • Central nervous system infections, status epilepticus, and severe traumatic brain injuries are key conditions requiring critical care attention.
Abstract

Keywords:
Acute Neurological illnessesBurdenMortalityPICU

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