Long-Term Function After Pediatric Critical Illness: Results From the Survivor Outcomes Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
• Long-term Health Outcomes
• Patient Survival and Morbidity

Background:

• Limited data exists on the long-term outcomes for survivors of pediatric critical illness.
• Understanding post-discharge health trajectories is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate morbidity and mortality at 6 months and 3 years following hospital discharge in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) survivors.
• To identify factors associated with long-term functional outcomes after critical illness.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort study was conducted in an urban, academic pediatric intensive care unit.
• Functional status was assessed using the Functional Status Scale, with new morbidity defined as a score change ≥3.
• Post-discharge assessments involved scripted telephone surveys at 6 months and 3 years.

Main Results:

• Cumulative mortality increased from 3.9% at discharge to 10.4% at 3 years (p=0.03).
• New morbidity rose from 5.2% at discharge to 10.4% at 3 years (p=0.16).
• Combined poor outcomes (mortality and new morbidity) increased significantly from 9.1% at discharge to 20.8% by 3 years (p=0.01).

Conclusions:

• Mortality and new morbidity rates substantially increase after hospital discharge in pediatric critical illness survivors.
• Pediatric critical illness has a sustained negative impact on both survival and functional status in the long term.