P-COSCA (Pediatric Core Outcome Set for Cardiac Arrest) in Children: An Advisory Statement From the International...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Resuscitation Science
• Clinical Trial Methodology
• Outcome Measurement Standardization

Background:

• Pediatric cardiac arrest studies lack consistent outcome reporting, hindering research synthesis.
• Existing outcome measures often focus on short-term survival and basic neurological status.
• The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation initiated the Core Outcome Set After Cardiac Arrest (COSCA) and Pediatric COSCA (P-COSCA) to address this gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a standardized core outcome set for pediatric cardiac arrest research.
• To improve consistency and comparability of outcomes reported in pediatric cardiac arrest trials.
• To define key survival and functional outcomes and their measurement time points.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary steering committee generated potential outcomes and assessment time points.
• Prioritization involved healthcare providers, researchers, and parents/caregivers of pediatric survivors.
• Expert panel discussions achieved consensus on core outcomes, measurement methods, and timing.

Main Results:

• The P-COSCA includes core assessments of survival, brain function, cognitive function, physical function, and daily life skills.
• Survival and brain function are assessed at discharge/30 days and 6-12 months post-arrest.
• Cognitive, physical, and daily life skills are assessed 6-12 months post-arrest.
• Baseline (pre-arrest) function is documented to assess post-arrest changes.

Conclusions:

• The P-COSCA provides a standardized framework for evaluating pediatric cardiac arrest survivors.
• Consistent outcome measurement will enhance the quality and interpretability of research.
• This core set aims to improve understanding of long-term outcomes and guide future research and clinical practice.