Trajectory and Risk Factors of Persistent Decline in Health-Related Quality of Life after Septic Shock in Children

Andrew Prout1, Russell K Banks2, Ron W Reeder2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, Michigan, and Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, United States.

PubMed

Insights

Children with preexisting neurologic disability recover health-related quality of life (HRQL) faster after septic shock than those without. Higher baseline HRQL and acute kidney injury are risk factors for reduced HRQL in survivors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Neurology
  • Public health

Background:

  • Preexisting neurologic disability is a significant factor in pediatric septic shock outcomes.
  • Assessing health-related quality of life (HRQL) is crucial for understanding long-term recovery in these children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the burden, trajectory, and risk factors for reduced HRQL in children with preexisting neurologic disability following community-acquired septic shock.
  • To compare HRQL recovery between children with and without preexisting neurologic disability.

Main Methods:

  • Secondary analysis of the multicenter Life After Pediatric Sepsis Evaluation (LAPSE) cohort study.
  • Evaluation of HRQL using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and Stein-Jessop Functional Status Scale at multiple time points.
  • Multivariable modeling to identify risk factors for reduced HRQL at 3 months post-sepsis.

Main Results:

  • Children with preexisting neurologic disability showed less initial HRQL decline at days 7 and 28 compared to those without.
  • No significant difference in HRQL decline was observed at 3 months.
  • Higher baseline HRQL and acute renal dysfunction were associated with reduced HRQL (<90% of baseline) at 3 months in neurologically disabled survivors.

Conclusions:

  • Children with preexisting neurologic disability tend to recover their HRQL to baseline levels sooner after septic shock.
  • Identifying risk factors like baseline HRQL and acute kidney injury is vital for targeted interventions in neurologically disabled pediatric sepsis survivors.