Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 14, 2025

Manual Muscle Testing: A Method of Measuring Extremity Muscle Strength Applied to Critically Ill Patients
Published on: April 12, 2011
Risk factors and 6-month outcomes of paediatric intensive care unit-acquired weakness
Min Ding1, Chunfeng Yang1, Yanling Qin2
1Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children's Medical Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Insights
Paediatric intensive care unit-acquired weakness (PICU-AW) affects 25.6% of children, linked to initial illness severity and longer PICU stays. PICU-AW independently impacts quality of life post-discharge.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
- Neuromuscular Disorders
- Quality of Life Research
Background:
- Paediatric intensive care unit-acquired weakness (PICU-AW) is understudied but linked to poor prognosis.
- Understanding PICU-AW is crucial for improving patient outcomes and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk factors for developing PICU-AW in children.
- To evaluate the 6-month outcomes for children with PICU-AW after discharge.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational study included 172 children (aged 7-18) from May 2021 to December 2022.
- Risk factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.
- Outcomes including muscle strength, functional status, and HRQOL were assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months post-discharge.
Main Results:
- 44 children (25.6%) were diagnosed with PICU-AW.
- Systemic inflammatory response syndrome, higher Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction 2 score, and longer PICU stay were significant risk factors for PICU-AW.
- PICU-AW was an independent risk factor for decreased HRQOL at 1 and 3 months post-discharge, but not functional status within 6 months.
Conclusions:
- Systemic inflammatory response syndrome, organ dysfunction, and prolonged PICU stays are key risk factors for PICU-AW.
- PICU-AW significantly impairs health-related quality of life in the short term post-discharge.
- Children with normal baseline function show better recovery of functional status.
Background:
Intensive care unit-acquired weakness results in adverse prognosis, healthcare costs, and resources. Little is known about paediatric intensive care unit-acquired weakness (PICU-AW).
Objective:
The goal of this study was to determine risk factors and 6-month outcomes after discharge of patients with PICU-AW.
Methods:
From May 2021 to December 2022, a prospective observational study was conducted in a single centre from China. Children aged 7-18 years were divided into two groups with and without PICU-AW at discharge. A predesigned data form was used to collect patients' characteristics. Risk factors were analysed by univariate and multivariate logistic analyses. Outcomes such as muscle strength, functional status, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge.
Results:
A total of 172 patients were assessed for eligibility at discharge, and 44 children (25.6%) were diagnosed with PICU-AW. The presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome on admission (odds ratio [OR]: 6.482, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.245-18.712, p = 0.001), higher Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction 2 score on admission (OR: 1.337, 95% CI: 1.011-1.767, p = 0.041), and longer length of stay in the PICU (OR: 1.222, 95% CI: 1.133-1.318, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with PICU-AW. PICU-AW was an independent risk factor for decreased HRQOL at 1 month (OR: 5.215, 95% CI: 1.147-23.715, p = 0.033) and 3 months (OR: 5.318, 95% CI: 1.759-16.077, p = 0.003) after discharge. PICU-AW was not associated with functional status within 6 months after discharge.
Conclusions:
The presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome on admission, organ dysfunction on admission, and longer PICU stays were independent risk factors for PICU-AW. PICU-AW was found to be the independent risk factor for decreased HRQOL at 1 and 3 months after discharge. Children with normal baseline function were more likely to recover their functional status after discharge.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
Acute Kidney Injury VI: Nursing Management
Acute Kidney Injury I: Introduction
Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations
Acute Kidney Injury V: Interprofessional Care

