Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies
10:38

Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies

Published on: January 16, 2019

Clinical features of pediatric patients with prolonged Pediatric Intensive Care Unit stay

Crisaixela Moya-Sánchez1, Isabel Znaya Ramírez-Flores2, Maria E Salazar-Rios1

  • 1Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Hospital de Pediatría "Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freund", Departamento de Pediatría. Ciudad de México, México.

Revista Medica Del Instituto Mexicano Del Seguro Social
|March 3, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Prolonged length of stay (PLOS) in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) affects 12.2% of children, consuming significant resources. Mechanical ventilation and organ replacement therapy predict PLOS, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
  • Healthcare Resource Utilization
  • Clinical Epidemiology

Background:

  • Prolonged length of stay (PLOS) in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) presents significant clinical and economic challenges.
  • Limited data exists on PLOS in Mexico, necessitating further investigation.
  • Understanding PLOS is crucial for optimizing pediatric critical care resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the clinical characteristics of children experiencing PLOS in a PICU.
  • To identify the primary risk factors associated with prolonged PICU stays.
  • To inform strategies for improving outcomes and resource management in pediatric critical care.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study was conducted on critically ill children.
  • PLOS was defined as a PICU stay exceeding 14 days.
  • Logistic regression analysis identified independent predictors of PLOS.

Main Results:

  • 12.2% of patients experienced PLOS, consuming 47% of PICU bed-days.
  • Mortality was higher in the PLOS group (15.7%) compared to non-PLOS patients (8.1%).
  • Mechanical ventilation (OR=2.37) and renal/hepatic replacement therapy (OR=44.68) were significant predictors of PLOS.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with PLOS, though a minority, disproportionately impact PICU resources.
  • Early identification of children at risk for PLOS is essential for resource optimization.
  • Targeted care strategies for PLOS patients can improve clinical outcomes and resource utilization.
Abstract

Keywords:
HospitalizaciónHospitalizationIntensive Care UnitsPediatricsPediatríaUnidad de Cuidados Intensivos

More Related Videos

Pediatric Animal Model of Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation After Prolonged Circulatory Arrest04:55

Pediatric Animal Model of Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation After Prolonged Circulatory Arrest

Published on: May 26, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV01:23

Acute Respiratory Failure-IV

Respiratory failure can manifest suddenly or gradually, characterized by a rapid decline in PaO2 and a rapid rise in PaCO2. This situation indicates a severe respiratory problem that may quickly become a life-threatening emergency. One of the early signs of hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) is a change in mental status due to the brain's sensitivity to oxygen levels and changes in acid-base balance. Symptoms such as restlessness, confusion, and agitation suggest inadequate oxygen...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations01:19

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is a long-term condition marked by persistent and only partially reversible airflow limitation. It involves two overlapping conditions—chronic bronchitis and emphysema—which often co-appear but differ in dominant symptoms and underlying mechanisms.Chronic Bronchitis FeaturesChronic bronchitis presents with a persistent productive cough and thick, sometimes purulent mucus due to airway inflammation, enlarged mucus glands, and goblet cell...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...