Disease pattern and outcome of patients in the pediatric intensive care unit of St Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College: a retrospective crosssectional study

Abstract

Background: A Pediatric intensive care unit is a specialized facility that supports children with failing vital functions due to neurological  deterioration, respiratory issues, cardiovascular compromise, severe infections, and accidental poisoning. However, critical care data in  lowresource settings is scarce.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the disease pattern and outcome of patients admitted in pediatric intensive care unit of St. Paul's  Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC).

Methods: A retrospective hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the  Pediatrics and Child Health department among consecutively admitted patients from December 2019 to June 2021. The data was analyzed  using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25. A chi-square test was used to test for the significance of the  association; a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Logistic regression was applied as necessary.

Results: A total of 211  children were included in the study. Of these, children under 1 year (45.5%) accounted for the largest number; males outnumbered  females at 53.6%. Respiratory illnesses, neurological disorders, and infectious diseases were the most common reasons for admission.  Patients who stayed in the intensive care unit for 2–7 days accounted for 52.6%. Ventilator support was required by 45.5% of patients,  while 35.1% of patients needed circulatory support. Upon discharge, 29.4% of patients had died, 59.2% were transferred to the ward, and 10.4% left against medical advice. Significant associations were found between mortality and patients under 2 years, admission for less  than 2 days, and the need for mechanical ventilation and inotrope support.

Conclusion: Respiratory and neurological diseases were the  most common reasons for admission. The overall mortality in our pediatric intensive care unit was high and most deaths occurred within  the first 2 days of admission. This emphasizes the importance of early detection and the timely transfer of critically ill patients.