CLINICAL SPECTRUM AND OUTCOME OF PATIENTS ADMITTED IN PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT OF A TERTIARY HOSPITAL

Background: Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) are crucial for managing critically ill children, yet limited data exist regarding the clinical spectrum and outcomes of patients admitted to PICUs in developing countries, particularly in Pakistan. Objective: To assess the clinical spectrum, outcomes, and burden of pediatric patients admitted to the PICU. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: The study was conducted at the PICU of The Children’s Hospital, Lahore. Duration of Study: January to December 2023. Material and Methods: A total of 884 patients admitted to the PICU during the study period were included. Patient data, including demographics, diagnoses, clinical interventions, and outcomes, were recorded over one year and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics were employed, and associations were identified using the Chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of patients was 6.7 years, with 58.8% being male. The most common diagnoses included pneumonia (22.3%), diabetic ketoacidosis (21.9%), and Guillain-Barré syndrome (15.6%). Mechanical ventilation was required in 54.1% of cases. The overall mortality rate was 14.4%, with pneumonia accounting for 44% of deaths. Significant predictors of mortality included sepsis (p = 0.000) and mechanical ventilation (p = 0.000). Mortality was notably higher among patients under 1 year of age (p = 0.000). Conclusion: This study underscores the significant burden of respiratory illnesses, diabetic ketoacidosis, and sepsis in the PICU, along with high mortality rates. Enhancing early interventions, optimizing resource allocation, and implementing targeted care protocols are essential to improving outcomes in critically ill pediatric populations in resource-limited settings.