Clinico-Demographic Profile and Outcome of Mechanically Ventilated Children in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of a Tertiary Care Centre

Background: Mechanical ventilation (MV) is an essential part of present day pediatric intensive care. In recent years, mechanical ventilation has evolved into a highly specialized practice. It is the highest form of respiratory support for critically ill patients and is a lifesaving intervention to support the cardiorespiratory status, until the underlying disease is cured. The study serves to demonstrate clinical-demographic profile and outcome of children receiving mechanical ventilation. The authors also intended to highlight factors associated with poor outcome in these patients. Methods: The present cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a tertiary care centre of north India, over a period of 1year from September 2022 to August 2023. All consecutively admitted children aged 1 month to 18 years, who required mechanical ventilation for greater than 12 hours were enrolled. Baseline demographic and clinical profile of study participants was recorded. Results: Out of total 822 admitted patients in PICU, 60 (7.3%) patients fulfilling eligibility criteria were enrolled. The mean, median age of the study participants was 7.5,7±6.2 years, with a male to female ratio of 1:1. The most common conditions requiring mechanical ventilation were neurotoxic snake bite (23.33%) followed by community acquired pneumonia (16.67%). The mean duration of ventilation was 6±6.4 days. Eighteen children (30%) had comorbid conditions, of which severe acute malnutrition(SAM) was the most prevalent (15%). The mortality rate was 46.7%. The mortality was higher in presence of shock, ARDS( acute respiratory distress syndrome), MODS(multiorgan organ dysfunction syndrome) and with underlying comorbid conditions.