Clinical profile of mechanically ventilated children aged 1 month to 18 years

Abstract

: Mechanical Ventilation (MV) is a life supporting device indicated in acute cardio-respiratory failure in children. A limited data is available about MV in children from India and our region too.: To study clinical profile of mechanically ventilated children aged 1 month to 18 years of age. : This retrospective study was conducted between 1 May 2014 to 30 April 2019 at Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of D.Y.Patil Medical college and hospital, Kolhapur among 103 children who required MV. The medical records like PICU Register and case sheets were reviewed for details like age, gender, clinical diagnosis, comorbid conditions and indications , length, mode and complications of MV. The data was analyzed statistically. The incidence of MV was 13.08% (1348/103) and 54.37% patients were under-five age. The primary diagnosis was respiratory 42(40.78%), neurological 29(28.15%), and cardiac 10 (9.70%) illnesses. Pneumonia and status epilepticus were the commonest causes. The indications for MV were highest with respiratory failure 31(30.09%) and cardiorespiratory failure 23 (22.33%). The median duration of MV was 3 days. The stridor 20(19.42%) and endotracheal tube blockages 08(07.77%) were the commonest complications. The outcome of patients was improved in 60(58.25%) while death in 38(36.89%) patients. The highest deaths occurred in 9(23.68%) , 8 (21.05%) patients with sepsis and pneumonia respectively. The indication for MV was either respiratory or cardiorespiratory failure while respiratory (Pneumonia) and neurological (Status Epilepticus) were the commonest illnesses. Most of the patients were improved while deaths occurred mainly in sepsis and pneumonia patients.