Impact of paediatric intensive care unit admission on neurocognitive function in children

Abstract

Abstract Background Advances in paediatric critical care have resulted in a reduction in mortality. This has shifted the focus to paediatric intensive care unit (PICU)-related morbidities and how to reduce or prevent them. In this study, we aimed to study the impact of paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission on neurocognitive performance. Methods Intelligence quotient (IQ) was tested in 50 children (27 boys, 23 girls; mean age 6.98 years) 3 months after PICU discharge and in 75 controls using the Stanford-Binet IQ test. Results There was no statistically significant difference between patients and controls with regard to IQ scores, and no difference between medical and surgical patients (p > 0.05). IQ was unaffected by sedation, blood transfusion, or blood product transfusion. Patients who underwent a major surgical procedure, needed inotropic support, and needed mechanical ventilation had non-significantly lower IQ scores than those who did not. A non-significant negative correlation was observed between the length of PICU stay, mechanical ventilation duration, sedative use, and inotropic support. Conclusions PICU admission does not appear to significantly affect cognitive outcomes in paediatric survivors.