Document Type : original article
Authors
1 Postgraduate Program in Pediatrics and Child Health, Pontificia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre Federal University of Espirito Santo (Ufes)
2 Principles and Practice of Clinical Research Program, Executive and Continuing Professional Education (ECPE) Federal University of Espirito Santo (Ufes).
3 Postgraduate in Pediatrics, Federal University of Espirito Santo (Ufes)
Abstract
Objective: To conduct a descriptive study on the clinical profile of children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in Southeast Brazil and analyze predictive factors associated with mortality.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted over 24 months (August 2018–2020), including 562 patients aged 1 month to 18 years admitted to the PICU. Patients were categorized into two groups: cardiac and non-cardiac diseases. Mann-Whitney U, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression were used for group comparisons, with a significance level set at 5%.
Results: The median age was 31 months (interquartile range 9-108), and 53.9% were male. Surgical interventions predominated (51.2%), primarily for congenital heart diseases (38.8%). Other frequent causes of admission included respiratory disease (19%) and sepsis (14.1%). Children with cardiac disease had a higher incidence of mechanical ventilation (66.5% vs. 48%, p<0.001) and vasoactive drug use (57.3% vs. 24.7%, p<0.001). However, they experienced shorter durations of invasive ventilation (time in days: 1 vs. 5, p<0.001) and vasoactive drug use (time in days: 2 vs. 3, p=0.032) compared to non-cardiac patients. Thirty-eight patients (6.8%) died, with a higher mortality rate among those with non-cardiac diseases (9% vs. 3.2%, p=0.009).
Conclusion: Non-cardiac patients faced higher mortality rates and longer durations of invasive mechanical ventilation and vasoactive drug use. Cardiac disease patients experienced more favorable clinical outcomes in this study population.
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