Abstract

Background:Mechanical Ventilation (MV) is frequently used as one of the most
frequent life-supportive technology in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs). The
present study was undertaken to assess the clinical and etiological profile and outcome
of mechanically ventilated patients admitted in PICU at Tertiary Care Centre.
Methods: A total 120 children of age >30 days and <12 years, who were ventilated in
PICU mechanically from September 2019 to October 2021 were included in the
study.The demographic, clinical and etiological profile, complications and outcomes
(Extubated and died) were recorded.
Results: The mean age of patients was 3.32±1.19 years with male predominance (55%).
The commonest cause for intubation was circulatory failure (42.5%) and commonest
clinical diagnosis was septic shock (27.5%). In 71.67% patients rapid sequence
intubation (RSI) was used. Size of ET was appropriate in 92.5% and type of ET was
uncuffed in 90%. 13(10.83%) patients required reintubation and 9(7.5%) patients done
tracheostomy. Out of 120 patients, 21(17.5%) required T piece, SIMV in 9.17%, CPAP
in 5.83% and no weaning methods in 67.5%. Majority of patients required inotropes
(80.83%) and raised intracranial pressure (ICP) was seen in 27(22.5%) patients.
Nosocomial pneumonia (15%) and obstructive emphysema (15%) were the commonest
complications. 25(20.83%) patients had culture positivity and K. Pneumoniae (6.67%)
was the commonest organism isolated, among 25 cases, 7 had multiple drug resistance
(MDR) (28%). Majority of patients died (62.50%) while 37.5% patients extubated.
Conclusion:Mortality was high, hence the patients requiring MV require better
primary care availability at periphery so that they can be managed well at tertiary level
centres.Also better infection control and respiratory disease control are required.