Introduction: Care of the critically ill paediatric patients is a demanding speciality needing expertise in care, understanding various cases presenting in such set ups and requires huge resources and finances. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the etiologies of PICU admission of pediatric critically ill patients presenting to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Materials and Methods: This descriptive study included children aged 1-12 years presenting with critical illnesses to the PICU and was conducted in a government medical college and Hospital, in Bihar, from 2016 to 2017. All patients transferred to the PICU were included without distinction. Demographic data of critically ill children admitted to the PICU were analyzed. Etiologies of the PICU admissions were also assessed.

Results: There were 184 critically ill children admitted to the PICU. Neurological disorders comprised major group of primary diagnosis, 84 (52.2%) children had neurological diagnosis. 22 (12%) children had infectious disease, 18 (9.8%) subjects had respiratory diseases, 16 (8.7%) subjects had gastrointestinal diseases, 8 (4.3%) children had Cardiovascular illness, 14 (7.6%) children had accidental causes, 10 children had endocrinal disorder.

Conclusion: The present study shows the etiologies of pediatric patients admitted to ICUs. The epidemiologic analysis of patients admitted to PICU can serve as basis for developing dedicated protocols for critical care and redistributing the ICUs’ resources.

Keywords: Critical illness, paediatric intensive care unit, neurological diseases

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Dr Anup Kumar

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