Publication

Abstract : Background: Anemia is not uncommon in children admitted to the Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).It has major consequences on human health as well as social and economic development. It occurs in all age groups but is more prevalent among children and pregnant women. There is a dearth of published data of anemia in ventilated children admitted to the PICU. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of anemia in ventilated children and to analyze anemia as a risk factor contributing to morbidity and mortality in ventilated children. Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital PICU. A 100 children who satisfied the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study after conducting a pilot study. Morbidity factors including prolonged hospital, PICU stay and others were analyzed during the hospital stay. PRISM III scores were also used to study the correlation of anemia in children needing ventilation as a risk of mortality. Results: Anemia was observed in 62% of children needing ventilation at admission to the PICU. It was observed that there was no statistically significant correlation between anemia, PRISM III scores at 12 hours and 24 hours and mortality (p values were 0.713 and 0.052 respectively). Children with severe anemia had increased risk of mortality. Conclusion: Mild and moderate anemia does not seem to be a significant factor that contributes to morbidity or mortality in children needing ventilation. However severe anemia increased the risk for mortality in children requiring ventilation.