ASSESSMENT OF MORTALITY RATE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS FOR CHILDREN ADMITTED TO PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT OF ST.PAUL’S HOSPITAL MILLENNIUM MEDICAL COLLEGE: A ONE YEAR RETROSPECTIVE CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Abstract Background: In resource-limited countries like Ethiopia, PICUs are still developing and face significant challenges, including financial constraints, inadequate insurance, and healthcare system limitations, leading to higher morbidity and mortality rates which is highly correlated with low GCS,SAM,nosocomial infection,young age,MV and vasopressor use during admission. Objective:The main objective of the study was to determine mortality rate and associated factors among patients admitted to Saint Paul‘s Hospital Millennium Medical College pediatric ICU. Methods: A retrospective cross sectional study was conducted among pediatric patients admitted to Saint Paul‘s Hospital Millennium Medical College pediatric ICU from April 1/2023 to May 30/2024. A simple random sampling method was employed to select study units. Data was collected using a structured and standardized questionnaire by trained data collectors from patient medical records and HMIS registry book . Data was analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. Variables with P-value <0.05 were labeled as statistically significantly associated with the outcome variable. Result: A total of 282 charts of pediatric patients who were admitted to Saint Paul‘s Hospital Millennium Medical College pediatric Intensive Care Unit were analysed. Overall, the mortality rate was found to be 28.4%(80) [with a 95%CI: 0.234, 0.337]. Children with the age of <2years (AOR-3.71 with 95% CI: 1.18, 11.68), severe acute malnutrition (AOR-2.97 with 95% CI: 1.409, 2.263), comorbidity (AOR-2.077 with 95% CI: 1.087, 3.970), mechanical ventilator (AOR-2.235 with 95% CI: 1.139, 4.386), GCS level of <8 (AOR-2.612 with 95% CI: 1.169, 5.833), who had stayed > 13 days (AOR-3.504 with 95% CI: 1.079, 11.377) had a higher risk of mortality in pediatrics ICU of St. Paul’s hospital Millennium Medical College. Conclusion and recommendation: This study indicated that the overall mortality rate among pediatric patients admitted to PICU of SPHMMC was high, i.e. nearly one-fourth of children in PICU died. There was a significant association between mortality rate and certain variables including age of the child, nutritional status of the child, comorbidity, child’s GCS level, mechanical ventilator utilization, and length of stay in PICU. Healthcare providers need to provide adequate and quick treatment for children with critical illness to improve their outcome in the critical care units. Researchers need to do a prospective study to get more reliable result. Keywords: Children,Mortality rate, Pediatrics Intensive Care Unit, Factors, St. Paul’s hospital Millennium Medical College