ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the main causes of admission to a general pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and examine the main causes of mortality in this patient population. In addition, we describe the percentage of patients who died following a failed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) versus do not resuscitate (DNR) orders. METHODS: This was a retrospective, cohort study with a chart review of admissions and mortality cases that occurred in the PICU. Mortality rates in pediatric admissions are reported with a description of demographics, diagnosis, length of stay, use of mechanical ventilation, use of vasoactive agents, preexisting comorbidities, the presence of a DNR order, and final cause of mortality. Modes of mortality were described as failed CPR or a DNR order. RESULTS: During the study period there were 1,523 admissions to the PICU. Of those, 102 patients died with an overall mortality rate of 6.7%. Patients who died tended to be younger, and the majority (85%) had a preexisting comorbidity, with neuromuscular disease being the most common. The majority of the patients who died (69%) required invasive ventilation. The most common immediate cause of mortality was respiratory disease and the highest case fatality was among those with cardiac disease. Of those patients who died, 90% had failed CPR and 10% had a DNR order. Care was not withdrawn from any patient. CONCLUSION: This study describes the diagnostic categories of children admitted to the PICU, with respiratory disease being the most common cause of admission and mortality. The majority of children who died had an existing comorbidity and did not have a DNR order at the time of their death.