Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Characteristics and Outcomes in Children and Adolescents With COVID-19 or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Admitted to U.S. ICUs.

OBJECTIVES: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used successfully to support adults with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-related cardiac or respiratory failure refractory to conventional therapies. Comprehensive reports of children and adolescents with SARS-CoV-2-related ECMO support for conditions, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and acute COVID-19, are needed. DESIGN: Case series of patients from the Overcoming COVID-19 public health surveillance registry. SETTING: Sixty-three hospitals in 32 U.S. states reporting to the registry between March 15, 2020, and December 31, 2021. PATIENTS: Patients less than 21 years admitted to the ICU meeting Centers for Disease Control criteria for MIS-C or acute COVID-19. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The final cohort included 2,733 patients with MIS-C ( n = 1,530; 37 [2.4%] requiring ECMO) or acute COVID-19 ( n = 1,203; 71 [5.9%] requiring ECMO). ECMO patients in both groups were older than those without ECMO support (MIS-C median 15.4 vs 9.9 yr; acute COVID-19 median 15.3 vs 13.6 yr). The body mass index percentile was similar in the MIS-C ECMO versus no ECMO groups (89.9 vs 85.8; p = 0.22) but higher in the COVID-19 ECMO versus no ECMO groups (98.3 vs 96.5; p = 0.03). Patients on ECMO with MIS-C versus COVID-19 were supported more often with venoarterial ECMO (92% vs 41%) for primary cardiac indications (87% vs 23%), had ECMO initiated earlier (median 1 vs 5 d from hospitalization), shorter ECMO courses (median 3.9 vs 14 d), shorter hospital length of stay (median 20 vs 52 d), lower in-hospital mortality (27% vs 37%), and less major morbidity at discharge in survivors (new tracheostomy, oxygen or mechanical ventilation need or neurologic deficit; 0% vs 11%, 0% vs 20%, and 8% vs 15%, respectively). Most patients with MIS-C requiring ECMO support (87%) were admitted during the pre-Delta (variant B.1.617.2) period, while most patients with acute COVID-19 requiring ECMO support (70%) were admitted during the Delta variant period. CONCLUSIONS: ECMO support for SARS-CoV-2-related critical illness was uncommon, but type, initiation, and duration of ECMO use in MIS-C and acute COVID-19 were markedly different. Like pre-pandemic pediatric ECMO cohorts, most patients survived to hospital discharge.

Chlorpromazine as Treatment for Refractory Agitation Associated with Pediatric Delirium.

OBJECTIVE: Delirium and agitation can be devastating and prolong the length of hospitalization. As part of our continuous improvement efforts, we implemented the use of intermittent chlorpromazine therapy to target refractory agitation associated with hyperactive or mixed delirium (RAA-D). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of chlorpromazine on RAA-D and delirium symptoms as well as any adverse effects in critically ill children. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was conducted for children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit who were treated with chlorpromazine for RAA-D from March 2017 to January 2019. The primary end point was to determine differences in Cornell Assessment for Pediatric Delirium (CAPD) and State Behavioral Scale (SBS) scores 24 hours before and after chlorpromazine administration. The secondary end points were the 24-hour cumulative dosing of narcotic and sedative agents before and after chlorpromazine administration and adverse events associated with chlorpromazine use. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were treated with chlorpromazine for RAA-D; 16 (61.5%) were male with a median age of 14.5 months (IQR, 6-48). The mean CAPD (n = 24) and median SBS (n = 23) scores were significantly lower 24 hours after chlorpromazine use when compared to baseline scores, 12 vs 8.9 (p = 0.0021) and 1 vs -1, (p = 0.0005) respectively. No significant adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Chlorpromazine use in critically ill children with RAA-D was helpful for managing symptoms without adverse events. Further investigation is needed to evaluate the use of chlorpromazine to treat RAA-D to avoid long-term use of an antipsychotic.

Outcomes of Children With Firearm Injuries Admitted to the PICU in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: Firearm-related injury is the second leading cause of injury and death for children 1-18 years old in United States. The objective of our study was to analyze the outcomes of children admitted to the PICU with firearm injuries. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: PICUs in United States contributing data to Virtual Pediatric Systems, LLC, from January 2009 to December 2017. PATIENTS: Children age 1 month to 18 years old admitted to the PICU with firearm injury, identified by external cause of injury E-codes and International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition, and International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, codes were identified. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were 1,447 cases identified of which 175 (12%) died in the PICU. Unintentional firearm injury (67.7%) and assault with a firearm injury (20%) comprised 90% of the cases. Males comprised 78% of the cohort (1,122) and race distribution included 45% Black (646), 27% White (390), and 12% Hispanic (178). Among the children who died in the PICU, 55% were 13-18 years old. Children attempting suicide with a firearm were more likely to die in the PICU as compared to the other causes of firearm injury. Based on their Pediatric Overall Performance Category and Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category scores at discharge, there is high morbidity in children with firearm injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality rate of children with firearm injury admitted to the PICU is high. Children admitted to the PICU with suicide attempt with a firearm carried the highest mortality. Further studies may help further define the epidemiology of firearm injuries in children and plan interventions to minimize these unnecessary deaths.

Reduction in paediatric intensive care admissions during COVID-19 lockdown in Maryland, USA.

As a public health measure during the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world instituted a variety of interventions to 'flatten the curve'. The government of Maryland instituted similar measures. We observed a striking decline in paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions during that period, mostly due to a decease in respiratory infections. We believe this decline is multifactorial: less person-to-person contact, better air quality and perhaps 'fear' of going to a hospital during the pandemic. We report an analysis of our PICU admissions during the lockdown period and compared them with the same time period during the four previous years.

Botulism in the Pediatric Intensive Care Units in the United States: Interrogating a National Database.

Botulism in children can have severe complications necessitating intensive care. The current literature lacks data of children with botulism requiring critical care. We aim to describe the outcomes of pediatric botulism in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Retrospective cohort data from Virtual Pediatric Systems (VPS, LLC, Los Angeles, California), from 2009 to 2016 including all PICU admissions among children with botulism, were analyzed. Characteristics and outcomes were compared with similar studies. A total of 380 children were identified over 8 years. Our cohort had the shortest length of stay (median 4.6 days), the smallest percent requiring mechanical ventilation (40%), and the highest median age (120 days) amongst comparable studies. Length of mechanical ventilation and PICU stay has decreased among children with botulism. Advances in PICU care may have contributed to these improved outcomes.

Antipsychotic Treatment of Delirium in Critically Ill Children: A Retrospective Matched Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of pharmacologic treatment in critically ill children treated according to a delirium protocol and compare those treated with antipsychotics to those treated non-pharmacologically. METHODS>: The study included a retrospective matched cohort describing patients who were pharmacologically treated for delirium compared to those with delirium but not treated in a PICU from December 2013 to September 2015, using a delirium management protocol. Patients were matched by age, sex, diagnosis, mechanical ventilation (MV), and presence of delirium. RESULTS: Of 1875 patients screened, 188 (10.03%) were positive for delirium. Of those, 15 patients (8%) were treated with an antipsychotic for delirium. Patients with delirium treated with antipsychotics were younger, had more delirium days (6 vs. 3, p=0.022), longer MV days (14 vs. 7, p=0.017), and longer PICU length of stay (34 vs. 16 days, p=0.029) than in the untreated group. Haloperidol, risperidone, and quetiapine were used in 9, 6, and 2 patients, respectively. Two patients were treated with multiple antipsychotics. Antipsychotic treatment was initiated on day 2 of delirium for 8 of 15 patients (53.3%). Ten patients in the treatment group had improved delirium scores by day 2 of treatment. No significant differences in sedation exposure between groups. No significant adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: No significant adverse events seen in this small cohort of critically ill pediatric patients with delirium treated with antipsychotic therapy. Patients with early-onset delirium refractory to non-pharmacologic treatment may have a more effective response to antipsychotic therapy than patients with late-onset refractory delirium.

Downward Trend in Pediatric Resident Laryngoscopy Participation in PICUs.

OBJECTIVES: As of July 2013, pediatric resident trainee guidelines in the United States no longer require proficiency in nonneonatal tracheal intubation. We hypothesized that laryngoscopy by pediatric residents has decreased over time, with a more pronounced decrease after this guideline change. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Twenty-five PICUs at various children's hospitals across the United States. PATIENTS: Tracheal intubations performed in PICUs from July 2010 to June 2016 in the multicenter tracheal intubation database (National Emergency Airway Registry for Children). INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Prospective cohort study in which all primary tracheal intubations occurring in the United States from July 2010 to June 2016 in the multicenter tracheal intubation database (National Emergency Airway Registry for Children) were analyzed. Participating PICU leaders were also asked to describe their local airway management training for residents. Resident participation trends over time, stratified by presence of a Pediatric Critical Care Medicine fellowship and airway training curriculum for residents, were described. A total of 9,203 tracheal intubations from 25 PICUs were reported. Pediatric residents participated in 16% of tracheal intubations as first laryngoscopists: 14% in PICUs with a Pediatric Critical Care Medicine fellowship and 34% in PICUs without one (p < 0.001). Resident participation decreased significantly over time (3.4% per year; p < 0.001). The decrease was significant in ICUs with a Pediatric Critical Care Medicine fellowship (p < 0.001) but not in ICUs without one (p = 0.73). After adjusting for site-level clustering, patient characteristics, and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine fellowship presence, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education guideline change was not associated with lower participation by residents (odds ratio, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.59-1.24; p = 0.43). The downward trend of resident participation was similar regardless of the presence of an airway curriculum for residents. CONCLUSION: Laryngoscopy by pediatric residents has substantially decreased over time. This downward trend was not associated with the 2013 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education change in residency requirements.

Frequency of Desaturation and Association With Hemodynamic Adverse Events During Tracheal Intubations in PICUs.

OBJECTIVES: Oxygen desaturation during tracheal intubation is known to be associated with adverse ICU outcomes in critically ill children. We aimed to determine the occurrence and severity of desaturation during tracheal intubations and the association with adverse hemodynamic tracheal intubation-associated events. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study as a part of the National Emergency Airway Registry for Children Network's quality improvement project from January 2012 to December 2014. SETTING: International PICUs. PATIENTS: Critically ill children younger than 18 years undergoing primary tracheal intubations in the ICUs. INTERVENTIONS: tracheal intubation processes of care and outcomes were prospectively collected using standardized operational definitions. We defined moderate desaturation as oxygen saturation less than 80% and severe desaturation as oxygen saturation less than 70% during tracheal intubation procedures in children with initial oxygen saturation greater than 90% after preoxygenation. Adverse hemodynamic tracheal intubation-associated event was defined as cardiac arrests, hypo or hypertension requiring intervention, and dysrhythmia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 5,498 primary tracheal intubations from 31 ICUs were reported. Moderate desaturation was observed in 19.3% associated with adverse hemodynamic tracheal intubation-associated events (9.8% among children with moderate desaturation vs 4.4% without desaturation; p < 0.001). Severe desaturation was observed in 12.9% of tracheal intubations, also significantly associated with hemodynamic tracheal intubation-associated events. After adjusting for patient, provider, and practice factors, the occurrence of moderate desaturation was independently associated with hemodynamic tracheal intubation-associated events: adjusted odds ratio 1.83 (95% CI, 1.34-2.51; p < 0.001). The occurrence of severe desaturation was also independently associated with hemodynamic tracheal intubation-associated events: adjusted odds ratio 2.16 (95% CI, 1.54-3.04; p < 0.001). Number of tracheal intubation attempts was also significantly associated with the frequency of moderate and severe desaturations (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this large tracheal intubation quality improvement database, we found moderate and severe desaturation are reported among 19% and 13% of all tracheal intubation encounters. Moderate and severe desaturations were independently associated with the occurrence of adverse hemodynamic events. Future quality improvement interventions may focus to reduce desaturation events.

American College of Critical Care Medicine Clinical Practice Parameters for Hemodynamic Support of Pediatric and Neonatal Septic Shock.

OBJECTIVES: The American College of Critical Care Medicine provided 2002 and 2007 guidelines for hemodynamic support of newborn and pediatric septic shock. Provide the 2014 update of the 2007 American College of Critical Care Medicine "Clinical Guidelines for Hemodynamic Support of Neonates and Children with Septic Shock." DESIGN: Society of Critical Care Medicine members were identified from general solicitation at Society of Critical Care Medicine Educational and Scientific Symposia (2006-2014). The PubMed/Medline/Embase literature (2006-14) was searched by the Society of Critical Care Medicine librarian using the keywords: sepsis, septicemia, septic shock, endotoxemia, persistent pulmonary hypertension, nitric oxide, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and American College of Critical Care Medicine guidelines in the newborn and pediatric age groups. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The 2002 and 2007 guidelines were widely disseminated, translated into Spanish and Portuguese, and incorporated into Society of Critical Care Medicine and American Heart Association/Pediatric Advanced Life Support sanctioned recommendations. The review of new literature highlights two tertiary pediatric centers that implemented quality improvement initiatives to improve early septic shock recognition and first-hour compliance to these guidelines. Improved compliance reduced hospital mortality from 4% to 2%. Analysis of Global Sepsis Initiative data in resource rich developed and developing nations further showed improved hospital mortality with compliance to first-hour and stabilization guideline recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The major new recommendation in the 2014 update is consideration of institution-specific use of 1) a "recognition bundle" containing a trigger tool for rapid identification of patients with septic shock, 2) a "resuscitation and stabilization bundle" to help adherence to best practice principles, and 3) a "performance bundle" to identify and overcome perceived barriers to the pursuit of best practice principles.

Implementation of an ICU Bundle: An Interprofessional Quality Improvement Project to Enhance Delirium Management and Monitor Delirium Prevalence in a Single PICU.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the impact of an ICU bundle on delirium screening and prevalence and describe characteristics of delirium cases. DESIGN: Quality improvement project with prospective observational analysis. SETTING: Nineteen-bed PICU in an urban academic medical center. PATIENTS: All consecutive patients admitted from December 1, 2013, to September 30, 2015. INTERVENTIONS: A multidisciplinary team implemented an ICU bundle consisting of three clinical protocols: delirium, sedation, and early mobilization using the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles as part of a quality improvement project. The delirium protocol implemented in December 2013 consisted of universal screening with the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium revised instrument, prevention and treatment strategies, and case conferences. The sedation protocol and early mobilization protocol were implemented in October 2014 and June 2015, respectively. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One thousand eight hundred seventy-five patients were screened using the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium revised tool. One hundred forty patients (17%) had delirium (having Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium revised scores ≥ 9 for 48 hr or longer). Seventy-four percent of delirium positive patients were mechanically ventilated of which 46% were younger than 12 months and 59% had baseline developmental delays. Forty-one patients had emerging delirium (having one Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium revised score ≥ 9). Statistical process control was used to evaluate the impact of three ICU bundle process changes on monthly delirium rates over a 22-month period. The delirium rate decreased with the implementation of each phase of the ICU bundle. Ten months after the delirium protocol was implemented, the mean delirium rate was 19.3%; after the sedation protocol and early mobilization protocols were implemented, the mean delirium rate was 11.84%. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an ICU bundle along with staff education and case conferences is effective for improving delirium screening, detection, and treatment and is associated with decreased delirium prevalence.

Family Presence During Pediatric Tracheal Intubations.

IMPORTANCE: Family-centered care, which supports family presence (FP) during procedures, is now a widely accepted standard at health care facilities that care for children. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the practice of FP during tracheal intubation (TI) in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Family presence during procedures in PICUs has been advocated. OBJECTIVE: To describe the current practice of FP during TI and evaluate the association with procedural and clinician (including physician, respiratory therapist, and nurse practitioner) outcomes across multiple PICUs. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective cohort study in which all TIs from July 2010 to March 2014 in the multicenter TI database (National Emergency Airway Registry for Children [NEAR4KIDS]) were analyzed. Family presence was defined as a family member present during TI. This study included all TIs in patients younger than 18 years in 22 international PICUs. EXPOSURES: Family presence and no FP during TI in the PICU. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The percentage of FP during TIs. First attempt success rate, adverse TI-associated events, multiple attempts (≥ 3), oxygen desaturation (oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry <80%), and self-reported team stress level. RESULTS: A total of 4969 TI encounters were reported. Among those, 81% (n = 4030) of TIs had documented FP status (with/without). The median age of participants with FP was 2 years and 1 year for those without FP. The average percentage of TIs with FP was 19% and varied widely across sites (0%-43%; P < .001). Tracheal intubations with FP (vs without FP) were associated with older patients (median, 2 years vs 1 year; P = .04), lower Paediatric Index of Mortality 2 score, and pediatric resident as the first airway clinician (23%, n = 179 vs 18%, n = 584; odds ratio [OR], 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2-1.7). Tracheal intubations with FP and without FP were no different in the first attempt success rate (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.85-1.18), adverse TI-associated events (any events: OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.85-1.30 and severe events: OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.75-1.43), multiple attempts (≥ 3) (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.82-1.28), oxygen desaturation (oxygen saturation <80%) (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.80-1.18), or self-reported team stress level (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.92-1.31). This result persisted after adjusting for patient and clinician confounders. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Wide variability exists in FP during TIs across PICUs. Family presence was not associated with first attempt success, adverse TI-associated events, oxygen desaturation (<80%), or higher team stress level. Our data suggest that FP during TI can safely be implemented as part of a family-centered care model in the PICU.

Coccidioidomycosis in infants: A retrospective case series.

INTRODUCTION: In contrast to adults, coccidioidomycosis is a rare disease in infants and the mechanisms of disease acquisition are not well described in infants. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis in infants in an endemic area. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study of all patients less than 12 months of age admitted to a tertiary free standing children's hospital from 2003-2012 diagnosed with coccidioidomycosis. RESULTS: Thirteen infants were hospitalized during the study period. The majority of the patients presented with upper and/or lower respiratory tract infection. The most common presenting symptoms included fever (77%), cough (61%), and respiratory distress (38%). Disseminated disease, included pericardial effusion, neck abscess, and lesions in the cerebellum, basal ganglia and left temporoparietal skull. Fluconazole was the initial, antifungal agent used. Amphotericin B was reserved for significant lung disease and disseminated cases. Failed response to fluconazole and amphotericin B were treated with a combination of voriconazole and caspofungin. Average length of treatment was 4 years. All patients survived to hospital discharge. The majority of the patients had resolution of chest radiograph and coccidiodal complement fixing antibody titers. DISCUSSION: Infant coccidioidomycosis has a non-specific presentation and can mimic common infant respiratory illnesses. In endemic areas, coccidioidomycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infants with pulmonary symptoms unresponsive to conventional treatment. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:858-862. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Incidence and associated factors of difficult tracheal intubations in pediatric ICUs: a report from National Emergency Airway Registry for Children: NEAR4KIDS.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and associated risk factors of difficult tracheal intubations (TI) in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). METHODS: Using the National Emergency Airway Registry for Children (NEAR4KIDS), TI quality improvement data were prospectively collected for initial TIs in 15 PICUs from July 2010 to December 2011. Difficult pediatric TI was defined as TIs by direct laryngoscopy which failed or required more than two laryngoscopy attempts by fellow/attending-level physician providers. RESULTS: A total of 1,516 oral TIs were reported with a median age of 2 years. A total of 97% of patients were intubated with direct laryngoscopy. The incidence of difficult TI was 9%. In univariate analysis, patients with difficult TI were younger [median 1 year (0-4) vs. 2 (0-8) years, p = 0.046], and had a reported history of difficult TI (22 vs. 8%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that history of difficult airway and signs of upper airway obstruction are significantly associated with difficult TI. The advanced airway provider was more involved as a first provider in difficult TI (81 vs. 58%, p < 0.001). The presence of difficult TI was associated with higher incidence of oxygen desaturation below 80% (48 vs. 15%, p < 0.001), adverse TI associated events (53 vs. 20%, p < 0.001), and severe TI associated events (13 vs. 6%, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Difficult TI was reported in 9% of all TIs and was associated with increased adverse TI events. History of difficult airway and sign of upper airway obstruction were associated with difficult TIs.

Critically ill children during the 2009-2010 influenza pandemic in the United States.

BACKGROUND: The 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) (pH1N1) virus continues to circulate worldwide. Determining the roles of chronic conditions and bacterial coinfection in mortality is difficult because of the limited data for children with pH1N1-related critical illness. METHODS: We identified children (<21 years old) with confirmed or probable pH1N1 admitted to 35 US PICUs from April 15, 2009, through April 15, 2010. We collected data on demographics, baseline health, laboratory results, treatments, and outcomes. RESULTS: Of 838 children with pH1N1 admitted to a PICU, the median age was 6 years, 58% were male, 70% had ≥1 chronic health condition, and 88.2% received oseltamivir (5.8% started before PICU admission). Most patients had respiratory failure with 564 (67.3%) receiving mechanical ventilation; 162 (19.3%) received vasopressors, and 75 (8.9%) died. Overall, 71 (8.5%) of the patients had a presumed diagnosis of early (within 72 hours after PICU admission) Staphylococcus aureus coinfection of the lung with 48% methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA). In multivariable analyses, preexisting neurologic conditions or immunosuppression, encephalitis (1.7% of cases), myocarditis (1.4% of cases), early presumed MRSA lung coinfection, and female gender were mortality risk factors. Among 251 previously healthy children, only early presumed MRSA coinfection of the lung (relative risk: 8 [95% confidence interval: 3.1-20.6]; P < .0001) remained a mortality risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: Children with preexisting neurologic conditions and immune compromise were at increased risk of pH1N1-associated death after PICU admission. Secondary complications of pH1N1, including myocarditis, encephalitis, and clinical diagnosis of early presumed MRSA coinfection of the lung, were mortality risk factors.

The Pediatric Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score (P-MODS): development and validation of an objective scale to measure the severity of multiple organ dysfunction in critically ill children.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and then prospectively validate an objective scale to grade multiple organ system dysfunction in a large population of critically ill children. DESIGN: Prospective, observational cohort study. SETTING: A pediatric intensive care unit at a tertiary care pediatric teaching hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 6,456 pediatric consecutive admissions (mean age 4.62 yrs) admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. INTERVENTIONS: a) Identification of variables that could define organ dysfunction in children; b) development of a Pediatric Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score (P-MODS); c) correlation of the score with outcome at pediatric intensive care unit discharge; d) subsequent prospective validation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A computer system randomly separated patients into two groups: a development set to create the scoring system and a validation set to evaluate score performance and reproducibility. Survivors and nonsurvivors were compared to define variables that were significantly more abnormal in nonsurvivors. Those variables were correlated with pediatric intensive care unit mortality rate. Optimal intervals for each variable were defined on the development set, and their performance was evaluated in the validation set. Descriptors for organ dysfunction were identified in five organ systems: cardiovascular (lactic acid), respiratory (Pa(O(2))/Fi(O(2)) ratio), hepatic (bilirubin), hematologic (fibrinogen), and renal (blood urea nitrogen). A grading scale for each variable was set from 0 to 4, corresponding to mortality rates of <5% and >50%, respectively. P-MODS was calculated by summing the worst score for all variables. Overall performance of the score was evaluated by generating receiver operating characteristic curves for both study sets. The score correlated strongly and in a graded fashion with pediatric intensive care unit mortality rate. In both sets (development and validation), mortality rate was <5% when the score was 0 and >70% at the highest score. Overall mortality rate was 5.9% (development set) and 5.3% (validation set). The score showed excellent discrimination reflected in areas under the curve: 0.81 (development set) and 0.78 (validation set). CONCLUSIONS: P-MODS correlated strongly with pediatric intensive care unit mortality in both study sets and can provide an objective measure for assessing organ dysfunction in the pediatric intensive care unit. With further study and validation across many centers, it is likely that P-MODS could function as a quantitative, clinically relevant surrogate outcome measure for future therapeutic trials.