Outcome of pediatric intensive care at six centers in Mexico and Ecuador

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Abstract
To improve understanding of the causes of morbidity and mortality among critically ill children in the countries studied. Survey of hospital records between 1992 and 1994. Six pediatric intensive care units (ICUs) (four ICUs in Mexico City and two ICUs in Ecuador). Consecutive patients (n = 1,061) admitted to the units studied. None. The mortality rate for low-risk patients (Pediatric Risk of Mortality [PRISM] score of For six pediatric ICUs in Mexico and Ecuador, mortality was significantly higher than predicted among lower-risk patients. Tracheal intubation, central catheters, pneumonia, sepsis, and nonsurgical status were associated with poor outcome for low-risk groups. We speculate that reducing the use of invasive central catheters and endotracheal intubation for lower-risk patients, coupled with improved infection control, could lower mortality rates in the population studied. (Crit Care Med 1997; 25:1462-1467)