A STUDY OF CLINICAL PROFILE AND OUTCOME OF CHILDREN WITH RESPIRATORY DISTRESS ADMITTED TO PAEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Respiratory distress (RD) is characterized by increased work of breathing and manifests as tachypnea , grunting, chest retractions, and often has reduced air entry and cyanosis¹. Respiratory diseases like Bronchiolitis and Bronchopneumonia are the most common cause for respiratory distress in children². In the present study results showing a maximum distribution of 60.7% is seen among 1 month to 1 year, 25.3% among 1 to 5 years , 11.3% among 6 to10years, and 2.7% among 10 to 18 years. In the present study, the respiratory system is the leading cause of respiratory distress (77.3%) followed by others like sepsis, chemical pneumonitis etc. (12%), and cardiovascular system (6.6%) and the central nervous system contributes only(4%) and  14.7% children got ventilated, 7.3% required noninvasive modes of ventilation like CPAP ,while remaining 78% required oxygen support with nasal prongs and oxygen mask. In the present study, there is a mortality rate of 7% in the study population presented with respiratory distress. Bronchopneumonia was the leading cause, accounting to 38% followed by Bronchiolitis accounting for 18%. This study showed data how to prevent mortality and how early we can intervene to prevent morbidity and mortality due to respiratory tract infections and also the severity of infections.