A Study on Indication for Mechanical Ventilation among Children at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Currently, pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of death of children worldwide. The mortality rate for patients of all ages with VAP is approximately 33% to 50%.Approximately 10-28% of critical care patients develop Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP). It increases length of stay in ICU up to 28% and each incidence of Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is estimated to generate an increased cost of £6000-£22000. Mortality rate is 24%-71%. Subjects and Methods: All patients on mechanical ventilator admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit during the prescribed study period were considered for case identification and study was prospective study. Results: Most common diagnosis at presentation in patients studied was Severe dengue 50(33.3%), followed by Pneumonia 25(16.7%), Sepsis 14(9.3%). Conclusion: Most common indication for mechanical ventilation in patients studied was Severe respiratory distress (33.3%), followed by septic shock (20%), poor GCS (18.7%), Dengue shock (16.7%).