Background: Coma is a common in PICU, it is a state of deep, unarousable, pathological unconsciousness in which the person shows no response to environment
Objective: determine patterns of coma in patients admitted at Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Sohag University Hospital
Methods: over a one year period ,we collected data from 58 child presented with coma they were subjected to complete medical history with special concern to previous attacks of convulsions, epilepsy, history of neurological diseases, metabolic diseases .Full clinical examination with special concern to degree of consciousness by GCS, neurological examination , manifestation of increased intracranial tension and neck rigidity. Investigation include Laboratory evaluations :CBC, liver and kidney functions ,ABG,C.S.F, EEG,CT scan of the brain, MRI of the brain for all included children except critically ill patients.
Results: Total 58 patients in the study. Most common causes and for coma in PICU were complicated Pneumonia in 11 patients (18.97%), followed by complicated CHD in 8 patients (13.79%),DKA in 7 patients (12.07%), Encephalitis in 7 patients (12.07%),GE 5 patients (8.62%),ICH in 4 patients (6.90%), RF in 4 patients (6.90%), Scorpion bite in 4 patients (6.90%),Sepsis in 2 patients(3.45%) , Metabolic acidosis in 2 patients (3.45%)
Conclusion: infection is the first cause of comatose pediatric patients in PICU, half of them less than one year, Most common causes for coma in PICU is complicated Pneumonia .There is significant relation between the GCS grade and the outcome as increased in GCS associated with improved outcome
Key words : Children, Coma ,GCS Infection