Background:The Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 (PIM 2) score is a predictive tool used to estimate the risk of mortality in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
Objective: To evaluate the utility of the PIM 2 score in predicting mortality for this patient group, alongside examining management strategies and personnel practices within a tertiary care PICU setting.
Methods:This prospective observational study was conducted at Benha University Hospital's PICU over a six-month period from August 2022 to January 2023. A total of 98 children aged one month to 16 years presented with chest problems such as bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma, aspiration, and croup. PIM 2 score was calculated based on ten critical variables such as elective PICU admission, early mechanical ventilation, systolic blood pressure, and base excess. Patient outcomes were monitored until discharge.
Results: The study involved 98 patients, with an average age of 5.41 ± 3.121 years, balanced across genders (46.9% male, 53.1% female). The average PIM 2 score was 9.58 ± 13.693, with patients' outcomes showing 86.7% survival and 13.3% mortality. A significant correlation was found between higher PIM 2 scores and mortality (p < 0.001). ROC curve analysis yielded a ≤15.7 PIM 2 score cut-off, predicting survival with 87.06% sensitivity and 84.62% specificity (AUC 0.902, p < 0.001)
Conclusions: The PIM 2 score is a reliable predictor of mortality among pediatric patients with chest problems admitted to PICU. High PIM 2 scores were significantly associated with increased mortality, underscoring the score's utility in clinical decision-making.