Abstract
Background: Mechanical ventilation (MV) is a common practice in pediatric intensive care units, and more than 20% of patients require invasive ventilator support. Despite the use of lung-protective ventilation modes in the pediatric population, complications of mechanical ventilation are prevalent.
Objectives: To determine the risk factors and outcomes of ventilation-associated common lung complications and to analyze the frequencies in PICUs at Assiut University Children's Hospital, Assiut, Upper Egypt.
Methods: A retrospective hospital-based case-control study was collected by reviewing and evaluating the medical records data of 154 patients connected to MV for at least 48 hours from April 2022 to April 2023 in the PICU of AUCH, enrolled in the current study. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, and logistic regressions were done to determine risk factors for developing complications.
Results: A total of 154 pediatric patients on mechanical ventilation were included in the study: 75 girls (48.7%) and 79 boys (51.3%). In 38 instances (24.6%), CNS problems were the most prevalent cause of PICU admission; in 22 cases (24.8%), respiratory illnesses came in second. Pneumothorax (17.1%), atelectasis (15.8%), and ventilation-associated pneumonia (VAP) (53.9%) are the most frequent pulmonary problems that were noted.
Conclusion: Despite technological advancements, the incidence of pulmonary problems resulting from mechanical ventilation (MV) in pediatric patients remains elevated.