More than 10,000 children are hospitalized in an PICU every year in Canada. While most of them will survive their PICU hospitalization and their critical illness, some children will not recover to their pre-illness level. Some may develop behavioral, physical, emotional or developmental problems and difficulties at school. All these problems are elements that are part of the Pediatric Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS-p).
It is important to understand the elements (risk factors) that play a role in the development of PICS-p. In Canada, there is no systematic follow-up for children after they leave the PICU. Understanding what can cause PICS-p (risk factors) and how much PICS-p has an impact on children and their family is very important to the family well-being.
Children ≤18yo hospitalized in PICU for ≥96 hours
gestational age <37 weeks or age >18 years at PICU entry;
admitted for congenital heart surgery (followed in neuro-cardiac clinics in most centers);
anticipated life expectancy <1year (e.g., active do not resuscitate status).
St. Justine's Hospital
Lead sponsor
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Collaborator