Acute and Critical Care

Original Articles

Pediatrics
Post–intensive-care morbidity among pediatric patients in Thailand: prevalence, risk factors, and the importance of the post–intensive-care clinic: Chanapai Chaiyakulsil; Acute Crit Care. 2024;39(4):600-610. Published online November 18, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2024.01011

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Long-term survival data for critically ill children discharged to post-intensive care clinics are scarce, especially in Asia. The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of post–intensive-care morbidity among pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) survivors at 1 month and 1 year after hospital discharge and to identify the associated risk factors.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective chart review of all children aged 1 month to 15 years who were admitted to the PICU for >48 hours from July 2019 to July 2022 and visited a post–intensive-care clinic 1 month and 1 year after hospital discharge. Post-intensive care morbidity was defined using the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC). Descriptive statistics, univariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted.
Results
A total of 111 children visited the clinic at 1 month, and 100 of these children visited the clinic at 1 year. Only 39 of 111 children (35.2%) had normal PCPC assessments at 1 month, while 54 of 100 (54.0%) were normal at 1 year. Baseline developmental delays were significantly associated with any degree of disability and at least moderate disability at both time points. Mechanical ventilation for >7 days was associated with at least moderate disability at both time points, while PICU stay >7 days was significantly associated with moderate disability at 1 month and any degree of disability at 1 year.
Conclusions
A substantial percentage of PICU survivors had persistent disabilities even 1 year after critical illness. A structured multidisciplinary post–intensive-care follow-up plan is warranted to provide optimal care for such children.

Epidemiology
Implementation and effectiveness of a delirium care protocol in Thai critically ill children: Chanapai Chaiyakulsil, Thananya Thadahirunchot; Acute Crit Care. 2023;38(4):488-497. Published online November 28, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2023.00045

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1 Web of Science
4 Crossref

Background
Delirium in critically ill children can result in long-term morbidity. Our main objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness of a new protocol on the reduction, prevalence, and duration of delirium and to identify associated risk factors.
Methods
The effectiveness of the protocol was evaluated by a chart review in all critically ill children aged 1 month to 15 years during the study period. A Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium score ≥9 was considered positive for delirium. Data on delirium prevalence and duration from the pre-implementation and post-implementation phases were compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the risk factors of delirium.
Results
A total of 120 children was analyzed (58 children in the pre-implementation group and 62 children in the post-implementation group). Fifty children (41.7%) screened positive for delirium. Age less than 2 years, delayed development, use of mechanical ventilation, and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay >7 days were significantly associated with delirium. The proportion of children screened positive was not significantly different after the implementation (before, 39.7% vs. after, 43.5%; P=0.713). Subgroup analyses revealed a significant reduction in the duration of delirium in children with admission diagnosis of cardiovascular problems and after cardiothoracic surgery.
Conclusions
The newly implemented protocol was able to reduce the duration of delirium in children with admission diagnosis of cardiovascular problems and after cardiothoracic surgery. More studies should be conducted to reduce delirium to prevent long-term morbidity after PICU discharge.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Risk Factors for Delirium in Pediatric Intensive Care Units: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Zhiwen Zhang, Peng Zhou
Pediatric Neurology.2026; 180: 146. CrossRef
Pediatric Delirium in Pediatric Intensive Care Setting: A Review of Recognition and Prevalence
Patricia Savrimuthu, Putri Yubbu
Malaysian Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health.2025; 31(1): 33. CrossRef
Non-pharmacological interventions for delirium in critically ill children: a scoping review
Max Zilezinski, Natascha-Elisabeth Denninger, Antje Tannen, Jan Kottner
BMJ Open.2025; 15(9): e094529. CrossRef
The growing significance of delirium in children
Roberta Esteves Vieira de Castro, Yu Kawai, Alexandria Barry, Dickey Catherine Fuchs, Elizabeth Engstrom, Kristina A. Betters, Heidi A. B. Smith
Critical Care Science.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

Epidemiology
Incidence and associated factors of pediatric post-intensive care syndrome using the VSCAREMD model: Paweethida Tippayawong, Chanapai Chaiyakulsil; Acute Crit Care. 2022;37(4):627-635. Published online October 19, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2022.00234

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213 Download
5 Web of Science
5 Crossref

Abstract PDF

Background
The VSCAREMD model is used for evaluating vaccination, sleep, and parental care burden, which includes daily activity and social interaction, rehabilitation requirements, hearing, mood, and development. It has been proposed to detect post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) in children. This study aimed to outline the incidence of PICS in children using the VSCAREMD model and to describe the associated factors.
Methods
All children ages 1 month to 15 years and admitted to the intensive care unit for at least 48 hours were evaluated using the VSCAREMD model within 1 week of intensive care discharge. Abnormal findings were assorted into four domains: physical, cognitive, mental, and social. Descriptive statistics were performed using chi-square, univariate, and multivariate analyses.
Results
A total of 78 of 95 children (82.1%) had at least one abnormal domain. Physical, cognitive, mental, and social morbidity were found in 64.2%, 26.3%, 13.7%, and 38.9% of the children, respectively. Prolonged intensive care unit stay greater than 7 days was associated with dysfunction in physical (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31–11.00), cognitive (aOR, 10.11; 95% CI, 3.01–33.89), and social domains (aOR, 5.01; 95% CI, 2.01–12.73). Underlying medical conditions were associated with cognitive (aOR, 13.63; 95% CI, 2.64– 70.26) and social morbidity (aOR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.06–7.47).
Conclusions
The incidence of PICS using the VSCAREMD model was substantially high and associated with prolonged intensive care. This model could help evaluate PICS in children.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Post-traumatic stress disorder in children after discharge from the pediatric intensive care unit: a scoping review
Maoting Tang, Ping Lei Chui, Mei Chan Chong, Xianliang Liu
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.2025; 34(2): 483. CrossRef
Post intensive care syndrome in paediatrics PICS-p: symptoms, severity and prevalence
Patrycja Krystyna Mazurek, Anna Aftyka
Pielegniarstwo XXI wieku / Nursing in the 21st Century.2025; 24(1): 83. CrossRef
Prevalence of Post-intensive care syndrome among intensive care unit-survivors and its association with intensive care unit length of stay: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Temesgen Ayenew, Menberu Gete, Mihretie Gedfew, Addisu Getie, Abebe Dilie Afenigus, Afework Edmealem, Haile Amha, Girma Alem, Bekele Getenet Tiruneh, Mengistu Abebe Messelu, Ramya Iyadurai
PLOS One.2025; 20(5): e0323311. CrossRef
Pain, Analgesia, Sedation, and the Developing Brain
Callie Marshall, Christopher McPherson
Pediatric Clinics of North America.2025; 72(5): 877. CrossRef
Post–intensive-care morbidity among pediatric patients in Thailand: prevalence, risk factors, and the importance of the post–intensive-care clinic
Chanapai Chaiyakulsil
Acute and Critical Care.2024; 39(4): 600. CrossRef

Epidemiology
Hearing screening outcomes in pediatric critical care survivors: a 1-year report: Pattita Suwannatrai, Chanapai Chaiyakulsil; Acute Crit Care. 2022;37(2):209-216. Published online March 8, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.00899

6,357 View
171 Download
2 Web of Science
3 Crossref

Abstract PDF

Background
Hearing loss is a potentially serious complication that can occur after surviving a critical illness. Study on screening for hearing problems in pediatric critical care survivors beyond the neonatal period is lacking. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of abnormal hearing screening outcomes using transitory evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) screening in children who survived critical illness and to find possible associating factors for abnormal hearing screening results.
Methods
This study was a single-center, prospective, observational study. All children underwent otoscopy to exclude external and middle ear abnormalities before undergoing TEOAE screening. The screening was conducted before hospital discharge. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and logistic regression tests were used for data analysis.
Results
A total of 92 children were enrolled. Abnormal TEOAE responses were identified in 26 participants (28.3%). Children with abnormal responses were significantly younger than those with normal responses with a median age of 10.0 months and 43.5 months, respectively (P<0.001). Positive association with abnormal responses was found in children younger than 12 months of age (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–8.90) and children with underlying genetic conditions (adjusted OR, 6.95; 95% CI, 1.49–32.54).
Conclusions
Our study demonstrates a high prevalence of abnormal TEOAE screening responses in children surviving critical illness, especially in patients younger than 12 months of age. More extensive studies should be performed to identify the prevalence and associated risk factors of hearing problems in critically ill children.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Hearing loss assessment by pure tone audiometry amongst the survivors of intensive care unit: A prospective observational cohort study
Sai Saran, Abhishek Bahadur Singh, Avinash Agrawal, Saumitra Misra, Suhail Sarwar Siddiqui, Ayush Lohiya, Prabhaker Misra
Journal of Critical Care.2025; 87: 155042. CrossRef
Hearing Deficits Assessment by Pure Tone Audiometry Amongst the Survivors of Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study
Avinash Agrawal, Suhail Sarwar Siddiqui, Sai Saran, Saumitra Misra, Abhishek Bahadur Singh
Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine.2025; 29(S1): S126. CrossRef
Physiological and electrophysiological evaluation of the hearing system in low birth weight neonates treated with cholestin: a cohort study
Nastaran Khosravi, Malihah Mazaheryazdi, Majid Kalani, Nasrin Khalesi, Zinat Shakeri, Saeedeh Archang, Maryam Archang
The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology.2023;[Epub] CrossRef

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