Admissions to pediatric intensive care unit due to preventable injuries

Aim: One of the major causes of the morbidity and mortality in chidhood is preventable injuries. In the present study we aimed to analyze the admissions to pediatric intensive care unit because of preventable injuries. Material and Method: Demographic characteristics, injury category, pediatric intensive care unit days, ventilation days and, mortality of the patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit of Mersin University Faculty of Medicine Hospital due to preventable injuries between July 2006 and December 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Out of 822 admissions 124 (15%) were preventable injuries. Of the admissions, 69 (55.6%) were male and 55 (44.3%) were female. Patients were in pediatric intensive care unit for 3.7 +/- 3.1 days, ventilated in 9.7%, and had a mortality of 12.5%. The most common admission reason was intoxications (64.6%), following trauma (17.7%), and the others (burns, animal bites, near drowning and foreign body aspiration) (17.7%). Conclusions: Preventable injuries is a common reason for pediatric intensive care unit admission. Taking more preventive measures against preventable injuries may reduce the morbidity and mortality rates during childhood. (Turk Arch Ped 2012; 47:43-6)