ABSTRACT
Objectives: To correlate the Full outline of unresponsiveness (FOUR) score and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) in the assessment of children with acute encephalitis syndrome (AES). Method: This observational study was conducted in the department of pediatrics of a public sector tertiary care center from January, 2019 to March, 2020. All consecutive patients of AES admitted during the study period (n=150) were recruited. Subjects were analyzed using the FOUR score and GCS on admission, and then 12-hourly till discharge/ death. Treatment-related and demographic variables were collected and analyzed. Correlation between FOUR score and GCS scores was calculated using spearman correlation coefficient. Results: Positive correlation was observed between the GCS score and the FOUR score (n=0.82; P<0.001). Conclusion: FOUR score and GCS were comparable to assess the level of consciousness in patients with AES. The possibility of using FOUR score as an alternative to GCS in children with AES needs to be considered.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of delirium and its risk factors among children admitted to a Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Method: A descriptive study in which consecutive patients admitted to the PICU over a period of 12 months were screened daily for delirium using the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium (CAPD) score. Treatmentrelated and demographic variables were collected and analyzed. The statistically significant risk factors for delirium were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression for independent associations. Results: Among the 476 screened patients, 96 (20.2%) developed delirium. The independent risk factors associated with the development of delirium were respiratory failure (P<0.001), administration of benzodiazepines during PICU stay (P<0.001), and presence of multiple (?2) risk factors for delirium (P<0.001). The mean length of PICU stay was significantly higher among delirious subjects with P<0.001. Conclusion: Delirium is a frequent complication in critically ill children, and recognition of associated factors may assist in early diagnosis and focussed management.