RESUMO
The aim of this study was to describe clinical profiles and outcomes of children admitted directly from the Emergency Room [ER] to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit [PICU] of academic hospital. The medical records of all children [1 month to 16 years] admitted in PICU from ER, from January 2011 to December 2012 were reviewed. Of the 26, 774 patients seen in the ER during the study period, 468 [1.7%] were admitted to the PICU which constituted about 41.5% [468/1127] of all the total PICU admissions. Sixty three percent [n=294] were under-five; males were 60.9% [285], 82.3% [385] were in medical category. Neurological and respiratory illnesses were the most common groups [> 50% of all ER admissions]. Multi-organ dysfunction syndrome and co-morbidity were present in 25.2% [n=118] and 23.5% [n=110] respectively. The mean length of stay was 5 +/- 3.7 hours. The case-fatality rate was 20.3% [n=95] as compared to the overall PICU mortality rate of 11.9% [n=135]. Key Words: Pediatric intensive care unit [PICU]. Emergency room [ER]. Children. Outcome.