Rare Medico Legal Cases of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Objective: While Multiple Life-threatening Conditions (MLCs) admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit represent a substantial healthcare burden, the risk factors, epidemiological data, and clinical manifestations of these cases have yet to be systematically and comprehensively documented. Material and Methods: This study was conducted in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey, between January 1, 2017, and January 1, 2022. The study included 31 males (35.4%) and 17 females (64.6%) with an average age of 4.7 ± 4.1 years. MLCs were classified into nine groups, including Foreign Body Aspiration (FBA), Blunt Trauma (BT), Asphyxia (ASP), Firearm Injury (FI), Sharp and Penetrating Object Injury (SPOI), Electric Injury (EI), Sports-Related Injury (SRI), Animal Bite Injury (ABI), and Home Accident (HA). Results: Foreign Body Aspiration (FBA) was the most prevalent type of MLC in this study (29.1%). The average hospital stay for FBA cases in the general ward was 3 days (range: 1-11 days), and in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit was 2 days (range: 1-8 days). Blunt Trauma (BT) cases had an average hospital stay of 4 days (range: 1-12 days) in the general ward and 3 days (range: 1-10 days) in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Surgical intervention was required for 29.1% of patients (n=14). The mean cost of treating a case in our study was calculated to be 5744 ₺ (approximately US$308.57). The majority of MLCs were attributed to FBA (n=14, 43%), followed by BT (n=9, 18%), and ASP (n=8, 16%). Conclusion: The predominance of Multiple Life-threatening Conditions (MLCs) in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, with Foreign Body Aspiration (FBA) being the most common cause, underscores the need for heightened awareness and prevention efforts. Understanding the risk factors, clinical presentations, and healthcare costs associated with these cases is essential for healthcare professionals and policymakers in their pursuit of reducing the incidence of MLCs.