Paediatric Intensive Care (PICU)
Paediatric intensive care is for children whose breathing, circulation or conscious level needs supporting while the underlying illness is treated. It is a frightening place for families, and a great deal of the work is making sure parents understand what is happening and why.
- Continuous monitoring and nursing
- Ventilator support for children
- Paediatric doses and equipment
- Daily updates for parents
Stay
Days, depending on the illness
Duration
Continuous care
Anaesthesia
Sedation while ventilated
About Paediatric Intensive Care (PICU)
Children admitted to intensive care are usually there because of severe infection, breathing failure, a seizure that will not stop, or after major surgery. Support is given for whatever organ is failing while the cause is treated. Children generally recover faster than adults once the underlying problem is controlled, which is why the emphasis is on early recognition and prompt support.
- Support for the organ that is failing while the cause is treated
- Children usually recover faster than adults once the cause is controlled
- Sedation is used while a child is ventilated
- Parents are given a daily update at a set time
Before you read on
Everything here is general information about paediatric intensive care (picu). Whether it suits you, and how it would be done in your case, is a decision for your doctor after examining you.
Your consultant's instructions always take precedence over anything written on this page.
When is it recommended?
Situations in which a doctor may suggest paediatric intensive care (picu).
- Severe pneumonia or asthma needing ventilation
- Severe infection or sepsis
- Seizures that will not stop with usual treatment
- Serious injury
- Recovery after major surgery
- Any child needing continuous organ support
Procedure details
The usual sequence, from first consultation through to follow-up.
Admission and stabilisation
Breathing and circulation are supported first. Lines and monitoring are placed, and sedation given if the child needs ventilating.
Treating the cause
Antibiotics, fluids, anticonvulsants or other treatment for the underlying illness run alongside the organ support.
Daily review
The intensivist and paediatric team review the child several times a day and give families an update at a set time.
Weaning and step-down
Support is reduced as the child improves, sedation is lightened, and the child moves to the children's ward when stable.
How to prepare
What to sort out before you come in.
- Admission is an emergency, so there is nothing to prepare
- Bring the immunisation card and details of regular medication if you can
- Nominate one family member to receive updates, so information stays consistent
- Ask the nursing staff when the daily update happens
- Bring a comfort item from home, which can stay with the child
Recovery
What to expect afterwards, and roughly when.
- Improvement in intensive care is usually measured in days rather than hours
- Coming off the ventilator is done gradually rather than at once
- Children are often unsettled or clingy for a period after discharge, which is normal
- Feeding and sleep take time to return to normal after a stay
- Follow-up with the paediatrician is arranged before you go home
Why choose Humayun for paediatric intensive care
Critically ill children need paediatric doses, paediatric equipment and staff who assess children every day.
- Paediatric intensive care rather than a child in an adult unit
- Emergency, ward and intensive care in the same building, so nothing depends on a transfer
- A daily update at a set time, in language families can follow
- Step-down to the children's ward in the same hospital, with the same team
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More in Paediatric Services
General Paediatric OPD
Outpatient consultations for children, covering everyday illness, growth, feeding and the worries parents bring.
Newborn Care
Examination and care of babies in the first weeks, covering feeding, jaundice, weight and the checks done before discharge.
Immunisation
Routine childhood vaccination and catch-up schedules, given on time and recorded properly.
Growth Monitoring
Regular measurement of weight, height and head size plotted on a growth chart, which is how problems are found early.
Developmental Assessment
Structured checks of movement, speech, social interaction and learning, so support can start early where it is needed.
Paediatric Emergency Care
Round-the-clock emergency assessment and treatment for children, by staff used to examining children.
Paediatric Inpatient Care
Ward admission for children who need intravenous treatment, oxygen or observation, with a parent staying throughout.
Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU)
Intensive care for newborns needing breathing support, feeding through a tube, or close monitoring in the first weeks.