Characteristics and Outcome of Mechanically ventilated Children aged 1month-18rs at the University of Gondar Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit ,Northwest Ethiopia,from June 1,2015 to September 30,2021

Abstract Background: It is mandatory for the clinicians to understand the events occurring in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and outcome of mechanically ventilated children for improving the quality of care of the critically ill child. There are many factors which are associated with increased magnitude of mortality in ventilated children. Therefore this study will assess the overall characteristics and outcome of mechanically ventilated children aged 1month-18years at the University of Gondar Hospital, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.Methods: Institution based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 115 children admitted and mechanically ventilated at PICU of the University of Gondar Hospital from June2015 to September 2021.Data were collected by a structured data extraction tool from the medical records. Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 20. Both descriptive and analytical statistical procedures were utilized. To identify associated factors with the outcome, both bivariate and multi-variate logistic regression analysis were applied. The results of the regression analysis were reported as OR with their 95% confidence interval and significance of p-value below 0.2 and 0.05 in Bivariate and multi variate logistic regressions, respectively..Result: The overall mortality was reported to be 54.8% and clinical characteristics of ventilated children showed that neurologic emergencies (coma)41(35.7%) and Mmalignancies which found in 20(17.4%) were the major reasons for mechanical ventilation. Frequently used mode was SIMV (79.1%) and CPAP was the preferred method of weaning (50%).Conclusion and recommendation: The mortality rate of mechanically ventilated pediatric patients at the University of Gondar Hospital ,PICU was 54.8%. The main cause of death was Acute Respiratory Distress syndrome. SIMV was the main mode and ETT was the only way to access the airway. Severe Acute Malnutrition ,extubation during night and duration of PICU stay were significant predictors of PICU mortality.