ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to determinate the frequency and characteristics of pressure ulcers in critically ill children hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care units (4 centers) in Adana. In addition, it is to identify the risk factors that cause pressure ulcers and to discuss the data in the light of the literature.

For this multi-center, prospective point prevalence study, pediatric intensive care units were visited and demographic data, hospitalization diagnoses, treatment and equipment applied, presence and location of pressure ulcers were recorded.

Pressure ulcer was detected in 22.4% (17/76) of the patients. There was no difference between patients with and without pressure ulcer in terms of age, gender, body weight, height, hemoglobin and albumin level, nutritional status, feeding route, repositioning and pressure assessment scale. The mortality score of the patients with pressure ulcer was found to be statistically significantly higher than that of those without pressure ulcer, and the Glasgow Coma score was found to be statistically significantly lower. Inotrope therapy, mechanical ventilation therapy, intubation tube and the presence of edema are the risk factors for pressure ulcer.

Despite the precautions taken, pressure ulcers continue to be an important problem for critically ill patients. It is possible to reduce the frequency of pressure ulcers by using valid scales to identify patients at risk for pressure ulcers within the first 8 hours after hospitalization and by customizing preventive care activities according to the patient’s condition.

Keywords: Pressure ulcer, pressure ulcer score, pressure ulcer risk factors, critically ill child, pediatric intensive care