PRISM score as a predictor of mortality among pediatric intensive care units.

Abstract

Background: The pediatric risk of mortality (PRISM) score predicts mortality in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This study aimed to evaluate the application of PRISM score as a predictor of mortality in intensive care units of a tertiary hospital.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study of one year was conducted within the Department of Pediatrics at Ziauddin University and Hospital, located in Karachi, Pakistan. The total number of 263 admitted neonates and children up to the age of 12 years were included. Patients more than 12 years of age admitted in wards and plane for any surgery were excluded from the study; the PRISM score tool was used to collect the data of the neonates and children.

Results: The mean PRISM score was high among non-survivors (15.3 ± 7.2) as compared to survivors (12.7 ± 9.2) (p=0.023). The predictability of the PRISM score regarding pediatric mortality was shown by the area under the curve (AUC) i.e., 0.636.

Conclusion: The PRISM score found a significant difference between survival and death groups. Therefore the implication of the PRISM score can be needed in PICU to reduce the mortality rate.