You are here

Article Text

Article menu
Download PDFPDF
Article
Recollection of children following intensive care
  1. S Playfora,
  2. D Thomasb,
  3. I Choonarac
  1. aPaediatric Critical Care Unit, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto M5G 1X8, Canada, bPaediatric Intensive Care Unit, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK, cAcademic Division of Child Health (University of Nottingham), Derbyshire Children's Hospital, Uttoxeter Road, Derby, UK
  1. Dr Playforplayfor{at}sickkids.on.ca

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The recollections of critically ill children following discharge from the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) have not previously been described. We have interviewed such children to establish the nature of their recollections.

METHODS Children aged 4 years and above were interviewed following discharge from the PICU at the Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, either in hospital or at home, using a semistructured interview. Their recollections were recorded and interpreted by content analysis.

RESULTS A total of 38 interviews were carried out; 44 specific recollections were reported, the majority being neutral (60%) or positive (25%). Only 15% of recollections were negative. Negative recollections related to aspects of medical care and environmental factors. No child treated with neuromuscular blocking agents remembered any period of therapeutic paralysis.

CONCLUSIONS Children's recollections of PICU are mainly neutral or positive. Mechanically ventilated children sedated with midazolam and morphine remember little of endotracheal intubation.

  • recall
  • paediatric intensive care
  • midazolam

https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.83.5.445

Statistics from Altmetric.com

    Request Permissions

    If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.

    View Full Text

    Linked Articles

    • Archives this month
      HARVEY MARCOVITCH
      Archives of Disease in Childhood 2000; 83 0-0 Published Online First: 01 Nov 2000. doi: 10.1136/adc.83.5.0