Fluid Accumulation in Mechanically Ventilated, Critically Ill Children: Retrospective Cohort Study of Prevalence and Outcome

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence, patterns, explanatory variables, and outcomes associated with fluid accumulation (FA) in mechanically ventilated children. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary PICU. PATIENTS: Children mechanically ventilated for greater than or equal to 24 hours. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Between July 2016 and July 2021, 1,636 children met eligibility criteria. Median age was 5.5 months (interquartile range [IQR], 0.7-46.5 mo), and congenital heart disease was the most common diagnosis. Overall, by day 7 of admission, the median maximum cumulative FA, as a percentage of estimated admission weight, was 7.5% (IQR, 3.3-15.1) occ..