INCREASED HOSPITAL STAY;

RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED HOSPITAL STAY IN CHILDREN.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to scientifically fill the gap and provide the scientific data regarding risk factors associated with prolonged length of hospital stay (PLOS) in children admitted at Isra University Hospital. Study Design: Descriptive case series study. Setting: Pediatric ward of Isra University Hospital Hyderabad. Period: 22 months from February 2016 till November 2017. Material and Methods: All the children having age ≥ one year and less than 10 years hospitalized due to any cause of either gender were enrolled under this study. A proforma was designed comprising of basic demographic variables like age and gender and relevant questions like cause of hospitalization, risk factors associated with PLOS, and duration of hospital stay. All the information was noted in proforma and analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. Results: In present study we collected data of 188 children. In group A (age >1 to 5 years) there were 109 children consisted of 57.97% and remaining group B (age >6 years to 10 years) there were 79 children consisted of 42.02%. The overall mean duration of hospital stay with SD was 12.21 ± 3.14. The mean age and SD of group A was 2.33 ± 1.09 years and group B was 7.01 ± 2.39 years. Children with Group A (age ≥1 year to 5 years), Females, late seeking of medical attention, children not responding on medical treatment, and those who get infected during hospitalization were significantly associated with prolonged length of hospital stay (p <0.05). Conclusion: Younger children with age less than 5 years having female predominance and delayed seeking of medical attention were the most significant risk factors associated with PLOS in our population.