Utility of Paediatric Respiratory Severity Score in Children Admitted with Respiratory Distress In Intensive Care Unit.

Background Acute respiratory infection is a common reason why children under the age of five get sick or die (ARIs). Lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs) are the main cause of death in children. The Pediatric Respiratory Severity Score (PRESS) for Respiratory Tract Infection is a novel and less complex bedside scoring method first development in Yokohama hospital. Hence the aim of the study was to determine the implication of PRESS score in evaluation of children admitted with respiratory distress in PICU. Objectives To evaluate PRESS as a severity assessment scoring for acute respiratory infections in pediatric patients. Methods This was a prospective observational study conducted in a tertiary health care center conducted for a duration of 2 year. All the children admitted with respiratory distress having any 2 features such as tachypnoea, use of accessory muscles, use of intercostal and subcostal muscles, grunting, cyanosis, feeding difficulties and wheeze admitted in were included in the study. PRESS scoring system measured five things: breathing rate, wheezing, use of accessory muscles, SpO2, and difficulty feeding. Each part was assigned 0 or 1 point, and the total score showed how mild, moderate, or severe the problem was. Results Total of 344 children were included. Disease was mild in 44 (12.7%), moderate in 188 (54.7%) and severe in 112 (32.5%). There is statistically significant differences present in pH & pCO2 values in various PRESS scores, but there was no correlation with mechanical ventilation, oxygen supply and PICU stay. Conclusion Those with higher PRESS score had longer picu stay and need more oxygen therapy or have higher rate of mechanical ventilation. It is a very simple and easy tool to predict severity of acute respiratory infections and can be used as a guide for severity wise treatment of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]