Pressure injury risk profile in a Cuban pediatric intensive care unit

Mirelys Sarduy-Lugo, Departamento de Docencia e Investigación, Hospital Pediátrico Universitario José Luis Miranda, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba
Niurka de la Torre-Cuellar, Departamento de Enfermería, Hospital Provincial Pediátrico Universitario José Luis Miranda, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba
Aimé R. Benítez-Molina, Departamento de Docencia e Investigación, Hospital General Docente Julio M. Aristegui Villamil, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Matanzas, Cárdenas, Matanzas, Cuba
Anabel Sarduy-Lugo, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y de la Salud, Universidad Estatal Península Santa Elena, Santa Elena, Ecuador
Lidia E. Collado-Cabañin, Departamento de Enfermería, Hospital Provincial Pediátrico Universitario José Luis Miranda, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba
Yanisleydy Leyva-Cruz, Facultad de Enfermería-Tecnología, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba

Introduction: Pressure injuries are frequent adverse events in pediatric intensive care units, especially among ventilated patients due to immobility, the use of medical devices, and care dependency. Objective: To determine the risk profile of pressure injuries in ventilated patients hospitalized in pediatric intensive care. Method: A descriptive, longitudinal, and prospective study was conducted between January 2022 and March 2023. The sample included 74 patients under 19 years of age who required mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours. Sociodemographic, clinical, and care-related variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics and significance tests (p < 0.05). Results: Pressure injuries developed in 33.78% of patients, with a predominance in children under five years of age and in the occipital region. All injuries occurred within the first 9 days of hospitalization, with the second day being the most frequent. The duration of mechanical ventilation showed a statistically significant association with the occurrence of pressure injuries (p = 0.000). All affected patients presented with fever or low-grade fever, and 44% showed signs of nutritional deterioration, although without statistical significance. Conclusions: The study identified relevant clinical factors in the development of pressure injuries, highlighting young age, prolonged ventilation, and thermal alterations as key elements. These findings strengthen the role of nursing in preventing adverse events and improving safety outcomes for critically ill pediatric patients.

Keywords: Pressure injuries. Pediatric intensive care. Pediatric Nursing. Patient safety. Risk factors. Prevention of adverse events.