Comparison of Clinical Outcomes and Medication Use of Obese Versus Nonobese Children Admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Background: Few studies have compared clinical outcomes and medication use between obese and nonobese children in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Objectives: The primary objective was to compare clinical outcomes including mortality, PICU length of stay (LOS), and mechanical ventilation (MV) requirement between obese and nonobese children. Secondary objectives included analysis of factors associated with these outcomes and medication use between groups. Methods: This retrospective study included children 2 to 17 years old admitted to the PICU over a 1-year time frame. Patients were categorized as obese, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 95th percentile, and nonobese (BMI < 95th percentile). Three binary regression models assessed the impact of obesity on clinical outcomes. Results: There were 834 admissions, with 22.1% involving obese children. There was no difference in mortality, MV requirement, or PICU LOS between groups. There were no associations with obesity and clinical outcomes found, but an association was noted for medication classes and receipt of continuous infusions on clinical outcomes. There was no difference noted in the median number (interquartile range [IQR]) of medications between obese and nonobese children, 8 (6-13) versus 9 (6-15), P = .38, but there was a difference in patients receiving a continuous infusion between obese and nonobese children, 24.4% versus 8.8%, P < .01. The 15 most used medications in both groups included analgesics, antimicrobials, corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and gastrointestinal agents. Conclusions: One-fifth of all admissions included obese children. Obesity was not associated with mortality, PICU LOS, and MV requirement, but the number of medication classes and continuous infusions were associated with these outcomes.