EPIDEMIOLOGY AND RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PRESSURE ULCERS IN CHILDREN

Abstract

This epidemiological transversal study aimed to identify the risk of, and factors associated with, the development of pressure ulcers in children hospitalized in a Pediatric Intensive Therapy Unit. It was carried out with 40 children, aged between 29 days and eight years; the data was collected using a questionnaire and the Braden Q scale. There was homogeneity of sex and the average age was 15.3 months. All children were considered at risk on the Braden Q scale, with high scores on the following factors: exposure to moisture and tissue perfusion and oxygenation. Twenty-six pressure ulcers were observed in seventeen children, localised principally in the occipital region; about a third were classified as stage 1. It is to be noted that more studies on the care of critically ill children are needed, to develop preventative interventions against these wounds.

Keywords

• Pressure ulcers
• Hospitalized child
• Epidemiology
• Nursing