biostudies-literatureUnknown40(8)Prince NJ<h4>Aims</h4>To determine whether the paediatric intensive care (PIC) population weight distribution differs from the UK reference population and whether weight-for-age at admission is an independent risk factor for mortality.<h4>Methods</h4>Admission weight-for-age standard deviation scores (SDS) were calculated for all PIC admissions (March 2003-December 2011) to Great Ormond Street Hospital: this is the number of standard deviations (SD) between a child's weight and the UK mean weight-for-age. Categorised into nine SDS groups, standardised mortality ratios (SMR) and logistic regression were used to assess the relationship between weight-for-age at admission and risk-adjusted mortality.<h4>Results</h4>Out of 12,458 admissions, mean weight-for-age was 1.04 SD below the UK reference population mean (p < 0.0001). Based on 942 deaths, risk-adjusted mortality was lowest in those with mild-to-moderately raised weight-for-age (SDS 0.5-2.5) and highest in children with extreme under- or overweight (SDS < -3.5 and SDS > +3.5). Logistic regression indicated that age, gender, ethnicity and weight-for-age are independent risk factors for mortality. South Asian and 'other' ethnicities had significantly increased risk of death compared to children of white and black ethnic origin.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The PIC population mean weight-for-age is significantly lower than the UK reference mean. The extremes of weight-for-age are over-represented, especially underweight. Weight-for-age at admission is an independent risk factor for mortality. A U-shaped association between weight and risk-adjusted mortality exists, with the lowest risk of death in children who are mild-to-moderately overweight. Future studies should determine the impact of malnutrition on risk-adjusted mortality and investigate the aetiology of risk disparities with ethnicity.Intensive care medicine1132-9https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4107282biostudies-literatureWeight-for-age distribution and case-mix adjusted outcomes of 14,307 paediatric intensive care admissions.PMC4107282Brown KLPeters MJMebrahtu TFParslow RCPrince NJfalseWeight-for-age distribution and case-mix adjusted outcomes of 14,307 paediatric intensive care admissions.<h4>Aims</h4>To determine whether the paediatric intensive care (PIC) population weight distribution differs from the UK reference population and whether weight-for-age at admission is an independent risk factor for mortality.<h4>Methods</h4>Admission weight-for-age standard deviation scores (SDS) were calculated for all PIC admissions (March 2003-December 2011) to Great Ormond Street Hospital: this is the number of standard deviations (SD) between a child's weight and the UK mean weight-for-age. Categorised into nine SDS groups, standardised mortality ratios (SMR) and logistic regression were used to assess the relationship between weight-for-age at admission and risk-adjusted mortality.<h4>Results</h4>Out of 12,458 admissions, mean weight-for-age was 1.04 SD below the UK reference population mean (p < 0.0001). Based on 942 deaths, risk-adjusted mortality was lowest in those with mild-to-moderately raised weight-for-age (SDS 0.5-2.5) and highest in children with extreme under- or overweight (SDS < -3.5 and SDS > +3.5). Logistic regression indicated that age, gender, ethnicity and weight-for-age are independent risk factors for mortality. South Asian and 'other' ethnicities had significantly increased risk of death compared to children of white and black ethnic origin.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The PIC population mean weight-for-age is significantly lower than the UK reference mean. The extremes of weight-for-age are over-represented, especially underweight. Weight-for-age at admission is an independent risk factor for mortality. A U-shaped association between weight and risk-adjusted mortality exists, with the lowest risk of death in children who are mild-to-moderately overweight. Future studies should determine the impact of malnutrition on risk-adjusted mortality and investigate the aetiology of risk disparities with ethnicity.2014-01-01T00:00:00Z2014 Aug2022-02-09T12:38:47.35Z2019-03-27T01:32:34ZS-EPMC41072822503447510.1007/s00134-014-3381-x