2025, Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part C

author(s)
Subaranjani Nagaraj, Ruchita Mhatre, Anuja Mahadik, Roopali Wagh and Sneha Vaidya

abstract
Critically ill infants and children are at high risk for hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PICCU). Most of the children undergo complex cardiac procedures that require extended periods of immobility, inotropic support, sedation medications, and chemical paralytics to aid in the healing process. These therapies, in conjunction with the physiologic consequences of the child’s cardiac lesion, can lead to decreased oxygenation and perfusion, increasing the patient’s risk for injury to the skin. Hence preoperative risk assessment and interventions are required to prevent pressure injuries in pediatric cardiac patients who are at high risk due to multiple factors.