P.039 Informing treatment advancement and innovation in a tertiary care neurocritical care (NCC)) program

Abstract

Background: Children with neurological injuries/insults carry the highest risk of death and disability in Pediatric and Neonatal ICUs. These patients comprise 25-30% of admissions and have a myriad of diagnoses. Longitudinal outcome data is required to inform treatment effects and innovation strategies. NCC at the Alberta Children’s Hospital (ACH) participates in acute, subacute, and long-term/outpatient management with an aim to use comprehensive clinical data to improve outcomes. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal, population-based observational cohort study of NCC patients from local NICUs, PICU, and a NCC follow-up program, with comprehensive data from clinical records, development scores and QoL assessments. Results: Since 2019, 929 patients have been enrolled including: 407 neonates, 167 infants, 106 preschool-age and 100 school-age children, and 152 adolescents. The most common reasons for NCC consult were paroxysmal events (36%), encephalopathy (27%) and neonatal HIE (20%). Conclusions: Our database encapsulates the diverse nature of NCC patients and has enabled cohort-specific studies (e.g., neonatal HIE and ECLS outcomes). Program evolution will further facilitate higher powered research studies through large enrollment, comprehensive data capture (with a provincial EHR), and longitudinal outcomes. Engagement with staff and families will also inform treatment and afford evidence-based counseling to families.