Urgent Action Needed: New Research Highlights Gaps in Critical Care for Children in Resource-Constrained Settings
Every child deserves access to life-saving care when they fall critically ill. However, new research from Teresa Kortz and colleagues, published in The Lancet Global Health paints a stark picture: in resource-constrained settings (RCS), many children suffer from acute critical illness without access to basic interventions that could save their lives.
The Scale of the Problem
The study, which analysed data from 46 hospitals across 19 countries, found that 1 in 8 children presenting to hospitals had paediatric acute critical illness (P-ACI). These are life-threatening conditions that demand immediate medical intervention. The prevalence was highest in low-income countries, where 28% of children admitted to hospital had P-ACI.
What Are the Leading Causes?
The study identified the most common causes of P-ACI as:
Pneumonia (15.4%)
Sepsis or septic shock (10.4%)
Malaria (9.6%)
These conditions are well-known, preventable, and treatable. Yet, due to a lack of resources, many children do not receive the timely care they need.
A Dire Need for Essential Emergency and Critical Care
Disturbingly, nearly 60% of deaths among critically ill children occurred within 48 hours of hospital admission. This highlights the urgent need for Essential Emergency and Critical Care (EECC) such as:
Vital sign monitoring
Oxygen therapy
Fluid resuscitation
Patient positioning
These are fundamental interventions that should be available in all hospitals, yet many children do not receive them.
Critical Illness in children in RCS
Time for Change
This research makes one thing clear: we must implement Essential Emergency and Critical Care (EECC) everywhere. Strengthening healthcare systems, training staff, and ensuring access to essential medical supplies will avert preventable deaths.
Read more if you want to know about what EECC is and our 40 Treatments and Actions designed to address this need.