Can children recall their experiences of admission to an intensive care unit?
OBJECTIVE
To perform a pilot study to prospectively determine children's ability to recall events experienced during admission to a paediatric intensive care unit.


METHODS
Children's recall of the intensive care experience was evaluated, using telephone interview, at four to eight weeks and six to twelve months following discharge. Separate scores were assigned to reflect children's recall of general events and painful events. Recall was classified as either limited or extensive. Statistical analysis was performed to detect change in recall status over time and the association between the ability to recall and relevant admission variables (previous admission status, type of admission, frequency/intensity of painful procedures, length of stay and administration of analgesia/sedation).


RESULTS
In a sample of 50 children, recall of general events was extensive 4-8 weeks after discharge in 29 (58%) children and extensive in 26 (52%) children 6-12 months after discharge. Recall of painful events was extensive 4-8 weeks after discharge in 15 (30%) children and 14 (28%) children at 6-12 months after discharge. Thirteen (33.3%) of the 39 children who received analgesia/sedation had extensive recall of painful events at 4-8 weeks after discharge; 12 (30.8%) children had extensive recall at 6-12 months after discharge.


CONCLUSIONS
Children have the ability to recall many of their experiences related to admission to a paediatric intensive care unit and can continue to recall many of these experiences twelve months after discharge. Despite current methods for guiding titration of opiate infusions and intermittent administration of benzodiazepines, many children can recall painful experiences and general events encountered within the intensive care unit.
Taylor
A
A
Intensive Care Unit, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria.
Walker
C
C
Butt
W
W