title: Measurement of Intra-abdominal Pressure in Critically-ill Children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is being increasingly recognized that intra-abdominal hypertension is an important cause of organ dysfunction. This pilot study was done to determine the feasibility of measuring intra-abdominal pressures (IAP) in critically-ill children using simple inexpensive equipment available in the PICU.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective study done in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary care general hospital. Thirty-two consecutive patients admitted to the PICU, staying for more than 24 h and requiring a urinary catheter were studied. IAP was measured by the intravesical method, using a disposable manometer, twice a day for seven days or till discharge/death, Risk factors associated with IAH were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of the patients had an IAP less than 5 mm Hg. Three patients had grade 1 intra-abdominal hypertension (IAP>12 mm Hg).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is feasible to measure IAP in paediatric patients without the use of sophisticated equipment.
authors: Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College , Pune, India .
authors: Jyoti
authors: J
authors: Singhal
authors: Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College , Pune, India .
authors: Preeti
authors: P
authors: Shanbag
keywords: Intra-abdominal hypertension; Intra-abdominal pressure
references: Med Intensiva. 2007 Mar;31(2):88-99
references: 17433187
references: Crit Care Med. 2008 Jul;36(7):2157-62
references: 18552691
references: Acta Clin Belg. 2007;62 Suppl 2:371-4
references: 18284002
references: J Crit Care. 2008 Dec;23(4):461-7
references: 19056007
references: Intensive Care Med. 2004 May;30(5):822-9
references: 14758472
references: Crit Care Med. 2005 Feb;33(2):315-22
references: 15699833
references: Crit Care. 2005 Aug;9(4):R452-7
references: 16137360
references: Acta Chir Belg. 2002 Apr;102(2):71-4
references: 12051093