Paediatric sequential organ failure assessment score (p-SOFA) as an outcome predictor in critically ill children admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit in a tertiary care hospital in central India.

Background Pediatric intensive care remains a critical and challenging field, where early recognition of organ dysfunction and timely intervention are essential for improved patient outcomes. The Pediatric Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (P-SOFA) score is a tool designed to assess organ dysfunction in critically ill children. This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the P-SOFA score in predicting morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Methods Over two years, we will enrol pediatric patients aged one month to 17 years in the PICU at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and AVBRH, Sawangi, Wardha, Central India. Data will be collected on demographic characteristics, clinical assessments, laboratory investigations, SOFA score calculations at admission and 48 hours later, treatments received, and outcomes. Inclusion criteria encompass patients with PICU stays exceeding 24 hours, while exclusion criteria include consent refusal, planned procedures for PICU admission, and PICU stays of less than 24 hours. Expected Results We anticipate that the P-SOFA score will be a valuable predictor of morbidity and mortality in critically ill pediatric patients. The study will also investigate the potential of ΔSOFA (change in SOFA scores) as an outcome indicator and compare the P-SOFA score with the Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction Score 2 (PELOD2) for mortality prediction.