Perioperative Respiratory Adverse Events and Associated Factors Among Pediatric Patients in Ethiopian Hospitals: A Multi‐Centre Observational Study

Background Respiratory adverse events increase morbidity and mortality rates throughout the perioperative period. It also account for most of the critical incidents in pediatric anesthesia. The incidence of these events in Ethiopian health care is unknown. Objectives This study aimed to determine the incidence of perioperative respiratory adverse events and associated factors among pediatric surgical patients from June 2022 to April 2023, at three selected north‐west Ethiopian hospitals. Methods A hospital‐based prospective cohort study was conducted among pediatric surgical patients who had undergone a variety of surgeries. A total of 424 patients were included, including elective and emergency cases. Results 138 (32.5%, 95% CI: 28.3–36.9) patients developed perioperative respiratory adverse events. Variables that showed association with respiratory adverse events included ketamine maintenance of anesthesia, history of allergy, having moderate to severe pain level, history of active upper respiratory tract infection, above neck procedures, and endotracheal intubation. Conclusion Perioperative respiratory adverse events incidence was high compared with other studies. Clinicians need to give careful attention to patients with a history of allergy, moderate to severe pain, upper respiratory tract infection, ENT surgery, intravenous anesthesia maintenance, and endotracheal intubation to decrease adverse respiratory events.