Children’s Skin Care and Pressure Ulcers Risk Factors

Abstract

Introduction: Comprising 16.9%-26% of Mexico City Federal District’s total hospitalization, children in critical status are at risk of developing pressure ulcers (PU). Despite the few related studies conducted in Mexico, a prevalence of this kind of lesions among Mexican children does exist. Conducted in a Federal District health sector third level hospital.

Objective: of this study was to analyze the association and risk factors between Nursing care and the development of pressure ulcers in sample of critically ill Méxican children. 

Methodology: a basic-correlational study on 6-12-year-old children in critical care units of a Federal District health sector third level hospital; the Braden Scale, the Mexican PU Assessment and Follow- Up Card, and a Nursing Care Observation Guide were used. 

Results: 77 nurses distributed in 3 shifts, and 35 children (25 male) were observed, The PU  risk among children was found to be 68.6% (Braden Scale); 29 children(~82.9%) developed at least one pressure ulcer; 58.6% of them were grade 1 (or stage 1), and they were mainly located at the occipital, heels, shoulder-blades, and sacrum regions. The Spearman tests revealed and inverse statistically significant linear relation between the skincare and the development of PU (rs1=-.310, p=.006), while a positive relation between PU risk and its prevalence (rs2=.384, p=.001).

Discussion: Considering these results, the PU risk factors-Nursing care -PU development prevalence relation turned out to be critical.

Conclusions: In order to prevent PUs, it is necessary to provide care with quality, but also to have adequate hospital and staff resources and supports.