Patients with Cerebral Palsy Who are Admitted to a Chest Diseases Hospital may have Higher Mortality Rates Serebral Palsili Hastaların Göğüs Hastalıkları Hastanesine Yatışları Mortal Seyredebilir

Abstract

Objective: Epilepsy, pneumonia, gastritis, esophagitis, malnutrition, dehydration, fractures, and non-pneumonic lung disorders (asthma, pleural fluid, respiratory failure) are the leading causes of hospitalization among cerebral palsy (CP) patients. This study aimed to determine respiratory tract diseases and mortality rates in patients with CP admitted to the chest diseases hospital. 
 Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with CP and hospitalized in Chest Diseases Hospital between January 2010 and December 2017 were included in the study and analyzed retrospectively. As the endpoint, hospitalized patients' respiratory tract infection-related 30-days mortality were examined.
 Results: Forty-three hospitalizations of 23 patients were evaluated. The mean length of hospital stay was 15.5 (1-62) days. The reasons for hospitalization in patients with CP were mainly composed of respiratory tract infections (pneumonia %88,4, lung abscess %7). The most frequently isolated pathogenic microorganisms were gram-negative bacteria. Wheezing, bacterial culture growth, vasopressor and invasive mechanical ventilation were all factors that increased 30-day mortality (respectively p=0,016; p=0,024; p=0,003; p=0,003). The 30-day mortality rate was %21,7. While 2 patients died at first hospitalization, 4 patients died on recurrent hospitalizations. 
 Conclusion: Patients with CP are often hospitalized due to respiratory tract infections. Recurrent hospitalizations may increase mortality. This study emphasizes the importance of close follow-up with these patients considering the high mortality rate among CP patients hospitalized for respiratory tract infections.