The PICU, or pediatric intensive care unit, is the unit of a hospital that provides the highest level of care to children. It is similar to the intensive care unit (ICU), where adults receive special care, but the staff in the PICU specialize in working with children.

The equipment available in the PICU is best suited for children, and the environment may be more child-friendly in general. This unit provides a level of care that is generally not available in other areas of the hospital, although not all hospitals have PICUs.

PICU patients include newborn babies, toddlers, children, preteens, and teenagers. Most PICU patients are aged 18 or younger. But people with certain conditions may require the services of the PICU even if they are over 18 years old.

Some hospitals have an ICU specifically for newborn babies that is separate from the PICU, called a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In hospitals without a NICU, sick newborns who had been released from the hospital previously, as well as infants, are cared for in the PICU.

PICU vs. NICU

• Breathing problems
• Sleeping problems
• Extremely low birth weight (may signal problems with their organs)
• Congenital heart failure or heart defects
• Infections
• Bleeding in the brain

• Surgery aftercare
• Lung and breathing issues
• Accidental injury
• Severe infection
• Diabetes complications
• Organ failure
• Cancer
• Epilepsy

PICU vs. MICU

All of the staff members who work in the PICU specialize in children's intensive care. They include:

PICU nurses: A pediatric intensive care unit nurse works closely with you and your child. They usually have fewer patients to care for at one time than nurses in other departments, so they spend more time with each child. They are the ones delivering general care to your child.

A PICU attending doctor oversees the department and is responsible for overseeing your child's care. In the PICU, the attending is often a pediatric intensivist. These types of doctors have had specialized training in both pediatrics and intensive care.

They are MDs and have graduated from medical school but are now practicing a specialty. Residents in the PICU are usually being trained to become pediatricians. Fellows are already pediatricians, and they are participating in further training to become pediatric intensivists.

Pediatric physical therapists work with children who need help with their mobility. They use playful, child-friendly methods to help kids improve their range of motion, strength, and flexibility.

Even though kids don't have jobs, they can still benefit from occupational therapy. Pediatric occupational therapists help children learn the skills they need to engage in age-appropriate activities independently. They strive to make their sessions feel like playtime to keep kids engaged and learning.

In the PICU, the medical care team meets daily to discuss each child's condition and care. This process is called the team's "rounds." During rounds, the team goes around the PICU to each patient to talk about any changes to their condition or care plan.

In some PICUs, family members must leave during rounds to protect other patients' privacy. Other hospitals offer "family-centered care." In these PICUs, family members are encouraged to stay during rounds and to actively participate in their children's care.

If you're not able to participate in rounds for any reason, the attending doctor will call you or talk to you in person to discuss any important updates.

Some hospitals allow parents to stay overnight with their children in the PICU, while others don't. Either way, some experts suggest going home to get a good night's rest so you can be fully refreshed to support your child.

At many hospitals, other visitors, including other relatives and siblings, can only visit during specified visiting hours. Some hospitals also prevent other children from visiting during cold and flu season to avoid spreading germs that may be dangerous to people with a weakened immune system. You may be asked to wear a mask or gloves while in the PICU to prevent the spread of germs.

Some kids go straight home from the PICU. Others go to another department of the hospital to receive less intensive care. Either way, getting discharged from the PICU means your child is starting to get better and is OK enough to leave.

Ask the PICU staff any questions you have and see if you can work with a social worker to make sure you have everything ready for when your child comes home after staying in the PICU. Many times, they will need close follow-up and therapies.