Anaesthesia related mortality data at a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital in Western Australia

Background: Anaesthesia related mortality in paediatrics is rare. There are limited data describing paediatric anaesthesia related mortality. This study determined the anaesthesia related mortality at a Tertiary Paediatric Hospital in Western Australia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of children under-18 years of age, that died within 30-days of undergoing anaesthesia at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), between 01 January 2001 and 31 March 2015. A senior panel of clinicians reviewed each death to determine whether the death was (i) due wholly to the provision of anaesthesia (ii) due partly to the provision of anaesthesia or (iii) if death was related to the underlying pathology of the patient and anaesthesia was not contributory. Anaesthesia related mortality, 24-h and 30-day mortality as well as predictors of mortality were determined. Results: A total of 154,538 anaesthetic events were recorded. There were 198 deaths within 30-days of anaesthesia. Anaesthesia attributable mortality was 0.19/10,000 with all anaesthesia deaths occuring in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. The 24-h and 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 3.43/10,000 (95% CI 2.57-4.49) and 9.38/10,000 (95% CI 7.92-11.04), respectively. Overall mortality was 12.34/10,000 (95% CI 11.09-14.73) Age less than 1-year, cardiac surgery, emergency surgery and higher ASA score were all significant predictors of mortality. Conclusion: Paediatric anaesthesia related mortality as reflected in this retrospective cohort study is uncommon. Significant risk factors were determined as predictors of mortality.