Background:

Technology-dependent children and adolescents are recurrently admitted to intensive care units. These admissions prompt the need for follow-up care to maintain these children’s and adolescents’ health.

Objective:

To identify the demographic and clinical profile of technology-dependent children and adolescents at the time of hospital discharge from a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

Methodology:

This is a quantitative, documentary, and retrospective study based on medical records of technology-dependent children/adolescents admitted to the PICU of a teaching hospital in southern Brazil.

Results:

The study observed a predominance of white male children up to one year of age coming from the pediatric emergency room, with a history of conditions originating from the perinatal period, the use of long-term medication, and the prevalence of diseases of the respiratory system and congenital malformations.

Conclusion:

This group represents a challenge for healthcare services. In addition to the current diagnosis, past complications can affect the prognosis. Implementing care action plans that consider the needs of children/adolescents and their families is recommended to ensure comprehensive care.

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