When analyzing data on 10,541 consecutive cardiac arrests in patients under age 18, researchers found that those who experienced a cardiac arrest between the hours of 11 pm and 6:59 am, only 34% of children survived to hospital discharge, according to research presented earlier this week at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in Dallas.
After accounting for differences in patient and hospital characteristics, investigators found that survival following nightshift cardiac arrest was 13% lower than during other shifts. Among the same group, 38% of children survived after cardiac arrest on day or evening shifts.
Previous research established that adults who suffer cardiac arrest while in the hospital fare worse if resuscitation is needed during the night shift. The current study, which was part of the AHA’s “Get With The Guidelines-Resuscitation Registry,” is the first documentation of a similar effect in children.
