Recovery from serious illness may start in the hospital, but for many families, life does not return to normal immediately after hospital discharge. ICU care is often associated with changes in physical, thinking or learning and emotional health. These changes are part of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS), which is a collection of health problems experienced after intensive care. Parents and siblings can also experience a form of PICS called PICS-Family.
Symptoms of PICS include:
- Physical health problems
- Weakness and fatigue
- Changes in memory, attention and problem solving
- Emotional and behavior problems
- Depression or anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress symptoms
- Unpredictable or uncontrollable outbursts
Symptoms of PICS-Family include:
- Stress, anxiety, and depression
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Changes in sleep and eating
- Irritability or moodiness
- Loss of enjoyment in activities
- Isolation and loss of social connections
Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS)
After discharge from the hospital, you may notice changes in your child’s physical health, behavior and emotions.
These changes are common, and are known as PICS.
Recovering from a stay in
the PICU takes time.
We are here to help.
What you should know
Recovery from serious illness only starts in the hospital. For many families, life does not return to normal after hospital discharge.
ICU care is often associated with changes in physical and emotional health. Some of these changes will still be noticeable after your child has been discharged from the hospital.
These changes are part of Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS), which is a collection of health problems experienced after intensive care.
Parents and siblings can also experience a form of PICS called PICS-Family.
Symptoms of PICS include
- Physical health problems
- Weakness and fatigue
- Changes in memory, attention and problem solving
- Emotional and behavior problems
- Depression or anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress symptoms
- Unpredictable or uncontrollable outbursts
Symptoms of PICS-Family include
- Stress, anxiety, and depression
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Changes in sleep and eating
- Irritability or moodiness
- Loss of enjoyment in activities
- Isolation and loss of social connections
Who is at risk for developing PICS?
We still have a lot to learn about which children and their families are at highest risk for developing PICS.
Although almost any child cared for in the PICU has the potential to develop PICS, we know that some children are at higher risk. This includes:
- children who are treated with mechanical ventilators
- children who require medicine for low blood pressure
- children whose PICU course is complicated by delirium
- children with PICU stays longer than a week
Family members at highest risk appear to be those who
- Are asked to make life and death decisions for their loved ones
- Experience anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress during the child’s PICU stay.
- Feel overwhelmed at any point in their child’s illness
“Seeing and hearing things happening in other rooms was often scary, especially at night or if there weren’t people in the other room.”
“Transitioning back home was the most difficult part… it took a long time to get used to the routine.”
“I felt scared and overwhelmed… I wasn’t sure what was happening or who to ask when I had questions.”
Resources
A team of researchers, pediatricians and neuropsychologists from the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, and Seattle Children’s Research Institute have created an interactive website for families about the ICU recovery process at:
You may also benefit from a referral from your PICU social worker, who will have more information about PICS for you.
Ask your nurse for a social worker to visit with you.
View this information as a PDF (PDF)