The Johns Hopkins Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art care to children and young adults with life-threatening acute illnesses and those recovering from major surgery. Critical medical illnesses include acute respiratory failure, complex congenital and acquired cardiac failure, renal and hepatic failure, shock, overwhelming infections and metabolic diseases, severe asthma, seizures, cardiac arrest, brain resuscitation and diabetic coma. Patients recovering from cardiac surgery and major neurosurgery, orthopedic, ear nose and throat surgery also receive their postoperative care in the unit. The PICU is the shock trauma and burn unit for the care of critically injured and burned children in the state of Maryland.

The PICU is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of skilled and dedicated physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, pharmacists, social workers, Child Life specialists, occupational and physiotherapists and clergy, experts in the care and support of critically ill and injured children and their families. This complex care is coordinated by specialty trained critical care physicians and nurses. Renowned specialists in pediatric oncology, bone marrow and solid organ transplantation, cardiology, endocrinology, neurology, pulmonary, infectious diseases, genetics, metabolic diseases and the surgical subspecialties are available for consultation for the care of the critically ill child in the PICU.

PICU intensivists are expert in and frequently utilize the most advanced critical-care medical technology, including new modes of mechanical ventilation, inhaled nitric oxide, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), artificial heart support, renal dialysis, intracranial pressure monitoring, continuous EEG monitoring, plasmapheresis, dialysis and continuous venovenous ultrafiltration. Compassion and a caring, supportive and family-focused ethic are core values emphasized in the care of all of our patients.