Division of Pediatric Critical Care

Saint Louis University School of Medicine's Division of Pediatric Critical Care provides specialized medical management for critically ill children in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. 

Advanced Care for Critically Ill Children

With a team of 10 board-certified faculty members, the Division of Pediatric Critical Care manages approximately 1,000 admissions annually, encompassing a broad spectrum of conditions, including respiratory failure, sepsis, trauma, neurologic emergencies and complex postoperative care. Patient care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team — including intensivists, advanced practice providers, critical care nurses, respiratory therapists, and subspecialty consultants — ensuring that each child receives individualized, evidence-based management tailored to their unique needs. The division emphasizes continuous quality improvement, standardized care processes and family-centered communication to optimize outcomes and support families during critical illness. 

Division physicians also collaborate closely with pediatric cardiac surgeons, cardiologists and anesthesiologists to provide specialized perioperative care for children with congenital and acquired heart disease. This includes advanced hemodynamic monitoring, mechanical circulatory support (such as ECMO and ventricular assist devices), and meticulous postoperative management to minimize morbidity and improve survival. The division’s expertise in cardiac critical care reflects current best practices, with a focus on multidisciplinary collaboration and continuous advances in technology and protocols to ensure the highest standard of care for this vulnerable population. 

Meet the Faculty

Pediatric Critical Care Training

In addition to its fellowship program, the division's clinical workload provides educational opportunities to a variety of health care providers, including:

• Pediatric residents
• Surgery residents
• Emergency medicine residents and fellows
• Pediatric cardiology fellows
• Nurses
• Medical students
• Respiratory therapists
• Pharmacists

Pediatric Fundamental Critical Care Support (PFCCS)

PFCCS teaches health care professionals how to care for critically ill pediatric patients in the first 24 hours until a transfer or consultation occurs. The training is a valuable tool for non-intensivists, physician assistants, nurses, respiratory therapists, transfer teams and more. 

Pediatric Critical Care Research

The clinical research program encompasses a broad portfolio of quality improvement initiatives and multi-center clinical trials aimed at advancing patient outcomes and critical care practices.