New pediatric ICU recovery clinic helps patients with long-term healing
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 13, 2025) — Golisano Children’s at UK is opening the Pediatric Critical Care Recovery Service, a clinic for patients who were discharged from the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) after a serious illness or injury. While UK HealthCare has operated its ICU Recovery Clinic for adults since 2013, this new service focuses on the pediatric patient’s long-term physical, emotional and social recovery.
“Healing after critical illness extends far beyond the walls of our hospital,” said Mashael Alqahtani, M.D., medical director of the Pediatric Critical Care Recovery Service, located at Lexington’s Golisano Children’s at UK - Richmond Road. “Our goal is to support every child’s PICU recovery journey through coordinated, compassionate care. By strengthening the connection between families, local providers and schools, we can help our patients and families navigate life after a serious illness.”
Pediatric post-intensive care syndrome (PICS-p) is a collection of physical, cognitive, emotional and social issues that children may experience after a stay in the PICU. Both adult and pediatric patients can experience symptoms post-ICU discharge, but unlike adults, children are still developing; critical illness can impact their physical growth, learning ability and emotional well-being. Other PICS-p issues can include:
- Muscle weakness or decreased mobility
- Memory, attention or learning difficulties that can impact their performance at school
- Developmental delays, especially in young children
- Mood changes like sadness or anxiety
- Fatigue or sleep problems
- Behavior changes, such as irritability and aggression
PICS-p can impact the whole family, as the patient may have difficulty reintegrating into home life, school or social activities. The mental health of parents and siblings can be impacted and may also experience increased stress or anxiety.
Management for PICS-p begins before the patient is discharged from the PICU. Alqahtani and her team meet with the patient and their family in the hospital to discuss issues that can arise and discuss available services and treatments. Depending on the patient’s needs, both outpatient and telehealth care are available. Alqahtani continues to follow up with the family over the course of several months after their hospital stay.
“By taking a proactive, whole-child approach, we can identify challenges early and provide the support children and their families need to recover fully,” said Alqahtani. “Our team maintains regular follow-up after discharge to monitor progress and connect families with the appropriate resources.”
Kentucky Children’s Hospital is now Golisano Children's at UK. Read about this change and the historic $50 million gift that will transform health care for Kentucky's kids: ukhealthcare.com/golisano.
UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated health care professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns and the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.
As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the health care landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.