BACKGROUND: The characteristic of pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is different from that of adult CPR. It is known that respiratory arrest is more common in pediatric CPR compared to adults. The objective of this study was to report the characteristics of in-hospital CPR according to four pediatric Utstein groups. METHODS: We reviewed all medical records that were coded as CPR, care for arrest, defibrillation/ cardioversion, and ambu in our children's hospital. We classified the patients in 4 groups, isolated respiratory compromise, pure respiratory arrest, respiratory arrest leading to cardiac arrest and cardiac arrest. The data were summarized and analyzed in pediatric Utstein style. RESULTS: In 2001, 138 patients aged less than 15 years were resuscitated in our children's hospital. The success rate after resuscitation was 100% in the isolated respiratory compromise group, and 100% in the pure respiratory arrest, 54% in the respiratory arrest leading to the cardiac arrest group, and 24.8% in the cardiac arrest group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the isolated respiratory compromise group and the pure respiratory arrest have better results than the respiratory arrest leading to the cardiac arrest group and the cardiac arrest group, considering all characteristics.