Demographic profile and outcome analysis of a tertiary level pediatric intensive care unit

Objective : To study the profile and outcome of children admitted to a tertiary level pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in India.Methods : Prospective study of patient demographics, PRISM III scores, diagnoses, treatment, morbidity and mortality of all PICU admissions.Results : 948 children were admitted to the PICU. Mean age was 41.48 months. Male to female ratio was 2.95:1. Mean PRISM III score on admission was 18.50. Diagnoses included respiratory (19.7%), cardiac (9.7%), neurological (17.9%), infectious (12.5%), trauma (11.7%), other surgical (8.8%).196 children (20.68%) required mechanical ventilation. Average duration of ventilation was 6.39 days. 27 children (30.7 children /1000 admissions) had acute respiratory distress syndrome. Gross mortality was 6.7% (59 patients). PRISMIII adjusted mortality was directly proportional to PRISMIII scores. 49.5% of nonsurvivors had multiorgan failure. Average length of PICU stay was 4.52 +/−2.6 days. Complications commonly encountered Were atelectasis (6.37%), accidental extubation (2%), and pneumothorax (0.9%). Incidence of nosocomial infections was 16.86%.Conclusion : Our data appears to be similar with regards to PRISMIII scores and adjusted mortality, length of the PICU stay, and duration of ventilation, to previously published western data. Multiorgan failure remains a major cause of death. As expected, Dengue and malaria were common. Incidence of nosocomial infections was somewhat high. Interestingly, more boys got admitted to the PICU as compared to girls. Clearly more studies are required to assess the overall outcomes of critically ill children in India     

小儿甲型H1N1流感危重症诊治体会

目的 探讨小儿甲型H1N1流感危重症患儿的发病特点及治疗措施.方法 2009年10月5日至11月15日期间我院PICU收治11例出现甲型H1N1流感样症状合并重症肺炎、急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)患儿,对其发病特点、治疗方法及转归等资料进行分析.结果 11例甲型H1N1流感样患儿合并重症肺炎、ARDS,其中6例经咽拭子检测甲型H1N1流感病毒核酸阳性.患儿平均年龄3.9岁(10个月～11岁).所有患儿都表现为发热和呼吸系统症状,从发病到出现危重症状的时间为5～10 d.6例行机械通气治疗.目前全部病例存活,无一例死亡.6例机械通气患儿已有4例安全脱机,2例仍在机械通气中.结论 重症甲型H1N1流感患儿病初为流感症状,无特殊临床表现;病情可在短时间内迅速加重,重症患儿以呼吸困难、低氧血症为突出表现;婴幼儿可伴有嗜睡、烦躁等神经系统症状;重症患儿肺部病变广泛,进展迅速,可在短时间内出现纵隔及皮下气肿、ARDS甚或肺出血并随之出现多脏器功能障碍综合征.     

Performance of prognostic markers in pediatric sepsis

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prognostic performance of the Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 (PIM2), ferritin, lactate, C-reactive protein (CRP), and leukocytes, alone and in combination, in pediatric patients with sepsis admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in a PICU in Brazil. All patients aged 6 months to 18 years admitted with a diagnosis of sepsis were eligible for inclusion. Those with ferritin and C-reactive protein measured within 48 h and lactate and leukocytes within 24 h of admission were included in the prognostic performance analysis.ResultsOf 350 eligible patients with sepsis, 294 had undergone all measurements required for analysis and were included in the study. PIM2, ferritin, lactate, and CRP had good discriminatory power for mortality, with PIM2 and ferritin being superior to CRP. The cutoff values for PIM2 (> 14%), ferritin (> 135 ng/mL), lactate (> 1.7 mmol/L), and CRP (> 6.7 mg/mL) were associated with mortality. The combination of ferritin, lactate, and CRP had a positive predictive value of 43% for mortality, similar to that of PIM2 alone (38.6%). The combined use of the three biomarkers plus PIM2 increased the positive predictive value to 76% and accuracy to 0.945.ConclusionsPIM2, ferritin, lactate, and CRP alone showed good prognostic performance for mortality in pediatric patients older than 6 months with sepsis. When combined, they were able to predict death in three-fourths of the patients with sepsis. Total leukocyte count was not useful as a prognostic marker.     

儿童甲型H1N1流感危重患者临床特点分析

目的 探讨甲型H1N1流感重症和危重病例的高危因素、临床特点、治疗和预后.方法 描述性研究12例入住PICU的危重甲型H1N1流感确诊病例.结果 12例中男10例,女2例;年龄2～10岁,中位数年龄6.0岁;4例(33.3%)有基础疾病;重症和危重症表现出现在发病后平均(2.3±0.9)d,发病后平均(2.7±1.2)d入PICU;表现为肺炎11例,病毒性脑炎1例.11例肺炎中合并急性肺损伤7例,急性呼吸窘迫综合征3例,哮喘持续状态1例.肺炎患儿中2例发生休克.入PICU后予奥司他韦抗病毒、免疫球蛋白、甲泼尼龙、支气管扩张剂等治疗,可疑细菌或真菌感染者予抗生素和抗真菌治疗.6例予鼻塞持续气道正压通气,4例气管插管机械通气.治愈或好转出院8例,2例死亡,2例好转仍住院治疗.结论 有呼吸系统慢性疾病或免疫抑制状态、合并细菌或其他感染是甲型H1N1流感发生重症、危重症和死亡的危险因素.危重病例主要表现为肺炎合并呼吸衰竭和休克.早期奥司他韦抗病毒治疗、呼吸支持、控制混合感染、免疫调节等综合治疗措施可有效控制病情进展,降低病死率.     

Incidence and Risk Factors for Venous Thromboembolism in Critically Ill Children With Cardiac Disease

Cardiac disease is a risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in children. In this study, we investigated the incidence and risk factors of VTE in critically ill children with cardiac disease, who were prospectively followed-up for VTE after admission to a tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Risk factors were compared between VTE cases and (1) patients in the cohort who did not develop VTE and (2) the next three cardiac patients sequentially admitted to the PICU (case control). Forty-one cases of VTE were identified from 1070 admissions (3.8%). Thirty-seven percent of VTE cases were central venous catheter (CVC)–associated, and 56% of cases were intracardiac. Sixty-six percent of patients were receiving anticoagulation at the time of VTE diagnosis. Increased VTE incidence was associated with unscheduled PICU admission, age <6 months, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, increased number of CVCs, increased number of CVC days, higher risk of mortality score, and longer PICU stay. Using logistic regression, VTE was associated with single-ventricle physiology (odds ratio [OR] 11.2, 95% CI 3.0–41.9), widened arterial-to-somatic oxygen saturation gradient (SpO₂–rSO₂ >30) (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.1–16), and more CVC days (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.04–1.13). Risk factors for VTE in critically ill children with cardiac disease include younger age, single-ventricle cardiac lesions, increased illness severity, unscheduled PICU admission, and complicated hospital course.     

儿童重症监护室儿童慢性危重症的病因组成及预后分析北大核心CSCD

目的探讨儿童重症监护室儿童慢性危重症(pediatric chronic critical illness,PCCI)的病因组成和转归。方法以2017年1月—2022年12月在广东医科大学附属东莞儿童医院儿童重症监护室住院并达到PCCI诊断标准的患儿为研究对象。根据患儿的病历资料及出院诊断,对其病因进行分类。收集并分析其住院期间相关临床资料。结果2017年1月—2022年12月儿童重症监护室3955例住院患儿中,有321例(8.12%)符合PCCI诊断标准。321例PCCI患儿中,最常见的病因为感染(71.3%,229例),其次为意外伤害(12.8%,41例)、手术后(5.9%,19例)、肿瘤/免疫系统疾病(5.0%,16例)、遗传/染色体疾病(5.0%,16例)。321例PCCI患儿中,好转出院249例(77.6%),家属要求出院37例(11.5%),在院死亡35例(10.9%)。死亡病例中,感染占74%(26/35),意外伤害占17%(6/35),肿瘤/免疫系统疾病占6%(2/35),遗传/染色体疾病占3%(1/35)。2017—2022年PCCI在儿童重症监护室疾病中的占比呈逐年上升的趋势(P<0.05)。321例PCCI患儿中,婴幼儿148例(46.1%),学龄前儿童57例(17.8%),学龄期儿童54例(16.8%),青春期儿童62例(19.3%),其中婴幼儿组占比最高(P<0.05)。以上4个年龄组在院病死率分别为14.9%(22/148)、8.8%(5/57)、5.6%(3/54)、8.1%(5/62),其中婴幼儿组病死率最高,但4个组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论PCCI在儿童重症监护室疾病中的占比越来越高,其主要病因为感染及意外伤害,引起PCCI患儿死亡最常见的病因为感染。PCCI患病人群以婴幼儿为主,婴幼儿患者在院病死率相对较高。     

Serum lactate as a predictor of mortality after paediatric cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE—To assess the value of sequential lactate measurement in predicting postoperative mortality after surgery for complex congenital heart disease in children.DESIGN—Prospective observational study.SETTING—Sixteen bedded paediatric intensive care unit (PICU).SUBJECTS—Ninety nine children ( 90 survivors, nine non-survivors).MEASUREMENTS—Serum lactate and base deficit were measured on admission and every six hours thereafter. Data were analysed by Mann-Whitney and Fisher''s exact tests.RESULTS—There was considerable overlap in initial lactate values between the survivor and non-survivor groups. Initial lactate was significantly raised in non-survivors (median 8.7, range 1.9-17.6 mmol/l) compared with survivors (median 2.4, range 0.6-13.6 mmol/l) (p = 0.0002). Twenty one patients (21.1%) with initial lactate concentrations greater than 4.5 mmol/l survived to PICU discharge. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis an initial lactate of 6 mmol/l had the optimum predictive value for mortality. Initial postoperative serum lactate >6 mmol/l predicted mortality with sensitivity 78%, specificity 83%, and positive predictive value of only 32%.CONCLUSION—Initial lactate concentrations have poor positive predictive value for mortality. The routine measurement of lactate for this purpose cannot be justified in clinical practice.     

PICU危重患儿临床营养管理调查结果分析

目的 了解目前我国PICU危重患儿临床营养的管理状况,为进一步促进儿科危重病临床营养的完善和发展提供数据.方法 对PICU专科骨干采用问卷调查的方式调查国内PICU的危重患儿营养评估、营养干预、营养管理状况.结果 共39家PICU的专科骨干参与调查.国内不同PICU中危重患儿常用营养评估和指南不统一.64.1%(25人)被调查者认为需要根据临床表现和量表作为共同决定危重患儿喂养的依据;所有被调查者均认为营养评估和干预时机需要根据病情来决定;58.9%(23人)被调查者所在科室仅以体重监测作为营养量化监测指标;71.8%(28人)被调查者认为经胃管喂养是危重患儿的首选喂养方式;51.3%(20人)被调查者认为危重患儿应该在24h内进行喂养,33.3%(12人)认为24~48h开始进行喂养,84.6%(33人)被调查者主张早期肠内营养;92.3%(36人)被调查者认为呕吐、腹胀、胃肠出血等临床表现之一是禁食的主要原因;71.8%(28人)被调查者认为需要根据胃肠功能评估结果来决定是否禁食;59.0%(23人)被调查者认为危重患儿的临床营养决定人应该是PICU专科医生;61.5%(24人)被调查者认为需要建立危重患儿营养管理常规.结论目前我国儿童危重病的营养评估、监测、早期肠内营养干预、管理等方面取得了一定成绩,但存在不同程度的认识不足,需要加强临床重症营养专科建设,在营养评估、营养干预模式上还有很大的研究和发展空间,建议建立中国相关指南或共识以提升危重患儿营养诊疗水平.     

儿童早期预警评分在识别危重患儿病情中的价值

目的 探讨儿童早期预警评分（PEWS）识别危重患儿病情的价值。方法 选取2016年1~12月由中南大学湘雅医院普通病区转入PICU或急诊收入PICU的患儿120例为PICU组,该院该期间入住普通病房的120例患儿作为对照组。对PICU组的120例患儿根据病种的不同分为呼吸/循环系统疾病亚组（55例）和神经/其他系统疾病亚组（65例）。记录患儿入院时的PEWS评分,采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析PEWS评分对病情评估的价值。结果 PICU组PEWS评分显著高于对照组（P < 0.05）。呼吸/循环系统疾病亚组的PEWS评分显著高于神经/其他系统疾病亚组（P < 0.05）。以患儿是否收住PICU为预测指标时,PEWS评分的最佳截断值为3.5分,灵敏度为85%,特异度为95%,ROC曲线下面积为0.951（95% CI：0.923~0.980）。其中神经/其他系统疾病亚组的患儿ROC曲线下面积为0.768,呼吸/循环系统疾病亚组的患儿ROC曲线下面积为0.968。PEWS评分 > 6分、4~6分及 ≤ 3分患儿的病死率分别为40%、21%、0,组间比较差异有统计学意义（P < 0.001）。结论 PEWS对识别危重症患儿病情严重程度有重要价值,且不同病种对PEWS评分的敏感性有差异;PEWS评分对患儿的预后有预测价值。     

Lactate clearance as a marker of mortality in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Objectives

To correlate lactate clearance with Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) mortality.

Methods

45 (mean age 40.15 mo, 60% males) consecutive admissions in the PICU were enrolled between May 2012 to June 2013. Lactate clearance (Lactate level at admission — level 6 hr later × 100 / lactate level at admission) in first 6 hours of hospitalization was correlated to in-hospital mortality and PRISM score.

Results

Twelve out of 45 patients died. 90% died among those with delayed/poor clearance (clearance <30%) compared to 8.5% in those with good clearance (clearance >30%) (P<0.001). Lactate clearance <30% predicted mortality with sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 97%, positive predictive value of 90%, and negative predictive value of 91.42%. Predictability was comparable to PRISM score >30.

Conclusion

Lactate clearance at six hours correlates with mortality in the PICU.     

Hypophosphatemia in Critically Ill Children: Risk Factors,Outcome and Mechanism

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of hypophosphatemia in critically ill children and its association with clinical outcomes; to determine risk factors and mechanism of hypophosphatemia.

Methods

Levels of serum phosphate, phosphate intake, renal phosphate handling indices and blood gases were measured on days 1, 3, 7 and 10 of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay. Hypophosphatemia was defined as any serum phosphorus <3.8 mg/dl for children younger than 2 y and <3.5 mg/dl for children 2 y or older. Renal phosphate loss was assessed using the ratio of tubular maximum reabsorption of phosphate (TmP) to glomerular filtration rate (GFR) [TmP/GFR].

Results

Prevalence of hypophosphatemia was 71.6 % (95 % CI: 64.6–78.6). On adjusted analysis, hypophosphatemia was associated with prolonged PICU length of stay (PICU LOS > 6 d) (adjusted OR: 3.0 [95 % CI: 1.4–6.7; p = 0.005]) but not associated with increased mortality. Renal phosphate threshold was significantly lower on all the days in hypophosphatemic group compared to that of non-hypophosphatemic group. No statistically significant difference in the amount of phosphate intake was seen in both the groups.

Conclusions

Hypophosphatemia is highly prevalent in critically ill children and is associated with prolonged PICU LOS. Increased phosphate loss in urine is one of the mechanism responsible for hypophosphatemia in critically ill children.

     

Risk factors for hospitalization at the pediatric intensive care unit among infants and children younger than 5 years of age diagnosed with infectious diseases

BackgroundChildren hospitalized with infectious diseases may develop severe, life-threatening conditions, often requiring admission to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The objectives of this study were to identify independent risk factors for PICU hospitalization with an infectious disease in children <5 years of age.MethodsIn southern Israel, two populations live side by side: the middle–high income Jewish population and the low-income Bedouin population, both receiving equal and free medical care at the only tertiary medical center in the area. The study population included all children born in southern Israel and hospitalized at PICU with an infectious disease during 1991–2012. Risk factors for PICU hospitalizations were retrospectively studied by Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazard survival analyses.Results9951 Jewish children and 18,002 Bedouin children were enrolled; overall, 1135 episodes of PICU hospitalizations with an infectious disease were recorded (879, 77.4% Bedouin and 256, 22.6% Jewish patients). Bedouin children had a higher risk for PICU hospitalization with an infectious disease compared with Jewish children (adjusted Hazard Ratio [adj. HR] 1.7, 95% CI 1.5–2.0); maternal multiparity and low-birth weight (<2500 g) were additional risk factors for PICU hospitalization with an infectious disease compared to firstborns (adj. HR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.0–1.5) or to children with a birth weight ≥2500 g (adj. HR = 1.5, 95% 1.2–1.9). Older age was a protective factor for PICU hospitalization (adj. HR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.97–0.99). Children hospitalized with a central nervous system infection had the highest risk of PICU hospitalization (adj. HR 6.8, 95% CI 5.5–8.4), followed by those with urinary tract infections (UTI, adj. HR 3.1, 95% CI 2.5–3.8) and those with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI, adj. HR 2.9, 95% CI 2.4–3.4).ConclusionBedouin ethnicity, low birth weight, maternal multiparity and younger age were significant risk factors for PICU hospitalizations with an infectious disease. Among the infectious diseases analyzed, CNS infection had the highest risk for PICU hospitalization, followed by UTI and LRTI.     

Factors affecting survival in children requiring intensive care after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A retrospective single‐center study

Allo‐HSCT is associated with life‐threatening complications. Therefore, a considerable number of patients require admission to a PICU. We evaluated the incidence and outcome of PICU admissions after allo‐HSCT in children, along with the potential factors influencing PICU survival. A retrospective chart review of 668 children who underwent first allo‐HSCT in the Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and BMT in Wroc?aw during years 2005‐2017, particularly focusing on patients admitted to the PICU within 1‐year post‐HSCT. Fifty‐eight (8.7%) patients required 64 admissions to the PICU. Twenty‐four (41.5%) were discharged, and 34 (58.6%) patients died. Among the discharged patients, 6‐month survival was 66.7%. Compared with survivors, death cases were more likely to have required MV (31/34; 91.2% vs. 16/24; 66.7% P = .049), received more aggressive cardiac support (17/34; 50% vs. 2/24; 8.3% P = .002), and had a lower ANC on the last day of their PICU stay (P = .004). Five patients were successfully treated with NIV and survived longer than 6 months post‐discharge. The intensity of cardiac support and ANC on the last day of PICU treatment was independent factors influencing PICU survival. Children admitted to the PICU after allo‐HSCT have a high mortality rate. Mainly those who needed a more aggressive approach and had a lower ANC on the last day of treatment had a greater risk of death. While requiring MV is associated with decreased PICU survival, early implementation of NIV might be considered.     

Corticosteroids and Other Treatments Administered to Children Tested for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Emergency Departments

ObjectiveWe sought to determine if corticosteroid administration is associated with a SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test-positive result and to describe therapies administered to SARS-CoV-2 infected children.MethodsWe collected cross-sectional data from participants recruited in 41 pediatric emergency departments (ED) in 10 countries between March 2020 and June 2021. Participants were <18 years old, had signs or symptoms of, or risk factors for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, and had nucleic acid testing performed. To determine if SARS-CoV-2 test status was independently associated with corticosteroid administration, we used a multivariable conditional logistic regression model matched by study site to compare treatments administered based on SARS-CoV-2 test and disposition status. This analysis was repeated for the subgroup of study participants who were hospitalized.Results30.3% (3,121/10,315) of participants were SARS-CoV-2-positive. Although remdesivir was more commonly administered to SARS-CoV-2-positive children, use was infrequent (25/3120 [0.8%] vs 1/7188 [0.01%]; P = .001). Corticosteroid use was less common among SARS-CoV-2-positive children (219/3120 [7.0%] vs 759/7190 [10.6%]; P < .001). Among hospitalized children, there were no differences in provision of inotropes, respiratory support, chest drainage or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation between groups. Corticosteroid administration was associated with age, history of asthma, wheezing, study month, hospitalization and intensive care unit admission; it was not associated with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result overall (aOR: 0.91; 95%CI: 0.74, 1.12) or among the subgroup of those hospitalized (aOR: 1.04; 95%CI: 0.75, 1.44).ConclusionsFew disease-specific treatments are provided to SARS-CoV-2-positive children; clinical trials evaluating therapies in children are urgently needed.     

新型冠状病毒感染无症状患儿20例临床分析

目的 探讨新型冠状病毒（SARS-CoV-2）感染无症状患儿的临床及流行病学特征。方法 收集2020年1月20日至3月4日确诊为SARS-CoV-2感染无症状患儿20例的临床资料并进行分析。结果 20例患儿中，男7例（35%），女13例（65%）；年龄8个月至14岁，平均年龄8±5岁；均无临床表现但因具有流行病学史就诊。20例患儿中，19例为家庭聚集性发病；鼻咽拭子SARS-CoV-2核酸检测均阳性，其中轻型4例（20%），普通型16例（80%），无重型和危重型；外周血白细胞计数（6.8±3.5）×10⁹/L，其中7例结果异常，5例升高，2例降低；1例患儿淋巴细胞绝对值降低（0.87×10⁹/L）；3例患儿红细胞沉降率升高（20~42 mm/h）；7例患儿乳酸脱氢酶水平升高（> 400 U/L）；4例患儿血乳酸水平升高（> 1.6 mmol/L）。胸部CT显示13例患儿肺部影像学以单发或多发的肺叶中外带或胸膜下小结节影、斑片状影和磨玻璃样影为主要特征。结论 无症状SARS-CoV-2感染儿童病例以家庭聚集性发病为主。大部分无症状感染患儿的血常规及其他实验室检查指标无明显异常；胸部CT改变可作为无症状感染患儿早期诊断的辅助手段。     

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Brazil: a multicenter,prospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo describe the clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics, as well as the outcomes of children with MIS-C.MethodMulticenter, prospective cohort study, conducted in 17 pediatric intensive care units in five states in Brazil, from March to July 2020. Patients from 1 month to 19 years who met the MIS-C diagnostic criteria were included consecutively.ResultsFifty-six patients were included, with the following conditions: Kawasaki-like disease (n = 26), incomplete Kawasaki disease (n = 16), acute cardiac dysfunction (n = 10), toxic shock syndrome (n = 3), and macrophage activation syndrome (n = 1). Median age was 6.2 years (IQR 2.4?10.3), 70% were boys, 59% were non-whites, 20% had comorbidities, 48% reported a contact with COVID-19 cases, and 55% had a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by RT-PCR and/or serology. Gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 71%, shock symptoms in 59%, and severe respiratory symptoms in less than 20%. d-Dimer was increased in 80% and cardiac dysfunction markers in more than 75%. Treatment included immunoglobulin (89%); corticosteroids, antibiotics, and enoxaparin in about 50%; and oseltamivir and antifungal therapy in less than 10%. Only 11% needed invasive mechanical ventilation, with a median duration of five days (IQR 5–6.5). The median length of PICU stay was six days (IQR 5–11), and one death occurred (1.8%).ConclusionsMost characteristics of the present MIS-C patients were similar to that of other cohorts. The present results may contribute to a broader understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and its short-term consequences. Long-term multidisciplinary follow-up is needed, since it is not known whether these patients will have chronic cardiac impairment or other sequelae.     

Epidemiology and outcomes of septic shock in children with complex chronic conditions in a developing country PICU

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of Complex Chronic Conditions (CCCs) on the outcomes of pediatric patients with refractory septic shock, as well as the accuracy of PELOD-2 and Vasoactive Inotropic Score (VIS) to predict mortality in this specific population.MethodsThis is a single-center, retrospective cohort study. All patients diagnosed with septic shock requiring vasoactive drugs admitted to a 13-bed PICU in southern Brazil, between January 2016 and July 2018, were included. Clinical and demographic characteristics, presence of CCCs and VIS, and PELOD-2 scores were accessed by reviewing electronic medical records. The main outcome was considered PICU mortality.Results218 patients with septic shock requiring vasoactive drugs were identified in the 30-month period and 72% of them had at least one CCC. Overall mortality was 22%. Comparing to patients without previous comorbidities, those with CCCs had a higher mortality (26.7% vs 9.8%; OR = 3.4 [1.3–8.4]) and longer hospital length of stay (29.3 vs 14.8; OR 2.39 [1.1- 5.3]). Among the subgroups of CCCs, “Malignancy” was particularly associated with mortality (OR = 2.3 [1.0–5.1]). VIS and PELOD-2 scores in 24 and 48 hours were associated with mortality and a PELOD-2 in 48 hours > 8 had the best performance in predicting mortality in patients with CCC (AUROC = 0.89).ConclusionPatients with CCCs accounted for the majority of those admitted to the PICU with septic shock and related to poor outcomes. The high prevalence of hospitalizations, use of resources, and significant mortality determine that patients with CCCs should be considered a priority in the healthcare system.     

Impact of inborn errors of metabolism on admission and mortality in a pediatric intensive care unit

The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of the patients admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) during a five-year period, with specific focus on those with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM), in order to ascertain the resources required to care for these patients. Medical records were reviewed for all admissions between January 1998 and December 2002 in a single metabolic referral center, and a subset of patients were identified with suspected IEM at admission or diagnosed IEM at hospital discharge. These patient charts were then further reviewed and the following information was extracted: IEM diagnosis, demographic data, biochemical characteristics at admission, need for mechanical ventilation, use of extracorporeal removal therapy, and outcome at PICU discharge. The study population comprised 70 patients (2.2% of all admissions during the study period) and included 33 neonates and 37 children aged >28 days. IEM diagnosis was known at the time of admission to the PICU in 9/33 of the neonates and 23/37 of the older children. Forty-three of the patients required invasive mechanical ventilation, while continuous extracorporeal removal therapy was used in 27 children. The median length of PICU stay was 3 days (range, 1 to 13 days) and 20 patients (28.6%) died. In conclusion, these observations show that inherited metabolic disease may be as frequent a primary diagnosis as septic shock in some PICUs. In neonates, these diseases are not usually diagnosed prior to PICU admission. Patients with IEM admitted to a PICU require aggressive support (including mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal removal therapies), and consume significant resources for relatively short PICU stays. These patients constitute a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for pediatric intensivists.     

Fluid balance in pediatric postoperative liver transplant recipients

Background

Positive fluid balance (FB) is associated with poor outcomes in critically ill children but has not been studied in pediatric liver transplant (LT) recipients. Our goal is to investigate the relationship between postoperative FB and outcomes in pediatric LT recipients.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of first-time pediatric LT recipients at a quaternary care children's hospital. Patients were stratified into three groups based on their FB in the first 72 h postoperatively: <10%, 10–20%, and > 20%. Outcomes were pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and hospital length of stay, ventilator-free days (VFD) at 28 days, day 3 severe acute kidney injury, and postoperative complications. Multivariate analyses were adjusted for age, preoperative admission status, and Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM)-III score.

Results

We included 129 patients with median PRISM-III score of 9 (interquartile range, IQR 7–15) and calculated Pediatric End-stage Liver Disease score of 15 (IQR 2–23). A total of 37 patients (28.7%) had 10–20% FB, and 26 (20.2%) had >20% FB. Greater than 20% FB was associated with an increased likelihood of an additional PICU day (adjusted incident rate ratio [aIRR] 1.62, 95% CI: 1.18–2.24), an additional hospital day (aIRR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.10–1.77), and lower likelihood of a VFD at 28 days (aIRR 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74–0.97). There were no differences between groups in the likelihood of postoperative complications.

Conclusions

In pediatric LT recipients, >20% FB at 72 h postoperatively is associated with increased morbidities, independent of age and severity of illness. Additional studies are needed to explore the impact of fluid management strategies on outcomes.