RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score identifies patients with suspected infection at high risk for adverse outcomes. The qSOFA score is the sum of three variables (respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, and Glasgow Coma Score) with binary thresholds. The role of qSOFA in predicting hospitalization outcomes in nonpenetrating trauma patients was determined at a level 1 and a level 2 trauma center. METHODS: The trauma registries at the two institutions were queried for adult (18+ y) and pediatric (0-17 y) nonpenetrating trauma hospitalizations between January 1, 2019 and September 30, 2021. RESULTS: At institution A, there were 3720 adult hospitalizations (qSOFA = 0: 2906 patients, qSOFA = 1: 677, qSOFA = 2: 124, qSOFA = 3: 13) and 418 pediatric hospitalizations (qSOFA = 0: 238 patients, qSOFA = 1: 159, qSOFA = 2: 20, qSOFA = 3: 1). At institution B, there were 3579 adult hospitalizations (qSOFA = 0: 2638 patients, qSOFA = 1: 816, qSOFA = 2: 121, qSOFA = 3: 4) and 429 pediatric hospitalizations (qSOFA = 0: 273 patients, qSOFA = 1: 149, qSOFA = 2: 6, qSOFA = 3: 1). In adults at both institutions, increased qSOFA was significantly associated with higher mortality rates. Intensive care unit (ICU) admission increased at institution A and increased at institution B to qSOFA = 2. In multivariable analyses, qSOFA predicted ICU admission and mortality. Pediatric patients had low injury severity, morbidity, and mortality. Excluding the one early qSOFA = 3 mortality, higher qSOFA scores were associated with increased ICU admission in pediatric patients. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated qSOFA scores are associated with ICU admission and mortality in adult nonpenetrating trauma patients. Further investigation on qSOFA for resource allocation is indicated.
RESUMEN
Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an inflammatory gastrointestinal process that afflicts approximately 10% of preterm infants born in the United States each year, with a mortality rate of 30%. NEC severity is graded using Bell's classification system, from stage I mild NEC to stage III severe NEC. Over half of NEC survivors present with neurodevelopmental impairment during adolescence, a long-term complication that is poorly understood but can occur even after mild NEC. Although multiple animal models exist, none allow the experimenter to control nor represent the gradient of symptom severities seen in NEC patients. We bridge this knowledge gap by developing a graded murine model of NEC and studying its relationship with neuroinflammation across a range of NEC severities. Methods: Postnatal day 3 (P3) C57BL/6 mice were fed a formula containing different concentrations (0% control, 0.25%, 1%, 2%, and 3%) of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). P3 mice were fed every 3 hours for 72-hours. We collected data on weight gain and behavior (activity, response, body color) during feeding. At the end of the experiment, we collected tissues (intestine, liver, plasma, brain) for immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and cytokine and chemokine analysis. Results: Throughout NEC induction, mice fed higher concentrations of DSS died sooner, lost weight faster, and became sick or lethargic earlier. Intestinal characteristics (dilation, color, friability) were worse in mice fed with higher DSS concentrations. Histology revealed small intestinal disarray among mice fed all DSS concentrations, while higher DSS concentrations resulted in reduced small intestinal cellular proliferation and increased hepatic and systemic inflammation. In the brain, IL-2, G-CSF, and CXCL1 concentrations increased with higher DSS concentrations. Although the number of neurons and microglia in the CA1 hippocampal region did not differ, microglial branching was significantly reduced in DSS-fed mice. Conclusion: We characterize a novel graded model of NEC that recapitulates the full range of NEC severities. We show that mild NEC is sufficient to initiate neuroinflammation and microglia activation. This model will facilitate studies on the neurodevelopmental effects of NEC.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: To study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on traumatic brain injury (TBI) patient demographic, clinical and trauma related characteristics, and outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was conducted on pediatric TBI patients admitted to a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center between January 2015 and June 2022. The pre-COVID era was defined as January 1, 2015, through March 12, 2020. The COVID-19 era was defined as March 13, 2020, through June 30, 2022. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: Four hundred-thirty patients were treated for pediatric TBI in the pre-COVID-19 period, and 166 patients during COVID-19. In bivariate analyses, the racial/ethnic makeup, age, and sex varied significantly across the two time periods (p < 0.05). Unwitnessed TBI events increased during the COVID-19 era. Logistic regression analyses also demonstrated significantly increased odds of death, severe disability, or vegetative state during COVID-19 (AOR 7.23; 95 % CI 1.43, 36.41). CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients admitted with pediatric TBI had significantly different demographics with regards to age, sex, and race/ethnicity when compared to patients prior to the pandemic. There was an increase in unwitnessed events. In the COVID period, patients had a higher odds ratio of severe morbidity and mortality despite adjustment for confounding factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE AND STUDY TYPE: Level II, Prognosis.
