A Virtual Community of Practice: An International Educational Series in Pediatric Neurocritical Care.

Pediatric neurocritical care (PNCC) is a rapidly growing field. Challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on trainee exposure to educational opportunities involving direct patient care led to the creative solutions for virtual education supported by guiding organizations such as the Pediatric Neurocritical Care Research Group (PNCRG). Our objective is to describe the creation of an international, peer-reviewed, online PNCC educational series targeting medical trainees and faculty. More than 1600 members of departments such as pediatrics, pediatric critical care, and child neurology hailing from 75 countries across six continents have participated in this series over a 10-month period. We created an online educational channel in PNCC with over 2500 views to date and over 130 followers. This framework could serve as a roadmap for other institutions and specialties seeking to address the ongoing problems of textbook obsolescence relating to the rapid acceleration in knowledge acquisition, as well as those seeking to create new educational content that offers opportunities for an interactive, global audience. Through the creation of a virtual community of practice, we have created an international forum for pediatric healthcare providers to share and learn specialized expertise and best practices to advance global pediatric health.

Practice Recommendations for Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography in Critically Ill Children in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Multidisciplinary Expert Consensus Statement.

Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) is being used in many pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of children with known or suspected pathophysiological changes to cerebral hemodynamics. Standardized approaches to scanning protocols, interpretation, and documentation of TCD examinations in this setting are lacking. A panel of multidisciplinary clinicians with expertise in the use of TCD in the PICU undertook a three-round modified Delphi process to reach unanimous agreement on 34 statements and then create practice recommendations for TCD use in the PICU. Use of these recommendations will help to ensure that high quality TCD images are captured, interpreted, and reported using standard nomenclature. Furthermore, use will aid in ensuring reproducible and meaningful study results between TCD practitioners and across PICUs.

Pediatric trauma triage: A Pediatric Trauma Society Research Committee systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Significant variability exists in the triage of injured children with most systems using mechanism of injury and/or physiologic criteria. It is not well established if existing triage criteria predict the need for intervention or impact morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated existing evidence for pediatric trauma triage. Questions defined a priori were as follows: (1) Do prehospital trauma triage criteria reduce mortality? (2) Do prehospital trauma scoring systems predict outcomes? (3) Do trauma center activation criteria predict outcomes? (4) Do trauma center activation criteria predict need for procedural or operative interventions? (5) Do trauma bay pediatric trauma scoring systems predict outcomes? (6) What secondary triage criteria for transfer of children exist? METHODS: A structured, systematic review was conducted, and multiple databases were queried using search terms related to pediatric trauma triage. The literature search was limited to January 1990 to August 2019. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was applied with the methodological index for nonrandomized studies tool used to assess the quality of included studies. Qualitative analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 1,752 articles were screened, and 38 were included in the qualitative analysis. Twelve articles addressed questions 1 and 2, 21 articles addressed question 3 to 5, and five articles addressed question 6. Existing literature suggest that prehospital triage criteria or scoring systems do not predict or reduce mortality, although selected physiologic parameters may. In contrast, hospital trauma activation criteria can predict the need for procedures or surgical intervention and identify patients with higher mortality; again, physiologic signs are more predictive than mechanism of injury. Currently, no standardized secondary triage/transfer protocols exist. CONCLUSION: Evidence supporting the utility of prehospital triage criteria for injured children is insufficient, while physiology-based trauma system activation criteria do appropriately stratify injured children. The absence of strong evidence supports the need for further prehospital and secondary transfer triage-related research. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Systematic review study, level II.

Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound During Critical Illness in Children: Survey of Practices in Pediatric Neurocritical Care Centers.

OBJECTIVES: The scope of transcranial Doppler ultrasound in the practice of pediatric neurocritical care is unknown. We have surveyed pediatric neurocritical care centers on their use of transcranial Doppler and analyzed clinical management practices. DESIGN: Electronic-mail recruitment with survey of expert centers using web-based questionnaire. SETTING: Survey of 43 hospitals (31 United States, 12 international) belonging to the Pediatric Neurocritical Care Research Group. PATIENTS: None. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A 67% (29/43) hospital-response rate. Of these centers, 27 reported using transcranial Doppler in the PICU; two hospitals opted out due to lack of transcranial Doppler availability/use. The most common diagnoses for using transcranial Doppler in clinical care were intracranial/subarachnoid hemorrhage (20 hospitals), arterial ischemic stroke (14 hospitals), and traumatic brain injury (10 hospitals). Clinical studies were carried out and interpreted by credentialed individuals in 93% (25/27) and 78% (21/27) of the centers, respectively. A written protocol for performance of transcranial Doppler in the PICU was available in 30% (8/27 hospitals); of these, two of eight hospitals routinely performed correlation studies to validate results. In 74% of the centers (20/27), transcranial Doppler results were used to guide clinical care: that is, when to obtain a neuroimaging study (18 hospitals); how to manipulate cerebral perfusion pressure with fluids/vasopressors (13 hospitals); and whether to perform a surgical intervention (six hospitals). Research studies were also commonly performed for a range of diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: At least 27 pediatric neurocritical care centers use transcranial Doppler during clinical care. In the majority of centers, studies are performed and interpreted by credentialed personnel, and findings are used to guide clinical management. Further studies are needed to standardize these practices.

A 3-Month-Old With Failure to Thrive and Persistent Vomiting.

A 3-month-old boy was admitted from his pediatrician's office for failure to thrive and vomiting. On admission, he weighed barely more than his birth weight and was cachectic with muscle wasting. His abdomen was grossly distended but soft and nontender. A trial of nasogastric feeds resulted in a worsening of his clinical status. He was transferred to the ICU, and diagnostic imaging was concerning for a distal bowel obstruction. Surgical pathology revealed a surprising diagnosis, which is described in detail in the following case.

Predictors of Complications of Tonsillectomy With or Without Adenoidectomy in Hospitalized Children and Adolescents in the United States, 2001-2010: A Population-Based Study.

Outcomes of tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy [w/woA]) in hospitalized children are unclear. We sought, to describe the characteristics of hospitalized children who underwent tonsillectomy (w/woA), to estimate the prevalence of complications and to evaluate the relative impact of different comorbid conditions (CMC) on the risk of occurrence of common complications following these procedures. All patients aged ≤21years who underwent a tonsillectomy (w/woA) were selected from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS 2001-2010). The associations between several patient/hospital-level factors and occurrence of complications were generated using multivariable logistic regression models. Over a decade, a total of 141 599 hospitalized patients underwent tonsillectomy (w116 319; woA 25 280). A total of 58.1% were males. Majority of the procedures were performed in teaching hospitals (TH, 73.7%), in large (bed-size) hospitals (LH, 57.8%), and in those who were electively admitted (EA, 67.3%). Frequently present CMC in patients included obstructive sleep apnea (OSA, 26.4%), chronic pulmonary disease (CPD, 14.6%), neurological disorders (ND, 6.7%), and obesity (4.8%). Majority of patients were discharged routinely (98%). Overall complication rate was 6.4% with common complications being postoperative pneumonia (2.3%), bacterial infections (1.4%), respiratory complications (1.3%), and hemorrhage (1.2%). All-cause mortality included a total of 60 patients. Patients in TH (odds ratio [OR] = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.62-0.85), LH (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.69-0.93), and those who had the procedures during EA (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.56-0.74) had significantly lower odds of complications compared with their counterparts. CMC such as anemia, CPD, coagulopathy, HT, ND, and fluid/electrolyte disorders were independent predictors of significantly higher complication risk (P < .05). In conclusion, hospitalized children who underwent tonsillectomy (w/woA) in large or teaching hospitals, or during elective admissions had lower risk of complications. Comorbidity is an important independent predictor of complications in this cohort.

Feasibility Study Evaluating Therapeutic Hypothermia for Refractory Status Epilepticus in Children.

Pediatric refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is a neurological emergency with significant morbidity and mortality, which lacks consensus regarding diagnosis and treatment(s). Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is an effective treatment for RSE in preclinical models and small series. In addition, TH is a standard care for adults after cardiac arrest and neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The purpose of this study was to identify the feasibility of a study of pediatric RSE within a research group (Pediatric Neurocritical Care Research Group [PNCRG]). Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions at seven centers were prospectively screened from October 2012 to July 2013 for RSE. Experts within the PNCRG estimated that clinicians would be unwilling to enroll a child, unless the child required at least two different antiepileptic medications and a continuous infusion of another antiepileptic medication with ongoing electrographic seizure activity for ≥2 hours after continuous infusion initiation. Data for children meeting the above inclusion criteria were collected, including the etiology of RSE, history of epilepsy, and maximum dose of continuous antiepileptic infusions. There were 8113 PICU admissions over a cumulative 52 months (October 2012-July 2013) at seven centers. Of these, 69 (0.85%) children met inclusion criteria. Twenty children were excluded due to acute diagnoses affected by TH, contraindications to TH, or lack of commitment to aggressive therapies. Sixteen patients had seizure cessation within 2 hours, resulting in 33 patients who had inadequate seizure control after 2 hours and a continuous antiepileptic infusion. Midazolam (21/33, 64%) and pentobarbital (5/33, 15%) were the most common infusions with a wide maximum dose range. More than one infusion was required for seizure control in four patients. There are substantial numbers of subjects at clinical sites within the PNCRG with RSE that would meet the proposed inclusion criteria for a study of TH. The true feasibility of such a study depends on the sample size necessary to achieve therapeutic effects on justifiable clinical outcomes.

Prevalence and Predictors of Gastrostomy Tube and Tracheostomy Placement in Anoxic/Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathic Survivors of In-Hospital Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Current prevalence estimates of gastrostomy tube (GT)/tracheostomy placement in hospitalized patients with anoxic/hypoxic ischemic encephalopathic injury (AHIE) post cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are unknown. We sought, to estimate the prevalence of AHIE in hospitalized patients who had CPR and to identify patient/hospital level factors that predict the performance of GT/tracheostomy in those with AHIE. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (years 2004-2010). All patients who developed AHIE following CPR were included. In this cohort the odds of having GT and tracheostomy was computed by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Patient and hospital level factors were the independent variables. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 686,578 CPR events occurred in hospitalized patients. Of these, 94,336 (13.7%) patients developed AHIE. In this AHIE cohort, 6.8% received GT and 8.3% tracheostomy. When compared to the 40-49 yrs age group, those aged >70 yrs were associated with lower odds for GT (OR = 0.65, 95% CI:0.53-0.80, p<0.0001). Those aged <18 years & those >60 years were associated with lower odds for having tracheostomy when compared to the 40-49 years group (p<0.0001). Each one unit increase in co-morbid burden was associated with higher odds for having GT (OR = 1.23,p<0.0001) or tracheostomy (OR = 1.17, p<0.0001). Blacks, Hispanics, Asians/Pacific Islanders, and other races were associated with higher odds for having GT or tracheostomy when compared to whites (p<0.05). Hospitals located in northeastern regions were associated with higher odds for performing GT (OR = 1.48, p<0.0001) or tracheostomy (OR = 1.63, p<0.0001) when compared to those in Western regions. Teaching hospitals (TH) were associated with higher odds for performing tracheostomy when compared to non-TH (OR = 1.36, 1.20-1.54, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: AHIE injury occurs in a significant number of in-hospital arrests requiring CPR. Certain predictors of GT/ Tracheostomy placement are identified. Patients in teaching hospitals were more likely to receive tracheostomy than their counterparts.

Therapeutic hypothermia after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in children.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic hypothermia is recommended for comatose adults after witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, but data about this intervention in children are limited. METHODS: We conducted this trial of two targeted temperature interventions at 38 children's hospitals involving children who remained unconscious after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Within 6 hours after the return of circulation, comatose patients who were older than 2 days and younger than 18 years of age were randomly assigned to therapeutic hypothermia (target temperature, 33.0°C) or therapeutic normothermia (target temperature, 36.8°C). The primary efficacy outcome, survival at 12 months after cardiac arrest with a Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, second edition (VABS-II), score of 70 or higher (on a scale from 20 to 160, with higher scores indicating better function), was evaluated among patients with a VABS-II score of at least 70 before cardiac arrest. RESULTS: A total of 295 patients underwent randomization. Among the 260 patients with data that could be evaluated and who had a VABS-II score of at least 70 before cardiac arrest, there was no significant difference in the primary outcome between the hypothermia group and the normothermia group (20% vs. 12%; relative likelihood, 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86 to 2.76; P=0.14). Among all the patients with data that could be evaluated, the change in the VABS-II score from baseline to 12 months was not significantly different (P=0.13) and 1-year survival was similar (38% in the hypothermia group vs. 29% in the normothermia group; relative likelihood, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.93 to 1.79; P=0.13). The groups had similar incidences of infection and serious arrhythmias, as well as similar use of blood products and 28-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In comatose children who survived out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, therapeutic hypothermia, as compared with therapeutic normothermia, did not confer a significant benefit in survival with a good functional outcome at 1 year. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and others; THAPCA-OH ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00878644.).

First reported experience with intramuscular diaphragm pacing in replacing positive pressure mechanical ventilators in children.

PURPOSE: Diaphragm pacing (DP) has been shown to successfully replace mechanical ventilators for adult tetraplegic patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency. This is the first report of DP in ventilator-dependent children. METHODS: This was a prospective interventional experience under institutional review board approval. Diaphragm pacing involves outpatient laparoscopic diaphragm motor point mapping to identify the site where stimulation causes maximum diaphragm contraction with implantation of 4 percutaneous intramuscular electrodes. Diaphragm conditioning ensues to wean the child from the ventilator. RESULTS: Six children were successfully implanted ranging from 5 to 17 years old with the smallest 15 kg in weight. Length of time on mechanical ventilation ranged from 11 days to 7.6 years with an average of 3.2 years. In all patients, DP provided tidal volumes above basal needs. Five of the patients underwent a home-based weaning program, whereas one patient who was implanted only 11 days post spinal cord injury never returned to the ventilator with DP use. Another patient was weaned from the ventilator full time but died of complications of his underlying brain stem tumor. The remaining patients weaned from the ventilator for over 14 hours a day and/or are actively conditioning their diaphragms. CONCLUSION: Diaphragm pacing successfully replaced mechanical ventilators, which improves quality of life.

Antibiotic-resistant gram-negative organisms in pediatric chronic-care facilities.

This study was designed to define the prevalence of colonization with antibiotic-resistant gram-negative rectal specimens were obtained from subjects residing in 2 pediatric extended-care facilities and were processed to identify gram-negative organisms resistant to ceftazidime, gentamicin, meropenem, and piperacillin-tazobactam. Horizontal transmission was assessed by analyzing all resistant isolates by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Forty percent of subjects were colonized with >/=1 resistant bacillus; >60% of organisms were resistant to >/=2 of the antibiotics tested. Colonization was disproportionate among residents with a tracheostomy or other prosthesis. More than 65% of colonized subjects shared 1 organism with another resident, with cross-colonization occurring among both enteric and nonenteric species. Children residing in chronic-care facilities represent a large reservoir for resistant bacilli. Such colonization may be amenable to simple barrier infection-control procedures.