Body Composition and Acquired Functional Impairment in Survivors of Pediatric Critical Illness.

OBJECTIVES: To identify whether body mass and composition is associated with acquired functional impairment in PICU survivors. DESIGN: Retrospective dual-cohort study. SETTING: Single multidisciplinary PICU. PATIENTS: Two distinct PICU survivor cohorts: 432 unselected admissions from April 2015 to March 2016, and separately 92 patients with abdominal CT imaging at admission from January 2010 to December 2016. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Admission body mass index and Functional Status Scale scores at admission, PICU discharge, and hospital discharge were obtained for all patients. Acquired functional impairment was defined as increase greater than or equal to 3 in Functional Status Scale from baseline. Patients were classified as having: "temporary acquired impairment" (acquired impairment at PICU discharge recovering by hospital discharge), "persistent acquired impairment" (acquired impairment at PICU discharge persisting to hospital discharge), and "no acquired impairment." CT scans were analyzed for skeletal muscle and fat area using National Institute of Health ImageJ software (Bethesda, MD). Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify associations between body mass index, muscle and fat indices, and acquired functional impairment. High baseline body mass index was consistently predictive of persistent acquired impairment in both cohorts. In the second cohort, when body mass index was replaced with radiologic anthropometric measurements, greater skeletal muscle, and visceral adipose tissue indices were independently associated with persistent acquired impairment at hospital discharge (adjusted odds ratio, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.03-1.61; p = 0.024 and adjusted odds ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01-1.28; p = 0.042, respectively). However, this relationship was no longer significant in children with PICU stay greater than 2 days. CONCLUSIONS: In PICU survivors, baseline body mass and composition may play a role in the persistence of acquired functional impairment at hospital discharge. Characterization and quantification of skeletal muscle and fat deserves further study in larger cohorts of PICU children.

Non-motorised active mobility device use by children in Singapore: Injury patterns and risk factors for severe injury.

INTRODUCTION: Wheeled recreational devices (WRDs) include tricycles, bicycles, scooters, inline skates, skateboards, longboards and waveboards, and can cause significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology and nature of injuries sustained by children from WRD use, and risk factors for severe injury. METHOD: We described injuries relating to WRD use in children <18 years who presented to the emergency department of an Asian tertiary hospital between 2016 and 2020. Demographic data, site and nature of the injury, and historical trends were analysed. Risk factors for severe injury (defined as fractures or dislocations), Injury Severity Score ≥9, and injuries resulting in hospitalisation, surgery or death were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 5,002 patients with 5,507 WRD-related injuries were attended to over the 5-year study period. Median age was 4.7 years. Injuries related to bicycles (54.6%) and scooters (30.3%) were most frequent, followed by skateboards and waveboards (7.4%), inline skates (4.7%), and tricycles (3.0%). Injuries occurred most frequently in public spaces. Soft tissue injuries (49.3%) and fractures (18.7%) were the most common diagnoses. Upper limb (36.4%) and head and neck (29.0%) regions were the most common sites of injury. Among the patients, 1,910 (38%) had severe injuries with potential morbidity. On multivariate analysis, heavier children of the school-going age who use either scooters, skateboards or inline skates are more prone to severe injuries. Involvement in a vehicular collision was a negative predictor. CONCLUSION: WRD use in children can result in severe injuries. Wrist and elbow guards, as well as helmets are recommended, along with adequate parental supervision.

Epidemiology of Pediatric Tracheostomy and Risk Factors for Poor Outcomes: An 11-Year Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Children with long-term tracheostomies are at higher risk of complications. This study aims to describe the epidemiology, outcomes, and factors associated with successful decannulation in children undergoing tracheostomy. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SETTING: Tertiary hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on pediatric tracheostomies performed from 2006 to 2016. Demographics, preexisting comorbidities, indications for tracheostomy, and pretracheostomy ventilatory requirements were collected. A multivariate regression model with covariates of age, failure to thrive (FTT), and comorbidities was used to identify factors associated with successful decannulation. Secondary outcomes were ventilation and oxygen requirements at hospital discharge, hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, and complications. RESULTS: In total, 105 patients received a tracheostomy at a median age of 8.0 months (interquartile range, 2.0-45.0). The most common indication was anatomic airway obstruction (55 of 105, 52.5%). Forty-four (41.9%) patients had preexisting FTT. In-hospital mortality was 14 of 105 (13.3%). None were directly related to tracheostomy. At discharge, 40 of 91 (44.0%) and 12 of 91 (13.2%) required home mechanical ventilation and supplemental oxygen, respectively. Forty-one (39%) patients underwent successful decannulation at a median 408 days (interquartile range, 170-1153) posttracheostomy. On adjusted analysis, unsuccessful decannulation was more common in patients with FTT and neurologic comorbidities. Postoperative complications were more common in younger patients and those with a longer time to decannulation. CONCLUSION: Neurologic comorbidities and FTT were risk factors for unsuccessful decannulation after pediatric tracheostomy. Nutritional interventions may have a role in improving long-term outcomes following pediatric tracheostomies and should be investigated in future studies.