Heart rate variability in school-age children born moderate-to-late preterm.

BACKGROUND: Prematurity is associated with reduced cardiac autonomic function. This study aimed to investigate the heart rate variability (HRV) in school-age children born moderately to late preterm (MLPT). METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated school-age children, aged 5 to 10 years, born moderate-to-late preterm. Electrocardiograms recordings were performed during fifteen-minutes. Time and frequency domain parameters were calculated, corrected for heart rate and compared between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 123 children were evaluated and 119 were included in this study. HRV measures, studied in the time and frequency domains, were similar in both groups. Corrected values of root mean square of successive differences between normal cycles (RMSSD), percentage of successive cycles with a duration difference >50 ms (pNN50%), and high frequency (HF), indices that predominantly represent the parasympathetic activity of the autonomic nervous system, were 1.6E-7 and 1.8E-7 (p=0.226); 1.6E-13 and 1.6E-13 (p=0.506); 6.9E-12 and 7.4E-12 (p=0.968) in the preterm and control groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study did not find differences in heart rate variability between school-age children born MLPT and those born at term, suggesting that plasticity of cardiac autonomic modulation continues to occur in children up to school age or there is less impairment of the autonomic system in MLPT.

Lung mechanics and respiratory morbidities in school-age children born moderate-to-late preterm.

BACKGROUND: Late and moderate prematurity may have an impact on pulmonary function during childhood. The present study aimed to investigate lung mechanics in school-age children born moderate-to-late preterm (MLPT). METHODS: Children aged 5-10 years were enrolled in this case-control study. Lung function and bronchodilator response were assessed by impulse oscillometry (IOS) at two hospital-based specialized clinics. A structured questionnaire was employed to assess respiratory morbidities. RESULTS: A total of 123 children was divided into two groups: case (MLPT) n = 52 and control (children born at term) n = 71. The results showed no difference between groups in mean baseline IOS variables: R5 0.80 ± 0.20 vs 0.82 ± 0.22 kPa/L/s, p = 0.594, R20 0.54 ± 0.13 vs 0.55 ± 0.13 kPa/L/s, p = 0.732, R5-R20 0.26 ± 0.12 vs 0.27 ± 0.15 kPa/L/s, p = 0.615, X5 -0.29 ± 0.01 vs -0.29 ± 0.1 kPa/L/s, p = 0.990, Fres 21.1 ± 3.3 vs 21.7 ± 3.1 L/s, p = 0.380, and AX 2.7 ± 3.36 vs 2.5 ± 1.31 kPa/L/s, p = 0.626. Bronchodilator response and the occurrence of respiratory morbidities after birth were also similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study found lung mechanics parameters to be similar in school-age children born MLPT and those born at term, suggesting that pulmonary plasticity continues to occur in children up to school age. IMPACT: Late and moderate prematurity is associated with an increased risk of reduced pulmonary function during childhood. Follow-up reports in adolescents and adults born MLPT are scarce but have indicated pulmonary plasticity with normalization of airway function. Our results show that the lung function in school-age children born MLPT is similar to that of children born at term.

Clinical Characteristics and Mortality Profile of COVID-19 Patients Aged less than 20 years Old in Pernambuco - Brazil.

COVID-19 in children and adolescents has low frequency, severity, and fatality rate all over the world. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the epidemiological and clinical aspects of COVID-19 in patients younger than 20 years in Pernambuco (Brazil), with cases confirmed by reverse-transcriptase-PCR SARS-CoV-2 between 13 February and June 19, 2020, reported on information systems. Data regarding age (< 30 days, 1-11 months, 1-4 years, 5-9 years, 10-14 years, and 15-19 years), gender, color/race, symptoms, pregnancy or puerperium, comorbidities, hospitalization, and death were investigated. Fatality rate and mortality coefficient were calculated, and a multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine if gender, age, and comorbidities were factors associated with death. Of 682 pediatric cases, 52.8% were female, with a mean age of 9 ± 7.2 years. The most frequent symptoms were fever (64.4%), cough (52.4%), and respiratory distress (32.4%). Hospitalization was reported in 46.2% of cases, mainly among neonates (80.3%) and infants (73.8%). Thirty-eight deaths were notified, and a fatality rate of 5.6% (95% CI: 3.9-7.3) was found, with higher fatality rates among neonates 11.5% (7 of 61) and 9.5% (8 of 84) infants. The mortality coefficient was 10.9 per 100,000 inhabitants < 1 year of age, whereas comorbidities (Odds ratio [OR] = 14.13, 95% CI: 6.35-31.44), age < 30 days (OR = 5.17, 95% CI: 1.81-14.77), and age 1-11 months (OR = 3.28, 95% CI: 1.21-8.91) were independent factors associated with death. The results demonstrate the vulnerability of neonates and infants with severe conditions, need hospitalization, and high fatality rate, indicating the necessity to adapt public health policies for these age-groups.

Weaning failure and respiratory muscle function: What has been done and what can be improved?

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory muscle dysfunction, being a common cause of weaning failure, is strongly associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) and prolonged stay in intensive care units. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been described as an important contributor to the treatment of respiratory muscle dysfunction in critically ill patients. Its effectiveness is however yet controversial. OBJECTIVE: To discuss evidence for assessment of readiness and the effectiveness of interventions for liberation from MV, with special attention to the role of IMT. METHODS: PubMed, LILACS, PEDro and Web of Science were searched for papers of assessment and treatment of patients who failed liberation from MV after at least one attempt published in English or Portuguese until June 2016. RESULTS: Weaning predictors are related to weaning success (86%-100% for sensitivity and 7%-69% for specificity) and work of breathing (73%-100% for sensitivity and 56%-100% for specificity). Spontaneous breathing trials (SBT), noninvasive MV and early mobilization have been reported to improve weaning outcomes. Two modalities of IMT were identified in five selected studies: 1) adjustment of ventilator trigger sensitivity 2) inspiratory threshold loading. Both IMT training modalities promoted significant increases in respiratory muscle strength. IMT with threshold loading showed positive effect on endurance compared to control. CONCLUSION: Methods to indentify respiratory muscle weakness in critically ill patients are feasible and described as indexes that show good accuracy. Individualized and supervised rehabilitation programs including IMT, SBT, noninvasive MV and early mobilization should be encouraged in patients with inspiratory muscle weakness.

Effects of pressure support ventilation on ventilator-induced lung injury in mild acute respiratory distress syndrome depend on level of positive end-expiratory pressure: A randomised animal study.

BACKGROUND: Harmful effects of spontaneous breathing have been shown in experimental severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, in the clinical setting, spontaneous respiration has been indicated only in mild ARDS. To date, no study has compared the effects of spontaneous assisted breathing with those of fully controlled mechanical ventilation at different levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on lung injury in ARDS. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of assisted pressure support ventilation (PSV) with pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) on lung function, histology and biological markers at two different PEEP levels in mild ARDS in rats. DESIGN: Randomised controlled experimental study. SETTING: Basic science laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five Wistar rats (weight ±â€ŠSD, 310 ±â€Š19) g received Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intratracheally. After 24 h, the animals were anaesthetised and randomly allocated to either PCV (n=14) or PSV (n=14) groups. Each group was further assigned to PEEP = 2 cmH2O or PEEP = 5 cmH2O. Tidal volume was kept constant (≈6 ml kg). Additional nonventilated animals (n=7) were used as a control for postmortem analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ventilatory and mechanical parameters, arterial blood gases, diffuse alveolar damage score, epithelial integrity measured by E-cadherin tissue expression, and biological markers associated with inflammation (IL-6 and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant, CINC-1) and type II epithelial cell damage (surfactant protein-B) were evaluated. RESULTS: In both PCV and PSV, peak transpulmonary pressure was lower, whereas E-cadherin tissue expression, which is related to epithelial integrity, was higher at PEEP = 5 cmH2O than at PEEP = 2 cmH2O. In PSV, PEEP = 5 cmH2O compared with PEEP = 2 cmH2O was associated with significantly reduced diffuse alveolar damage score [median (interquartile range), 11 (8.5 to 13.5) vs. 23 (19 to 26), P = 0.005] and expressions of IL-6 and CINC-1 (P = 0.02 for both), whereas surfactant protein-B mRNA expression increased (P = 0.03). These changes suggested less type II epithelial cell damage at a PEEP of 5 cmH2O. Peak transpulmonary pressure correlated positively with IL-6 [Spearman's rho (ρ) = 0.62, P = 0.0007] and CINC-1 expressions (ρ = 0.50, P = 0.01) and negatively with E-cadherin expression (ρ = -0.67, P = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: During PSV, PEEP of 5 cmH2O, but not a PEEP of 2 cmH2O, reduced lung damage and inflammatory markers while maintaining epithelial cell integrity.

Effectiveness of prophylactic non-invasive ventilation on respiratory function in the postoperative phase of pediatric cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic, non-invasive ventilation (NIV) on respiratory function in seven- to 16-year-old children in the post-operative phase of cardiac surgery. Method A randomized, controlled trial with 50 children who had undergone cardiac surgery with median sternotomy. After extubation, patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: control group (n=26), which received instructions regarding posture, early ambulation, and cough stimulation, and CPAP group (continuous positive airway pressure; n=24), which received the same instructions as the control group and CPAP=10 cmH20 twice daily for 30 minutes from the 1st to the 5th post-operative day (POD). As a primary outcome, lung function was evaluated before and on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th PODs with measures of respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (TV), slow vital capacity (SVC), inspiratory capacity (IC), minute volume (MV), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP). As secondary outcomes, the time of hospitalization and intensive care were recorded. A mixed, linear regression model and z-test were used to analyze respiratory function, considering p<0.05. Results All variables, except RR and MV, showed a significant drop on the 1st POD, with gradual recovery; however, only MIP had returned to pre-operative values on the 5th POD in both groups. The RR showed a significant increase on the 1st POD, with a gradual reduction but without returning to baseline. In the intergroup analysis, significant improvement (p=0.04) was observed only in PEF in the CPAP group on the 1st DPO. The length of hospitalization and intensive care showed no significant differences. Conclusion NIV was safe and well accepted in this group of patients, and the protocol used was effective in improving PEF on the 1st DPO in the CPAP group.

Effectiveness of prophylactic non-invasive ventilation on respiratory function in the postoperative phase of pediatric cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic, non-invasive ventilation (NIV) on respiratory function in seven- to 16-year-old children in the post-operative phase of cardiac surgery. Method: A randomized, controlled trial with 50 children who had undergone cardiac surgery with median sternotomy. After extubation, patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: control group (n=26), which received instructions regarding posture, early ambulation, and cough stimulation, and CPAP group (continuous positive airway pressure; n=24), which received the same instructions as the control group and CPAP=10 cmH20 twice daily for 30 minutes from the 1st to the 5th post-operative day (POD). As a primary outcome, lung function was evaluated before and on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th PODs with measures of respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (TV), slow vital capacity (SVC), inspiratory capacity (IC), minute volume (MV), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP). As secondary outcomes, the time of hospitalization and intensive care were recorded. A mixed, linear regression model and z-test were used to analyze respiratory function, considering p<0.05. Results: All variables, except RR and MV, showed a significant drop on the 1st POD, with gradual recovery; however, only MIP had returned to pre-operative values on the 5th POD in both groups. The RR showed a significant increase on the 1st POD, with a gradual reduction but without returning to baseline. In the intergroup analysis, significant improvement (p=0.04) was observed only in PEF in the CPAP group on the 1st DPO. The length of hospitalization and intensive care showed no significant differences. Conclusion: NIV was safe and well accepted in this group of patients, and the protocol used was effective in improving PEF on the 1st DPO in the CPAP group.

Impact of chronic kidney disease on quality of life, lung function, and functional capacity / Repercussão da doença renal crônica na qualidade de vida, função pulmonar e capacidade funcional

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of the chronic kidney disease (CKD) on quality of life, from the children's and their parents' perspective, respiratory muscle strength, lung function, and functional capacity in children and adolescents. METHOD: Cross-sectional study of children with CKD aged 8 to 17 years. Those incapable of taking the tests were excluded. After an interview, quality of life by Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) (PedsQLTM), muscular strength, pulmonary function tests, and the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) were applied. Student's t-test, ANOVA (difference in means), and Pearson's coefficient of correlation were used. The level of significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: Of the 40 patients, the mean distance walked at the 6MWT was 396 meters, and the mean final score at the quality of life test as perceived by the children and parents was 50.9 and 51, respectively. From the children's perspective, the transplanted patients had a higher quality of life score when compared to those undergoing hemodialysis (p < 0.001); those who practiced physical activity had better quality of life when compared to the sedentary children (p < 0.001). From the children's and the parents' perspectives, the male gender had a higher quality of life score (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the distance walked at the 6MWT and age, height, final PedsQLTM, forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), as well as a negative correlation between FEV1/FVC and the distance walked. CONCLUSION: A significant reduction in the quality of life and the functional capacity was observed in children with CKD, influenced by the type of treatment, gender, and sedentary life style. .

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar repercussões da doença renal crônica (DRC) sobre a qualidade de vida na percepção das crianças e dos pais, força muscular respiratória, função pulmonar e capacidade funcional em crianças e adolescentes. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal de crianças e adolescentes com DRC de oito a 17 anos. Excluídas as incapazes de realizar os testes. Após entrevista, aplicou-se questionário de qualidade de vida (PedsQLTM), testes de força muscular, função pulmonar e teste de caminhada de 6 minutos (TC6 min). Foi utilizado o teste t de Student e ANOVA (diferenças de médias) e o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. Considerou-se nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Dentre os 40 pacientes, a média da distância percorrida no TC6 min foi de 396 ± 71 metros, e a média do escore final de qualidade de vida percebida pelas crianças e pelos pais de 50,9 e 51, respectivamente. Na percepção das crianças, os transplantados apresentaram maior escore de qualidade de vida, comparados aos em hemodiálise (p < 0,001), e aos com atividade física e melhor qualidade de vida, comparadas às sedentárias (p < 0,001). Na percepção das crianças e dos pais, o sexo masculino apresentou maior escore de qualidade de vida (p < 0,05). Houve correlação positiva entre a distância percorrida no TC6 min e as variáveis idade, altura, PedsQLTM final da criança, capacidade vital forçada (CVF) e volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) e negativa entre VEF1/CVF e a distância percorrida. CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se redução significativa na qualidade de vida e na capacidade funcional em crianças com DRC influenciadas pelo tipo de tratamento, sexo e sedentarismo. .

Impact of chronic kidney disease on quality of life, lung function, and functional capacity.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of the chronic kidney disease (CKD) on quality of life, from the children's and their parents' perspective, respiratory muscle strength, lung function, and functional capacity in children and adolescents. METHOD: Cross-sectional study of children with CKD aged 8 to 17 years. Those incapable of taking the tests were excluded. After an interview, quality of life by Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) (PedsQL(TM)), muscular strength, pulmonary function tests, and the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) were applied. Student's t-test, ANOVA (difference in means), and Pearson's coefficient of correlation were used. The level of significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: Of the 40 patients, the mean distance walked at the 6MWT was 396 meters, and the mean final score at the quality of life test as perceived by the children and parents was 50.9 and 51, respectively. From the children's perspective, the transplanted patients had a higher quality of life score when compared to those undergoing hemodialysis (p<0.001); those who practiced physical activity had better quality of life when compared to the sedentary children (p<0.001). From the children's and the parents' perspectives, the male gender had a higher quality of life score (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the distance walked at the 6MWT and age, height, final PedsQL(TM), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), as well as a negative correlation between FEV1/FVC and the distance walked. CONCLUSION: A significant reduction in the quality of life and the functional capacity was observed in children with CKD, influenced by the type of treatment, gender, and sedentary life style.

Pulmonary function assessment in children and teenagers before and after surgical treatment for rheumatic valve disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess pulmonary function in children and adolescents subjected to correction of rheumatic valve disease in order to quantify changes caused by factors inherent to surgery and rheumatic heart disease. METHODS: This was a longitudinal and quantitative intervention study, undertaken at a children's hospital that is a center of excellence for the state of Pernambuco (Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco), between December 2004 and May 2005. Eighteen children suffering from rheumatic fever and indicated for surgery to repair or replace the mitral valve were assessed preoperatively and again on the first and fifth postoperative days. The parameters recorded were minute volume, rapid shallow breathing index, peak expiratory flow, forced vital capacity and inspiratory capacity. RESULTS: All patients were aged 8 to 17 years (mean 12.4+/-2.1), they had a mean body mass index of 16.1+/-2.2, and were weaned off invasive mechanical ventilation during the first 10 postoperative hours. All parameters had undergone significant deterioration on the first day (statistically significant, p < or = 0.01), demonstrating gradual improvement up to the last day of assessment, although, with the exception of minute volume which was no longer significantly different from the fourth day onwards (p > 0.01), without returning to baseline levels. CONCLUSION: We observed that the pulmonary dysfunction that results from this type of heart surgery is maintained until at least the fifth postoperative day. It appears that this dysfunction is influenced by the pain and mechanical alterations caused by sternotomy and reduced pulmonary compliance post surgery.

Pulmonary function assessment in children and teenagers before and after surgical treatment for rheumatic valve disease

OBJECTIVE: To assess pulmonary function in children and adolescents subjected to correction of rheumatic valve disease in order to quantify changes caused by factors inherent to surgery and rheumatic heart diseaseMETHODS: This was a longitudinal and quantitative intervention study, undertaken at a children's hospital that is a center of excellence for the state of Pernambuco (Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco), between December 2004 and May 2005. Eighteen children suffering from rheumatic fever and indicated for surgery to repair or replace the mitral valve were assessed preoperatively and again on the first and fifth postoperative days. The parameters recorded were minute volume, rapid shallow breathing index, peak expiratory flow, forced vital capacity and inspiratory capacityRESULTS: All patients were aged 8 to 17 years (mean 12.4±2.1), they had a mean body mass index of 16.1±2.2, and were weaned off invasive mechanical ventilation during the first 10 postoperative hours. All parameters had undergone significant deterioration on the first day (statistically significant, p < 0.01), demonstrating gradual improvement up to the last day of assessment, although, with the exception of minute volume which was no longer significantly different from the fourth day onwards (p > 0.01), without returning to baseline levels.CONCLUSION: We observed that the pulmonary dysfunction that results from this type of heart surgery is maintained until at least the fifth postoperative day. It appears that this dysfunction is influenced by the pain and mechanical alterations caused by sternotomy and reduced pulmonary compliance post surgery.