Fluid Resuscitation and Inotropic Support in Patients With Septic Shock Treated in Pediatric Emergency Department: An Open-Label Trial.

Introduction Fluid resuscitation and inotropic support are essential interventions to improve cardiovascular function in patients with septic shock. However, the optimal volume of fluids and the timing of inotropic support to achieve the resolution of shock are controversial. They may depend on the availability of critical care support services.  Aims To compare early versus the delayed start of epinephrine administration after fluids bolus in children with septic shock.  Methods  We conducted an open-label randomized trial in which patients under 18 years of age diagnosed with septic shock and arterial hypotension were treated in two Pediatric Emergency Departments in Paraguay (Hospital de Clinicas of Universidad Nacional de Asunción and Instituto Privado del Niño) between 2015 and 2020. Septic shock was defined according to the American College of Critical Care Medicine (ACCM) guidelines. All patients received antibiotics and 40 ml/kg of fluids (two boluses of 20ml/kg if there were no signs of fluid overload) during the first hour. They were then divided into two groups: Group 1 received epinephrine infusion and maintenance fluids. Group 2 received an additional 20 ml/kg of fluids and then was started on epinephrine infusion.  Results Of 229 patients screened, 63 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 2.8±3.5 years. A total of 52% were female. Group 1 comprised 33 patients, and group 2 comprised a total of 30. Significant differences were found between group 1 and group 2 in the following: mortality (10% vs. 33%, p: 0.026, RR: 3.1, CI: 95%: 1-10), need for mechanical ventilation (10% vs. 41%, p: 0.006, RR: 4, CI: 95%: 1.3-12), and altered vascular hypoperfusion after one hour of interventions (7% vs. 59%, p<0,001, RR: 8.2, CI: 95%: 2-32). Conclusions Early administration of epinephrine infusion after initial fluid therapy was associated with better clinical outcomes than delayed administration.

Traumatismo craneoencefálico leve en el departamento de urgencias de pediatría del Hospital de Clínicas de San Lorenzo: características clínico epidemiológicas y frecuencia

RESUMEN Introducción: El traumatismo craneoencefálico ocurre comúnmente en la infancia. La mayoría de los traumatismos craneales en niños son leves y no están asociados con lesiones cerebrales o secuelas a largo plazo. Sin embargo, un pequeño número de niños que parecen estar en bajo riesgo puede tener una lesión cerebral traumática clínicamente importante. Objetivo: determinar la frecuencia, características clínicas y epidemiológicas del traumatismo cráneo encefálico leve en el departamento de emergencias pediátricas del hospital de clínicas de San Lorenzo. Materiales y Métodos: estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo de corte transversal, se incluyeron pacientes menores a 18 años con diagnóstico de Traumatismo craneoencefálico leve que ingresan a sala de observación del Departamento de Urgencias del Hospital de Clínicas desde noviembre del 2017 hasta noviembre del 2019. Resultados: fueron ingresados 55 pacientes con diagnóstico de TCE leve, el 53% del sexo masculino, el 36% pertenecían a lactantes mayores, la mayoría procedían del área metropolitana. En cuanto al mecanismo de traumatismo el 62% fue por caída de propia altura con un promedio de 0,9 ± 0,91 m, el 20% presento pérdida del conocimiento. Todos los pacientes ingresaron al departamento de urgencias vigiles y con un Glasgow 15/15, en cuanto a los hallazgos radiológicos se constató fractura de cráneo en 5% Se realizo estudios de imagen en el 55% de los pacientes en donde más del 60% fueron normales. Conclusión: en pacientes con traumatismo craneoencefálico leve los médicos deben decidir si el paciente se realizará una tomografía en base al juicio clínico y a guías internacionalmente estandarizadas para tal efecto ya que las mismas exponen a radiaciones ionizantes que aumentan los riesgos a largo plazo de neoplasias letales. Esto permite que los niños con riesgo bajo a intermedio no sean expuestos innecesariamente a radiaciones.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Traumatic brain injury occurs commonly in childhood. Most head injuries in children are mild and are not associated with long-term brain injuries or sequelae. However, a small number of children who appear to be at low risk may have a clinically important TBI. Objective: to determine the frequency, clinical and epidemiological characteristics of mild head trauma in the pediatric emergency department of the San Lorenzo Clinical Hospital. Materials and Methods: this was an observational, descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional study that included patients under 18 years of age with a diagnosis of mild head injury who were admitted to the observation room of the Emergency Department of the Clinical Hospital from November 2017 to November 2019. Results: 55 patients with a diagnosis of mild TBI were admitted, 53% male, 36% were older infants, the majority came from the metropolitan area. Regarding the trauma mechanism, 62% was due to a fall from their own height with an average of 0.9 ± 0.91 m, 20% presented loss of consciousness. All patients were admitted to the emergency department awake and with a Glasgow 15/15, regarding the radiological findings, a skull fracture was confirmed in 5%. Imaging studies were performed in 55% of the patients, more than 60% of these were normal. Conclusion: in patients with mild head injury, doctors must decide whether the patient will undergo a tomography based on clinical judgment and internationally standardized guidelines for this purpose, since they expose them to ionizing radiation that increases the long-term risks of lethal neoplasms. This allows low to intermediate risk children to not be unnecessarily exposed to radiation.

Salbutamol and ipratropium by inhaler is superior to nebulizer in children with severe acute asthma exacerbation: Randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: In moderate-severe asthma exacerbation, salbutamol by inhaler (MDI) is superior to salbutamol delivered by nebulizer (NEB); however, to our knowledge, no studies in children with exclusively severe exacerbations were performed. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of salbutamol and ipratropium bromide by MDI versus by NEB in severe asthma exacerbations. METHODS: We performed a clinical trial enrolling 103 children (2-14 years of age) with severe asthma exacerbations (defined by the Pulmonary Score ≥ 7) seen at the emergency room in Asuncion, Paraguay. One group received salbutamol and ipratropium (two puff every 10 min for 2 h and then every 30 min for 2 h more) by MDI with a valved-holding chamber and mask along with oxygen by a cannula separately (MDI-SIB); and the other received nebulization with oxygen (NEB-SIB) of salbutamol and ipratropium (1 every 20 min for 2 h and then every 30 min for 2 h more). Primary outcome was the rate of hospitalization (Pulmonary Score ≥ 7) after 4 h and secondary outcome was oxygen saturation. RESULTS: Fifty two children received MDI-SIB and 51 NEB-SIB. After the 4th hour, children on MDI-SIB had significantly (P = 0.003) lower rate of hospital admission than on NEB-SIB (5.8% vs 27.5%, RR: 0.21 [0.06-0.69], respectively). Similarly, a significant improved clinical score after 60 min and increase in oxygen saturation after 90 min of treatment was observed in MDI-SIB versus NEB-SIB group (4.46 ± 0.7 vs 5.76 ± 0.65, P < 0.00001; and 90.5 ± 1.7 vs 88.43 1 ± 1, P < 0.00001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Even in severe asthma exacerbations administration of salbutamol and ipratropium by MDI with valved-holding chamber and mask along with oxygen by a cannula separately was more effective than by a nebulizer.

Latin American Consensus for Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation 2017: Latin American Pediatric Critical Care Society Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Committee.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a Latin American Consensus about Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. To clarify, reinforce, and adapt some specific recommendations for pediatric patients and to stimulate the implementation of these recommendations in clinical practice. DESIGN: Expert consensus recommendations with Delphi methodology. SETTING: Latin American countries. SUBJECTS: Experts in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation from 19 Latin American countries. INTERVENTIONS: Delphi methodology for expert consensus. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The goal was to reach consensus with all the participating experts for every recommendation. An agreement of at least 80% of the participating experts had to exist in order to deliver a recommendation. Two Delphi voting rounds were sent out electronically. The experts were asked to score between 1 and 9 their level of agreement for each recommendation. The score was then classified into three groups: strong agreement (score 7-9), moderate agreement (score 4-6), and disagreement (score 1-3). Nineteen experts from 19 countries participated in both voting rounds and in the whole process of drafting the recommendations. Sixteen recommendations about organization of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, prevention, basic resuscitation, advanced resuscitation, and postresuscitation measures were approved. Ten of them had a consensus of 100%. Four of them were agreed by all the participants except one (94.7% consensus). One recommendation was agreed by all except two experts (89.4%), and finally, one was agreed by all except three experts (84.2%). All the recommendations reached a level of agreement. CONCLUSIONS: This consensus adapts 16 international recommendations to Latin America in order to improve the practice of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in children. Studies should be conducted to analyze the effectiveness of the implementation of these recommendations.

Consenso Internacional de Gastroenteritis Aguda en Urgencias. Comité de Emergencias SLACIP (Sociedad Latino Americana de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos)

Este documento pretende poner al alcance de todo profesional de salud una guía actualizada en el diagnóstico y manejo de la gastroenteritis aguda en pediatría, ya que esta enfermedad es una de las principales causas de consultas y hospitalizaciones. Se realizó una revisión exhaustiva de la literatura proponiendo una herramienta útil con el objetivo de reducir el impacto de la enfermedad en términos de incidencia, morbilidad y mortalidad. El tratamiento de la gastroenteritis debe ir dirigido a la prevención de la deshidratación y el desequilibrio electrolítico que produce, con líquidos adecuados, sales de rehidratación oral y el mantenimiento de la alimentación oral. La causa de esta enfermedad es principalmente viral y los criterios para el uso de antibióticos es controversial. Los coadyuvantes para disminuir el tiempo de enfermedad así como la frecuencia de la diarrea, en muchos de los casos están en estudio; por lo tanto el manejo guiado, estructurado y sistematizado garantizará en muchos casos el éxito del tratamiento de la gastroenteritis en los niños.

This document aims to provide an updated guideline for the diagnosis and management of acute gastroenteritis in pediatrics, as this disease is one of the main causes of consultations and hospitalizations. By performing an exhaustive review of the literature to produce a useful tool, this proposal aims to reduce the impact of the disease incidence, morbidity and mortality. The goal of gastroenteritis treatment is to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance that it can produce, with adequate liquids, oral rehydration salts and maintenance of oral feeding. The causes of this disease are mostly viral and the criteria for antibiotic use is controversial. Treatment modalities to reduce the time of illness as well as the frequency of diarrhea are, in many cases, currently under study; therefore, guided, structured and systematized management will ensure the successful treatment of gastroenteritis in most children.

Propuesta del perfil docente basado en competencias de la facultad de ciencias médicas de la universidad nacional de Asunción / Proposal of the teacher profile based on competence of the medical faculty of the national university of Asunción

En la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la UNA no contamos con un plan de desarrollo de la docencia, ni con un perfil docente que oriente la formación del médico en el ámbito de la docencia, y a la evaluación del desempeño docente. Se pretende que este trabajo elabore un documento que delinee el perfil genérico del docente de la FCM-UNA, contextualizado global y localmente, como base para generar las políticas y estrategias de un plan de desarrollo docente, que sirva como guía del itinerario formativo del docente médico y que además siente las bases para la evaluación y promoción de la carrera docente en nuestra facultad. Consideramos que este estudio, con el establecimiento del perfil del docente médico de la FCM-UNA, sentará las bases para diseñar, impulsar y gestionar un plan de desarrollo de la docencia que contemple la implementación, fortalecimiento y acompañamiento de la carrera docente, además de la evaluación y el aseguramiento de la calidad de la educación médica en nuestra facultad. Generará nuevos conocimientos pertinentes en el área de la docencia que den cuenta de la familia de problemas a las cuales nos enfrentemos y contribuya a propiciar espacios de reflexión sobre la docencia médica, y además se constituya en un modelo de análisis de la docencia en otros escenarios universitarios a nivel regional. Establecerá las bases para impulsar una formación docente que garantice la implementación de nuevo curriculum integrado y basado en competencias. Impulsará un marco normativo que motive y jerarquice la función docente, mediante el establecimiento de las condiciones necesarias para el desarrollo de la docencia en nuestro medio.

In the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the UNA we do not have neither a teaching development plan nor a teacher profile to guide the training of doctors in the field of teaching and teacher evaluation. This paper is intended to prepare a document outlining the generic profile of teachers of the FCM-UNA, globally and locally contextualized, as the basis for generating policies and strategies for a teacher development plan, to serve as a guide to the teacher training itinerary and also providing the basis for the evaluation and promotion of the teaching profession in our faculty. We believe that this study, with the establishment of the medical teacher profile of the FCM-UNA, will lay the foundation to design, promote and manage a development plan that includes teaching implementation, strengthening and support of the teaching profession, in addition to evaluation and quality assurance of medical education in our faculty. It will generate relevant new knowledge in the area of teaching that takes into account the group of problems which we face, and it will help to promote opportunities for reflection on medical education, and I will also constitute a model of analysis of teaching in other university scenes from the region. It will set the basis for boosting teacher training to ensure the implementation of new integrated and competency-based curriculum. It will promote a regulatory framework that will encourage and rank the teaching, by establishing the necessary conditions for development of teaching in our conditions.

Chlamydia pneumoniae, and mycoplasma pneumoniae: Are they related to severe asthma in childhood?

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae are frequent agents of acute respiratory diseases and they have been recognized as infectious triggers of asthma. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of these triggers and their relationship to severe asthma. METHODS: 82 patients were enrolled in a prospective cross-sectional study from January 2007 to March 2013 and they were divided into three study groups: Group 1: 27 children with severe asthma, Group 2: 29 children with stable asthma and Group 3: 26 children which was the control group. Serological tests included IgG and IgM for both C. pneumoniae and M. pneumoniae. RESULTS: Average age ± SD was 10.9 ± 2.5 for Group 1; 10.1 ± 2.9 for Group 2 and 9.9± 1.9 for Group 3 (p = 0.4). M. pneumoniae IgM was observed in 6/27 (22.2%) in Group 1, 2/29 (6.9%) in Group 2 and 0/26 in the Control Group (p = 0,01). C.pneumoniae IgM was present in 7/26 (26.9%) in Group 1, 2/29 (6.9%) in Group 2 and 0/26 in Group 3 (p = 0.005). No significant difference was observed between Group 2 and Group 3. M. pneumoniae IgG was observed in 7/27 (25.9%) in Group 1, 4/29 (13.7%) in Group 2 and 0/26 in the Control Group (p < 0,05). C.pneumoniae IgG was present in 8/26 (30.7%) in Group 1, 5/29 (17.2%) in Group 2 and 0/26 in Group 3 (p < 0,05). CONCLUSIONS: M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae may play a role in the development of severe asthma.

Infecciones respiratorias altas y bajas por Chlamydia trachomatis en recién nacidos y lactantes: riesgos y resultados / Upper- and lower-respiratory tract infections due to Chlamydia trachomatis in newborns and infants: risks and results

Introducción: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) es una bacteria causante de una infección asociada, con un amplio rango de manifestaciones clínicas que afectan las vías respiratorias altas y bajas en infantes, que pueden ir de un cuadro leve a severo, tales como congestión nasal, rinitis, neumonía y apnea. Objetivo: Determinar las características clínicas y presentar resultados de estudios realizados a recién nacidos y lactantes que presentan enfermedad respiratoria alta y baja. Materiales y Métodos: Desde 1997 al 2010 los recién nacidos y lactantes con dificultad para alimentarse y distress respiratorio que han consultado en dos instituciones, fueron evaluados con IFD para detectar anticuerpos fluorescentes directos contra C. trachmatis, por medio de aspirados naso-faríngeos. Los pacientes con resultados positivos recibieron tratamiento y fueron seguidos con controles hasta el año de edad. Resultados: Cincuenta y un pacientes dieron resultado positivo para CT. El promedio de edad materna fue de 28±4. Edad gestacional fue 38±1 semanas. Pre-términos (34-•36 EG). Edad media de inicio de los síntomas 16,6 ± 14.2 semanas con un rango de 1-62 días. Rinitis fue observado en 56.9%, apnea en 7.8%, han debutado como síndrome bronquial obstructivo (SBO) en 11.8%, bronquiolitis en 9.8% y taquipnea transitoria en el 2%. Hospitalización fue necesaria en el 45,1 %, y 23,5% en UTI. SBO recurrente fue observado en un total de 47,1% al año de edad. Conclusión: Una importante morbilidad fue observada en infantes con infección por C. trachomatis, presentación de rinitis severa en recién nacidos, episodios de SBO, resultando en un alto porcentaje de admisión hospitalaria y en UTI.

Inhaled salbutamol plus ipratropium in moderate and severe asthma crises in children.

BACKGROUND: The combination of inhaled ß(2) agonists and anticholinergics is recommended for children with acute asthma, although there are few randomized controlled trials. The aim of the study was to determine whether salbutamol plus ipratropium bromide improves oxygenation and lung function and reduces the frequency of hospitalization in children with asthma crises. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study of children aged 2-18 years with moderate to severe asthma crises. Patients were evaluated using the asthma score and spirometry. They received six nebulizations of salbutamol plus placebo or salbutamol plus ipratropium and were reevaluated at 30, 60, 90, 120, and 240 minutes, at which time it was decided whether they were to be admitted. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients completed the study, 49 in the salbutamol plus ipratropium group and 48 in the salbutamol-only group. There were no differences in the status at baseline between the two groups. Children treated with salbutamol plus ipratropium presented a greater improvement in clinical state and lung function and required hospitalization less frequently (18.4%) than children in the salbutamol group (43.8%) (p = .007). Improvement was more marked in children with severe asthma crises than in those with moderate crises. The effect of salbutamol plus ipratropium was similar in children over 8 years of age and in younger children. CONCLUSIONS: Salbutamol plus ipratropium bromide improves lung function in asthmatic children with moderate to severe asthma crises, independently of age. The effect is greater in children with severe crises, with a substantial reduction in the need for hospitalization.