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OBJECTIVE: Critically ill pediatric patients commonly experience opioid-induced dysmotility. Methylnaltrexone, a subcutaneously administered, peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist, is a compelling adjunct to enteral laxatives in patients with opioid-induced dysmotility. Data for methylnaltrexone use in critically ill pediatric patients are limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of methylnaltrexone for opioid-induced dysmotility in critically ill infants and children. METHODS: Patients younger than 18 years who received subcutaneous methylnaltrexone from January 1, 2013, through September 15, 2020, in the pediatric intensive care units at an academic institution were included in this retrospective analysis. Outcomes included incidence of bowel movement, enteral nutrition feeding volume, and adverse drug events. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients, median age 3.5 years (IQR, 0.58-11.1), received 72 methylnaltrexone doses. The median dose was 0.15 mg/kg (IQR, 0.15-0.15). Patients were receiving a mean ± SD of 7.5 ± 4.5 mg/kg/day of oral morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) at methylnaltrexone administration and received opioids for median 13 days (IQR, 8.8-21) prior to methylnaltrexone administration. A bowel movement occurred within 4 hours following 43 (60%) administrations and within 24 hours following 58 (81%) administrations. Enteral nutrition volume increased by 81% (p = 0.002) following administration. Three patients had emesis and 2 received anti-nausea medication. No significant changes in sedation or pain scores were observed. Withdrawal scores and daily oral MMEs decreased following administration (p = 0.008 and p = 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Methylnaltrexone may be an effective treatment for opioid-induced dysmotility in critically ill pediatric patients with low risk of adverse effects.
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INTRODUCTION: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most commonly isolated organism in tracheostomy-dependent children with ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT). Enteral treatment with an antipseudomonal fluoroquinolone such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin is sometimes employed, but supportive data are limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of enteral antipseudomonal fluoroquinolones for VAT in children with pre-existing tracheostomy. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of electronic medical records for tracheostomy-dependent children <18 years of age who received an enteral antipseduomonal fluoroquinolone for the treatment of presumed VAT from January 2013 through January 2020 at an academic children's hospital. RESULTS: Seventy-six treatment courses representing 60 children (median age: 9.5, interquartile range [IQR]: 3.6-13.1 years) received an antipseudomonal fluoroquinolone for VAT treatment during the study period. Median treatment duration was 8 (range: 7-10) days. Most tracheostomy cultures (n = 70/82, 85%) were polymicrobial, with P. aeruginosa most commonly isolated (n = 67/224 organisms, 30%). Sixty-five courses (86%) were successfully treated with an enteral fluoroquinolone. Antibiotics were changed or extended for two (3%) children. Antibiotics were prescribed for 10 (13%) courses and eight (11%) required hospitalization for a respiratory infection within 30 days of fluoroquinolone completion. Six (8%) courses received a seizure rescue medication, seven (9%) experienced emesis, and one (1%) had elevated transaminases. Tendonitis and tendon rupture were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest enteral antipseudomonal fluoroquinolones may be effective for the treatment of VAT in children with tracheostomy. Further study is warranted to clarify the role of these agents in pediatric VAT.