RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Gabapentin is commonly used to treat pain in children receiving pediatric palliative care. This study describes the real-world use of gabapentin and the associated benefits and adverse effects/events (AEs). METHODS: A prospective, multicenter cohort of standardized data collection after a clinical decision was made to use gabapentin for managing neuropathic or nociplastic pain in children attended on by a pediatric palliative care service. It was conducted across 11 sites in seven countries including hospital, inpatient, and outpatient services. Clinical outcomes were graded using pain scales validated for age and cognitive ability and the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCICTCAE) at baseline, 14 days, 28 days, six weeks and 12 weeks after initiation of gabapentin. Ad-hoc safety reporting continued throughout the study. RESULTS: Data were collected from 127 children with a median age of 4.7 years (IQR 0.1-17.9); 61% had a neurological disorder, 21% advanced cancer and the cohort had a high level of disability (Lansky/Karnofsky performance score 37.1). Gabapentin was prescribed at standard pediatric doses. On average, 76% of children had a reduction in pain and 42% experienced a potential AE. The mean pain score decreased from 6.0 (SD 2.6) at baseline to 3.3 (SD 2.4) at 14 days and 1.8 (SD 1.8) after 12-weeks of gabapentin therapy. Ten percent had increased pain at each time point. AEs did not increase when individual changes over time were accounted for except for somnolence (7%). Serious AEs attributable to gabapentin were possible or probable in 3% of children. CONCLUSIONS: Gabapentin prescribed at standard doses for advanced cancer and severe neurological injury in children under a pediatric palliative care service was associated with generally improved pain intensity at previously described levels of adverse effects.
Asunto(s)
Ácidos Ciclohexanocarboxílicos , Neuralgia , Humanos , Niño , Lactante , Preescolar , Adolescente , Gabapentina/uso terapéutico , Analgésicos , Cuidados Paliativos , Estudios Prospectivos , Aminas/uso terapéutico , Aminas/efectos adversos , Ácido gamma-Aminobutírico/uso terapéutico , Ácido gamma-Aminobutírico/efectos adversos , Ácidos Ciclohexanocarboxílicos/uso terapéutico , Ácidos Ciclohexanocarboxílicos/efectos adversos , Neuralgia/inducido químicamenteRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Over the last decade there has been enhanced awareness of the appreciable morbidity of thyroid dysfunction, particularly thyroid deficiency. Since treating clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism may reduce adverse obstetric outcomes, it is crucial to identify which interventions are safe and effective. OBJECTIVES: To identify interventions used in the management of hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism pre-pregnancy or during pregnancy and to ascertain the impact of these interventions on important maternal, fetal, neonatal and childhood outcomes. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 March 2013). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomised controlled trials that compared a pharmacological intervention for hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism pre-pregnancy or during pregnancy with another intervention or placebo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors assessed trial eligibility and quality and extracted the data. MAIN RESULTS: We included four RCTs of moderate risk of bias involving 362 women. In one trial of 115 women, levothyroxine therapy to treat pregnant euthyroid (normal thyroid function) women with thyroid peroxidase antibodies was not shown to reduce pre-eclampsia significantly (risk ratio (RR) 0.61; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11 to 3.48) but did significantly reduce preterm birth by 72% (RR 0.28; 95% CI 0.10 to 0.80). Two trials of 30 and 48 hypothyroid women respectively compared levothyroxine doses, but both trials reported only biochemical outcomes. A trial of 169 women compared the trace element selenomethionine (selenium) with placebo and no significant differences were seen for either pre-eclampsia (RR 1.44; 95% CI 0.25 to 8.38) or preterm birth (RR 0.96; 95% CI 0.20 to 4.61). None of the four trials reported on childhood neurodevelopmental delay.There was a non-significant trend towards fewer miscarriages with levothyroxine, and selenium showed some favourable impact on postpartum thyroid function and a decreased incidence of moderate to advanced postpartum thyroiditis. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: This review found no difference between levothyroxine therapy and a control for treating pregnant euthyroid women with thyroid peroxidase antibodies for the outcome of pre-eclampsia, however a reduction in preterm birth and a trend towards reduced miscarriage with levothyroxine was shown. This review also showed no difference for pre-eclampsia or preterm birth when selenium was compared with placebo, however a promising reduction in postpartum thyroiditis was shown. Childhood neurodevelopmental delay was not assessed by any trial included in the review.Given that this review is based on four trials of moderate risk of bias, with only two trials contributing data (n = 284), there is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of one intervention for clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism pre-pregnancy or during pregnancy over another, for improving maternal, fetal, neonatal and childhood outcomes.
Asunto(s)
Hipotiroidismo/tratamiento farmacológico , Complicaciones del Embarazo/tratamiento farmacológico , Selenometionina/uso terapéutico , Tiroxina/uso terapéutico , Aborto Espontáneo/prevención & control , Femenino , Terapia de Reemplazo de Hormonas , Humanos , Preeclampsia/prevención & control , Atención Preconceptiva/métodos , Embarazo , Resultado del Embarazo , Nacimiento Prematuro/prevención & control , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como Asunto , Glándula Tiroides/inmunología , Tiroiditis Autoinmune/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Over the last decade there has been enhanced awareness of the appreciable morbidity of thyroid dysfunction, particularly thyroid deficiency. Since treating clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism may reduce adverse obstetric outcomes, it is crucial to identify which interventions are safe and effective. OBJECTIVES: To identify interventions used in the management of hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy and to ascertain the impact of these interventions on important maternal, fetal, neonatal and childhood outcomes. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (November 2009). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared a pharmacological intervention for hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy with another intervention or placebo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors assessed trial eligibility and quality and extracted the data. MAIN RESULTS: We included three RCTs of moderate risk of bias involving 314 women. In one trial of 115 women, levothyroxine therapy to treat pregnant euthyroid women with thyroid peroxidase antibodies was not shown to reduce pre-eclampsia significantly (risk ratio (RR) 0.61; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11 to 3.48) but did significantly reduce preterm birth by 72% (RR 0.28; 95% CI 0.10 to 0.80). One trial of 30 hypothyroid women compared levothyroxine doses, but only reported biochemical outcomes. A trial of 169 women compared the trace element selenomethionine (selenium) with placebo and no significant differences were seen for either pre-eclampsia (RR 1.44; 95% CI 0.25 to 8.38) or preterm birth (RR 0.96; 95% CI 0.20 to 4.61). None of the three trials reported on childhood neurodevelopmental delay.There was a non-significant trend towards fewer miscarriages with levothyroxine, and selenium showed some favourable impact on postpartum thyroid function and decreased incidence of moderate to advanced postpartum thyroiditis. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Levothyroxine treatment of clinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy is already standard practice given the documented benefits from earlier non-randomised studies. Whether levothyroxine should be utilised in autoimmune and subclinical hypothyroidism remains to be seen, but it may prove worthwhile, given a possible reduction in preterm birth and miscarriage.Selenomethionine as an intervention in women with thyroid autoantibodies is promising, particularly in reducing postpartum thyroiditis. There is a probable low incidence of adverse outcomes from levothyroxine and selenomethionine. High-quality evidence is lacking and large-scale randomised trials are urgently needed in this area. Until evidence for or against universal screening becomes available, targeted thyroid function testing in pregnancy should be implemented in women at risk of thyroid disease and levothyroxine utilised in hypothyroid women.
Asunto(s)
Hipotiroidismo/tratamiento farmacológico , Complicaciones del Embarazo/tratamiento farmacológico , Selenometionina/uso terapéutico , Tiroxina/uso terapéutico , Aborto Espontáneo/prevención & control , Femenino , Terapia de Reemplazo de Hormonas , Humanos , Preeclampsia/prevención & control , Embarazo , Resultado del Embarazo , Nacimiento Prematuro/prevención & control , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como Asunto , Glándula Tiroides/inmunología , Tiroiditis Autoinmune/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Written resources in adult intensive care have been shown to benefit families facing end of life (EoL) decisions. There are few resources for parents making EoL decisions for their child and no existing resources addressing ethical issues. The Caring Decisions handbook and website were developed to fill these gaps. AIM: We discuss the development of the resources, modification after reviewer feedback and findings from initial pilot implementation. DESIGN: A targeted literature review-to identify resources and factors that impact on parental EoL decision-making; development phase-guided by the literature and the researchers' expertise; consultation process-comprised a multi-disciplinary panel of experts and parents; pilot evaluation study-hard-copy handbook was distributed as part of routine care at an Australian Children's Hospital. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Twelve experts and parents formed the consultation panel. Eight parents of children with life-limiting conditions and clinicians were interviewed in the pilot study. RESULTS: Numerous factors supporting/impeding EoL decisions were identified. Caring Decisions addressed issues identified in the literature and by the multidisciplinary research team. The consultation panel provided overwhelmingly positive feedback. Pilot study parents found the resources helpful and comforting. Most clinicians viewed the resources as very beneficial to parents and identified them as ideal for training purposes. CONCLUSIONS: The development of the resources addressed many of the gaps in existing resources. The consultation process and the pilot study suggest these resources could be of significant benefit to parents and clinicians.