Effects of airway management and tidal volume feedback ventilation during pediatric resuscitation in piglets with asphyxial cardiac arrest.

To compare the effect on the recovery of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) of early endotracheal intubation (ETI) versus bag-mask ventilation (BMV), and expiratory real-time tidal volume (VTe) feedback (TVF) ventilation versus without feedback or standard ventilation (SV) in a pediatric animal model of asphyxial cardiac arrest. Piglets were randomized into five groups: 1: ETI and TVF ventilation (10 ml/kg); 2: ETI and TVF (7 ml/kg); 3: ETI and SV; 4: BMV and TVF (10 ml/kg) and 5: BMV and SV. Thirty breaths-per-minute guided by metronome were given. ROSC, pCO2, pO2, EtCO2 and VTe were compared among groups. Seventy-nine piglets (11.3 ± 1.2 kg) were included. Twenty-six (32.9%) achieved ROSC. Survival was non-significantly higher in ETI (40.4%) than BMV groups (21.9%), p = 0.08. No differences in ROSC were found between TVF and SV groups (30.0% versus 34.7%, p = 0.67). ETI groups presented lower pCO2, and higher pO2, EtCO2 and VTe than BMV groups (p < 0.05). VTe was lower in TVF than in SV groups and in BMV than in ETI groups (p < 0.05). Groups 1 and 3 showed higher pO2 and lower pCO2 over time, although with hyperventilation values (pCO2 < 35 mmHg). ETI groups had non significantly higher survival rate than BMV groups. Compared to BMV groups, ETI groups achieved better oxygenation and ventilation parameters. VTe was lower in both TVF and BMV groups. Hyperventilation was observed in intubated animals with SV and with 10 ml/kg VTF.

Case Report: Severe ARDS in a Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation Recipient Caused by Disseminated Toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasma gondii infection is a severe complication of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients that can remain unnoticed without a high clinical suspicion. We present the case of a 6-year-old patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and HSCT recipient who was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) on post-transplantation day +39 with fever, hypotension, severe respiratory distress and appearance of a lumbar subcutaneous node. She developed severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and underwent endotracheal intubation and early mechanical ventilation. Subsequently, she required prone ventilation, inhaled nitric oxide therapy and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV). An etiologic study was performed, being blood, urine, bronchoalveolar lavage and biopsy of the subcutaneous node positive for Toxoplasma gondii by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Diagnosis of disseminated toxoplasmosis was established and treatment with pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine and folinic acid started. The patient showed clinical improvement, allowing weaning of mechanical ventilation and transfer to the hospitalization ward after 40 days in the PICU. It is important to consider toxoplasmosis infection in immunocompromised patients with sepsis and, in cases of severe respiratory distress, early mechanical ventilation should be started using the open lung approach. In Toxoplasma IgG positive patients, close monitoring and appropriate anti-infectious prophylaxis is needed after HSCT.

Daño renal agudo secundario a nefritis tubulointersticial aguda por uso de medicamentos. Caso clínico / Acute renal damage secondary to acute tubulointerstitial nephritis drug use. Case report

Resumen Introducción: La nefritis tubulointersticial aguda (NTIA) es infrecuente en la edad pediátrica. Se caracteriza por la infiltración del parénquima renal por células mononucleares y/o polinucleares con afectación secundaria de los túbulos sin lesión glomerular, y puede ser producida por infecciones, enfermedades inmunológicas, fármacos, o ser de origen idiopático. Objetivo: Describir un caso de NTIA secundario a antiinflamatorios no esteroidales (AINE) en un lactante, con énfasis en esta aso ciación para ser considerada por los pediatras. Caso clínico: Lactante de 10 meses, sin antecedentes previos, trasladada a nuestro hospital por daño renal agudo estadio 3, clasificación KDIGO 2012. Los tres días previos recibió tratamiento con amoxicilina e ibuprofeno por otitis media aguda. En la exploración física destacaba leve edema palpebral con presión arterial normal. En la orina presentaba proteinuria no nefrótica con componente tubular, microhematuria y leucocituria. La ecografía renal no mostraba alteraciones. Ante la sospecha de NTIA se cambió el antibiótico a cefotaxima intrave nosa y se suspendió el ibuprofeno realizándose manejo conservador del daño renal agudo. Presentó aumento de la creatinina (4.14 mg/dL) y eosinofilia, siendo el estudio inmunológico negativo. Se trató con metilprednisolona, con normalización de la función renal. Conclusión: La NTIA se puede producir por cualquier medicamento mediante una reacción inmunológica idiosincrásica. Entre los medicamentos responsables se identifican fármacos de uso frecuente en la edad pediátrica, como los AINEs, por lo que se necesita una alta sospecha diagnóstica por parte de los pediatras.

Abstract Introduction: Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ATIN) is a rare entity in the pediatric age. It is de fined by the infiltration of the renal parenchyma by mononuclear and/or polynuclear cells with se condary involvement of the tubules, without glomerular injury. It can be triggered by infections or immunological diseases, drugs like NSAIDs or be of idiopathic origin. Objective: To raise awareness among pediatricians about the prescription of NSAIDs, especially to patients of less than a year old, since they can provoke renal damage. Case report: A ten month old child, with no nephrological an tecedents of interest, was transferred to our hospital due to acute renal failure stage 3 KDIGO 2012. The three previous days received treatment with amoxicillin and ibuprofen for acute otitis media. Physical examination revealed mild eyelid edema with normal blood pressure. In the urine analysis, there were non-nephrotic proteinuria with tubular component, microhematuria and leukocyturia. Renal ultrasound showed no abnormalities. ATIN was suspected and so the antibiotic was changed to intravenous cefotaxime and ibuprofen was discontinued, opting for conservative management of acute renal damage. There was an increase in the number of creatinine up to 4.14 mg/dL and eosinophilia, with the immunological study being negative. Treatment with methylprednisolone was initiated, achieving normalization of renal function. Discussion: NTIA can be produced by any me dication through an idiosyncratic immune reaction. Among the responsible drugs, there are ones commonly used in the pediatric age, such as NSAIDs. Therefore, the pediatricians should pay special attention during prescriptions and have a high diagnostic suspicion of this disease.

Downbeat nystagmus due to ranitidine in a pediatric patient.

BACKGROUND: Ranitidine has not been considered as a potential cause of ocular movement conditions. However, it is known that the vestibular nucleus complex, that has a key role in gaze control and vestibule-ocular reflexes, receives hypothalamic histaminergic innervations. Some studies reported the effect of ranitidine blocking the excitatory responses of vestibular nuclei neurons to histamine. CASE REPORT: We report the first case of a downbeat nystagmus secondary to ranitidine in an infant. A 3-month-old female developed a downbeat gaze after starting treatment with ranitidine for a pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease. Microbiological test were negative and neuroblastoma evaluation was normal. CONCLUSION: As ranitidine is widely prescribed in the pediatric population, clinicians should be aware of its potential to cause ocular movements disorders.

Percepción de los adolescentes sobre el ingreso hospitalario: Importancia de la humanización de los hospitales infantiles / Survey of adolescent perception of hospital admission: The importance of hospital humanisation

Introducción: La humanización de la asistencia sanitaria conlleva considerar al paciente como un ser integral, y proporcionar asistencia más allá de los cuidados médicos, abarcando áreas como la social, emocional, espiritual y relacional. Objetivo: Conocer las necesidades de los adolescentes hospitalizados y los déficits percibidos por estos en la asistencia sanitaria. Sujetos y método: Estudio transversal descriptivo realizado a través de una encuesta anónima, dirigido a pacientes ingresados de entre 12-16 años. La encuesta estaba formada por 2 partes: preguntas abiertas para exponer sus necesidades, indicar aspectos positivos o negativos de la hospitalización, y sugerencias de mejora, y preguntas cerradas con posibles respuestas afirmativas o negativas, y escalas numéricas del 1 al 10 para cuantificar los resultados. Se llevó a cabo un pilotaje previo en 6 pacientes adolescentes como prueba de factibilidad y de comprensión de todos los apartados. Resultados: Se obtuvieron un total de 39 encuestas de pacientes, con una mediana de edad de 14 años. La experiencia más desagradable percibida durante el ingreso fue la realización de pruebas invasivas. El 95% de ellos padeció dolor y el 17% sintió en algún momento que se iba a realizar algún procedimiento sin su pleno conocimiento. Más del 75% demandaba más entretenimiento, siendo la no disponibilidad de Wi-Fi el elemento más reclamado. Conclusiones: La población estudiada mostró necesidades que deben ser consideradas en el momento de la hospitalización, destacando: cognitivas (necesidad de obtener información clara y extensa), sociales (mantener el contacto y las relaciones con el exterior, familiares y amigos), emocionales (la enfermedad y sus procesos diagnóstico-terapéuticos crearán alteraciones en el estado anímico) y prácticas (los aspectos ambientales y arquitectónicos pueden mejorar o empeorar la percepción del ingreso hospitalario). Todos estos factores han demostrado que pueden contribuir al restablecimiento de la salud de una forma más temprana.

Introduction: The humanisation of health care involves considering the patient as an integral human being, providing assistance beyond medical care, and covering other fields such as social, emotional, spiritual, or relational areas. Objective: To evaluate the requirements and concerns of the hospitalised children. Subjects and method: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire on children aged 12-16. Results: The study included 39 patients, with a median age of 14 years. The most unpleasant experience during the hospitalisation was the invasive procedures. Almost all (95%) of patients suffered from pain, and 17% of them felt at some point that a procedure was performed without them being fully aware. More than 75% of children asked for more entertainment, with the lack of Wi-Fi being the more demanded item. Conclusions: The needs of the population included in this survey, showed the importance to consider cognitive (necessity of obtaining clear and extensive information), social (maintaining everyday relationships), emotional (illness and its diagnostic and therapeutic procedures often generate mood disorders), and practical (environmental and architectural aspects can lead to either an improvement or a worsening of the hospitalisation perception) factors. All of these factors have shown a beneficial contribution, leading to an earlier recovery of health.

Neurological complications after gamma-knife radiosurgery for hypothalamic hamartoma.

BACKGROUND: The Gamma-knife technique is a safe and effective option for the treatment of hypothalamic hamartomas that produce epileptic seizures refractory to medical treatment and/or serious behavioral disorders. After this type of radiosurgery, an adequate symptomatic control is normally achieved, with notable decrease or even disappearance of the seizures. Radiological changes, such as a decrease in the size of the tumor or adjacent edema secondary to non-necrotizing radioinduced inflammatory reaction are unusual consequences. Side effects and neurological complications are also rare events. CASE PRESENTATION: This report describes an unusual case of complete radiological resolution of a hypothalamic hamartoma as well as neurological complications after Gamma-knife surgery (receiving 13 Gy to the 85% isodose line, 1 cm(3) of tumor volume) in a 8-year-old boy who suffered from severe refractory seizures. After radiosurgery, the patient experienced a notable improvement in his symptoms, achieving seizure cessation within 3 months. However, 4 months after the procedure he presented drowsiness, fever and decreased level of consciousness due to a direct effect on the hypothalamus with local and regional edema secondary to the radiosurgery that was performed. He was successfully treated with corticosteroids (with a total duration of 11 months), and twelve months after the surgery, complete disappearance of both the nodular lesion and the secondary edema was observed. The patient remains seizure-free in the last 16 months, with remarkable changes in his behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The present case shows that complete radiological resolution of a hypothalamic hamartoma after Gamma-knife technique is unusual but possible, without long-term neurological consequences. Nevertheless, despite its low incidence, if a patient presents neurological symptoms, primarily during the first year after intervention, possible complications of this type of surgery must be taken into account.