[Heliox-driven bronchodilator nebulization in the treatment of infants with bronchiolitis]. / Heliox como fuente de nebulización del tratamiento broncodilatador en lactantes con bronquiolitis.

INTRODUCTION: Heliox is a helium-oxygen mixture which improves laminar flow and decreases airway resistance and the work of breathing. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of salbutamol or epinephrine nebulization driven by heliox in infants with moderate-to-severe bronchiolitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, observational, interventional, controlled and randomized study included ninety-six children who came to our pediatric emergency department with first episode of moderate-to-severe bronchiolitis. The patients were randomized to receive salbutamol or epinephrine nebulized with either oxygen (control group) or heliox (70% helium and 30% oxygen) as the driving gas. Heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse oximetry oxygen saturation and clinical score were measured before and after the treatment period. We also reported hospitalization rates and the number of patients who returned to the emergency department in the following seventy two hours. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between both groups. The only statistically significant difference was that, in the heliox group, patients with severe bronchiolitis needed a lower number of nebulizations than infants in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: According to our study, heliox-driven salbutamol or epinephrine is not an effective therapy in patients with acute bronchiolitis.

[Impact of a strategy to improve the quality of care and risk management in a paediatric emergency department]. / Impacto de una estrategia de mejora de calidad asistencial y gestión de riesgos en un servicio de urgencias pediátricas.

INTRODUCTION: Emergency departments are a high risk area for the occurrence of adverse events. The aim of this study is to analyse the impact of a strategy to improve the quality assurance and risk management in the notification of incidents in our Unit, and describe the improvement actions developed from the reported incidents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was developed during one year, divided into two periods: P1 (Start: training session and implementation of the risk management process), and P2 (Start: feed-back session of incidents reported in P1 and improvement actions developed). In each period, the number of reported incidents in relation to the number of emergencies attended (‰) and the descriptive data of each incident were recorded. The improvement actions developed from the incidents reported in P1 were described. RESULTS: The number of notifications from P1 (4.1‰; 95%CI 3.2-5.0‰) increased in P2 (10.9‰; 95%CI 9.8-10.2‰, P<.001). The most frequent incidents in P1 were medication (33.3%), and identification errors (25.9%): both were significantly reduced in P2 (16.9%, P=.001 and 9.3%, P<.001, respectively). In P2, prescription errors of the P1 were reduced (35.9% vs 62.9%, P=.02). The factors of "Knowledge and training" (23.5%) were the most frequent in P1, decreasing in P2 (7.4%, P<.001). CONCLUSION: It is considered that the implementation of a risk management process, and the promotion of a safety culture, through training and feed-back sessions to all professionals, contributed to increase the volume of notifications in our Unit. The voluntary and anonymous reporting of incidents is useful to identify risks, and plan corrective measures, contributing to improve quality assurance and patient safety.

[Use of capnography in acute gastroenteritis]. / Utilidad del empleo de la capnografía en la gastroenteritis aguda.

OBJECTIVE: End-tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO(2)) is a good predictor of circulation and metabolism. There are different studies that suggest PetCO(2) monitoring is a valuable and reliable tool to follow acidosis in pediatric patients with diabetic ketoacidosis. Acute gastroenteritis can cause acidosis, therefore, capnography could be useful in these situations. The objective was to determine the relationship between PetCO(2) and bicarbonate (HCO3) in pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis and acidosis. METHODS: Clinical, prospective, observational study from April 2006 to January 2007. Children with acute gastroenteritis and dehydration and pH < 7.30 and HCO3 < 20 meq/L in laboratory tests were included. Exclusion criteria included patients with not well tolerated capnography and respiratory illness. Initial and post treatment PetCO(2) and HCO3 were collected as well as demographic data, physical examination data, laboratory tests and hospitalization data. RESULTS: Twenty-five children were included in the final analysis (10 female, 15 male). The mean age was 11.6 + 10 months (1-144 months). The correlation between PetCO(2) and serum bicarbonate was statistically significant with a Pearson's correlation coefficient of r = 0.61 for initial values and r = 0.75 for post treatment values. CONCLUSIONS: Capnography offers a noninvasive measurement of acidosis in pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis and dehydration.

[Incidence of streptococcal pharyngitis]. / Incidencia de faringitis estreptocócica.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of streptococcal pharyngitis in patients younger than 2 years of age, and to evaluate the role of group C streptococci as a pathogenic agent in acute pharyngitis through throat culture in symptomatic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective descriptive study of patients with clinical symptoms of acute pharyngitis and fast detection of streptococcal antigen and/or exudate culture who attended the emergency department between February 2004 and February 2005. RESULTS: Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GAS) was isolated by pharyngeal culture in 85 patients aged less than 2 years (12.6%). In these patients the fast test displayed lower sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) (sensitivity: 78%; PPV: 69%, p < 0.01). Patients aged less than 2 years had a greater frequency fever, exanthema and catarrhal symptoms than older children (p < 0.01). In the younger age group, erythromycin resistance rates increased to 24.7% (p = 0.08). Group C streptococcus was isolated in 5.2% (43 patients). The most frequent reason for consultation was fever (74.4%) and the most common findings on examination were abnormal pharynx in 90.7%, odynophagia and adenopathies in 55.8%. Two incidence peaks (in May and September) were observed, with sporadic cases throughout the year. CONCLUSIONS: In our sample, the percentage of GAS in patients aged less than 2 years was higher than that reported in other series. In this age group, the sensitivity of the fast test is lower than in other age groups and there is a higher rate of erythromycin resistance. The percentage of tonsillitis due to serotype C was also slightly higher than expected. Two peaks of incidence were observed, similar to those occurring with SGA, with sporadic cases throughout the year.

[Isolation of group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus in children with perianal dermatitis]. / Aislamiento de estreptococo betahemolítico del grupo A en niños con dermatitis perianal.

INTRODUCTION: Perianal dermatitis due to group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus is a rare diagnosis in pediatrics. Clinical manifestations include erythema, edema, and perianal pruritus associated with vulvovaginitis or balanitis, painful defecation, constipation, anal fissures, purulent discharge, and/or rectal bleeding. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive, observational, prospective study was conducted between May, 2004 and April, 2005. In children presenting to the emergency room with erythema, edema, and perianal pruritus, a rapid streptococcal antigen test and bacterial cultures of their perianal secretions were obtained. Patients with a positive result in the rapid test were treated with oral phenoxymethylpenicillin (40-50 mg/kg/day) for 10 days, after which clinical and bacteriological evaluations were conducted. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients presenting with erythema, edema, and perianal pruritus, 19 patients (12 boys and 7 girls), aged between 6 months and 4 years (median age: 30 months), tested positive for group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Nine patients also presented with constipation, 5 with anal fissures, 4 with rectal bleeding, 2 with vulvovaginitis, and 1 with streptococcal pharyngoamygdalitis. Outcome was favorable in 85 % of the patients, and perianal isolation of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus was negative after treatment in 95 %. CONCLUSIONS: In patients presenting with erythema, edema, and perianal pruritus, perianal streptococcal dermatitis should be ruled out. The rapid test for streptococcal antigen detection is a quick and reliable method for this diagnosis. The antibiotic of choice is oral penicillin.

[Necrotizing fasciitis due to Streptococcus pyogenes]. / Fascitis necrosante por Streptococcus pyogenes.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe infection, with systemic involvement and tissue necrosis. The clinical course is rapid and often fatal. Although this entity is uncommon, early recognition and treatment is essential to improve prognosis. Necrotizing fasciitis should be suspected when there are symptoms of toxicity and there is severe pain, frequently out of proportion to the clinical findings. In addition, in the last few years the incidence of invasive disease due to Streptococcus pyogenes in children has increased. Treatment is based on life support, aggressive debridement, and antimicrobial therapy. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as adjunctive therapy seems useful and reduces mortality. The case of an infant with necrotizing fasciitis of four extremities is presented.

[Psychiatric patients in the pediatric emergency department of a tertiary care center: review of a 6-month period]. / Pacientes psiquiátricos en el servicio de urgencias de pediatría de un hospital terciario: revisión de un período de 6 meses.

INTRODUCTION: In the last few years, a marked increase in the number of psychiatric emergencies treated at pediatric emergency departments has been observed. The aim of the present study was to characterize these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a descriptive, prospective, cross sectional study, based on all psychiatric emergencies treated at the pediatric emergency department of Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, from 1-10-04 to 31-3-05. The following variables were analyzed: age, sex, time of consultation, day of the week, day of the month, month of the year, psychiatric antecedents, previous psychiatric pharmacologic treatment, the person or service who took the child to hospital, diagnosis, and whether the patient was admitted to the hospital. RESULTS: Of a total of 36,449 emergencies, 79 were psychiatric (0.21 %). Sex rates were 48.1 % boys and 51.9 % girls. The mean (+/-2 SD) age was 13.73 +/- 2.5 years. Visits were most frequent on Mondays (19 %), in the evening, and in January and February. A total of 13.23 % of the patients were brought by extrahospital services. The main diagnoses were: behavioral disorders (36.76 %), anxiety disorders (20.58 %) and suicidal ideation or suicide attempt (13.23 %). There was a clear male predominance in behavioral disorders (67.85 %) and a female predominance in anxiety disorders (71.42 %) and suicidal ideation or suicide attempt (76.92 %). The hospitalization rate among these patients was 32.35 %. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of psychiatric disorders in our pediatric emergency department was low. The patients were aged 11-15 years old, without differences between the sexes. Peak demand was reached on Mondays in January and February, at the end of the evening and beginning of the night. The most common diagnosis was behavioral disorder. The hospitalization rate was exceptionally high, more than 6 times higher than the average in our hospital.

[Association between moderate-severe bronchiolitis and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion in emergency departments]. / Asociación entre bronquiolitis moderada-grave y síndrome de secreción inadecuada de hormona antidiurética en urgencias.

OBJECTIVES: To identify clinical characteristics that may lead to the early recognition of patients admitted to the hospital for moderate-to-severe bronchiolitis with urine results associated with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted, spanning the bronchiolitis epidemic season (October 2012-March 2013), including all children who were admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of moderate-to-severe bronchiolitis. The following criteria were used to establish a diagnosis of SIADH: urine sodium level of 40 mmol/L or greater, urine osmolarity above 500 mosm/Kg, and urine density of 1020 g/L or greater. Demographic characteristics, ventilation mode and clinical outcome were also analyzed. A comparison was made between those patients that met urine SIADH criteria and those who did not. RESULTS: A total of 126 children were included, and 23 (18.6%) of them had urine SIADH criteria. Patients in this group had a higher incidence of pneumonia and/or atelectasis on chest X-Ray (21.7% vs. 1.9%, P=.002), worse response to bronchodilator treatment with nebulized adrenaline (69,5% vs. 28,1%, P=.016), more need for respiratory assistance (high flow oxygen therapy (17.4% vs. 7.7%, p=.016), or non-invasive mechanical ventilation (13% vs. 5.8%, P=.034), and more admissions to the PICU (26.1% vs. 6.8%, P=.007). CONCLUSIONS: Patients older than one month with acute moderate bronchiolitis and urine SIADH criteria have worse clinical courses and more need for non-invasive mechanical ventilation, PICU admission, and have a higher incidence of pneumonia on chest X-ray. For that reason, it is recommended to collect a urine sample from these patients to allow an early diagnosis of SIADH, and thus early treatment of fluid and electrolyte abnormalities.

[Usefulness of capnography for monitoring sedoanalgesia: influence of oxygen on the parameters monitored]. / Utilidad de la capnografía en la monitorización durante procedimientos de sedoanalgesia. Influencia de la administración de oxígeno en los parámetros monitorizados.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the usefulness of capnography for early detection of respiratory depression during sedoanalgesia procedures in the pediatric emergency department. To assess whether the administration of oxygen during the procedure can modify monitored parameters, thus delaying detection of respiratory depression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective randomized study was performed on children between 1 year and 16 years who underwent sedoanalgesia to perform diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. They were randomized into two groups (with or without supplemental oxygen). All patients were monitored by visual inspection, pulse-oximetry and non-invasive capnography. Monitoring was initiated prior to drug administration and continued until complete recovery of baseline. The main study variable was respiratory depression defined as apnea, hypoventilation or oxygen desaturation. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included. Eleven patients were randomized in the supplemental oxygen group. This study showed a statistically significant elevation of EtCO2 levels at 5, 10 and 15min, compared with baseline. No significant change in the SatO2 mean was detected. No statistically significant differences were identified when comparing etCO2 mean and SatO2 mean in both groups. Two cases of respiratory depression were detected early by capnography. There was a statistically significant correlation between etCO2 at 5 and 10min, and the degree of sedation achieved. CONCLUSIONS: The inclusion of capnography to routine monitoring for adequate sedation procedures could improve safety. Oxygen administration does not appear to modify the parameters monitored.

[Bicycle accidents treated in emergency departments. A multicentre study]. / Accidentes de bicicleta atendidos en los Servicios de Urgencias. Estudio multicéntrico.

OBJECTIVES: To describe epidemiological characteristics, types of injury, prognosis and medical management of bicycle-related Paediatric Emergency Department (ED) visits and to identify potential preventive measures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicentred, observational prospective study included all children between 3 and 16 years of age treated for bicycle-related injuries in the Emergency Departments of 15 Spanish Hospitals belonging to the «Unintentional Paediatric Injury Workshop¼ of the Spanish Paediatric Emergency Society between the 1(st) of June 2011 and the 31(st) of May 2012. Characteristics of all ED visits, as well as epidemiological data and accident-related information, were collected. RESULTS: A total of 846 patients were included in the study, with a male predominance (72.9%) and a median age of 9.6 ± 3.6 years. Head injury was the third most common injury (22.3%) and the main cause of admission to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) (68.4%). More than three-quarters (77.9%) of the patients did not wear a helmet, which was significantly associated to a higher incidence of head injury and admission to PICU. Older children (OR 1.063) and bicycle injuries involving motor vehicles (OR 2.431) were identified as independent risk factors for worse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Since helmet use reduces up to 88% of central nervous system lesions secondary to head injury, promotion of its use should be the main preventive measure, followed by restriction of bike-riding to cycling areas.

[Main vascular access in situations of extreme urgency: intra-osseous infusion]. / Acceso vascular prioritario en situaciones de extrema urgencia: la infusión intraósea.

The intraosseous infusion is an easy technique to learn. The chosen places for infusion are: proximal tibia, distal tibia and distal femur. We have used this technique on thirteen occasions in emergency situations. In all cases, access was achieved in less than one minute. Saline, glucose and Ringer's solutions, sodium bicarbonate, blood, calcium chloride, epinephrine, atropine, succinylcholine, dopamine, dobutamine, isoproterenol, lidocaine and anticonvulsants may be infused. The doses are the same as those used in parenteral access and its efficacy is similar to that of a central venous line. Complications are rare. The most frequent is subcutaneous, and occasionally subperiosteal infiltration. Osteomyelitis appeared in 0.6% of the cases. The intraosseous infusion provides rapid, easy and safe vascular access in emergency situations. Therefore, we believe that this technique should be chosen in pediatric patients.