From hypotonic maintenance fluid to severe hyponatremia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The principles for maintenance intravenous fluid prescription in children were developed in the 1950s. These guidelines based on the use of hypotonic solutions have been challenged regularly for they seem to be associated with an increased risk of hospital-acquired hyponatremia. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 4-week-old Caucasian child admitted for acute bronchiolitis who received hypotonic maintenance fluids and developed severe hyponatremia (94 mmol/L) with hyponatremic encephalopathy. CONCLUSION: This clinical situation can serve as a reminder of the latest recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding the use of intravenous fluids that promote the use of isotonic fluids in children.

[Management of patients under 18years of age by adult intensive care unit professionals: Level of training, workload, and specific challenges]. / Prise en charge de patients mineurs par les équipes de réanimation pour adultes : expérience pédiatrique, estimation de l'activité et difficultés ressenties par les soignants.

In routine practice, intensive care physicians rarely have to manage children under 18years of age, particularly those under 15. This study's objectives were to assess the quality of training in pediatrics of adult intensive care teams, to document the workload generated by care of pediatric patients, and to identify the difficulties encountered in managing minors as patients. A survey was administered in Lower Normandy from 4 April 2012 to 1 September 2012. Physicians, residents, nurses, and nurses' aides practicing in one of the nine intensive care units of Lower Normandy were asked to complete an electronic or paper format questionnaire. This questionnaire assessed their level of pediatric training, the workload management of pediatric patients entailed, and the challenges posed by these patients. One hundred and nine questionnaires were returned (by 26 attending physicians, 18 residents, 38 nurses, and 27 nurses' aides). Eighty-three of the respondents (76%) had no experience in a pediatric unit of any kind. Forty-two percent thought that the pediatric age range lies between 3months and 15years of age. However, more than 50% of respondents would like the upper limit to be 16years or even older. Ninety-three respondents (85%) estimated having some exposure to pediatric patients in their routine practice, but this activity remained quite low. Seventy-three (67%) reported difficulties with the management of these young patients. This survey provides current information regarding the level of training of adult intensive care unit professionals and their concerns about managing patients under 18years of age, both in terms of workload and specific challenges.

[Fulminant influenza type A associated myocarditis: a fatal case in an 8 year old child]. / Myocardite fulminante à virus Influenza A: à propos d'un cas fatal chez une enfant de 8 ans.

Fulminant Influenza type A-associated myocarditis are very rare in children. The clinical presentation is non specific, like flu illness, cardiogenic shock or sudden cardiac arrest. We report the case of a eight years old girl with a fulminant Influenza A-associated myocarditis with a fatal evolution despite the use of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The aim of this observation is to remind that influenza in children, usually considered as a benign illness, can exceptionally be complicated by a fulminant myocarditis. Because the possibility to recover a full myocardial function, the persistence of severe heart failure despite the medical treatment should conduct rapidly to a mechanical circulatory assistance.