Effect of paediatric early warning systems (PEWS) implementation on clinical deterioration event mortality among children with cancer in resource-limited hospitals in Latin America: a prospective, multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Paediatric early warning systems (PEWS) aid in the early identification of clinical deterioration events in children admitted to hospital. We aimed to investigate the effect of PEWS implementation on mortality due to clinical deterioration in children with cancer in 32 resource-limited hospitals across Latin America. METHODS: Proyecto Escala de Valoración de Alerta Temprana (Proyecto EVAT) is a quality improvement collaborative to implement PEWS in hospitals providing childhood cancer care. In this prospective, multicentre cohort study, centres joining Proyecto EVAT and completing PEWS implementation between April 1, 2017, and May 31, 2021, prospectively tracked clinical deterioration events and monthly inpatient-days in children admitted to hospital with cancer. De-identified registry data reported between April 17, 2017, and Nov 30, 2021, from all hospitals were included in analyses; children with limitations on escalation of care were excluded. The primary outcome was clinical deterioration event mortality. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were used to compare clinical deterioration event mortality before and after PEWS implementation; multivariable analyses assessed the correlation between clinical deterioration event mortality and centre characteristics. FINDINGS: Between April 1, 2017, and May 31, 2021, 32 paediatric oncology centres from 11 countries in Latin America successfully implemented PEWS through Proyecto EVAT; these centres documented 2020 clinical deterioration events in 1651 patients over 556 400 inpatient-days. Overall clinical deterioration event mortality was 32·9% (664 of 2020 events). The median age of patients with clinical deterioration events was 8·5 years (IQR 3·9-13·2), and 1095 (54·2%) of 2020 clinical deterioration events were reported in male patients; data on race or ethnicity were not collected. Data were reported per centre for a median of 12 months (IQR 10-13) before PEWS implementation and 18 months (16-18) after PEWS implementation. The mortality rate due to a clinical deterioration event was 1·33 events per 1000 patient-days before PEWS implementation and 1·09 events per 1000 patient-days after PEWS implementation (IRR 0·82 [95% CI 0·69-0·97]; p=0·021). In the multivariable analysis of centre characteristics, higher clinical deterioration event mortality rates before PEWS implementation (IRR 1·32 [95% CI 1·22-1·43]; p<0·0001), being a teaching hospital (1·18 [1·09-1·27]; p<0·0001), not having a separate paediatric haematology-oncology unit (1·38 [1·21-1·57]; p<0·0001), and having fewer PEWS omissions (0·95 [0·92-0·99]; p=0·0091) were associated with a greater reduction in clinical deterioration event mortality after PEWS implementation; no association was found with country income level (IRR 0·86 [95% CI 0·68-1·09]; p=0·22) or clinical deterioration event rates before PEWS implementation (1·04 [0·97-1·12]; p=0·29). INTERPRETATION: PEWS implementation was associated with reduced clinical deterioration event mortality in paediatric patients with cancer across 32 resource-limited hospitals in Latin America. These data support the use of PEWS as an effective evidence-based intervention to reduce disparities in global survival for children with cancer. FUNDING: American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, US National Institutes of Health, and Conquer Cancer Foundation. TRANSLATIONS: For the Spanish and Portuguese translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Pediatric Early Warning Systems aid in triage to intermediate versus intensive care for pediatric oncology patients in resource-limited hospitals.

Pediatric oncology patients hospitalized in resource-limited settings are at high risk for clinical deterioration resulting in mortality. Intermediate care units (IMCUs) provide a cost-effective alternative to pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Inappropriate IMCU triage, however, can lead to poor outcomes and suboptimal resource utilization. In this study, we sought to characterize patients with clinical deterioration requiring unplanned transfer to the IMCU in a resource-limited pediatric oncology hospital. Patients requiring subsequent early PICU transfer had longer PICU length of stay. PEWS results prior to IMCU transfer were higher in patients requiring early PICU transfer, suggesting PEWS can aid in triage between IMCU and PICU care.

Improved outcomes after successful implementation of a pediatric early warning system (PEWS) in a resource-limited pediatric oncology hospital.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized pediatric oncology patients are at high risk of clinical decline and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Pediatric early warning systems (PEWS) aid in the early identification of clinical deterioration; however, there are limited data regarding their feasibility or impact in low-resource settings. This study describes the successful implementation of PEWS at the Unidad Nacional de Oncología Pediátrica (UNOP), a pediatric oncology hospital in Guatemala, resulting in improved inpatient outcomes. METHODS: A modified PEWS was implemented at UNOP with systems to track errors, transfers to a higher level of care, and high scores. A retrospective cohort study was used to evaluate clinical deterioration events in the year before and after PEWS implementation. RESULTS: After PEWS implementation at UNOP, there was 100% compliance with PEWS documentation and an error rate of <10%. Implementation resulted in 5 high PEWS per week, with 30% of patients transferring to a higher level of care. Among patients requiring transfer to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), 93% had an abnormal PEWS before transfer. The rate of clinical deterioration events decreased after PEWS implementation (9.3 vs 6.5 per 1000-hospitalpatient-days, p = .003). Despite an 18% increase in total hospital patient-days, PICU utilization for inpatient transfers decreased from 1376 to 1088 PICU patient-days per year (21% decrease; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the successful implementation of PEWS in a pediatric oncology hospital in Guatemala, resulting in decreased inpatient clinical deterioration events and PICU utilization. This work demonstrates that PEWS is a feasible and effective quality improvement measure to improve hospital care for children with cancer in hospitals with limited resources. Cancer 2017;123:2965-74. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Validation of a pediatric early warning system for hospitalized pediatric oncology patients in a resource-limited setting.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric oncology patients are at high risk of clinical deterioration, particularly in hospitals with resource limitations. The performance of pediatric early warning systems (PEWS) to identify deterioration has not been assessed in these settings. This study evaluates the validity of PEWS to predict the need for unplanned transfer to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) among pediatric oncology patients in a resource-limited hospital. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study comparing the highest documented and corrected PEWS score before unplanned PICU transfer in pediatric oncology patients (129 cases) with matched controls (those not requiring PICU care) was performed. RESULTS: Documented and corrected PEWS scores were found to be highly correlated with the need for PICU transfer (area under the receiver operating characteristic, 0.940 and 0.930, respectively). PEWS scores increased 24 hours prior to unplanned transfer (P = .0006). In cases, organ dysfunction at the time of PICU admission correlated with maximum PEWS score (correlation coefficient, 0.26; P = .003), patients with PEWS results ≥4 had a higher Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 (PIM2) (P = .028), and PEWS results were higher in patients with septic shock (P = .01). The PICU mortality rate was 17.1%; nonsurvivors had higher mean PEWS scores before PICU transfer (P = .0009). A single-point increase in the PEWS score increased the odds of mechanical ventilation or vasopressors within the first 24 hours and during PICU admission (odds ratio 1.3-1.4). CONCLUSIONS: PEWS accurately predicted the need for unplanned PICU transfer in pediatric oncology patients in this resource-limited setting, with abnormal results beginning 24 hours before PICU admission and higher scores predicting the severity of illness at the time of PICU admission, need for PICU interventions, and mortality. These results demonstrate that PEWS aid in the identification of clinical deterioration in this high-risk population, regardless of a hospital's resource-level. Cancer 2017;123:4903-13. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Association of Cancer Diagnosis and Therapeutic Stage With Mortality in Pediatric Patients With COVID-19, Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study From Latin America.

Background: Children with cancer are at risk of critical disease and mortality from COVID-19 infection. In this study, we describe the clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with cancer and COVID-19 from multiple Latin American centers and risk factors associated with mortality in this population. Methods: This study is a multicenter, prospective cohort study conducted at 12 hospitals from 6 Latin American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras and Peru) from April to November 2021. Patients younger than 14 years of age that had an oncological diagnosis and COVID-19 or multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) who were treated in the inpatient setting were included. The primary exposure was the diagnosis and treatment status, and the primary outcome was mortality. We defined "new diagnosis" as patients with no previous diagnosis of cancer, "established diagnosis" as patients with cancer and ongoing treatment and "relapse" as patients with cancer and ongoing treatment that had a prior cancer-free period. A frequentist analysis was performed including a multivariate logistic regression for mortality. Results: Two hundred and ten patients were included in the study; 30 (14%) died during the study period and 67% of patients who died were admitted to critical care. Demographics were similar in survivors and non-survivors. Patients with low weight for age (<-2SD) had higher mortality (28 vs. 3%, p = 0.019). There was statistically significant difference of mortality between patients with new diagnosis (36.7%), established diagnosis (1.4%) and relapse (60%), (p <0.001). Most patients had hematological cancers (69%) and they had higher mortality (18%) compared to solid tumors (6%, p= 0.032). Patients with concomitant bacterial infections had higher mortality (40%, p = 0.001). MIS-C, respiratory distress, cardiovascular symptoms, altered mental status and acute kidney injury on admission were associated with higher mortality. Acidosis, hypoxemia, lymphocytosis, severe neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia on admission were also associated with mortality. A multivariate logistic regression showed risk factors associated with mortality: concomitant bacterial infection OR 3 95%CI (1.1-8.5), respiratory symptoms OR 5.7 95%CI (1.7-19.4), cardiovascular OR 5.2 95%CI (1.2-14.2), new cancer diagnosis OR 12 95%CI (1.3-102) and relapse OR 25 95%CI (2.9-214). Conclusion: Our study shows that pediatric patients with new onset diagnosis of cancer and patients with relapse have higher odds of all-cause mortality in the setting of COVID-19. This information would help develop an early identification of patients with cancer and COVID-19 with higher risk of mortality.

Complications and neurologic deterioration after bilateral decompressive craniectomy in Gunshot penetrating brain injury in children

Background: Penetrating skull injuries in pediatrics (TPC) occupy a special place due to their rarity. The aim is to provide an overview of the current evidence on decompressive craniectomy in children, to describe the indications and to detail the complications. Reporte case: We present the case of a 12- year-old boy who suffered a TPC by a projectile that perforated his head, causing multiple brain injuries, and underwent early bilateral decompressive craniectomy, presenting the complications and neurological disabilities typical of the injury and surgery, with a reserved evolution and prognosis. Conclusions: Pediatric penetrating skull injuries should be of individualized management, type of injury and disease, experience of the treatment team, and the decision should always be consensual in front of the benefits and risks in the short and long term.

Introducción: Los traumatismos craneales penetrantes en pediatría (TPC) ocupan un lugar especial debido a su rareza. El objetivo es ofrecer una visión general de la evidencia actual sobre la craniectomía descompresiva en niños, describir las indicaciones y detallar las complicaciones. Reporte de caso: Presentamos el caso de un niño de 12 años que sufrió un TPC por un proyectil que le perforó la cabeza, causándole múltiples lesiones cerebrales, y fue sometido a craniectomía descompresiva bilateral temprana, presentando las complicaciones y discapacidades neurológicas propias de la lesión y la cirugía, con una evolución y pronóstico reservados. Conclusiones: Los traumatismos craneales penetrantes pediátricos deben ser de manejo individualizado, tipo de lesión y enfermedad, experiencia del equipo tratante, y la decisión debe ser siempre consensuada frente a los beneficios y riesgos a corto y largo plazo.

Serie de Casos: Intoxicación por Amlodipino / Case Series: Amlodipine Intoxication

Resumen INTRODUCCIÓN: La intoxicación por distintas drogas es una importante causa de morbimortalidad en la edad pediátrica. No obstante, la intoxicación por amlodipino, que es un fármaco dihidropiridinico del grupo de calcioantagonistas ampliamente usado, no se encuentra bien documentada en Ecuador. El tratamiento se basa en implementar medidas para el shock clásico, en conjunto con medidas específicas para este tipo de intoxicación. CASOS CLÍNICOS: Presentamos dos reportes de casos clínicos de pacientes adolescentes ingresadas en unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP), por intento autolítico mediante ingesta de amlodipino en conjunto con otros fármacos. EVOLUCIÓN: Durante su estancia hospitalaria presentaron cuadros evolutivos distintos. En ambos casos se necesitó manejo con drogas vasoactivas, modificando su dosis de acuerdo a respuesta clínica. En los dos casos se administró gluconato de calcio por horario y otras medidas de soporte descritas en el presente manuscrito. Finalmente, las dos pacientes presentaron buena evolución y fueron dadas de alta, con previa valoración y seguimiento de psicología y psiquiatría. CONCLUSIÓN: La intoxicación por amlodipino ha sido descrita escasamente debido a su baja frecuencia, a esto se añade el poco conocimiento basado en evidencia; motivos que la constituyen como un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico. Destacamos, en base a nuestra experiencia, la importancia de un alto índice de sospecha y de priorizar el inicio de vasopresores sobre la reanimación hídrica. Adicionalmente, recomendamos documentar la dosis exacta de ingesta e indagar sobre el consumo de otros fármacos para clasificar adecuadamente la gravedad de la intoxicación y establecer un plan de tratamiento. Finalmente, la monitorización y evaluación clínica constante y el apoyo de exámenes de laboratorio guiarán la conducta.(au)

BACKGROUND: Drug poisoning is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients. However, amlodipine poisoning, a widely used dihydropyridine calcium chanel blocker, is not fully documented in Ecuador. Treatment consists of classic measures for shock management and specific measures for this type of intoxication. CASE REPORTS: We present two case reports, both of teenage patients admitted into the pediatric intensive care unit for suicide attempt by taking amlodipine and some other drugs. EVOLUTION: During hospital stay, they presented a different evolutionary course. In both cases vasoactive drugs were needed, dosage was modified according to clinical course. Also in both patients, calcium gluconate was administered along with other support measures described in this paper. Finally, both patients presented a good outcome and were discharged after psychological and psychiatric assessment and follow up. CONCLUSION: The low frequency of amlodipine poisoning and the lack of evidence-based knowledge, constitute it as a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Based on our experience, we highlight the importance of early suspicion and prioritizing the use of vasopressors over fluid resuscitation. Additionally, we recommend documenting the exact dose of intake and inquiring about consumption of other drugs to properly classify the severity of the poisoning and stablish the treatment plan. Finally, constant clinical monitoring and support of laboratory tests will guide the conduct.(au)