Paediatric critical COVID-19 and mortality in a multinational prospective cohort.

Background: To understand critical paediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and evaluate factors associated with mortality in children from high and low-middle income countries. Methods: Prospective, observational study of critically ill children hospitalised for COVID-19 in 18 countries throughout North America, Latin America, and Europe between April 1 and December 31, 2020. Associations with mortality were evaluated using logistic regression. Findings: 557 patients (median age, 8 years; 24% <2 years) were enrolled from 55 sites (63% Latin American). Half had comorbidities. Invasive (41%) or non-invasive (20%) ventilation and vasopressors (56%) were the most common support modalities. Hospital mortality was 10% and higher in children <2 years old (15%; odds ratio 1·94, 95%CI 1·08-3·49). Most who died had pulmonary disease. When adjusted for age, sex, region, and illness severity, mortality-associated factors included cardiac (aOR 2·89; 95%CI 1·2-6·94) or pulmonary comorbidities (aOR 4·43; 95%CI 1·70-11·5), admission hypoxemia (aOR 2·44; 95%CI 1·30-4·57), and lower respiratory symptoms (aOR 2·96; 95%CI 1·57-5·59). MIS-C (aOR 0·25; 95%CI 0·1-0·61) and receiving methylprednisolone (aOR 0·5; 95%CI 0·25-0·99), IVIG (aOR 0·32; 95%CI 0·16-0·62), or anticoagulation (aOR 0·49; 95%CI 0·25-0·95) were associated with lower mortality although these associations might be limited to children >2 years old. Interpretation: We identified factors associated with COVID-19 mortality in critically ill children from both high and low-middle income countries, including higher mortality with younger age and COVID-related pulmonary disease but lower mortality in MIS-C. Further research is needed on optimal treatments for younger children and respiratory failure in paediatric COVID-19. Funding: None.

Uso racional de antibióticos y tecnología FilmArray para identificación rápida de bacteriemias en unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátrica / Rational use of antibiotics and FilmArray technology for rapid identification of bacteremias in a pediatric intensive care unit

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las infecciones graves son la principal causa de ingreso a cuidados intensivos pediátricos. El panel FilmArray BCID permite identificar rápidamente a microorganismos causantes de bacteriemias. OBJETIVO: evaluar la eficacia de la identificación rápida de microorganismos asociado a un Programa de Uso Racional de Antibióticos (URA) en reducir los tiempos de terapias antibióticas, en un hospital pediátrico. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Estudio retrospectivo, que incluyó 100 pacientes, en su primer episo dio de bacteriemia, divididos en 2 grupos de 50 cada uno: Intervención (FilmArray BCID y programa URA) y Controles históricos pareados para la misma especie del microrganismo identificado (microbiología convencional). Las variables evaluadas fueron los tiempos de identificación microbiana, latencia de la terapia dirigida y de desescalar antibióticos. RESULTADOS: Los grupos fueron comparables en características demográficas, foco de infección y etiología de bacteriemia. El tiempo promedio de identificación de microorganismos fue de 23 h (IC 95% 12,4-26,7) en el grupo intervención, y 70,5 h (IC 95% 65,2-78,6) en el control (p < 0,05), mientras que la latencia de inicio de terapia dirigida fue de 27,9 h (IC 95% 22,3-32,8) y 71,9 h (IC 95% 63,2-77,8) respectivamente (p < 0,05). El tiempo de desescalar o suspender antibióticos fue de 6,4 h (IC 95% 2,76-9,49) y 22 h (IC 95% 6,74-35,6) en los grupos mencionados (p > 0,05). CONCLUSIÓN: El panel FilmArray BCID articulado a un programa URA, contribuye a la identificación de los microorganismos causantes de bacteriemias en menor tiempo que los métodos convencionales, siendo una herramienta que optimiza las terapias antibióti cas en niños críticamente enfermos.

INTRODUCTION: Severe infections are the leading cause of admission to pediatric intensive care. The FilmArray BCID panel quickly identifies microorganisms that cause bacteremia. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the rapid identification of the microorganisms that cause bacteremia, along with a Rational Use of Antibio tics (RUA) Program, allows optimizing the time of antibiotic therapy in a pediatric hospital. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective study which included 100 patients presenting their first episode of bacteremia, divided into 2 groups of 50 each. The first one was Intervention (FilmArray BCID and RUA program) and the second one was Historical Controls (conventional automated ID/AST). The variables evaluated were the time required for microbial identification, duration of appropriate therapy, and antibiotic de-escalation. RESULTS: The groups were comparable in terms of demographic characteristics, focus of infection, and etiology of bacteremia. The average time of microorganisms' identification of the control group was 70.5 hours (IC 95% 65.2-78.6) and 23.0 hours (IC 95% 12.4 -26.7) in the intervention one (p < 0.05). The average time of targeted therapy onset was shorter in the intervention group (27.9 h [IC 95% 22.3-32.8]) than that of the control one (71.9 h [IC 95% 63.2-77.8]) (p < 0.05). Finally, the time to de-escalate or discontinue antibiotics in the intervention group and the control one was 6.4 hours (IC 95% 2.76-9.49) hours and 22.0 hours (IC 95% 6.74-35.6 h) respectively (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The FilmArray panel along with the RUA Program allows the identification of the microorganisms causing bacteremia faster than conventional methods, which positions it as a tool that optimizes antibiotic therapy of critical patients.

[Rational use of antibiotics and FilmArray technology for rapid identification of bacteremias in a pediatric intensive care unit]. / Uso racional de antibióticos y tecnología FilmArray para identificación rápida de bacteriemias en unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátrica.

INTRODUCTION: Severe infections are the leading cause of admission to pediatric intensive care. The FilmArray BCID panel quickly identifies microorganisms that cause bacteremia. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the rapid identification of the microorganisms that cause bacteremia, along with a Rational Use of Antibio tics (RUA) Program, allows optimizing the time of antibiotic therapy in a pediatric hospital. Pa tients and Method: Retrospective study which included 100 patients presenting their first episode of bacteremia, divided into 2 groups of 50 each. The first one was Intervention (FilmArray BCID and RUA program) and the second one was Historical Controls (conventional automated ID/AST). The variables evaluated were the time required for microbial identification, duration of appropriate therapy, and antibiotic de-escalation. RESULTS: The groups were comparable in terms of demographic characteristics, focus of infection, and etiology of bacteremia. The average time of microorganisms' identification of the control group was 70.5 hours (IC 95% 65.2-78.6) and 23.0 hours (IC 95% 12.4 -26.7) in the intervention one (p < 0.05). The average time of targeted therapy onset was shorter in the intervention group (27.9 h [IC 95% 22.3-32.8]) than that of the control one (71.9 h [IC 95% 63.2-77.8]) (p < 0.05). Finally, the time to de-escalate or discontinue antibiotics in the intervention group and the control one was 6.4 hours (IC 95% 2.76-9.49) hours and 22.0 hours (IC 95% 6.74-35.6 h) respectively (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The FilmArray panel along with the RUA Program allows the identification of the microorganisms causing bacteremia faster than conventional methods, which positions it as a tool that optimizes antibiotic therapy of critical patients.

Análisis de la asociación entre procalcitonina y mortalidad por sepsis en menores de 18 años en una unidad de cuidados intensivos, Pasto - Colombia 2012 - 2014 / Analysis of the association between Procalcitonin and mortality by sepsis in children under 18 years of age in an intensive care unit in Pasto, Colombia between 2012 and 2014

Resumen Introducción: La procalcitonina aumenta tempranamente en pacientes con sepsis, sin embargo, es necesario profundizar la relación entre sus niveles y el compromiso multiorgánico, así como sus desenlaces como la muerte. Objetivo: Determinar si existe asociación entre los valores de procalcitonina y la muerte en niños con sepsis que ingresan a la unidad de cuidado intensivo pediátrico (UCIP). Materiales y métodos: Estudio de corte transversal de pacientes menores de 18 años con sepsis que ingresaron a la UCIP del Hospital Infantil Los Ángeles, Pasto - Colombia, durante 2012 y 2014. Se analizó la relación entre el riesgo de muerte y los niveles de procalcitonina controlando por covariables clínicas y demográficas. Resultados: Se analizaron datos de 325 pacientes con sepsis, la enfermedad mostró una prevalencia de 27,3%, de los cuales fallecieron el 23,7% (77). La edad mediana fue 22 meses, rango intercuartil- RI (6 - 84). La mediana de procalcitonina fue de 10 ng/mL, RI (2,95 - 38). Niños con valores >10ng/mL tienen un incremento del riesgo de muerte de 2 a 6 veces más comparados con aquellos que presentaron valores inferiores. Conclusión: La procalcitonina puede ser utilizada como indicador y predictor del riesgo de muerte en menores de 18 años con sepsis.

Abstract Introduction: Procalcitonin increases early in patients with sepsis; however, it is necessary to deepen the relationship between their levels and the multi-organ commitment, as well as their outcomes such as death. Objective: To determine whether there is an association between the values of Procalcitonin and death in children with sepsis entering the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was made with patients under 18 years of age with sepsis, who entered the PICU of Los Angeles children's Hospital in Pasto, Colombia during 2012 and 2014. The relationship between the risk of death and the levels of Procalcitonin controlled by clinical and demographic covariates was analyzed. Results: Data from 325 patients with sepsis was analyzed. The disease showed a prevalence of 27.3%, from which 23.7% (77) died. The median age was 22 months, interquartile-RI range (6-84). The median Procalcitonin was 10 ng/mL, RI (2.95-38). Children with values > 10ng/mL have an increase in the risk of death from 2 to 6 times more, compared to those who presented lower values. Conclusion: Procalcitonin can be used as an indicator and predictor of the risk of death in children under 18 with sepsis.