Risk Factors for Mortality and Outcomes in Pediatric Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Children admitted to PICUs often present with or develop respiratory failure that requires mechanical ventilation. We prospectively identified children admitted to three general PICUs, with the goal of identifying risk factors for mortality. DESIGN: Prospective multicenter observational study. SETTING: Three general PICUs, two in São Paulo and one in Curitiba, Brazil. PATIENTS: Children aged between 1 month and 15 years, consecutively admitted between August 2008 and July 2010, with acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome that developed at least 12 hours after invasive or noninvasive mechanical ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We used logistic regression models to explore the relationship between death and independent variables. Of 3,046 patients admitted to the three PICUs, 1,658 patients underwent mechanical ventilation, and 84 fulfilled the acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Nearly 60% were boys, and the median age was 31 months. Pressure control/assist control was the initial mode of mechanical ventilation in 86% of cases, and the median durations of mechanical ventilation and PICU stay were 12 and 15 days, respectively. None of the eight patients with acute lung injury died, whereas 33 of 76 of the remaining patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome died, for an overall mortality rate of 39.3% (95% CI, 28.8-50.6%). In different multivariate logistic regression model, the number of organ dysfunctions at admission, peak inspiratory pressure, airway pressure gradient on day 1, and the mean airway pressure gradient over the first 7 days of mechanical ventilation were significantly associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Mortality is high in pediatric acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome. Mechanical ventilation-associated risk factors for death among such patients are potential targets for intervention.

Amplitude-Integrated Electroencephalography: A Readily Available Tool for Neonatologists.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a common condition occurring at birth, impairing central nervous system function. Therapeutic hypothermia is beneficial for suspected HIE as it reduces mortality and disability in survivors but not for other types of encephalopathy (e.g., metabolic). Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) complements limited resource Neonatal Intensive Care Units as a screening tool that can provide information regarding the degree of encephalopathy and electrographic seizures. Patients with HIE are at increased risk for seizures, which are subclinical in half of the cases. The aEEG emphasizes electroencephalographic amplitude differences, whereas continuous video electroencephalography (cEEG) provides a high-resolution picture of cerebral electrical activity, making it the most accurate method for detecting subclinical seizures. Still, its interpretation demands extensive training beyond the scope of neonatologists. Any infant in whom aEEG is suspicious for seizures should undergo cEEG to confirm the findings because even very low-amplitude artifacts might be misdiagnosed as seizures. We report a case and review the utility of aEEG in detecting subclinical seizures in neonates with HIE during therapeutic hypothermia while cEEG is not available.

Research Ethics in Pregnancy: The Maternal-Fetal Dyad.

Pregnant persons and their physicians often make decisions for health care without clinical evidence to guide their choices. Years of exclusionary practices in research, dominated by fears of fetal harm, have resulted in limited evidence on therapies for pregnancy-specific conditions. It has also eroded pregnant persons' rights as autonomous individuals capable of weighing risks and benefits to make choices for themselves and their infants based on sound evidence. A paradigm shift from "routine exclusion" to "fair inclusion" of pregnant persons in clinical trials is needed to ensure that ethical principles are upheld when undertaking research in this population. This article will provide a brief review of the historical aspects of clinical research ethics for pregnant persons, focus on some key concepts within the context of the maternal-fetal dyad, and include a recent example from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to understand how society has interpreted tensions among the ethical principles of justice, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and autonomy. Note: This review uses the term "pregnant person(s)" to include women and people who are pregnant and do not identify themselves as women.

Unveiling Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Fractures and Related Complications in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Concise Review.

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) have become popular over tunneled catheters in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) due to their ease of use and convenience. Although rare, a PICC fracture can be a severe and potentially fatal complication. This narrative review aims to identify factors predisposing neonates to PICC fracture and related complications, such as catheter jamming, and explore strategies for preventing and detecting this complication. A thorough search of PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted using relevant keywords to identify articles discussing PICC fracture in neonates. The review encompassed English-language literature on PICC fracture in neonates, with additional pertinent publications identified through citation searching. The incidence of PICC fracture in neonates varies from less than 1% to 10%, with a higher risk associated with prolonged catheterization, lower gestational age and lower birth weight, and the use of multi-lumen catheters. PICC fractures can occur during insertion, maintenance, or removal. Factors such as catheter duration, gestational age, birth weight, and catheter type increase the risk of PICC fracture. Excessive syringe pressure, securement failure, and excessive force during removal are contributing factors. Catheter fatigue and thin-walled catheter design are common causes of breakage. Preventive measures include proper training of healthcare providers, regular monitoring, early recognition, and prompt catheter removal upon fracture. Preventing and detecting PICC fractures is crucial for neonatal safety. Vigilance during insertion, maintenance, and removal, along with care to avoid excessive force during removal and high pressure during flushing, can help prevent catheter breakage. More research is required to improve prevention strategies for PICC fractures in neonates.

Unveiling triglyceride levels in preterm neonates: a study to guide targeted monitoring.

BACKGROUND: Mixed lipid emulsion (MLE), most commonly soybean, medium chain triglycerides, olive, and fish oils (SMOF), has replaced soybean-based lipid emulsions in many neonatal intensive care units. Only a few studies report the triglyceride (TG) trajectory in neonates receiving MLE. We designed a study to compare TG levels in neonates receiving MLE stratified by gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), and growth restriction status. METHODS: We included neonates born at <32 weeks GA or with BW <1500 gm. SMOF is started on admission, and plasma TG levels are measured 24 hours after 2 gm/kg/day and 24 hours after 3 gm/kg/day. TG levels were compared across groups defined by GA (<28 weeks vs. 328 weeks), BW (<1000 gm vs. 31000 gm), and small for GA (SGA) vs. appropriate plus large for GA groups using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: From 2018 to 2021, 427 infants met the inclusion criteria. TG levels were significantly higher in neonates with GA <28 weeks, BW <1000 grams, and SGA with a notable broad distribution of TG levels. Logistic regression analysis confirmed SGA and BW as significant independent predictors of hypertriglyceridemia after SMOF at 2 gm/kg/day and 3 gm/kg/day, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study emphasizes the importance of TG monitoring for neonates with GA <28 weeks, BW <1000 grams, and SGA. Conversely, it is advisable to individualize TG monitoring for infants with GA>28 weeks, BW>1000 grams, and non-SGA status. Prospective studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to validate our findings.

Tradução e adaptação transcultural de instrumento para avaliação do profissionalismo entre médicos / Translation and transcultural adaptation of instrument for professionalism assessment among physicians

Resumo: Introdução: A discussão sobre profissionalismo médico é relativamente recente e o tema tem se tornado cada vez mais frequente em publicações sobre educação médica. Trata-se de conceito complexo, pois, como uma competência, envolve um conjunto de atributos, conhecimentos, habilidades e comportamentos que são influenciados pelos contextos político e sociocultural. Várias estratégias foram propostas para sua avaliação, mas não se identificou na literatura nenhum instrumento específico validado para o Brasil. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo realizar a tradução e adaptação transcultural de um questionário para avaliação de profissionalismo médico. Método: Realizaram-se a tradução e a adaptação transcultural do The Penn State College of Medicine Professionalism Questionnaire. A confiabilidade e a consistência interna foram avaliadas pelo alfa de Cronbach. Resultado: A tradução e a adaptação transcultural resultaram em questionário com 37 itens com boa validade semântica, idiomática, experiencial e conceitual. O alfa de Cronbach (0,886) mostrou alta confiabilidade. Conclusão: A versão final do instrumento mostrou boa validade, consistência interna e confiabilidade. Ele pode ser utilizado tanto na educação continuada de profissionais já formados como na educação médica, como ferramenta de reflexão e avaliação.

Abstract: Introduction: The discussion about medical professionalism is relatively recent and the topic has become increasingly frequent in publications on medical education. It is a complex concept, since it is a competence that involves a set of attributes, knowledge, skills, and behaviors that are influenced by the political and socio-cultural context. Several strategies have been proposed for its assessment, but no specific instrument validated for Brazilian Portuguese was identified in the literature. Objective: To translate and do the transcultural adaptation of a questionnaire for assessing medical professionalism. Methods: The Penn State College of Medicine Professionalism Questionnaire was translated and cross-culturally adapted according to recommendations found in the literature. Reliability and internal consistency were assessed by Cronbach's alpha. Results: The translation and cultural adaptation resulted in a questionnaire with 37 items with good semantic, idiomatic, experiential, and conceptual validity. Cronbach's alpha (0.886) showed good reliability. Conclusions: The final instrument showed good validity, internal consistency, and reliability. It can be used both in the continuing education of physicians and in medical education, as a tool for reflection and assessment.

Acute intermittent porphyria presenting with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and lateralized periodic discharges plus fast activity on EEG.

We report on a 20-year-old patient with a 6-month history of recurrent abdominal pain and a 3-day history of vomiting, hypertension, seizures, and encephalopathy. The brain MRI showed posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, and continuous EEG (cEEG) monitoring showed lateralized periodic discharges plus fast activity. Comprehensive CSF studies were negative. Because of severe abdominal pain without a definite etiology, we requested urine porphobilinogen and serum and fecal porphyrins, which suggested acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). The patient had a complete resolution of her symptoms with carbohydrate loading and high caloric diet. Acute intermittent porphyria is potentially life-threatening without proper management and prevention of triggers if it is not recognized.

Remifentanil as analgesia for labor.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The neuraxial techniques currently represent the most effective methods for pain control during labor and the epidural block using ultradiluted anesthetic solutions is considered the gold standard promoting adequate pain relief with minimum side effects. In some situations however the use of these techniques is limited by the existence of maternal contraindications, or structural or material obstacles. In these cases, the alternatives are still precarious and scarce offering little optimistic results and of dubious effectiveness. CONTENT: This article presents through a literature review the available information on the use of remifentanil as an alternative technique for analgesia during labor discussing aspects of pharmacokinetics, analgesia efficacy, maternal satisfaction and maternal/fetal side effects. CONCLUSIONS: The initial data show that remifentanil is a promising option to be employed in situations where the parturient cannot or does not want to receive the neuraxial analgesia.

Anestesia geral para cesariana / General anesthesia for cesarean section

As técnicas neuroaxiais são a primeira escolha anestésica para cesariana. Elas permitem a participação da mãe na hora do nascimento e são mais seguras em vários aspectos. Em algumas situações, entretanto, podem falhar ou ter contraindicações absolutas e relativas. Nestes casos, a anestesia geral passa a ter mais benefícios que riscos. As principais dificuldades da anestesia geral para cesariana são o manejo de vias aéreas (potencialmente mais difícil), alto risco de aspiração pulmonar, alta incidência de consciência intraoperatória da gestante e de depressão neonatal no pós-parto imediato. Esta revisão examina conhecimentos recentes desses tópicos, descreve benefícios e riscos de novas drogas e propõe um protocolo clínico de anestesia geral para cesárea.

The neuroaxial techniques are the first choice for cesarean section. They allow mother?s participation during the birth and are safer in many aspects. Neuroaxial techniques, however, may fail and have absolute and relative contraindications, situations in which a cesarean under general anesthesia would have benefits outweigh the risks. The main difficulties of general anesthesia for cesarean section are concerning to potentially difficultairway, increased risk of pulmonary aspiration and higher incidence of mother?s intraoperative awareness and neonatal depression in the immediate postpartum period. This review examines the current knowledge of these topics, describes the benefits and risks of new drugs and proposes a protocol of general anesthesia for cesarean section.

Remifentanil em analgesia para o trabalho de parto: [revisão] / Remifentanil en analgesia para el trabajo de parto: [revisión] / Remifentanil as analgesia for labor

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: As técnicas neuroaxiais representam atualmente os métodos mais efetivos para controle da dor durante o trabalho de parto e a analgesia peridural utilizando soluções anestésicas ultradiluídas é considerada o padrão ouro, promovendo alívio adequado da dor com mínimos efeitos colaterais. Em algumas situações, no entanto, o emprego dessas técnicas é limitado pela existência de contraindicações maternas ou obstáculos estruturais e materiais. Nestes casos, as opções alternativas ainda são precárias e escassas, oferecendo resultados pouco otimistas e de eficácia questionável. CONTEÚDO: Este artigo apresenta, com base em uma revisão da literatura, as informações disponíveis relacionadas ao emprego do remifentanil como técnica alternativa para a analgesia de parto discutindo aspectos farmacocinéticos, farmacodinâmicos, eficácia analgésica, satisfação materna e efeitos colaterais maternos e fetais. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados iniciais apontam o remifentanil como uma opção promissora a ser empregada nas situações em que a gestante não quer ou não pode receber a analgesia neuroaxial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The neuraxial techniques currently represent the most effective methods for pain control during labor and the epidural block using ultradiluted anesthetic solutions is considered the gold standard promoting adequate pain relief with minimum side effects. In some situations however the use of these techniques is limited by the existence of maternal contraindications, or structural or material obstacles. In these cases, the alternatives are still precarious and scarce offering little optimistic results and of dubious effectiveness. CONTENT: This article presents through a literature review the available information on the use of remifentanil as an alternative technique for analgesia during labor discussing aspects of pharmacokinetics, analgesia efficacy, maternal satisfaction and maternal/fetal side effects. CONCLUSIONS: The initial data show that remifentanil is a promising option to be employed in situations where the parturient cannot or does not want to receive the neuraxial analgesia.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Las técnicas neuroaxiales representan actualmente los métodos más efectivos para el control del dolor durante el trabajo de parto, y la analgesia epidural utilizando soluciones anestésicas ultradiluidas se considera el estándar oro, promoviendo el alivio correcto del dolor con los mínimos efectos colaterales. En algunas situaciones, sin embargo, el uso de esas técnicas queda limitado por la existencia de contraindicaciones maternas u obstáculos estructurales y materiales. En esos casos, las alternativas todavía son precarias y escasas, ofreciendo resultados poco optimistas y de una eficacia cuestionable. CONTENIDO: Con base en una revisión de la literatura, este artículo muestra que las informaciones disponibles relacionadas a lo empleo de lo remifetanil como técnica alternativa para la analgesia del parto discutindo los aspectos farmacocinéticos, farmacodinamicos, eficacia analgésica, satisfacion materna y efectos colaterales maternos y fetales. CONCLUSIONES: Los datos iniciales nos indican al remifentanil como una opción promisoria que podemos usar en las situaciones en que la embarazada no quiere o no puede recibir la analgesia neuroaxial.

Anestesia para cirurgia não-obstétrica durante a gravidez / Anesthesia for nonobstetric surgery during pregnancy

Anestesiologistas em cada subespecialidade encontram, com variada regularidade, pacientes se apresentando para cirurgias durante o curso de uma gravidez. Até 2% de todas as mulheres grávidas são submetidas à cirurgia não-obstétrica durante a gravidez, que pode ser indicada em qualquer idade gestacional. O estágio da gestação e o procedimentocirúrgico indicado parecem ter influências prognósticas maternas e fetais. Em geral, o segundo estágio é tido como o mais oportuno para aqueles procedimentos que não podem esperar até depois do parto, porque a organogênese já está completa e o risco de parto prematuro é mais baixo do que no terceiro trimestre. A escolha da anestesia para a cirurgia não-obstétrica em grávidas possui características clínicas únicas, já que envolve dois pacientes e a fisiologia específica da gravidez. O objetivo final é promover uma anestesia segura para a mãe, enquanto simultaneamente minimiza-se o risco de comprometimento fetal. Manutenção da perfusão útero-placentária e adequada oxigenação materna preservam a oxigenação fetal e são de importância máximapara qualquer anestesia durante a gravidez.

Anesthesiologists in every subspecialty encounter, with varying regularity, patients presenting for surgery during the course of pregnancy. About 2% of pregnant women undergo nonobstetric surgery during pregnancy, which may be required at any gestational age. Timing and indications for the surgical procedure seem critical to the maternal and fetal outcome. In general, the second trimester is regarded as the most opportune for those procedures which cannot be delayed until after delivery, as organogenesis is complete and the risk of preterm labor is lower than in the third trimester. The choice of anesthesia for nonobstetric surgery in pregnancy have unique clinical concern, since involves two patients and physiology specific to pregnancy. The ultimate goal is to provide safe anesthesia to the mother while simultaneously minimizing the risks to the fetus. Maintenance of uterine perfusion and adequate maternal oxigenation preserves fetal oxygenation and are of utmost importance to any anesthesia during pregnancy.