Spectrum of complications of severe DKA in children in pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the spectrum of complications of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) observed in children admitted with severe DKA. METHODS: Retrospective review of the medical records of all children admitted with the diagnosis of severe DKA in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of the Aga Khan University Hospital, from January 2010 to December 2015 was done. Data was collected on a structured proforma and descriptive statistics were applied. RESULTS: Total 37 children were admitted with complicated DKA (1.9% of total PICU admission with 1.8% in 2010 and 3.4% in 2015). Mean age of study population was 8.1±4.6 years and 70% were females (26/37). Mean Prism III score was 9.4±6, mean GCS on presentation was 11±3.8 and mean lowest pH was 7.00±0.15. Complications observed included hyperchloremia (35.94%), hypokalemia (30.81%), hyponatremia (26.70%), cerebral edema (16.43%), shock (13.35%), acute kidney injury (10.27%), arrhythmias (3.8%), and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (5.4%), while one patient had myocarditis and ARDS each. 13/37 children (35%) needed inotropic support, 11/37 (30%) required mechanical ventilation while only one patient required renal replacement therapy. Two patients (5.4%) died during their PICU stay. CONCLUSION: Hyperchloremia and other electrolyte abnormalities, cerebral edema and AKI are the most common complications of severe DKA.

CLABSI reduction using evidence based interventions and nurse empowerment: a quality improvement initiative from a tertiary care NICU in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: Central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We designed a CLABSI Prevention Package (CPP) to decrease NICU CLABSI rates, using evidence-proven interventions. DESIGN: This was a quality improvement (QI) project. Data collection was divided into three phases (pre-implementation, implementation and post implementation). SQUIRE2.0 guidelines were used to design, implement and report this QI initiative. SETTING: A tertiary care level 3 NICU at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan. PATIENTS: All patients admitted to the AKUH NICU from 1 January 2016 to 31 March 2018 who had a central line in place during their NICU admission. INTERVENTIONS: CPP used evidence-based interventions focusing on hand hygiene, aseptic central line insertion techniques and central line care, prevention of fungal infections and nurse empowerment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CLABSI rates pre and post intervention were recorded. Secondary outcomes were risk factors for CLABSI, device (central line) utilisation ratio, CLABSI related mortality and micro-organism profile. RESULTS: CLABSI rates decreased from 17.1/1000 device days to 5.0/1000 device days (relative risk (RR)=0.36, CI=0.17-0.74). Device (central line) utilisation ratio declined from 0.30 to 0.25. Out of 613 patients enrolled in our study, 139 (22.7%) died. Mortality was higher in CLABSI group (n=20, 44%) as compared with non CLABSI group (n=119, 21.1%) (p<0.001). Gestational age of <27 weeks was an independent risk factor for CLABSI (RR=4.45, CI=1.10-18.25, p=0.03). A total of 158 pathogens were isolated among which 68 were associated with CLABSI. Gram-negative bacteria 31 (47.7%) were the most common cause of CLABSI. Ninety-seven (61%) micro-organisms were multi-drug resistant. CONCLUSIONS: CPP was effective in decreasing NICU CLABSI rates and can be used as a model to decrease NICU CLABSI rates in low or middle-income countries.

A protocol for quality improvement programme to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections in NICU of low and middle income country.

INTRODUCTION: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) are the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Evidence-based interventions when used in form of a bundle have proven to decrease CLABSI. Our unit has a high CLABSI rate (9/1000 central line days). Therefore, we intend to introduce evidence-based CLABSI prevention package in our practice to improve CLABSI rates in our NICU within limited resources. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The study will be conducted using preanalysis and postanalysis design from January 2016 to December 2017. It is going to be conducted in three phases with phase I being the preimplimentation phase where retrospective data will be collected. Phase II, implementation phase, where the CLABSI prevention package will be introduced and phase III will be follow-up to see the impact. Primary outcome will be reduction in CLABSI rates. ANALYSIS PLAN AND REPORTING: For all three phases, descriptive analysis will be performed. Nominal data will be presented as mean±SD, whereas categorical data will be presented as frequencies and percentages. To compare the effect of intervention we will use independent sample t-test for continuous outcomes, whereas Χ2 test will be used for categorical outcomes. Relative risk ratios, 95% CI, and p values will be determined. Incidence density will be calculated and Poisson regression will be used to determine factors associated with incidence of CLABSI. Microbiological profiles and antimicrobial resistance pattern will be reported as pan sensitive, multidrug-resistant organism and carbapenem-resistant organism. SQUIRE V.2.0 guidelines will be used for manuscript writing and reporting.

Isoniazid induced acute pancreatitis in a young girl.

Isoniazid (INH) is the mainstay of management against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. INH-induced acute pancreatitis is an uncommon association and with dearth of literature on it. We are reporting a case of an 11 years old girl who developed acute pancreatitis after 2 weeks of antituberculous therapy. An INH free regimen was started. She was discharged and followed without complications.