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BACKGROUND: Despite respiratory infections being a leading cause of hospitalization in children with tracheostomy tubes, there are no published guidelines for their diagnosis and management. This study aims to outline the clinical, laboratory and microbiological aspects of pneumonia in these children, along with the antibiotics used and outcomes. Additionally, it seeks to determine pneumonia incidence and associated risk factors. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study using the medical records of tracheostomized children at La Paz University Hospital in Madrid from 2010 to 2021. RESULTS: Thirty-three pneumonia cases were observed in 25 tracheostomized children. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the predominant bacterium (52%), followed by Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Serratia marcescens. The same microorganism isolated in the tracheal aspirate culture during pneumonia was previously isolated in 83% of cases that had a similar culture, with some growth obtained within 7-30 days prior. Multiplex respiratory PCR detected respiratory viruses in 73% of cases tested. Antibiotic treatment was administered in all cases except 1, mostly intravenously (81%), with piperacillin/tazobactam and meropenem being commonly used. Only 1 of the described episodes had a fatal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: It is advisable to include coverage for P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. aureus, and S. marcescens in the empirical antibiotic treatment for pneumonia in tracheostomized children, along with the microorganisms identified in tracheal cultures obtained within 7-30 days prior, if available. A positive PCR for respiratory viruses is often discovered in bacterial pneumonia in tracheostomized children.
RESUMO
Introducción: El incremento de la supervivencia de niños con enfermedades graves ha supuesto el aumento de niños con patología crónica altamente compleja, en ocasiones con discapacidades de por vida. En el año 2008 se creó una unidad para la atención específica de los niños con patología crónica compleja (NPCC) en el Hospital La Paz. Objetivos: Describir el funcionamiento y la actividad asistencial de esta unidad. Pacientes y métodos Se analizaron todos los informes de alta de la unidad entre enero de 2014 y julio de 2016. Resultados: La unidad dispone de consulta y 6 camas de hospitalización. Se han atendido 1.027 pacientes, 243 desde 2014. La mediana de edad fue de 24,2 meses (IC: 10,21-84,25). Un 92,59% presentaron pluripatología, siendo las condiciones crónicas más frecuentemente observadas las neurológicas (76,95%), gastrointestinales (63,78%) y respiratorias (61,72%). Un 69,54% de los NPCC fueron dependientes de tecnología, el 53,49% de soporte respiratorio y el 35,80% nutricional. El número de ingresos ha aumentado anualmente, hasta 403 desde 2014, con un 8,93% de reingresos. La mediana de la estancia fue de 6 días (IC: 3-14). La tasa de ocupación fue superior al 100% en este período. En la actualidad se mantienen en seguimiento 210 pacientes (86,42%), 11 niños han sido dados de alta a sus hospitales de referencia y 22 han fallecido (9,05%). De estos 22 pacientes, la principal condición fue neurológica, y la principal causa desencadenante del fallecimiento fue infecciosa. Conclusión: La unidad de NPCC ha incrementado su actividad en estos años, poniendo de manifiesto la necesidad de crear estas unidades en los hospitales terciarios (AU)
Introduction: The increase in survival of children with severe diseases has led to the rise of children with chronic diseases, sometimes with lifelong disabilities. In 2008, a unit for the specific care of medically complex children (MCC) was created in Hospital La Paz. Objectives: To describe the work and care activities of this Unit. Patients and methods An analysis was performed on all discharge reports of the Unit between January 2014 and July 2016. Results: The MCC Unit has 6 beds and daily outpatient clinic. A total of 1,027 patients have been treated since the creation of the unit, with 243 from 2014. The median age was 24.2 months (IQ: 10.21-84.25). The large majority (92.59%) have multiple diseases, the most frequent chronic conditions observed were neurological (76.95%), gastrointestinal (63.78%), and respiratory diseases (61.72%). More than two-thirds (69.54%) of MCC are dependent on technology, 53.49% on respiratory support, and 35.80% on nutritional support. Hospital admission rates have increased annually. There have been 403 admissions since 2014, of which 8.93% were re-admissions within 30 days of hospital discharge. The median stay during 2014-2016 was 6 days (IQ: 3-14). The occupancy rate has been above 100% for this period. Currently, 210 patients remain on follow-up (86.42%), and 11 children (4.53%) were discharged to their referral hospitals. The mortality rate is 9.05% (22 deaths). The main condition of these 22 patients was neurological (9 patients). Infectious diseases were the leading cause of death. Conclusion: MCC should be treated in specialized units in tertiary or high-level hospitals (AU)