How to follow the guidelines, when the appropriate fluid is missing?

Intravenous maintenance fluid therapy (IV-MFT) is probably the most prescribed drug in paediatric hospital care. Recently paediatric societies have produced evidence-based practice guidelines that recommend the use of balanced isotonic fluid when prescribing IV-MFT in both acute and critical paediatric care. Unfortunately, the applicability of these guidelines could be called into question when a ready-to-use glucose-containing balanced isotonic fluid is not available. The main objective of this study was to describe the availability of glucose-containing balanced isotonic fluids in European and Middle Eastern paediatric acute and critical care settings. This work is an ancillary study of the survey dedicated to IV-MFT practices in the paediatric acute and critical care settings in Europe and Middle East, a cross-sectional electronic 27-item survey, emailed in April-May 2021 to paediatric critical care physicians across 34 European and Middle East countries. The survey was developed by an expert multi-professional panel within the European Society of Peadiatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC). Balanced isotonic fluid with glucose 5% was available for only 32/153 (21%) responders. Balanced isotonic fluid with glucose 5% was consistently available in the UK (90%) but not available in France, Greece, The Netherlands and Turkey.    Conclusion: Ready-to-use isotonic balanced IV solutions containing glucose in sufficient amount exist but are inconsistently available throughout Europe. National and European Medication Safety Incentives should guarantee the availability of the most appropriate and safest IV-MFT solution for all children. What is Known: • Intravenous maintenance fluid therapy (IV-MFT) is probably the most prescribed drug in paediatric hospital care. • Balanced isotonic fluid is recommended when prescribing IV-MFT in both acute and critical paediatric care. What is New: • Balanced isotonic fluid with glucose 5% is available for less than 25% of the prescribers in Europe and the Middle East. Availability of balanced isotonic fluid with glucose 5% varies from one country to another but can also be inconsistent within the same country. • Clinicians who have access to a ready-to-use balanced isotonic fluid with glucose 5% are more likely to consider its use than clinicians who do not have access to such an IV solution.

Accurate height and length estimation in hospitalized children not fulfilling WHO criteria for standard measurement: a multicenter prospective study.

In hospitalized children, height should be measured. When world health organization (WHO) height measurement gold standards is impossible, the ideal height estimation technique is still unclear. We conducted an international prospective study in eight different pediatric intensive care units to assess the accuracy, precision, practicability, safety, and inter-rater reliability of 12 different height estimation techniques, based on body segment measurement extrapolation, or other calculations using previous or projected heights. All extrapolation techniques were performed on each child, and later compared to their WHO gold standard heights. A total of 476 patients were enrolled. In the < 2-year subgroup, board length use and growth chart extrapolation performed best. In the ≥ 2-year subgroup, growth chart extrapolation and parents' report were the most accurate, followed by height measurement alongside the body with a tape measure. In both groups, body segment extrapolations were poorly predictive and showed mean bias and limits of agreement that varied a lot with age. Most body segment-based techniques presented with frequent measurement difficulties, but children's safety was rarely compromised. The inter-rater reliability of body segment measurement was low in the < 2-year subgroup.Conclusions: To accurately estimate height in hospitalized children, health care professionals should integrate the accuracy, precision, practicability, and reliability of each measurement technique to select the most appropriate one. Body segment-based techniques were the least accurate and should probably not be used. Simple techniques like growth chart extrapolation, or measurement alongside the body (and length board measurement in the youngest) should be implemented in daily practice.Trial Registration: The study protocol was registered (12th April 2019) on the clinical-trial.gov website (NCT03913247).

Development and application of a 2-step methodology to select a reference society providing Dietary Reference Values for national implementation.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and discuss a 2-step methodology developed to select a reference society that provides Dietary Reference Values (DRV) for national implementation and to illustrate its application in Switzerland with one macronutrient and one micronutrient. DESIGN: During Step 1, we searched and compared DRV and methodologies used to define DRV from eight European societies for seven selected nutrients. We repeated this procedure during Step 2 for DRV from two preselected societies for forty-four nutrients. SETTING: The 2-step methodology applied here for Switzerland may be used in other countries. PARTICIPANTS: The research team commissioned six external experts from three linguistic regions of Switzerland, who provided their opinions through two online surveys, individual interviews and a focus group. RESULTS: After Step 1, we excluded five societies because of old publication dates, irrelevant publication languages for Switzerland, difficulty in accessing documents, or because their DRV were mainly based on another society. After Step 2, the two societies were qualified based on the analysis of the values and methodologies used. The need for free and easily accessible scientific background information favoured the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). We chose alternative societies for nine nutrients for the overall population or subgroups and for the elderly. CONCLUSIONS: To manage heterogeneous and complex data from several societies, adopting a 2-step methodology including fewer nutrients and more societies during Step 1, and fewer societies but all nutrients in Step 2, was very helpful. With some exceptions, we selected EFSA as the main society to provide DRV for Switzerland.

Executive Summary: International Clinical Practice Guidelines for Pediatric Ventilator Liberation, A Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators (PALISI) Network Document.

Rationale: Pediatric-specific ventilator liberation guidelines are lacking despite the many studies exploring elements of extubation readiness testing. The lack of clinical practice guidelines has led to significant and unnecessary variation in methods used to assess pediatric patients' readiness for extubation. Methods: Twenty-six international experts comprised a multiprofessional panel to establish pediatrics-specific ventilator liberation clinical practice guidelines, focusing on acutely hospitalized children receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours. Eleven key questions were identified and first prioritized using the Modified Convergence of Opinion on Recommendations and Evidence. A systematic review was conducted for questions that did not meet an a priori threshold of ⩾80% agreement, with Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodologies applied to develop the guidelines. The panel evaluated the evidence and drafted and voted on the recommendations. Measurements and Main Results: Three questions related to systematic screening using an extubation readiness testing bundle and a spontaneous breathing trial as part of the bundle met Modified Convergence of Opinion on Recommendations criteria of ⩾80% agreement. For the remaining eight questions, five systematic reviews yielded 12 recommendations related to the methods and duration of spontaneous breathing trials, measures of respiratory muscle strength, assessment of risk of postextubation upper airway obstruction and its prevention, use of postextubation noninvasive respiratory support, and sedation. Most recommendations were conditional and based on low to very low certainty of evidence. Conclusions: This clinical practice guideline provides a conceptual framework with evidence-based recommendations for best practices related to pediatric ventilator liberation.

Nurses' decision-making around gastric residual volume measurement in UK adult intensive care: A four-centre survey.

BACKGROUND: Despite increasing evidence of the potential inaccuracy and unwarranted practice of regular GRV measurement in critically in adults, this practice persists within the United Kingdom. AIM: To explore adult intensive care nurses' decision-making around the practice of GRV measurement to guide enteral feeding. METHODS: A cross-sectional 16 item electronic survey in four adult intensive care units (ICUs) in England and Wales. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-three responses were obtained across four ICUs with acceptable response rates for most [Unit 1 74 /127 = 58.2%; Unit 2 87/129 = 67.4%; Unit 3 77/120 = 64.1%; Unit 4 35/168 = 20.8%]. Most (243/273 (89%) reported measuring GRV 4-6 hourly, with most (223/273 82%) reporting that the main reason was to assess feed tolerance or intolerance and 37/273 (13.5%) saying their unit protocol required it. In terms of factors affecting decision-making, volume obtained was the most important factor, followed by the condition of the patient, with aspirate colour and appearance less important. When asked how they would feel about not measuring GRV routinely, the majority (78.2%) of nurses felt worried (140/273 = 51.2%) or very worried (74/273 = 27%). CONCLUSIONS: Factors affecting the nurses' decision-making around GRV were based largely on fear of risk (around vomiting and pulmonary aspiration) and compliance with unit protocols. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Despite increasing evidence suggesting it is unnecessary, nurses' beliefs around the value of this practice persist and it continues to be embedded into unit protocols around feeding.

Is bolus or continuous enteral feeding better in critically ill children: An evidence-based review.

Inadequate nutrition can lead to increased morbidity and mortality for mechanically ventilated children in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Enteral feeding can either be delivered by gravity bolus (intermittent) feeding or continuously via a pump and in UK PICUs variable practice exists. This evidence-based review therefore aimed to examine the evidence surrounding the two feeding methods for ventilated children, to determine whether one provides better enteral nutrition. Four papers were included, three randomized controlled trials and a systematic review, which provide conflicting evidence. There is some suggestion that bolus feeding may be superior in medical children on PICU to achieve their energy and protein goals faster, however, the clinical significance of the results is questionable and further research is needed to identify whether one method of feeding can impact on patient outcomes.

Using the TIDieR checklist to describe the intervention of the Sedation and Weaning in Children (SANDWICH) trial.

BACKGROUND: Published reports of complex interventions in randomized controlled trials often lack sufficient detail to allow trial replication and adoption into practice. AIM: The aim of this paper is to describe our experience of using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist in reporting a recent trial of sedation and ventilation weaning in critically ill children (the Sedation and Weaning in Children [SANDWICH] trial). METHODS: The TIDieR 12-point checklist has been used to detail and describe the specific SANDWICH trial intervention and methods of implementation. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: Overall, we found the checklist a useful tool to direct and ensure consistency of reporting of our complex intervention used in a multi-centre clinical trial. We experienced some minor limitations in classifying training materials and delivery mode into one item because of the overlapping nature of this component. CONCLUSION: Using the TIDieR checklist to report complex interventions tested in trials provides a structured, systematic way of describing necessary detail. This allows clinicians to understand the theory behind the intervention, how it should be delivered, and the resources required. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The SANDWICH intervention had a significant beneficial effect on reducing time on ventilation for children. The detailed description of the team-based intervention will aid replication, implementation and monitoring of fidelity in other paediatric intensive care units.

Ventilator weaning and extubation practices in critically ill children: An Australian and New Zealand survey of practice.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to (i) describe current weaning and extubation practices in children (protocols to identify weaning candidates, spontaneous breathing trials, and other aspects of care such as sedation weaning) and (ii) understand responsibilities for ventilation weaning decisions across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of ANZ intensive care units who routinely intubate and ventilate children (<18 years) was conducted. We worked with the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Paediatric Study Group to identify units and potential respondents (senior nurse representative per unit) and to administer questionnaires. Survey questions (n = 35) examined current protocols, practices, unit staffing, and decision-making responsibilities for ventilation weaning and extubation. Open-ended questions examined respondents' experiences of weaning and extubation. RESULTS: A senior nursing respondent from 18/22 intensive care units (82%) completed the survey. Across units, most used sedation assessment tools (88%), and less often, sedation weaning tools (55%). Spontaneous awakening protocols were not used; one unit (5%) reported the use of a spontaneous breathing protocol. Two respondents reported that ventilation weaning protocols (11%) were in use, with 44% of units reporting the use of extubation protocols. Weaning and extubation practices were largely perceived as medically driven, with qualitative data demonstrating a desire from most respondents for greater shared decision-making. CONCLUSION: In ANZ, ventilation weaning and extubation practices are largely medically driven with variation in the use of protocols to support mechanical ventilation weaning and extubation in children. Our findings highlight the importance of future research to determine the impact of greater collaboration of the multidisciplinary team on weaning practices.

Intravenous maintenance fluid therapy practice in the pediatric acute and critical care settings: a European and Middle Eastern survey.

The ideal fluid for intravenous maintenance fluid therapy (IV-MFT) in acutely and critically ill children is controversial, and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines are lacking and current prescribing practices remain unknown. We aimed to describe the current practices in prescribing IV-MFT in the context of acute and critically ill children with regard to the amount, tonicity, composition, use of balanced fluids, and prescribing strategies in various clinical contexts. A cross-sectional electronic 27-item survey was emailed in April-May 2021 to pediatric critical care physicians across European and Middle East countries. The survey instrument was developed by an expert multi-professional panel within the European Society of Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC). A total of 154 respondents from 35 European and Middle East countries participated (response rate 64%). Respondents were physicians in charge of acute or critically ill children. All respondents indicated they routinely use a predefined formula to prescribe the amount of IV-MFT and considered fluid balance monitoring very important in the management of acute and critically ill children. The use of balanced solution was preferred if there were altered serum sodium and chloride levels or metabolic acidosis. Just under half (42%, 65/153) of respondents believed balanced solutions should always be used. Respondents considered the use of isotonic IV solutions as important for acute and critically ill children. In terms of the indication and the composition of IV-MFT prescribed, responses were heterogeneous among centers. Almost 70% (107/154) respondents believed there was a gap between current practice and what they considered ideal IV-MFT due to a lack of guidelines and inadequate training of healthcare professionals.   Conclusions: Our study showed considerable variability in clinical prescribing practice of IV-MFT in acute pediatric settings across Europe and the Middle East. There is an urgent need to develop evidence-based guidelines for IV-MFT prescription in acute and critically ill children. What is Known: • The administration of maintenance intravenous fluid therapy is a standard of care for a lot of hospitalized children • Maintenance intravenous fluid therapy prescriptions are often based on Holliday and Segar's historical guidelines even if this practice has been associated with several complications. What is New: • This study provided information on the prescribing practice regarding fluid restriction, fluid tonicity, and balance. • This study showed considerable variability in clinical prescribing practice of intravenous maintenance fluid therapy across Europe and the Middle East.

The United Kingdom Paediatric Critical Care Society Study Group: The 20-Year Journey Toward Pragmatic, Randomized Clinical Trials.

Over the past two decades, pediatric intensive care research networks have been formed across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia/New Zealand. The U.K. Paediatric Critical Care Society Study Group (PCCS-SG) has over a 20-year tradition of fostering collaborative research, leading to the design and successful conduct of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). To date, the PCCS-SG network has delivered 13 different multicenter RCTs, covering a spectrum of study designs, methodologies, and scale. Lessons from the early years have led PCCS-SG to now focus on the entire process needed for developing an RCT, starting from robust preparatory steps such as surveys, data analysis, and feasibility work through to a definitive RCT. Pilot RCTs have been an important part of this process as well. Facilitators of successful research have included the presence of a national registry to facilitate efficient data collection; close partnerships with established Clinical Trials Units to bring together clinicians, methodologists, statisticians, and trial managers; greater involvement of transport teams to recruit patients early in trials of time-sensitive interventions; and the funded infrastructure of clinical research staff within the National Health Service to integrate research within the clinical service. The informal nature of PCCS-SG has encouraged buy-in from clinicians. Greater international collaboration and development of embedded trial platforms to speed up the generation and dissemination of trial findings are two key future strategic goals for the PCCS-SG research network.

Effect of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy vs Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy on Liberation From Respiratory Support in Acutely Ill Children Admitted to Pediatric Critical Care Units: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The optimal first-line mode of noninvasive respiratory support for acutely ill children is not known. Objective: To evaluate the noninferiority of high-flow nasal cannula therapy (HFNC) as the first-line mode of noninvasive respiratory support for acute illness, compared with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), for time to liberation from all forms of respiratory support. Design, Setting, and Participants: Pragmatic, multicenter, randomized noninferiority clinical trial conducted in 24 pediatric critical care units in the United Kingdom among 600 acutely ill children aged 0 to 15 years who were clinically assessed to require noninvasive respiratory support, recruited between August 2019 and November 2021, with last follow-up completed in March 2022. Interventions: Patients were randomized 1:1 to commence either HFNC at a flow rate based on patient weight (n = 301) or CPAP of 7 to 8 cm H2O (n = 299). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was time from randomization to liberation from respiratory support, defined as the start of a 48-hour period during which a participant was free from all forms of respiratory support (invasive or noninvasive), assessed against a noninferiority margin of an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.75. Seven secondary outcomes were assessed, including mortality at critical care unit discharge, intubation within 48 hours, and use of sedation. Results: Of the 600 randomized children, consent was not obtained for 5 (HFNC: 1; CPAP: 4) and respiratory support was not started in 22 (HFNC: 5; CPAP: 17); 573 children (HFNC: 295; CPAP: 278) were included in the primary analysis (median age, 9 months; 226 girls [39%]). The median time to liberation in the HFNC group was 52.9 hours (95% CI, 46.0-60.9 hours) vs 47.9 hours (95% CI, 40.5-55.7 hours) in the CPAP group (absolute difference, 5.0 hours [95% CI -10.1 to 17.4 hours]; adjusted hazard ratio 1.03 [1-sided 97.5% CI, 0.86-∞]). This met the criterion for noninferiority. Of the 7 prespecified secondary outcomes, 3 were significantly lower in the HFNC group: use of sedation (27.7% vs 37%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.39-0.88]); mean duration of critical care stay (5 days vs 7.4 days; adjusted mean difference, -3 days [95% CI, -5.1 to -1 days]); and mean duration of acute hospital stay (13.8 days vs 19.5 days; adjusted mean difference, -7.6 days [95% CI, -13.2 to -1.9 days]). The most common adverse event was nasal trauma (HFNC: 6/295 [2.0%]; CPAP: 18/278 [6.5%]). Conclusions and Relevance: Among acutely ill children clinically assessed to require noninvasive respiratory support in a pediatric critical care unit, HFNC compared with CPAP met the criterion for noninferiority for time to liberation from respiratory support. Trial Registration: ISRCTN.org Identifier: ISRCTN60048867.

Effect of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy vs Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Following Extubation on Liberation From Respiratory Support in Critically Ill Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The optimal first-line mode of noninvasive respiratory support following extubation of critically ill children is not known. Objective: To evaluate the noninferiority of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy as the first-line mode of noninvasive respiratory support following extubation, compared with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), on time to liberation from respiratory support. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial conducted at 22 pediatric intensive care units in the United Kingdom. Six hundred children aged 0 to 15 years clinically assessed to require noninvasive respiratory support within 72 hours of extubation were recruited between August 8, 2019, and May 18, 2020, with last follow-up completed on November 22, 2020. Interventions: Patients were randomized 1:1 to start either HFNC at a flow rate based on patient weight (n = 299) or CPAP of 7 to 8 cm H2O (n = 301). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was time from randomization to liberation from respiratory support, defined as the start of a 48-hour period during which the child was free from all forms of respiratory support (invasive or noninvasive), assessed against a noninferiority margin of an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0.75. There were 6 secondary outcomes, including mortality at day 180 and reintubation within 48 hours. Results: Of the 600 children who were randomized, 553 children (HFNC, 281; CPAP, 272) were included in the primary analysis (median age, 3 months; 241 girls [44%]). HFNC failed to meet noninferiority, with a median time to liberation of 50.5 hours (95% CI, 43.0-67.9) vs 42.9 hours (95% CI, 30.5-48.2) for CPAP (adjusted HR, 0.83; 1-sided 97.5% CI, 0.70-∞). Similar results were seen across prespecified subgroups. Of the 6 prespecified secondary outcomes, 5 showed no significant difference, including the rate of reintubation within 48 hours (13.3% for HFNC vs 11.5 % for CPAP). Mortality at day 180 was significantly higher for HFNC (5.6% vs 2.4% for CPAP; adjusted odds ratio, 3.07 [95% CI, 1.1-8.8]). The most common adverse events were abdominal distension (HFNC: 8/281 [2.8%] vs CPAP: 7/272 [2.6%]) and nasal/facial trauma (HFNC: 14/281 [5.0%] vs CPAP: 15/272 [5.5%]). Conclusions and Relevance: Among critically ill children requiring noninvasive respiratory support following extubation, HFNC compared with CPAP following extubation failed to meet the criterion for noninferiority for time to liberation from respiratory support. Trial Registration: isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN60048867.

Impact of a nurse education programme on oral feeding in a neonatal unit.

BACKGROUND: Premature neonates often experience feeding difficulties during their hospital stay, and evidence-based interventions have been shown to improve feeding outcomes. AIM: This study investigated whether an infant-cue based nurse educational feeding bundle accelerates the achievement of independent oral feeding in neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit. STUDY DESIGN: A quality improvement study with a pre, during and post intervention test design. All premature neonates admitted to the unit were eligible. The feeding programme included a four-month nurse training module and nurse coaching. RESULTS: A hundred and twenty-five nurses or nurse assistants attended the programme and 706 neonates were included. The median time to independent oral feeding (IOF) was 40, 36 and 37 days, respectively, for pre, during and post intervention. The reduction in time to IOF observed during the post-intervention period compared with the baseline period was significant (HR = 1.32, CI 95%: 1.01-1.74). No difference was noted in the length of hospital stay between the three study periods. CONCLUSIONS: An infant-cue based nurse educational feeding bundle can promote earlier achievement of IOF in preterm neonates. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This quality improvement study demonstrates the impact that a nurse-driven intervention in neonatal care can have on improving practice. Feeding interventions involve the early introduction of oral feeding, non-nutritive sucking (NNS), and oral motor stimulation, and should be individualized for each neonate. These individualized feeding interventions applied by all nurses and assistant nurses, can facilitate the achievement of earlier independent oral feeding in preterm infants and should be included in neonatal critical care nurse education programs.

Research Priorities for U.K. Pediatric Critical Care in 2019: Healthcare Professionals' and Parents' Perspectives.

OBJECTIVES: The Paediatric Intensive Care Society Study Group conducted a research prioritization exercise with the aim to identify and agree research priorities in Pediatric Critical Care in the United Kingdom both from a healthcare professional and parent/caregiver perspective. DESIGN: A modified three-round e-Delphi survey, followed by a survey of parents of the top 20 healthcare professional priorities. SETTING: U.K. PICUs. PATIENTS: U.K. PICU healthcare professionals who are members of the professional society and parents and family members of children, with experience of a U.K. PICU admission. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Forty-nine healthcare professional submitted topics in round 1, 98 participated in round 2, and 102 in round 3. These topics were categorized into eight broad domain areas, and within these, there were 73 specific topics in round 2. At round 3, 18 topics had a mean score less than 5.5 and were removed, leaving 55 topics for ranking in round 3. Ninety-five parents and family members completed the surveys from at least 17 U.K. PICUs. Both parents and healthcare professional prioritized research topics associated with the PICU workforce. Healthcare professional research priorities reflected issues that impacted on day-to-day management and practice. Parents' prioritized research addressing acute situations such as infection identification of and sepsis management or research addressing long-term outcomes for children and parents after critical illness. Parents prioritized research into longer term outcomes more than healthcare professional. Parental responses showed clear support for the concept of research in PICU, but few novel research questions were proposed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first research prioritization exercise within U.K. PICU setting to include parents' and families' perspectives and compare these with healthcare professional. Results will guide both funders and future researchers.

Enteral Feeding of Children on Noninvasive Respiratory Support: A Four-Center European Study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore enteral feeding practices and the achievement of energy targets in children on noninvasive respiratory support, in four European PICUs. DESIGN: A four-center retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Four PICUs: Bristol, United Kingdom; Lyon, France; Madrid, Spain; and Rotterdam, The Netherlands. PATIENTS: Children in PICU who required acute noninvasive respiratory support in the first 7 days. The primary outcome was achievement of standardized kcal/goal. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 325 children were included (Bristol 104; Lyon 99; Madrid 72; and Rotterdam 50). The median (interquartile range) age and weight were 3 months (1-16 mo) and 5 kg (4-10 mo), respectively, with 66% admitted with respiratory failure. There were large between-center variations in practices. Overall, 190/325 (58.5%) received noninvasive respiratory support in order to prevent intubation and 41.5% after extubation. The main modes of noninvasive respiratory support used were high-flow nasal cannula 43.6%, bilevel positive airway pressure 33.2%, and continuous positive airway pressure 21.2%. Most children (77.8%) were fed gastrically (48.4% continuously) and the median time to the first feed after noninvasive respiratory support initiation was 4 hours (interquartile range, 1-9 hr). The median percentage of time a child was nil per oral while on noninvasive respiratory support was 4 hours (2-13 hr). Overall, children received a median of 56% (25-82%) of their energy goals compared with a standardized target of 0.85 of the recommended dietary allowance. Patients receiving step-up noninvasive respiratory support (p = < 0.001), those on bilevel positive airway pressure or continuous positive airway pressure (compared with high-flow nasal cannula) (p = < 0.001), and those on continuous feeds (p = < 0.001) achieved significantly more of their kcal goal. Gastrointestinal complications varied from 4.8-20%, with the most common reported being vomiting in 54/325 (16.6%), other complications occurred in 40/325 (12.3%) children, but pulmonary aspiration was rare 5/325 (1.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Children on noninvasive respiratory support tolerated feeding well, with relatively few complications, but prospective trials are now required to determine the optimal timing and feeding method for these children.

Caring for Critically Ill Children With Suspected or Proven Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection: Recommendations by the Scientific Sections' Collaborative of the European Society of Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care.

OBJECTIVES: In children, coronavirus disease 2019 is usually mild but can develop severe hypoxemic failure or a severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome, the latter considered to be a postinfectious syndrome, with cardiac involvement alone or together with a toxic shock like-presentation. Given the novelty of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the causative agent of the recent coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, little is known about the pathophysiology and phenotypic expressions of this new infectious disease nor the optimal treatment approach. STUDY SELECTION: From inception to July 10, 2020, repeated PubMed and open Web searches have been done by the scientific section collaborative group members of the European Society of Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care. DATA EXTRACTION: There is little in the way of clinical research in children affected by coronavirus disease 2019, apart from descriptive data and epidemiology. DATA SYNTHESIS: Even though basic treatment and organ support considerations seem not to differ much from other critical illness, such as pediatric septic shock and multiple organ failure, seen in PICUs, some specific issues must be considered when caring for children with severe coronavirus disease 2019 disease. CONCLUSIONS: In this clinical guidance article, we review the current clinical knowledge of coronavirus disease 2019 disease in critically ill children and discuss some specific treatment concepts based mainly on expert opinion based on limited experience and the lack of any completed controlled trials in children at this time.

Effect of a Sedation and Ventilator Liberation Protocol vs Usual Care on Duration of Invasive Mechanical Ventilation in Pediatric Intensive Care Units: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: There is limited evidence on the optimal strategy for liberating infants and children from invasive mechanical ventilation in the pediatric intensive care unit. Objective: To determine if a sedation and ventilator liberation protocol intervention reduces the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation in infants and children anticipated to require prolonged mechanical ventilation. Design, Setting, and Participants: A pragmatic multicenter, stepped-wedge, cluster randomized clinical trial was conducted that included 17 hospital sites (18 pediatric intensive care units) in the UK sequentially randomized from usual care to the protocol intervention. From February 2018 to October 2019, 8843 critically ill infants and children anticipated to require prolonged mechanical ventilation were recruited. The last date of follow-up was November 11, 2019. Interventions: Pediatric intensive care units provided usual care (n = 4155 infants and children) or a sedation and ventilator liberation protocol intervention (n = 4688 infants and children) that consisted of assessment of sedation level, daily screening for readiness to undertake a spontaneous breathing trial, a spontaneous breathing trial to test ventilator liberation potential, and daily rounds to review sedation and readiness screening and set patient-relevant targets. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation from initiation of ventilation until the first successful extubation. The primary estimate of the treatment effect was a hazard ratio (with a 95% CI) adjusted for calendar time and cluster (hospital site) for infants and children anticipated to require prolonged mechanical ventilation. Results: There were a total of 8843 infants and children (median age, 8 months [interquartile range, 1 to 46 months]; 42% were female) who completed the trial. There was a significantly shorter median time to successful extubation for the protocol intervention compared with usual care (64.8 hours vs 66.2 hours, respectively; adjusted median difference, -6.1 hours [interquartile range, -8.2 to -5.3 hours]; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.02 to 1.20], P = .02). The serious adverse event of hypoxia occurred in 9 (0.2%) infants and children for the protocol intervention vs 11 (0.3%) for usual care; nonvascular device dislodgement occurred in 2 (0.04%) vs 7 (0.1%), respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: Among infants and children anticipated to require prolonged mechanical ventilation, a sedation and ventilator liberation protocol intervention compared with usual care resulted in a statistically significant reduction in time to first successful extubation. However, the clinical importance of the effect size is uncertain. Trial Registration: isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN16998143.

Is paediatric endotracheal suctioning by nurses evidence based? An International Survey.

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal suction (ETS) is essential in intubated patients to prevent tube occlusion and is one of the most common nursing interventions performed in intensive care. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore how paediatric ETS practices reflect evidence-based practice (EBP) recommendations in paediatric intensive care units (PICU) worldwide. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional electronic survey linked to a real patient suction episode. Nurses completed the survey following a recent ETS episode. Evidence-based practice (EBP) was defined based on four of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) best evidence recommendations: pre-oxygenation before suction, use of a suction catheter no more than half the diameter of the tracheal tube, shallow depth of suction, and the continuous suction applied upon withdrawal of the catheter. Participants included PICU nurses who performed ETS in children (0-17 years) excluding preterm neonates. RESULTS: Four hundred forty-six complete surveys were received from 20 countries. Most nurses (80%, 367/446) reported that their units had local guidelines for ETS. The most common reason for suctioning (44%) was audible/visible secretions. Over half of ETS episodes (57%) used closed suction. When exploring the individual components of suction, 63% (282/446) of nurses pre-oxygenated their patient prior to suction, 71% (319/446) suctioned no further than 0.5 cm past end of the endotracheal tube (ETT), 59% (261/446) used a catheter no more than half the diameter of the ETT, and 78% (348/446) used continuous negative pressure. 24% of nurses gave patients an additional bolus of sedative, analgesic, and/or muscle-relaxant medication prior to suction; this decision was not related to the child's history of instability with suction, as there was no significant difference in those who reported patients had a history of being unstable with suction (P = .80). 26% (117/446) of nurses complied with all four EBP components in the reported suctioning episode. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable variation in paediatric endotracheal suctioning practices exists internationally. Although most nurses applied single components of evidence-based recommendations during ETT suctioning, just a quarter applied all four elements. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses need to consider and strive to apply EBP principles to common nursing interventions such as ETS.

Improving mealtimes for paediatric intensive care children and families: A quality improvement initiative.

BACKGROUND: Many critically ill children can be fed orally at some point during their paediatric intensive care (PICU) stay, but reduced appetite and other factors may impact their intake. At home, oral feeding is usually delivered by parents, so involving parents more actively during mealtimes in the PICU may contribute to improved patient/family satisfaction. AIM: To assess the impact of a new "room service" initiative involving parents on mealtime quality and on both family and health care professional (HCP) satisfaction. METHODS: A prospective, single-centre, before-and-after intervention study was designed as part of a PICU quality-of-care improvement programme in 2013 to 2016. Two questionnaires assessing oral nutrition practices and family/HCP overall satisfaction were disseminated among the parents of critically ill children capable of oral feeding during their PICU admission and among the whole PICU HCP team (nurses, nurse assistants, and medical doctors). Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test, and Likert scales were compared between groups with the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: the pre-intervention surveys were completed by 97 of 130 (75%) HCPs and 52 families and the post-intervention surveys by 74 of 130 (57%) HCPs and 54 families. After the intervention, a marked improvement was observed in the overall quality of meal service rating by both HCPs and families (medians and IQR: 5 (5-7) to 7 (7, 8) and 6 (6-8) to 8 (7-9), respectively; P < .01) and also in parents' involvement; in children's, families', and HCP satisfaction; in meal-dedicated facilities and equipment; and in perception that oral nutrition is an important aspect of PICU care. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an improved "room service" initiative in the PICU was feasible and improved the perceived quality of care and satisfaction around oral feeding. This family-centred care initiative can be integrated in an overall quality improvement strategy.

Barriers to Delivery of Enteral Nutrition in Pediatric Intensive Care: A World Survey.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the perceived barriers by pediatric intensive care healthcare professionals (nurses, dieticians, and physicians) in delivering enteral nutrition to critically ill children across the world. DESIGN: Cross-sectional international online survey adapted for use in pediatric settings. SETTING: PICUs across the world. SUBJECTS: PICU nurses, physicians, and dietitians. INTERVENTIONS: The 20-item adult intensive care "Barriers to delivery of enteral nutrition" survey was modified for pediatric settings, tested, and translated into 10 languages. The survey was distributed online to pediatric intensive care nurses, physicians, and dieticians via professional networks in March 2019 to June 2019. Professionals were asked to rate each item indicating the degree to which they perceived it hinders the provision of enteral nutrition in their PICUs with a 7-point Likert scale from 0 "not at all a barrier" to 6 "an extreme amount." MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Nine-hundred twenty pediatric intensive care professionals responded from 57 countries; 477 of 920 nurses (52%), 407 of 920 physicians (44%), and 36 of 920 dieticians (4%). Sixty-two percent had more than 5 years PICU experience and 49% worked in general PICUs, with 35% working in combined cardiac and general PICUs. The top three perceived barriers across all professional groups were as follows: 1) enteral feeds being withheld in advance of procedures or operating department visits, 2) none or not enough dietitian coverage on weekends or evenings, and 3) not enough time dedicated to education and training on how to optimally feed patients. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest survey that has explored perceived barriers to the delivery of enteral nutrition across the world by physicians, nurses, and dietitians. There were some similarities with adult intensive care barriers. In all professional groups, the perception of barriers reduced with years PICU experience. This survey highlights implications for PICU practice around more focused nutrition education for all PICU professional groups.