Considerations on the Use of Neonatal and Pediatric Resuscitation Guidelines for Hospitalized Neonates and Infants: On Behalf of the American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Between 0.25% and 3% of admissions to the NICU, PICU, and PCICU receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Most CPR events occur in patients <1 year old. The incidence of CPR is 10 times higher in the NICU than at birth. Therefore, optimizing the approach to CPR in hospitalized neonates and infants is important. At birth, the resuscitation of newborns is performed according to neonatal resuscitation guidelines. In older infants and children, resuscitation is performed according to pediatric resuscitation guidelines. Neonatal and pediatric guidelines differ in several important ways. There are no published recommendations to guide the transition from neonatal to pediatric guidelines. Therefore, hospitalized neonates and infants can be resuscitated using neonatal guidelines, pediatric guidelines, or a hybrid approach. This report summarizes the current neonatal and pediatric resuscitation guidelines, considers how to apply them to hospitalized neonates and infants, and identifies knowledge gaps and future priorities. The lack of strong scientific data makes it impossible to provide definitive recommendations on when to transition from neonatal to pediatric resuscitation guidelines. Therefore, it is up to health care teams and institutions to decide if neonatal or pediatric guidelines are the best choice in a given location or situation, considering local circumstances, health care team preferences, and resource limitations.

A Brief, Just-in-Time Sedation Training in the Pediatric Emergency Department Improves Performance During Adverse Events Encountered in Simulated Procedural Sedations.

BACKGROUND: Procedural sedation (PS) is commonly performed in emergency departments (EDs) by nonanesthesiologists. Although adverse events (AEs) are rare, providers must possess the clinical skills to react in a timely manner. We previously described residents' experience and confidence in PS as part of a needs assessment. We found that their ability to perform important clinical tasks as a result of the usual training experience demonstrates educational needs. We developed an educational intervention to address the deficiencies uncovered during our needs assessment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention on pediatric residents' clinical performance and confidence when faced with an AE during a simulated PS. METHODS: This was a prospective observational cohort study of residents at a tertiary care children's hospital. All ED attending physicians and fellows were trained in uniform delivery of the educational intervention, which was delivered extemporaneously at the bedside ("Just-in-Time" [JIT]) to all residents performing PS on actual patients in the pediatric ED, over the course of 1 year. Subjects completed the following both before and after the educational intervention: a survey pertaining to confidence in PS, followed by a standardized, video-recorded simulated PS complicated by apnea and desaturation. Clinical performance was evaluated and assessed both in real time and by a video-rater blinded to participants' year of training. We summarized baseline resident characteristics, confidence questionnaire item rankings and success in both the preparation and AE tasks. We compared successful task completion and time to task completion before and after intervention. RESULTS: Forty residents completed both the PRE and POST phases of the study. There was significant improvement in the proportion of residents who completed both preparation and AE tasks after the JIT training. Specifically, there was a significant improvement in the proportion of residents who performed positive-pressure ventilation to treat an apneic event associated with desaturation during the PS (P = 0.007). Residents' confidence scores also significantly improved after the training. CONCLUSION: A brief JIT training in the pediatric ED improves resident clinical performance and confidence when faced with an AE during a simulated PS. Future direction includes correlating this improved performance with patient outcomes in PS.

Impact of Personal Protective Equipment on the Performance of Emergency Pediatric Procedures by Prehospital Providers.

BACKGROUND: Personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn by prehospital providers (PHPs) for protection from hazardous exposures. Evidence regarding the ability of PHPs to perform resuscitation procedures has been described in adult but not pediatric models. This study examined the effects of PPE on the ability of PHPs to perform resuscitation procedures on pediatric patients. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted at a US simulation center. Paramedics wore normal attire at the baseline session and donned full Level B PPE for the second session. During each session, they performed timed sets of psychomotor tasks simulating clinical care of a critically ill pediatric patient. The difference in time to completion between baseline and PPE sessions per task was examined using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. RESULTS: A total of 50 paramedics completed both sessions. Median times for task completion at the PPE sessions increased significantly from baseline for several procedures: tracheal intubation (+4.5 s; P = 0.01), automated external defibrillator (AED) placement (+9.5 s; P = 0.01), intraosseous line insertion (+7 s; P < 0.0001), tourniquet (+8.5 s; P < 0.0001), intramuscular injection (+21-23 s, P < 0.0001), and pulse oximetry (+4 s; P < 0.0001). There was no significant increase in completion time for bag-mask ventilation or autoinjector use. CONCLUSIONS: PPE did not have a significant impact on PHPs performing critical tasks while caring for a pediatric patient with a highly infectious or chemical exposure. This information may guide PHPs faced with the situation of resuscitating children while wearing Level B PPE.

Impact of Personal Protective Equipment on the Performance of Emergency Pediatric Tasks.

OBJECTIVES: Personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn by health care providers (HCPs) to protect against hazardous exposures. Studies of HCPs performing critical resuscitation tasks in PPE have yielded mixed results and have not evaluated performance in care of children. We evaluated the impacts of PPE on timeliness or success of emergency procedures performed by pediatric HCPs. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted at 2 tertiary children's hospitals. For session 1, HCPs (medical doctors and registered nurses) wore normal attire; for session 2, they wore full-shroud PPE garb with 2 glove types: Ebola level or chemical. During each session, they performed clinical tasks on a patient simulator: intubation, bag-valve mask ventilation, venous catheter (IV) placement, push-pull fluid bolus, and defibrillation. Differences in completion time per task were compared. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in medical doctor completion time across sessions. For registered nurses, there was a significant difference between baseline and PPE sessions for both defibrillation and IV placement tasks. Registered nurses were faster to defibrillate in Ebola PPE and slower when wearing chemical PPE (median difference, -3.5 vs 2 seconds, respectively; P < 0.01). Registered nurse IV placement took longer in Ebola and chemical PPE (5.5 vs 42 seconds, respectively; P < 0.01). After the PPE session, participants were significantly less likely to indicate that full-body PPE interfered with procedures, was claustrophobic, or slowed them down. CONCLUSIONS: Personal protective equipment did not affect procedure timeliness or success on a simulated child, with the exception of IV placement. Further study is needed to investigate PPE's impact on procedures performed in a clinical care context.

Analysis of CPR quality by individual providers in the pediatric emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: To describe chest compression (CC) quality by individual providers in two pediatric emergency departments (EDs) using video review and compression monitor output during pediatric cardiac arrests. METHODS: Prospective observational study. Patients <18 yo receiving CC for >1 min were eligible. Data was collected from video review and CC monitor device in a synchronized fashion and reported in 'segments' by individual providers. Univariate comparison by age (<1 yo, 1-8 yo, >8 yo) was performed by chi-square testing for dichotomous variables ('high-quality' CPR) and nonparametric testing for continuous variables (CC rate and depth). Univariate comparison of ventilation rate (V) was made between segments with an advanced airway versus without. RESULTS: 524 segments had data available; 42/524 (8%) met criteria for 'high-quality CC'. Patients >8 yo had more segments meeting criteria (18% vs. 2% and 0.5%; p < 0.001). Segments compliant for rate were less frequent in <1 yo (17% vs. 24% vs. 27%; p = 0.03). Segments compliant for depth were less frequent in <1 year olds and 1-8 year olds (5% and 9% vs. 20%, p < 0.001.) Mean V for segments with an advanced airway was higher than with a natural airway (24 ±â€¯18 vs. 14 ±â€¯10 bpm, p < 0.001). Hyperventilation was more prevalent in CPR segments with an advanced airway (66% vs. 32%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CC depth is rarely guideline compliant in infants. Hyperventilation is more prevalent during CPR periods with an advanced airway in place. Measuring individual provider CPR quality is feasible, allowing future studies to evaluate the impact of CPR training.

Impact of Personal Protective Equipment on Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Performance: A Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine whether personal protective equipment (PPE) results in deterioration in chest compression (CC) quality and greater fatigue for administering health care providers (HCPs). METHODS: In this multicenter study, HCPs completed 2 sessions. In session 1 (baseline), HCPs wore normal attire; in session 2, HCPs donned full PPE. During each session, they performed 5 minutes of uninterrupted CCs on a child manikin. Chest compression rate, depth, and release velocity were reported in ten 30-second epochs. Change in CC parameters and self-reported fatigue were measured between the start and 2- and 5-minute epochs. RESULTS: We enrolled 108 HCPs (prehospital and in-hospital providers). The median CC rate did not change significantly between epochs 1 and 10 during baseline sessions. Median CC depth and release velocity decreased for 5 minutes with PPE. There were no significant differences in CC parameters between baseline and PPE sessions in any provider group. Median fatigue scores during baseline sessions were 2 (at start), 4 (at 2 minutes), and 6 (at 5 minutes). There was a significantly higher median fatigue score between 0 and 5 minutes in both study sessions and in all groups. Fatigue scores were significantly higher for providers wearing PPE compared with baseline specifically among prehospital providers. CONCLUSIONS: During a clinically appropriate 2-minute period, neither CC quality nor self-reported fatigue worsened to a significant degree in providers wearing PPE. Our data suggest that Pediatric Basic Life Support recommendations for CC providers to switch every 2 minutes need not be altered with PPE use.

Videography in Pediatric Emergency Research: Establishing a Multicenter Collaborative and Resuscitation Registry.

OBJECTIVES: High-quality clinical research of resuscitations in a pediatric emergency department is challenging because of the limitations of traditional methods of data collection (chart review, self-report) and the low frequency of cases in a single center. To facilitate valid and reliable research for resuscitations in the pediatric emergency department, investigators from 3 pediatric centers, each with experience completing successful single-center, video-based studies, formed the Videography In Pediatric Emergency Research (VIPER) collaborative. METHODS: Our initial effort was the development of a multicenter, video-based registry and simulation-based testing of the feasibility and reliability of the VIPER registry. Feasibility of data collection was assessed by the frequency of an indeterminate response for all data elements in the registry. Reliability was assessed by the calculation of Cohen κ for dichotomous data elements and intraclass correlation coefficients for continuous data elements. RESULTS: Video-based data collection was completed for 8 simulated pediatric resuscitations, with at least 2 reviewers per case. Data were labeled as indeterminate by at least 1 reviewer for 18 (3%) of 524 relevant data fields. The Cohen κ for all dichotomous data fields together was 0.81 (95% confidence interval, 0.61-1.0). For all continuous (time-based) variables combined, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.70-0.96). CONCLUSIONS: Initial simulation-based testing suggests video-based data collection using the VIPER registry is feasible and reliable. Our next step is to assess feasibility and reliability for actual pediatric resuscitations and to complete several prospective, hypothesis-based studies of specific aspects of resuscitative care, including of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, tracheal intubation, and teamwork and communication.

Pauses in compressions during pediatric CPR: Opportunities for improving CPR quality.

OBJECTIVE: Minimizing pauses in chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) and is associated with improved patient outcomes. We studied the quality of pediatric CPR performed in a tertiary pediatric emergency department (ED) with a focus on pauses in chest compressions. METHODS: We conducted an observational study of CPR quality in two pediatric EDs using video review during pediatric cardiac arrest. Events were reviewed for AHA guideline adherence. Parameters of CPR performance were described according to individual compressor segment. Pauses in compressions were analyzed for duration and pause activities. RESULTS: From a 30-month period, 81 cardiac arrests were analyzed, including 1003 individual compressor segments and 900 pauses. Median chest compression fraction was 91%, with a median pause duration of 4 s (IQR 2, 10); 22% of pauses were prolonged (>10 s). Pulse checks occurred in 23% of pauses; 62% were prolonged. Checking a single pulse site (p < 0.001) and having fingers ready pre-pause (p = 0. 001) were associated with significantly shorter pause duration. Pause duration was correlated with the number of pause tasks (r = 0.559, p < 0.001). "Coordinated pauses" (pulse check, rhythm check and compressor change) were rare (6%) and long in duration (19 s; IQR 11, 30). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged pauses in chest compressions occurred frequently during CPR and were associated with pulse checks and multiple simultaneous tasks. Checking a single pulse site with fingers ready on the pulse site pre-pause could decrease pause duration and improve CPR quality.

Quality improvement and crisis resource management in pediatric resuscitation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The pediatric resuscitation environment is a high-stakes, environment in which a multidisciplinary team must work together with patient outcomes dependent, at least in part, on the performance of that team. Given constraints of the environment and the nature of these events, quality improvement work in pediatric resuscitation can be challenging. Ongoing collection of accurate and reliable data on team performance is necessary to inform and evaluate change. RECENT FINDINGS: Despite the relative difficulty of quality improvement analysis and intervention implementation in the resuscitation environment, these efforts can have significant impact on patient outcomes. Although there are barriers to accurate data collection in real-life resuscitation, team performance of both technical and nontechnical skills can be reliably measured in video-based quality improvement programs. Training of nontechnical skills, using crisis resource management principles, can improve care delivery in resuscitation. SUMMARY: Striving toward a learning healthcare system model in resuscitation care delivery can allow for efficient performance improvement. Given the possible impacts on mortality and quality of life of care delivered in the resuscitation environment, all providers who could possibly face a resuscitation event - no matter how rare - should consider how they are evaluating the quality of their care delivery in this arena.

Capnography Use During Intubation and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in the Pediatric Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVE: Capnography is indicated as a guide to assess and monitor both endotracheal intubation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Our primary objective was to determine the effect of the 2010 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines on the frequency of capnography use during critical events in children in the emergency department (ED). Our secondary objective was to examine associations between patient characteristics and capnography use among these patients. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on children aged 0 to 21 years who were intubated or received CPR in 2 academic children's hospital EDs between January 2009 and December 2012. Age, sex, time of arrival, medical or traumatic cause, length of CPR, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), documented use of capnography and colorimetry, capnography values, and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-two patients were identified and analyzed. Intubation occurred in 95% of cases and CPR in 30% of cases. Capnography was documented in only 38% of intubated patients and 13% of patients requiring CPR. There was an overall decrease in capnography use after publication of the 2010 AHA recommendations (P = 0.05). Capnography use was associated with a longer duration of CPR and return of spontaneous circulation. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the 2010 AHA recommendations, a minority of critically ill children are being monitored with capnography and an unexpected decrease in documented use occurred among our sample. Further education and implementation of capnography should take place to improve the use of this monitoring device for critically ill pediatric patients in the ED.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation for in-hospital events in the emergency department: A comparison of adult and pediatric outcomes and care processes.

OBJECTIVES: To compare outcomes from in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the emergency department (ED) for pediatric and adult patients and to identify factors associated with differences in outcomes between children and adults. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the Get With The Guidelines--Resuscitation database from January 1, 2000 to September 30, 2010. All patients with CPR initiated in the ED requiring chest compressions for ≥ 2 min were eligible; trauma patients were excluded. Patients were divided into children (<18 yo) and adults (≥ 18 yo). Patient, event, treatment, and hospital factors were analyzed for association with outcomes. Univariate analysis was performed comparing children and adults. Multivariate analysis was used to determine factors associated with outcomes. RESULTS: 16,834 events occurred in 608 centers (16,245 adult, 537 pediatric). Adults had more frequent return of spontaneous circulation (53% vs 47%, p = 0.02), 24h survival (35% vs 30%, p = 0.02), and survival to discharge (23% vs 20%, p = NS) than children. Children were less frequently monitored (62% vs 82%) or witnessed (79% vs 88%), had longer duration (24 m vs 17 m), more epinephrine doses (3 vs 2), and more frequent intubation attempts (64% vs 55%) than adults. There were no differences in time to compressions, vasopressor administration, or defibrillation between children and adults. On multivariate analysis, age had no association with outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Survival following CPR in the ED is similar for adults and children. While univariate differences exist between children and adults, neither age nor specific processes of care are independently associated with outcomes.

Effectiveness of physical exam signs for early detection of critical illness in pediatric systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of compensated pediatric septic shock requires diagnostic tests that are sensitive and specific. Four physical exam signs are recommended for detecting pediatric septic shock prior to hypotension (cold extremities, mental status, capillary refill, peripheral pulse quality); this study tested their ability to detect patients who develop organ dysfunction among a cohort of undifferentiated pediatric systemic inflammatory response syndrome patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 239 pediatric emergency department patients <19 years with fever and tachycardia and undergoing phlebotomy were enrolled. Physicians recorded initial physical exams on a standardized form. Abstraction of the medical record determined outcomes including organ dysfunction, intensive care unit stay, serious bacterial infection, and therapies. RESULTS: Organ dysfunction occurred in 13/239 (5.4%) patients. Presence of at least one sign was significantly associated with organ dysfunction (Relative Risk: 2.71, 95% CI: 1.05-6.99), and presence of at least two signs had a Relative Risk = 4.98 (95% CI: 1.82-13.58). The sensitivity of exam findings ranged from 8-54%, specificity from 84-98%. Signs were associated with increased risk of intensive care and fluid bolus, but not with serious bacterial infection, intravenous antibiotics or admission. Altered mental status and peripheral pulse quality were significantly associated with organ dysfunction, while abnormal capillary refill time and presence of cold, mottled extremities were not. CONCLUSIONS: Certain recommended physical exam signs were associated with increased risk of organ dysfunction, a rare outcome in this undifferentiated pediatric population with fever and tachycardia. Sensitivity was low, while specificity was high. Additional research into optimally sensitive and specific diagnostic strategies is needed.

Outcomes associated with amiodarone and lidocaine in the treatment of in-hospital pediatric cardiac arrest with pulseless ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.

AIM: To determine the association between amiodarone and lidocaine and outcomes in children with cardiac arrest with pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pVT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF). BACKGROUND: Current AHA guidelines for CPR and emergency cardiovascular care recommend amiodarone for cardiac arrest in children associated with shock refractory pVT/VF, based on a single pediatric study and extrapolation from adult data. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study from the Get With the Guidelines-Resuscitation database for in-patient cardiac arrest. Patients<18 years old with pVT/VF cardiac arrest were included. Patients receiving amiodarone or lidocaine prior to arrest or whose initial arrest rhythm was unknown were excluded. Univariate analysis was performed to assess the association between patient and event factors and clinical outcomes. Multivariate analysis was performed to address independent association between lidocaine and amiodarone use and outcomes. RESULTS: Of 889 patients, 171 (19%) received amiodarone, 295 (33%) received lidocaine, and 82 (10%) received both. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) occurred in 484/889 (54%), 24-h survival in 342/874 (39%), and survival to hospital discharge in 194/889 (22%). Lidocaine was associated with improved ROSC (adjusted OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.36-3), and 24-h survival (adjusted OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.11-2.49), but not hospital discharge. Amiodarone use was not associated with ROSC, 24h survival, or survival to discharge. CONCLUSIONS: For children with in-hospital pVT/VF, lidocaine use was independently associated with improved ROSC and 24-h survival. Amiodarone use was not associated with superior rates of ROSC, survival at 24h. Neither drug was associated with survival to hospital discharge.

Assessing pediatric residents' clinical performance in procedural sedation: a simulation-based needs assessment.

OBJECTIVES: Our primary objective in this study was to perform a needs assessment of clinical performance during simulated procedural sedation (PS) by pediatric residents. Our secondary objective was to describe reported experience and confidence with PS during pediatric residency. METHODS: In this prospective observational cohort study, pediatric residents completed a survey of 15 Likert-scaled items pertaining to confidence in PS, followed by performance of a standardized, video-recorded simulated PS complicated by an adverse event (AE): apnea and desaturation. Clinical performance was evaluated according to an expert consensus-derived checklist of critical tasks. The difference in reported confidence between postgraduate years (PGY) was assessed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA); clinical checklist items were quantified descriptively. RESULTS: A total of 35 PGY-1, 39 PGY-2, and 7 PGY-3 residents participated. The most frequently completed tasks by all residents are ensuring the cardiorespiratory monitor (73%) and connecting the oxygen tubing (70%) during the preparation phase and recognizing AE (97%) and administering oxygen (95%) during the AE phase. Tasks that were completed infrequently by all residents include ensuring that the shoulder roll is available (11%) and ensuring access to head-of-bed (31%) during the preparation phase and applying shoulder roll (10%) and calling for help (23%) during the AE phase. The median time to recognition of AE from onset of hypoventilation was 33 seconds and that for delivery of oxygen and PPV was 60 and 97 seconds, respectively. Median confidence scores increased by PGY (PGY-1, 2; PGY-2, 3; PGY-3, 4; ANOVA F2,82 = 75, P< 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences exist in the reported confidence and observed performance among PGY levels during simulated PS. Resident performance on this checklist demonstrates educational needs in PS training. A curriculum in PS for pediatric residents should focus on reviewing preparation steps, equipment, and potential interventions should an AE occur.

Videolaryngoscopy versus direct laryngoscopy in simulated pediatric intubation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We determine whether videolaryngoscopy results in a higher prevalence of first-attempt intubation success and improved glottic visualization than direct laryngoscopy when performed by pediatric emergency medicine providers in simulated patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study at a single institution. Fellows and faculty in pediatric emergency medicine were invited to participate. Each subject performed intubations on 3 simulators (newborn, infant, adult), using a videolaryngoscope; each simulator was intubated by each subject with and without use of video. Primary outcome was first-attempt intubation success; secondary outcome was percentage of glottic opening score (POGO). RESULTS: Twenty-six participants performed 156 intubations; complete data were available for 148 intubations. First-attempt success in the neonate was 88%; in the infant, 79%; and in the adult, 60%. In the adult simulator, videolaryngoscopy use showed a first-attempt success in 81% of subjects compared with 39% with direct laryngoscopy (difference 43%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 18% to 67%). There was no difference in first-attempt success rates between videolaryngoscopy and direct laryngoscopy in the newborn or infant simulators. Videolaryngoscopy use led to increased POGO scores in all 3 simulators, with a difference of 25% (95% CI 2% to 48%) in newborn simulators, 23% (95% CI 2% to 48%) in infant simulators, and 42% (95% CI 18% to 66%) in adult simulators. CONCLUSION: Videolaryngoscopy was associated with greater first-attempt success during intubation by pediatric emergency physicians on an adult simulator. POGO score was significantly improved in all 3 simulators with videolaryngoscopy.

The utility of early lactate testing in undifferentiated pediatric systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Failure to recognize shock contributes to inadequate early resuscitation in many children with sepsis. Serum lactate levels are used to identify adult patients with septic shock, but physical examination diagnosis alone is recommended in pediatric sepsis. The authors sought to test the utility of lactate testing in pediatric emergency department (ED) patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). The hypothesis was that early hyperlactatemia (serum lactate ≥ 4.0 mmol/L) would be associated with increased risk of organ dysfunction. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of children younger than 19 years with SIRS presenting to a pediatric ED. The primary outcome was organ dysfunction within 24 hours of triage; secondary outcomes included disposition, serious bacterial infection (SBI), treatments, and mortality. Study personnel measured venous lactate level on a point-of-care meter, with clinicians blinded to results, and patients received usual care. RESULTS: A total of 239 subjects were enrolled; 18 had hyperlactatemia. The hyperlactatemia group had a relative risk of 5.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.9 to 16.0) of developing 24-hour organ dysfunction. As a test for organ dysfunction, hyperlactatemia had a positive likelihood ratio of 5.0, a sensitivity of 31% (95% CI = 13% to 58%), and specificity of 94% (95% CI = 90% to 96%). Subjects with hyperlactatemia were significantly more likely to receive intravenous (IV) antibiotics and fluid boluses; despite increased therapy, they were at significantly increased risk for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and bacterial infection. CONCLUSIONS: Among undifferentiated children with SIRS, early hyperlactatemia is significantly associated with increased risk of organ dysfunction, resuscitative therapies, and critical illness. The addition of serum lactate testing to the currently recommended clinical assessment may improve early identification of pediatric sepsis requiring resuscitation.