Mental Health and Emotional Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemics: Prevalence and Extent in PICU Staff.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of burnout, anxiety and depression symptoms, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in PICU workers in Brazil during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. To compare the results of subgroups stratified by age, gender, professional category, health system, and previous mental health disorders. DESIGN: Multicenter, cross-sectional study using an electronic survey. SETTING: Twenty-nine public and private Brazilian PICUs. SUBJECTS: Multidisciplinary PICU workers. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Self-reported questionnaires were used to measure burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition [PCL-5]) in 1,084 respondents. Subjects were mainly young (37.1 ± 8.4 yr old) and females (85%), with a median workload of 50 hours per week. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 33% and 19%, respectively, whereas PTSD was 13%. The overall median burnout scores were high in the emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment dimensions (16 [interquartile range (IQR), 8-24] and 40 [IQR, 33-44], respectively) whereas low in the depersonalization one (2 [IQR, 0-5]), suggesting a profile of overextended professionals, with a burnout prevalence of 24%. Professionals reporting prior mental health disorders had higher prevalence of burnout (30% vs 22%; p = 0.02), anxiety (51% vs 29%; p < 0.001), and depression symptoms (32.5% vs 15%; p < 0.001), with superior PCL-5 scores for PTSD ( p < 0.001). Public hospital workers presented more burnout (29% vs 18.6%, p < 0.001) and more PTSD levels (14.8% vs 10%, p = 0.03). Younger professionals were also more burned out ( p < 0.05 in all three dimensions). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of mental health disorders in Brazilian PICU workers during the first 2020 peak of COVID-19 was as high as those described in adult ICU workers. Some subgroups, particularly those reporting previous mental disorders and younger professionals, should receive special attention to prevent future crises.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Brazil: a multicenter, prospective cohort study

Abstract Objective To describe the clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics, as well as the outcomes of children with MIS-C. Method Multicenter, prospective cohort study, conducted in 17 pediatric intensive care units in five states in Brazil, from March to July 2020. Patients from 1 month to 19 years who met the MIS-C diagnostic criteria were included consecutively. Results Fifty-six patients were included, with the following conditions: Kawasaki-like disease (n = 26), incomplete Kawasaki disease (n = 16), acute cardiac dysfunction (n = 10), toxic shock syndrome (n = 3), and macrophage activation syndrome (n = 1). Median age was 6.2 years (IQR 2.4−10.3), 70% were boys, 59% were non-whites, 20% had comorbidities, 48% reported a contact with COVID-19 cases, and 55% had a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by RT-PCR and/or serology. Gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 71%, shock symptoms in 59%, and severe respiratory symptoms in less than 20%. -Dimer was increased in 80% and cardiac dysfunction markers in more than 75%. Treatment included immunoglobulin (89%); corticosteroids, antibiotics, and enoxaparin in about 50%; and oseltamivir and antifungal therapy in less than 10%. Only 11% needed invasive mechanical ventilation, with a median duration of five days (IQR 5-6.5). The median length of PICU stay was six days (IQR 5-11), and one death occurred (1.8%). Conclusions Most characteristics of the present MIS-C patients were similar to that of other cohorts. The present results may contribute to a broader understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and its short-term consequences. Long-term multidisciplinary follow-up is needed, since it is not known whether these patients will have chronic cardiac impairment or other sequelae.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Brazil: a multicenter, prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics, as well as the outcomes of children with MIS-C. METHOD: Multicenter, prospective cohort study, conducted in 17 pediatric intensive care units in five states in Brazil, from March to July 2020. Patients from 1 month to 19 years who met the MIS-C diagnostic criteria were included consecutively. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were included, with the following conditions: Kawasaki-like disease (n = 26), incomplete Kawasaki disease (n = 16), acute cardiac dysfunction (n = 10), toxic shock syndrome (n = 3), and macrophage activation syndrome (n = 1). Median age was 6.2 years (IQR 2.4-10.3), 70% were boys, 59% were non-whites, 20% had comorbidities, 48% reported a contact with COVID-19 cases, and 55% had a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by RT-PCR and/or serology. Gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 71%, shock symptoms in 59%, and severe respiratory symptoms in less than 20%. d-Dimer was increased in 80% and cardiac dysfunction markers in more than 75%. Treatment included immunoglobulin (89%); corticosteroids, antibiotics, and enoxaparin in about 50%; and oseltamivir and antifungal therapy in less than 10%. Only 11% needed invasive mechanical ventilation, with a median duration of five days (IQR 5-6.5). The median length of PICU stay was six days (IQR 5-11), and one death occurred (1.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Most characteristics of the present MIS-C patients were similar to that of other cohorts. The present results may contribute to a broader understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and its short-term consequences. Long-term multidisciplinary follow-up is needed, since it is not known whether these patients will have chronic cardiac impairment or other sequelae.

Memória da dor em crianças oncológicas / Children's memory for painful cancer

Objetivos: Apresentar uma revisão atualizada sobre a memória da dor em Pediatria abordar a fisiologia da dor e sua memória, no intuito de sensibilizar a equipe multidisciplinar para uma correta analgesia já no primeiro experimento doloroso. Fontes de dados: Foram utilizadas as bases de dados Medline e Lilacs, com os seguintes critérios de inclusão: artigos em inglês, português e espanhol ensaios clínicos sobre o tema no período de 1986-2006 crianças e adolescentes na faixa etária de 5 a 16 anos, em tratamento oncológico e submetidos à realização de mielograma. Síntese de dados: A dor, em Pediatria, é discutida e aprofundada apenas há cerca de 20 anos. Apesar dos avanços e da comprovação de que a criança (até mesmo o recém-nascido) sente dor, ainda se observam crianças submetidas a procedimentos dolorosos sem analgesia adequada. Estes, quando repetidos, são armazenados na memória e, a longo prazo, trazem consequências para o desenvolvimento da criança. O paciente oncológico é submetido, rotineiramente, a uma gama de procedimentos dolorosos, sendo este grupo, portanto, o foco deste trabalho. Após breve abordagem sobre a memória e a fisiologia da dor, discutem-se as repercussões que a primeira causa nestes pacientes.Conclusão: Tão importante quanto o tratamento da patologia em si é a correta avaliação e analgesia do paciente que sente dor. Desta forma evitar-se-á que seja formada uma memória acerca de eventos negativos, impedindo reações futuras exacerbadas diante de um novo estímulo doloroso. Assim, o paciente oncológico pode ter ao menos a dor amenizada.

End-of-life practices in seven Brazilian pediatric intensive care units.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of life support limitation and medical practices in the last 48 hrs of life of children in seven Brazilian pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). DESIGN: Cross-sectional multicenter retrospective study based on medical chart review. SETTING: Seven PICUs belonging to university and tertiary hospitals located in three Brazilian regions: two in Porto Alegre (southern region), two in São Paulo (southeastern region), and three in Salvador (northeastern region). PATIENTS: Medical records of all children who died in seven PICUs from January 2003 to December 2004. Deaths in the first 24 hrs of admission to the PICU and brain death were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: Two pediatric intensive care residents from each PICU were trained to fill out a standard protocol (kappa = 0.9) to record demographic data and all medical management provided in the last 48 hrs of life (inotropes, sedatives, mechanical ventilation, full resuscitation maneuvers or not). Student's t-test, analysis of variance, chi-square test, and relative risk were used for comparison of data. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Five hundred and sixty-one deaths were identified; 97 records were excluded (61 because of brain death and 36 due to <24 hrs in the PICU). Thirty-six medical charts could not be found. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed in 242 children (57%) with a significant difference between the southeastern and northeastern regions (p = .0003). Older age (p = .025) and longer PICU stay (p = .001) were associated with do-not-resuscitate orders. In just 52.5% of the patients with life support limitation, the decision was clearly recorded in the medical chart. No ventilatory support was provided in 14 cases. Inotropic drug infusions were maintained or increased in 66% of patients with do-not-resuscitate orders. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of life support limitation has increased among Brazilian PICUs but with significant regional differences. Do-not-resuscitate orders are still the most common practice, with scarce initiatives for withdrawing or withholding life support measures.

New guidelines for the clinical management of febrile neutropenia and sepsis in pediatric oncology patients.

OBJECTIVES: To provide a foundation for the diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic management of febrile neutropenia and sepsis in children with oncological diseases, with special attention to new protocols and guidelines. SOURCES: A review of the scientific literature utilizing an electronic bibliographic search on MEDLINE, Medscape, SciELO, Google, Cochrane and PubMED using the keywords febrile, neutropenic, cancer, children, sepsis, intensive, care. Articles published between 1987 and 2007 were selected, with preference given to review articles, protocols, systematic reviews, epidemiological studies, task force recommendations and phase III clinical trials. Consensus documents published by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Center for Diseases Control and the Infectious Diseases Working Party of the German Society of Hematology and Oncology, in addition to the recommendations of the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies and Society of Critical Care Medicine, were also reviewed. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: The use of aggressive chemotherapy regimens, bone marrow transplantation and intensive care resources have increased the survival rates of children with cancer and also their infectious morbidity, with septic complications as the principal cause of mortality. Several risk factors have been identified, such as neutropenia, oncology type, clinical signs and inflammatory response markers (polymerase chain reaction, procalcitonin) and also increased resistance to antimicrobials and antifungal agents. Protocols for risk classification, diagnosis and treatment should be established at each service, taking into account the microbiological flora of each population. Pediatric intensive care has increased the short and long-term survival of these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Oncology patients are particularly vulnerable to infectious complications. Early identification and treatment are fundamental to improving survival rates.

Novas diretrizes na abordagem clínica da neutropenia febril e da sepse em oncologia pediátrica / New guidelines for the clinical management of febrile neutropenia and sepsis in pediatric oncology patients

OBJETIVOS: Fornecer subsídios à abordagem diagnóstica, profilática e terapêutica da neutropenia febril e da sepse em criança com doença oncológica, dando especial atenção aos novos protocolos e diretrizes. FONTES DE DADOS: Revisão de literatura científica utilizando uma busca bibliográfica eletrônica nas páginas do MEDLINE, Medscape, SciELO, Google, Cochrane e PubMED com as palavras-chave febrile, neutropenic, cancer, children, sepse, intensive, care. Foram selecionados artigos publicados entre 1987 e 2007, preferencialmente artigos de revisão, protocolos, revisões sistemáticas, estudos epidemiológicos, recomendações de força-tarefa e ensaios clínicos fase III. Foram revistos os consensos publicados pela Infectious Diseases Society of America, Center for Diseases Control e Infectious Diseases Working Party da German Society of Hematology and Oncology, além de recomendações da World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies e da Society of Critical Care Medicine. SíNTESE DOS DADOS: A utilização de esquemas quimioterápicos agressivos, transplante de medula óssea e recursos de terapia intensiva aumentaram a sobrevida nas crianças com câncer e também a morbidade infecciosa, sendo as complicações sépticas a principal causa de mortalidade. Diversos fatores de risco têm sido identificados, como neutropenia, tipo oncológico, sinais clínicos e marcadores de resposta inflamatória (reação em cadeia da polimerase, procalcitonina), assim como a maior resistência aos antimicrobianos e antifúngicos. Protocolos de classificação de risco, de diagnóstico e tratamento devem ser estabelecidos em cada serviço, respeitando a flora microbiológica da população estudada. A terapia intensiva pediátrica tem aumentado a sobrevida a curto e longo prazo nestes pacientes. CONCLUSÕES: Pacientes oncológicos são particularmente vulneráveis a complicações infecciosas. A identificação e o tratamento precoce são fundamentais para a melhora da sobrevida.

OBJECTIVES: To provide a foundation for the diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic management of febrile neutropenia and sepsis in children with oncological diseases, with special attention to new protocols and guidelines. SOURCES: A review of the scientific literature utilizing an electronic bibliographic search on MEDLINE, Medscape, SciELO, Google, Cochrane and PubMED using the keywords febrile, neutropenic, cancer, children, sepsis, intensive, care. Articles published between 1987 and 2007 were selected, with preference given to review articles, protocols, systematic reviews, epidemiological studies, task force recommendations and phase III clinical trials. Consensus documents published by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Center for Diseases Control and the Infectious Diseases Working Party of the German Society of Hematology and Oncology, in addition to the recommendations of the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies and Society of Critical Care Medicine, were also reviewed. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: The use of aggressive chemotherapy regimens, bone marrow transplantation and intensive care resources have increased the survival rates of children with cancer and also their infectious morbidity, with septic complications as the principal cause of mortality. Several risk factors have been identified, such as neutropenia, oncology type, clinical signs and inflammatory response markers (polymerase chain reaction, procalcitonin) and also increased resistance to antimicrobials and antifungal agents. Protocols for risk classification, diagnosis and treatment should be established at each service, taking into account the microbiological flora of each population. Pediatric intensive care has increased the short and long-term survival of these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Oncology patients are particularly vulnerable to infectious complications. Early identification and treatment are fundamental to improving...

Brain death: medical management in seven Brazilian pediatric intensive care units

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a incidência de morte encefálica (ME), bem como as condutas e protocolos adotados após confirmação diagnóstica em sete unidades de tratamento intensivo pediátrico (UTIP) localizadas em três regiões brasileiras. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal e multicêntrico baseado na revisão e análise retrospectiva de prontuários de todos os óbitos ocorridos entre janeiro de 2003 e dezembro de 2004 em sete UTIP localizadas em Porto Alegre (duas), São Paulo (duas) e Salvador (três). Dois residentes de cada serviço previamente treinados preencheram protocolo padronizado avaliando dados demográficos, causa do óbito, critérios para diagnóstico de ME e conduta médica adotada. RESULTADOS: Identificamos 525 óbitos, sendo 61 (11,6 por cento) com diagnóstico de ME. A incidência de ME diferiu entre as sete UTIP (24,2 a 4,5 por cento; p = 0,015), porém sem diferença nas três regiões (12, 15 e 7 por cento; p = 0,052). A causa mais freqüente foi hemorragia intracraniana (31,1 por cento). Em 80 por cento dos casos, o diagnóstico clínico de ME foi confirmado por exame complementar (100 por cento na Região Sul, 68 por cento na Sudeste e 72 por cento na Nordeste, p = 0,02). A retirada de suporte vital após diagnóstico de ME diferiu nas três regiões, sendo mais rápida (p = 0,04) no Sul (1,8±1,9 h) que no Sudeste (28,6±43,2 h) e Nordeste (15,5±17,1 h). Apenas seis (9,8 por cento) crianças com ME foram doadoras de órgãos. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar da lei que define critérios para ME existir no Brasil desde 1997, verificamos que ela não é obedecida uniformemente. Conseqüentemente, suporte vital desnecessário é ofertado a indivíduos já mortos, existindo ainda um modesto envolvimento das UTIP com doações de órgãos.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of brain death (BD) and its medical management and adopted protocols after its diagnosis in seven pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) located in three Brazilian regions. METHODS: A cross-sectional and multicenter study was conducted, based on the retrospective review of medical records regarding all deaths that occurred between January 2003 and December 2004 in seven Brazilian PICUs of tertiary hospitals located in Porto Alegre (two), São Paulo (two) and Salvador (three). Two pediatric intensive care residents from each hospital were previously trained and filled out a standard protocol for the investigation of demographic data, cause of death, diagnosis of BD, related protocols and subsequent medical management. RESULTS: A total of 525 death patients were identified and 61 (11.6 percent) were defined as BD. The incidence of BD was different (p = 0.015) across the seven PICUs, but with no difference across the three regions. Intracranial hemorrhage was the most frequent cause of BD (31.1 percent). In 80 percent of the cases the diagnosis of BD was confirmed by complementary exams (south = 100 percent, southeast = 68 percent and northeast = 72 percent; p = 0.02). The interval between the diagnosis of BD and the withdrawal of life support was different (p < 0.01) across the three regions, being faster (p = 0.04) in the south (1.8±1.9 h) than in the southeast (28.6±43.2 h) and than in the northeast (15.5±17.1 h). Only six (9.8 percent) children with BD were organ donors. CONCLUSION: Although a Brazilian law defining the criteria for the determination of BD has been in place since 1997, we verified that it is not followed as strictly as it should be. Consequently, unnecessary life support is offered to deceased individuals, and there is a discrete involvement of PICUs in organ donation.

Brain death: medical management in seven Brazilian pediatric intensive care units.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of brain death (BD) and its medical management and adopted protocols after its diagnosis in seven pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) located in three Brazilian regions. METHODS: A cross-sectional and multicenter study was conducted, based on the retrospective review of medical records regarding all deaths that occurred between January 2003 and December 2004 in seven Brazilian PICUs of tertiary hospitals located in Porto Alegre (two), São Paulo (two) and Salvador (three). Two pediatric intensive care residents from each hospital were previously trained and filled out a standard protocol for the investigation of demographic data, cause of death, diagnosis of BD, related protocols and subsequent medical management. RESULTS: A total of 525 death patients were identified and 61 (11.6%) were defined as BD. The incidence of BD was different (p = 0.015) across the seven PICUs, but with no difference across the three regions. Intracranial hemorrhage was the most frequent cause of BD (31.1%). In 80% of the cases the diagnosis of BD was confirmed by complementary exams (south = 100%, southeast = 68% and northeast = 72%; p = 0.02). The interval between the diagnosis of BD and the withdrawal of life support was different (p < 0.01) across the three regions, being faster (p = 0.04) in the south (1.8+/-1.9 h) than in the southeast (28.6+/-43.2 h) and than in the northeast (15.5+/-17.1 h). Only six (9.8%) children with BD were organ donors. CONCLUSION: Although a Brazilian law defining the criteria for the determination of BD has been in place since 1997, we verified that it is not followed as strictly as it should be. Consequently, unnecessary life support is offered to deceased individuals, and there is a discrete involvement of PICUs in organ donation.

[Intensive care therapy for cancer patients]. / Suporte de terapia intensiva no paciente oncológico.

OBJECTIVE: To review the most important aspects of the clinical presentation and treatment of children with cancer in intensive care units. SOURCE OF DATA: Medline (1970 to 2003); search terms: children, cancer, oncology, intensive care, complications. General and pediatric oncology textbooks. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Practically all organs may be affected by cancer or by its treatment. The main complications include infections, hematological problems and electrolyte/ metabolic disturbances. Intensive care therapy is necessary to correct organic dysfunctions (cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, and neurologic). Nutritional and emotional support, as well as pain control are fundamental aspects for recovery in children. The intensivist should be alert to interrupt intensive care measures if required. CONCLUSIONS: Many studies show that the use of intensive care therapy in children with cancer is not futile, with a reduction in mortality and improvement in the quality of life of these children in the medium and long terms.

Suporte de terapia intensiva no paciente oncológico / Intensive care therapy for cancer patients

OBJETIVO: O artigo faz uma revisão dos principais aspectos da apresentação clínica e do tratamento da criança com câncer internada em unidade de terapia intensiva. FONTES DOS DADOS: Foi realizada revisão da literatura, utilizando banco de dados do Medline com os seguintes termos: criança, câncer, oncológico, terapia intensiva, complicações. Foram selecionados artigos de 1970 a 2003. Também foram utilizadas informações dos livros textos de referência em oncologia geral e pediátrica. SíNTESE DOS DADOS: Quase todos os sistemas orgânicos podem ser afetados pela doença oncológica ou pelo tratamento utilizado. As principais complicações são infecciosas, hematológicas e distúrbios eletrolíticos/metabólicos. Os recursos da terapia intensiva podem ser necessários para correção das diversas funções orgânicas (cardiovascular, respiratório, renal, gastrintestinal e neurológico). O suporte nutricional, assim como o apoio emocional e o controle da dor são também fundamentais para a recuperação da criança. Os profissionais devem estar atentos para a possibilidade de interrupção da terapêutica empregada, quando o prognóstico estiver definido. CONCLUSÃO: Diversos estudos têm demonstrado que a utilização dos recursos da terapia intensiva na criança com câncer não são em vão, com diminuição da mortalidade e aumento da qualidade de vida a médio e longo prazo destes pacientes.

Crise hipertensiva / Hypertensive crisis

Objetivo: O artigo tem como objetivo, através de revisão sumária dos principais aspectos da fisiopatologia, apresentação clínica e diagnóstico diferencial, revisar as linhas gerais do tratamento da crise hipertensiva em pediatria, possibilitando atuação precoce e ordenada, com melhora do prognóstico a curto e longo prazo. Métodos: Foram revisados, através de pesquisa eletrônica (Medline), artigos dos últimos 20 anos (1979-1999) referentes ao tema, além dos protocolos de tratamento utilizados por prontos-socorros e UTIs pediátricas americanas e canadenses. Resultados: A crise hipertensiva pode ocorrer em uma criança sabidamente hipertensiva, ou como apresentação primária. O diagnóstico diferencial das principais causas é baseado em dados da história clínica, do exame físico, bem como em dados laboratoriais e de bioimagem, sendo as doenças renais (glomerulonefrite após-estreptocócica, insuficiência renal aguda e crônica, estenose de artéria renal) as causas mais comuns em cranças. O tratamento é direcionado segundo a forma de apresentação clínica: urgência ou emergência hipertensiva. São apresentadas as principais medicações utilizadas, suas indicações clínicas e as características farmacológicas (via de administração, dose, meia vida e efeitos colaterais). As linhas gerais que direcionam o tratamento são descritas em seguida, possibilitando melhoria na sobrevida e no prognóstico das crianças atendidas. Conclusões: O tratamento atual da crise hipertensiva é baseado na utilização racional de medicamentos anti-hipertensivos, para as diferentes etiologias e situações clínicas, e no suporte básico e avançado das repercussões sistêmicas da crise