Posttraumatic Stress among Pediatric Critical Care Physicians in the United States in Association with Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patient Care Experiences.

Posttraumatic stress among pediatric critical care physicians in the United States in association with coronavirus disease 2019 patient care experiences. Our objective was to assess the prevalence of posttraumatic stress (PTS) and its association with COVID-19 patient care experiences among pediatric critical care physicians. Our study was a cross-sectional study of pediatric critical care physicians in the United States. We measured PTS which included posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and subthreshold posttraumatic stress disorder (SubPTSD) using validated PTSD Checklist- 5 survey tool. Association of PTS with COVID-19 patient care experiences was analyzed using regression analysis. Prevalence of PTS was noted in 120 among 294 pediatric critical care physicians (41%; 95% CI, 35-47%). The predominant symptoms were that of hyperarousal and feelings of negative cognition and mood. Among our physicians with PTS, 19% had PTSD and 81% had SubPTSD. Demographic and practice characteristics were not significant for increased PTS on regression analysis. Posttraumatic stress was significantly associated with physicians testing positive or taking time off for COVID-19 illness, self-isolation, fear of infecting their loved ones, families scared of being infected, feeling helpless, patients expressing fears of dying, having pre-existing depression, anxiety, or insomnia, working beyond comfort level of training and having thoughts of quitting (p < 0.05). Thoughts of quitting was associated with the highest significant increase in PTS scores (coefficient:11.643; 95% CI:8.551,14.735; P < 0.01) followed by feeling of helplessness (coefficient:11.055; 95% CI: 8.484,13.624; P < 0.01) and need for additional medications for depression, anxiety and insomnia (coefficient: 10.980; 95% CI: 4.970, 16.990; P < 0.01). Posttraumatic stress is high in pediatric critical care physicians and is associated with various COVID-19 patient care experiences. Thoughts of quitting was associated with highest increase in posttraumatic stress score which could have major implications for the workforce in the future. Subthreshold posttraumatic stress disorder should be recognized, and mental health issues of pediatric critical care physicians addressed.

Thromboelastography profiles in critically ill children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To describe critically ill children's coagulation profile with the multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) related to coronavirus. STUDY DESIGN: Single-center, observational study at a tertiary, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in children aged 1 month to 18 years. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Sixteen children, with a median age of 5.4 years (interquartile range [IQR] 2.1, 11.75), 56% female, admission Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction-2 (PELOD-2) score of 3.5 (IQR 2, 5), and median PICU length of stay 3 days (IQR 1.5, 4), met criteria of MIS-C. All patients received acetylsalicylic acid (80-100 mg/kg) and none received anticoagulation. Sixty-three percent (10/16) of children had out-of-normal range values on thromboelastography (TEG) (44% [7/16] with hypercoagulability and 19% [3/16] with hypocoagulability). Of those with hypercoagulability, 19% (3/16) had rapid clot formation, and 25% (4/16) had increased clot strength. In 69% (11/16) of children, there was impaired fibrinolysis (0% lysis at 30 minutes) on TEG. Seventy-five percent (12/16) of children had out-of-normal range value on standard coagulation assays (37.5% [6/16] with hypocoagulability and 37.5% [6/16] with hypercoagulability). TEG-G (clot strength as measured by TEG) value (ρ -.553, p = .033) and platelet count (ρ -.840, p < .0001) were correlated with admission PELOD-2 score. TEG-G value (ρ -.506, p = .04) and platelet count (ρ -.539, p = .03) were correlated with the duration of intensive care unit stay. CONCLUSIONS: Coagulation abnormalities are frequent in children with MIS-C. TEG parameter and platelet count are correlated with the severity of multiorgan dysfunction and the duration of intensive care stay. Multicenter studies are needed to confirm the clinical implications of these coagulation abnormalities.

Abdominal Imaging Findings in Critically Ill Children With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Associated With COVID-19.

We report findings on abdominal imaging in critically ill children admitted with MIS-C. On sonography, hepatomegaly, nephromegaly, gallbladder wall edema, ascites, intestinal inflammation and mesenteric lymphadenopathy were seen, while CT showed fluid-filled small bowel loops, mural thickening of the terminal ileum, diffuse lymphadenopathy, and moderate ascites.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection and Thrombosis: Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens Presenting with Venous Gangrene in a Child.

A 12-year-old girl with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection presented as phlegmasia cerulea dolens with venous gangrene. Emergent mechanical thrombectomy was complicated by a massive pulmonary embolism and cardiac arrest, for which extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation and therapeutic hypothermia were used. Staged ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis was used for treatment of bilateral pulmonary emboli and the extensive lower extremity deep vein thrombosis while the patient received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. We highlight the need for heightened suspicion for occult severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection among children presenting with unusual thrombotic complications.

Purulent pericarditis secondary to influenza and community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus co-infection.

Purulent pericarditis occurs rarely in the current antibiotic era. We describe clinical and echocardiographic features of purulent pericarditis in a previously healthy child with influenza and community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus co-infection. The child was already on appropriate antibiotics and had a very subtle clinical presentation, with prominent abdominal symptoms. Timely surgical drainage led to complete recovery.

Confidence level of pediatric trainees in management of shock states.

AIM: To assess overall confidence level of trainees in assessing and treating shock, we sought to improve awareness of recurrent biases in clinical decision-making to help address appropriate educational interventions. METHODS: Pediatric trainees on a national listserv were offered the opportunity to complete an electronic survey anonymously. Four commonly occurring clinical scenarios were presented, and respondents were asked to choose whether or not they would give fluid, rank factors utilized in decision-making, and comment on confidence level in their decision. RESULTS: Pediatric trainees have a very low confidence level for assessment and treatment of shock. Highest confidence level is for initial assessment and treatment of shock involving American College of Critical Care Medicine/Pediatric Advanced Life Support recommendations. Children with preexisting cardiac comorbidities are at high risk of under-resuscitation. CONCLUSION: Pediatric trainees nationwide have low confidence in managing various shock states, and would benefit from guidance and teaching around certain common clinical situations.

Respiratory variation in peak aortic velocity accurately predicts fluid responsiveness in children undergoing neurosurgery under general anesthesia.

The determination of fluid responsiveness in the critically ill child is of vital importance, more so as fluid overload becomes increasingly associated with worse outcomes. Dynamic markers of volume responsiveness have shown some promise in the pediatric population, but more research is needed before they can be adopted for widespread use. Our aim was to investigate effectiveness of respiratory variation in peak aortic velocity and pulse pressure variation to predict fluid responsiveness, and determine their optimal cutoff values. We performed a prospective, observational study at a single tertiary care pediatric center. Twenty-one children with normal cardiorespiratory status undergoing general anesthesia for neurosurgery were enrolled. Respiratory variation in peak aortic velocity (ΔVpeak ao) was measured both before and after volume expansion using a bedside ultrasound device. Pulse pressure variation (PPV) value was obtained from the bedside monitor. All patients received a 10 ml/kg fluid bolus as volume expansion, and were qualified as responders if stroke volume increased >15% as a result. Utility of ΔVpeak ao and PPV and to predict responsiveness to volume expansion was investigated. A baseline ΔVpeak ao value of greater than or equal to 12.3% best predicted a positive response to volume expansion, with a sensitivity of 77%, specificity of 89% and area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.90. PPV failed to demonstrate utility in this patient population. Respiratory variation in peak aortic velocity is a promising marker for optimization of perioperative fluid therapy in the pediatric population and can be accurately measured using bedside ultrasonography. More research is needed to evaluate the lack of effectiveness of pulse pressure variation for this purpose.

Futility: unilateral decision making is not the default for pediatric intensivists.

OBJECTIVE: Many hospitals have established medical futility policies allowing a physician to withdraw or withhold treatment considered futile against families' wishes, although little is known on how these policies are used. The goal of our study was to elucidate the perspective of pediatric critical care physicians on futility. METHODS: We sent an anonymous survey to all active members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section of Critical Care, using Survey Monkey http://www.surveymonkey.com as the questionnaire tool. The survey included four clinical vignettes where families desired care that could be perceived as futile care. In each scenario, participants were asked if they would go against the families' wishes and how they would resolve the conflict. RESULTS: There were 266 of 618 (43%) respondents. For an infant with severe hypoxic ischemic injury and intestinal failure, the majority of physicians (83.7%) would not enact a unilateral do not attempt resuscitation order. For an oncology patient with multiorgan system failure and encephalopathy, the majority (90.4%) would not enact a unilateral donotattemptresuscitation. In the case where a child was declared brain dead, 54.3% of physicians would support unilateral donotattemptresuscitation, yet a third (33.1%) would continue mechanical ventilation. In the case of cardiac surgery for a patient with trisomy 13, the majority (67.1%) would not advocate for surgery. In most scenarios, intensivists cited consultation from the ethics committee (53.8%-76.6%) as the most appropriate way to resolve the conflict. Qualitative data revealed intensivists would prefer to honor families' wishes and utilize time with support from a multidisciplinary team rather than unilateral do not attempt resuscitation to resolve these conflicts. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of pediatric intensivists are not in support of unilateral do-not-attempt resuscitation or withholding care against families' wishes for a variety of reasons. Given this understandable reluctance on the part of the physicians for enforcing decisions, providing unqualified support to families at this difficult time is imperative. Further research is needed to facilitate decision making that respects the moral integrity of families and physicians.