Guidelines for the provision and assessment of nutrition support therapy in the pediatric critically Ill patient: Society of Critical Care Medicine and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition

This document represents the first collaboration between two organizations, American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and the Society of Critical Care Medicine, to describe best practices in nutrition therapy in critically ill children. The target of these guidelines is intended to be the pediatric (> 1 mo and < 18 yr) critically ill patient expected to require a length of stay greater than 2 or 3 days in a PICU admitting medical, surgical, and cardiac patients. In total, 2,032 citations were scanned for relevance. The PubMed/Medline search resulted in 960 citations for clinical trials and 925 citations for cohort studies. The EMBASE search for clinical trials culled 1,661 citations. In total, the search for clinical trials yielded 1,107 citations, whereas the cohort search yielded 925. After careful review, 16 randomized controlled trials and 37 cohort studies appeared to answer one of the eight preidentified question groups for this guideline. We used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria to adjust the evidence grade based on assessment of the quality of study design and execution. These guidelines are not intended for neonates or adult patients. The guidelines reiterate the importance of nutritional assessment, particularly the detection of malnourished patients who are most vulnerable and therefore potentially may benefit from timely intervention. There is a need for renewed focus on accurate estimation of energy needs and attention to optimizing protein intake. Indirect calorimetry, where feasible, and cautious use of estimating equations and increased surveillance for unintended caloric underfeeding and overfeeding are recommended. Optimal protein intake and its correlation with clinical outcomes are areas of great interest. The optimal route and timing of nutrient delivery is an area of intense debate and investigations. Enteral nutrition remains the preferred route for nutrient delivery. Several strategies to optimize enteral nutrition during critical illness have emerged. The role of supplemental parenteral nutrition has been highlighted, and a delayed approach appears to be beneficial. Immunonutrition cannot be currently recommended. Overall, the pediatric critical care population is heterogeneous, and a nuanced approach to individualizing nutrition support with the aim of improving clinical outcomes is necessary.

Body composition during growth in children: limitations and perspectives of bioelectrical impedance analysis.

There are a number of differences between the body composition of children and adults. Body composition measurements in children are inherently challenging, because of the rapid growth-related changes in height, weight, fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM), but they are fundamental for the quality of the clinical follow-up. All body composition measurements for clinical use are 'indirect' methods based on assumptions that do not hold true in all situations or subjects. The clinician must primarily rely on two-compartment models (that is, FM and FFM) for routine determination of body composition of children. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is promising as a bedside method, because of its low cost and ease of use. This paper gives an overview of the differences in body composition between adults and children in order to understand and appreciate the difference in body composition during growth. It further discusses the use and limitations of BIA/bioelectrical spectroscopy (BIA/BIS) in children. Single-frequency and multi-frequency BIA equations must be refined to better reflect the body composition of children of specific ethnicities and ages but will require development and cross-validation. In conclusion, recent studies suggest that BIA-derived body composition and phase angle measurements are valuable to assess nutritional status and growth in children, and may be useful to determine baseline measurements at hospital admission, and to monitor progress of nutrition treatment or change in nutritional status during hospitalization.

Energy metabolism, nitrogen balance, and substrate utilization in critically ill children.

BACKGROUND: Critically ill patients are characterized by a hypermetabolic state, a catabolic response, higher nutritional needs, and a decreased capacity for utilization of parenteral substrate. OBJECTIVE: We sought to analyze the relation between a patient's metabolic state and their nutritional intake, substrate utilization, and nitrogen balance (NB) in mechanically ventilated, critically ill children receiving parenteral nutrition. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study in which resting energy expenditure (REE) and NB were measured and substrate utilization and the metabolic index (MI) ratio (REE/expected energy requirements) were calculated. RESULTS: Thirty-three children (mean age: 5 y) participated. Their average REE was 0.23 +/- 0.10 MJ x kg(-1) x d(-1) and their average MI was 1.2 +/- 0.5. Mean energy intake, protein intake, and NB were 0.25 +/- 0.14 MJ x kg(-1) x d(-1), 2.1 +/- 1 g x kg(-1) x d(-1), and -89 +/- 166 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), respectively. Patients with an MI >1.1 (n = 19) had a higher fat oxidation than did patients with an MI <1.1 (n = 14; P < 0.05). Patients with lipogenesis (n = 13) had a higher carbohydrate intake than did patients without lipogenesis (n = 20; P < 0.05). Patients with a positive NB (n = 12) had a higher protein intake than did patients with a negative NB (n = 21; P < 0.001) and lower protein oxidation (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Critically ill children are hypermetabolic and in negative NB. In this population, fat is used preferentially for oxidation and carbohydrate is utilized poorly. A high carbohydrate intake was associated with lipogenesis and less fat oxidation, a negative NB was associated with high oxidation rates for protein, and a high protein intake was associated with a positive NB.

Evaluation of a real-time blood glucose monitor in children with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Use of a real-time bedside glucose monitor was analyzed during the course of management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children. Simultaneous determinations of blood glucose were obtained, using three methods: bedside glucose meter (One Touch II), laboratory glucose analyzer (YSI 2300 STAT), and a real-time bedside glucose monitor (VIA 1-01G Blood Chemistry monitor). Study patients included seventeen patients < 18 years of age admitted to a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, with blood samples obtained during treatment of DKA by continuous insulin infusion. Four patients did not complete the study. Three experienced temporary technical problems with the monitor, and four required repeat IV placement. Duration of monitor use ranged between 6 and 47 h (mean 24 +/- 4 h). Blood glucose values ranged between 2.6 and 22.5 mmol/l. Overall correlation of blood glucose values were as follows: 0.965, 0.965, 0.973, VIA 1-01G vs. One Touch II, VIA 1-01G vs. YSI 2300 STAT, and One Touch II vs. YSI 2300 STAT, respectively (all P-values < 0.0001). This real-time bedside glucose monitor is accurate at glucose values < 13.8 mmol/l, and reliable for rapid, repetitive analyses. Results indicate that blood glucose values obtained using this real-time monitor are comparable to those using standard methods of measurement, and that this device is clinically applicable for use in management of children with DKA.

Respiratory system mechanics in patients receiving aerosolized ribavirin during mechanical ventilation for suspected respiratory syncytial viral infection.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important respiratory pathogen for infants. Aerosolized ribavirin (AR) has been used in mechanically ventilated (MV) patients with RSV bronchiolitis. The purpose of this study was to measure respiratory system mechanics (RSM) in pediatric patients requiring MV and receiving AR for suspected RSV. Patients were prospectively randomized to receive AR, either at a regular dose (RD) (6 g/300 mL over 18 hr/day) or a high dose (HD) (6 g/100 mL over 2 hr, three times a day). To measure changes in RSM, a passive exhalation technique was used before and after each dose of AR; time constant (tc) in s, resistance (Rrs) in cmH(2)O/mL/kg/s, and quasistatic compliance (Crs) in mL/cmH(2)O/kg were measured. Airway pressure and flow signals were obtained and analyzed using a pneumotachograph, a differential pressure transducer, and a computer interface. Statistical analysis was done by Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon rank tests. Thirteen patients were enrolled: 5 patients in the HD group (mean age of 52 months), and 8 patients in the RD group (mean age of 10 months). Four and 5 patients were positive for RSV by ELISA in the HD and RD groups, respectively. The RSM in the HD group were: tc, 0.58 +/- 0.15 s and 0.55 +/- 0.20 s before and after AR, respectively; Rrs, 0.03 +/- 0. 03 cmH(2)0/mL/kg/s and 0.02 +/- 0.02 cmH(2)0/mL/kg/s, respectively; and Crs, 0.63 +/- 0.21 mL/cmH(2)O/kg and 0.70 +/- 0.13 mL/cmH(2)O/kg, respectively. In the RD group, the RSM were: tc, 0.37 +/- 0.12 s and 0.31 +/- 0.10 s before and after AR, respectively; Rrs, 0.03 +/- 0.02 cmH(2)0/mL/kg/s and 0.02 +/- 0.01 cmH(2)0/mL/kg/s, respectively (P < 0.05); and Crs, 0.46 +/- 0.20 mL/cmH(2)O/kg and 0.46 +/- 0.19 mL/cmH(2)O/kg, respectively. We conclude that the use of AR for bronchiolitis in infants and young children during mechanical ventilation does not worsen RSM.

Resting energy expenditure and nitrogen balance in critically ill pediatric patients on mechanical ventilation.

Nutritional support is important in critically ill patients, with variable energy and nitrogen requirements (e.g., sepsis, trauma, postsurgical state) in this population. This study investigates how age, severity of illness, and mechanical ventilation are related to resting energy expenditure (REE) and nitrogen balance. Nineteen critically ill children (mean age, 8 +/- 6 [SD] y and range 0.4-17.0 y) receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were enrolled. We used indirect calorimetry to measure REE. Expected energy requirements (EER) were obtained from Talbot tables. Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) and Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS) score were calculated. Total urinary nitrogen was measured using the Kjeldahl method. PRISM and TISS scores were 9 +/- 5 and 31 +/- 6 points, respectively. REE was 62 +/- 25 kcal.kg-1.d-1, EER was 42 +/- 11 kcal.kg-1. d-1, and caloric intake was 49 +/- 22 kcal.kg-1.d-1. Nitrogen intake was 279 +/- 125 mg.kg-1.d-1, total urinary nitrogen was 324 +/- 133 mg.kg-1.d-1, and nitrogen balance was -120 +/- 153 mg.kg-1.d-1. The protein requirement in this population was approximately 2.8 g.kg-1.d-1. These critically ill children were hypermetabolic, with REE 48% higher (20 kcal.kg-1.d-1) than expected. Nitrogen balance significantly correlated with caloric and protein intake, urinary nitrogen, and age, but not with severity of illness scores or ventilatory parameters.

Resting energy expenditure in children in a pediatric intensive care unit: comparison of Harris-Benedict and Talbot predictions with indirect calorimetry values.

The use of prediction equations has been recommended for calculating energy expenditure. We evaluated two equations that predict energy expenditure, each of which were corrected for two different stress factors, and compared the values obtained with those calculated by indirect calorimetry. The subjects were 55 critically ill children on mechanical ventilation. Basal metabolic rates were calculated with the Harris-Benedict and Talbot methods. Measured resting energy expenditure was 4.72 +/- 2.53 MJ/d. The average difference between measured resting energy expenditure and the Harris-Benedict prediction with a stress factor of 1.5 was -0.98 MJ/d, with an SD delta of 1.56 MJ/d and limits of agreement from -4.12 to 2.15; for a stress factor of 1.3 the average difference was -0.22 MJ/d, with an SD delta of 1.57 MJ/d and limits of agreement from -3.37 to 2.93. The average difference between measured resting energy expenditure and the Talbot prediction with a stress factor of 1.5 was -0.23 MJ/d, with an SD delta of 1.36 MJ/d and limits of agreement from -2.95 to 2.48; for a stress factor of 1.3, it was 0.42 MJ/d, with an SD delta of 1.24 MJ/d and limits of agreement from -2.04 to 2.92. These limits of agreement indicate large differences in energy expenditure between the measured value and the prediction estimated for some patients. Therefore, neither the Harris-Benedict nor the Talbot method will predict resting energy expenditure with acceptable precision for clinical use. Indirect calorimetry appears to be the only useful way of determining resting energy expenditure in these patients.

Nutrition requirements in patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis, a severe, exfoliative skin disorder, have clinical features similar to those of partial-thickness burn patients. The literature suggests that they also have similar nutritional requirements. We report two patients diagnosed with toxic epidermal necrolysis on mechanical ventilation, in whom resting energy expenditure and respiratory quotient were measured by indirect calorimetry. The patients were treated using standard burn protocols. Nitrogen balance was calculated by measuring total urinary nitrogen in urine samples obtained over 24 hours. These measurements were done while the patients were on mechanical ventilation and receiving total parenteral nutrition. As in burn patients, early in their course the two patients had resting energy expenditure values twice that predicted. After 12 days of hospitalization, nitrogen balance was negative in patient 1 and positive in patient 2. Energy and protein requirements appear to have been related to the amount of body surface affected.

Hemoptysis: a 10-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Hemoptysis is uncommon in pediatric practice. We reviewed 10 years of experience with hemoptysis in a tertiary pediatric hospital to identify patient characteristics and predictors of mortality. METHODS: Patients were divided into four age groups (0 to 5, 6 to 10, 11 to 20, and >20 years). Hemoptysis was defined as mild (<150 mL/day), large (150 to 400 mL/day), or massive (>400 mL/day). Fever was defined as >/=38.5 degrees C. RESULTS: A total of 228 patients (115 males and 113 females) with 246 episodes of hemoptysis were identified and grouped according to primary diagnosis. There were 149 patients in the cystic fibrosis (CF) group, 37 in the congenital heart disease (CHD) group, and 42 in the Other group. Age was significantly higher in the CF group compared with the CHD and Other groups. Length of stay was significantly prolonged in the CF group compared with the Other group. The overall mortality was 13%. After initial analysis, mortality predictors were age, amount of hemoptysis, receipt of blood products, and fever. After stratification, we found: 1) in the >20-year age group, there was a difference in mortality when comparing CF patients with CHD patients; 2) for patients who received blood products, there were differences in mortality in patients with CF, CHD, and Other diagnoses; 3) for patients who received blood, there were differences in mortality only for the 0- to 5-year age group; and 4) the amount of hemoptysis was predictive for mortality only in CHD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Hemoptysis presented in young adult CF patients and in adolescent CHD patients. Young adult CF patients with hemoptysis had a higher risk of mortality compared with young adult CHD patients. The amount of hemoptysis predicted mortality only for CHD patients. Receiving blood products was predictive of mortality for all patients.