Factors associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation in children with pulmonary failure: Cohort study from the LARed Network registry.

OBJECTIVES: To identify factors associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation (pMV) in pediatric patients in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort. SETTING: PICUs in centers that are part of the LARed Network between April 2017 and January 2022. PARTICIPANTS: Pediatric patients on mechanical ventilation (IMV) due to respiratory causes. We defined IMV time greater than the 75th percentile of the global cohort. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Demographic data, diagnoses, severity scores, therapies, complications, length of stay, morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: 1698 children with MV of 8±7 days were included, and pIMV was defined as 9 days. Factors related to admission were age under 6 months (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.17-2.22), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (OR 3.71, 95% CI 1.87-7.36), and fungal infections (OR 6.66, 95% CI 1.87-23.74), while patients with asthma had a lower risk of pIMV (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.12-0.78). Regarding evolution and length of stay in the PICU, it was related to ventilation-associated pneumonia (OR 4.27, 95% CI 1.79-10.20), need for tracheostomy (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.89-4.48), transfusions (OR 2.94, 95% CI 2.18-3.96), neuromuscular blockade (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.48-2.93), high-frequency ventilation (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.89-4.48), and longer PICU stay (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.10-1.16). In addition, mean airway pressure greater than 13cmH2O was associated with pIMV (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.12-2.21). CONCLUSIONS: Factors related to IMV duration greater than 9 days in pediatric patients in PICUs were identified in terms of admission, evolution, and length of stay.

Latin American Consensus on the Management of Sepsis in Children: Sociedad Latinoamericana de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos [Latin American Pediatric Intensive Care Society] (SLACIP) Task Force: Executive Summary.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis in children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), more specifically in Latin America. Design: A panel was formed consisting of 27 experts with experience in the treatment of pediatric sepsis and two methodologists working in Latin American countries. The experts were organized into 10 nominal groups, each coordinated by a member. Methods: A formal consensus was formed based on the modified Delphi method, combining the opinions of nominal groups of experts with the interpretation of available scientific evidence, in a systematic process of consolidating a body of recommendations. The systematic search was performed by a specialized librarian and included specific algorithms for the Cochrane Specialized Register, PubMed, Lilacs, and Scopus, as well as for OpenGrey databases for grey literature. The GRADEpro GDT guide was used to classify each of the selected articles. Special emphasis was placed on search engines that included original research conducted in LMICs. Studies in English, Spanish, and Portuguese were covered. Through virtual meetings held between February 2020 and February 2021, the entire group of experts reviewed the recommendations and suggestions. Result: At the end of the 12 months of work, the consensus provided 62 recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric sepsis in LMICs. Overall, 60 were strong recommendations, although 56 of these had a low level of evidence. Conclusions: These are the first consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and management of pediatric sepsis focused on LMICs, more specifically in Latin American countries. The consensus shows that, in these regions, where the burden of pediatric sepsis is greater than in high-income countries, there is little high-level evidence. Despite the limitations, this consensus is an important step forward for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric sepsis in Latin America.

Comparison of Interleukin-6 Plasma Concentration in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated With SARS-CoV-2 and Pediatric Sepsis.

Importance: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection is thought to be driven by a post-viral dysregulated immune response, where interleukin 6 (IL-6) might have a central role. In this setting, IL-6 inhibitors are prescribed as immunomodulation in cases refractory to standard therapy. Objective: To compare plasma IL-6 concentration between critically ill children with MIS-C and sepsis. Design: A retrospective cohort study from previously collected data. Setting: Individual patient data were gathered from three different international datasets. Participants: Critically ill children between 1 month-old and 18 years old, with an IL-6 level measured within 48 h of admission to intensive care. Septic patients were diagnosed according to Surviving Sepsis Campaign definition and MIS-C cases by CDC criteria. We excluded children with immunodeficiency or immunosuppressive therapy. Exposure: None. Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s): The primary outcome was IL-6 plasma concentration in MIS-C and sepsis group at admission to the intensive care unit. We described demographics, inflammatory biomarkers, and clinical outcomes for both groups. A subgroup analysis for shock in each group was done. Results: We analyzed 66 patients with MIS-C and 44 patients with sepsis. MIS-C cases were older [96 (48, 144) vs. 20 (5, 132) months old, p < 0.01], but no differences in sex (41 vs. 43% female, p = 0.8) compared to septic group. Mechanical ventilation use was 48.5 vs. 93% (p < 0.001), vasoactive drug use 79 vs. 66% (p = 0.13), and mortality 4.6 vs. 34.1% (p < 0.01) in MIS-C group compared to sepsis. IL-6 was 156 (36, 579) ng/dl in MIS-C and 1,432 (122, 6,886) ng/dl in sepsis (p < 0.01), while no significant differences were observed in procalcitonin (PCT) and c-reactive protein (CRP). 52/66 (78.8%) patients had shock in MIS-C group, and 29/44 (65.9%) had septic shock in sepsis group. Septic shock had a significantly higher plasma IL-6 concentration than the three other sub-groups. Differences in IL-6, CRP, and PCT were not statistically different between MIS-C with and without shock. Conclusions and Relevance: IL-6 plasma concentration was elevated in critically ill MIS-C patients but at levels much lower than those of sepsis. Furthermore, IL-6 levels don't discriminate between MIS-C cases with and without shock. These results lead us to question the role of IL-6 in the pathobiology of MIS-C, its diagnosis, clinical outcomes, and, more importantly, the off-label use of IL-6 inhibitors for these cases.

Mortality and clinical characteristics of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with covid-19 in critically ill patients: an observational multicenter study (MISCO study).

BACKGROUND: The clinical presentation and severity of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children associated with COVID-19 (MIS-C) is widespread and presents a very low mortality rate in high-income countries. This research describes the clinical characteristics of MIS-C in critically ill children in middle-income countries and the factors associated with the rate of mortality and patients with critical outcomes. METHODS: An observational cohort study was conducted in 14 pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in Colombia between April 01, 2020, and January 31, 2021. Patient age ranged between one month and 18 years, and each patient met the requirements set forth by the World Health Organization (WHO) for MIS-C. RESULTS: There were seventy-eight children in this study. The median age was seven years (IQR 1-11), 18 % (14/78) were under one year old, and 56 % were male. 35 % of patients (29/78) were obese or overweight. The PICU stay per individual was six days (IQR 4-7), and 100 % had a fever upon arrival to the clinic lasting at least five days (IQR 3.7-6). 70 % (55/78) of patients had diarrhea, and 87 % (68/78) had shock or systolic myocardial dysfunction (78 %). Coronary aneurysms were found in 35 % (27/78) of cases, and pericardial effusion was found in 36 %. When compared to existing data in high-income countries, there was a higher mortality rate observed (9 % vs. 1.8 %; p=0.001). When assessing the group of patients that did not survive, a higher frequency of ferritin levels was found, above 500 ngr/mL (100 % vs. 45 %; p=0.012), as well as more cardiovascular complications (100 % vs. 54 %; p = 0.019) when compared to the group that survived. The main treatments received were immunoglobulin (91 %), vasoactive support (76 %), steroids (70.5 %) and antiplatelets (44 %). CONCLUSIONS: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children due to SARS-CoV-2 in critically ill children living in a middle-income country has some clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic characteristics similar to those described in high-income countries. The observed inflammatory response and cardiovascular involvement were conditions that, added to the later presentation, may explain the higher mortality seen in these children.

Challenges of implementing the Paediatric Surviving Sepsis Campaign International Guidelines 2020 in resource-limited settings: A real-world view beyond the academia.

The Surviving Sepsis Campaign International Guidelines for the Management of Septic Shock and Sepsis-associated Organ Dysfunction in Children was released in 2020 and is intended for use in all global settings that care for children with sepsis. However, practitioners managing children with sep sis in resource-limited settings (RLS) face several challenges and disease patterns not experienced by those in resource-rich settings. Based upon our collective experience from RLS, we aimed to reflect on the difficulties of implementing the international guidelines. We believe there is an urgent need for more evidence from RLS on feasible, efficacious approaches to the management of sepsis and septic shock that could be included in future context-specific guidelines.

Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome Associated With SARS-CoV-2: A Case Series Quantitative Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT: Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (PIMS-TS) is infrequent, but children might present as a life-threatening disease. In a systematic quantitative review, we analyzed 11 studies of PIMS-TS, including 468 children reported before July 1, 2020. We found a myriad of clinical features, but we were able to describe common characteristics: previously healthy school-aged children, persistent fever and gastrointestinal symptoms, lymphopenia, and high inflammatory markers. Clinical syndromes such as myocarditis and Kawasaki disease were present in only one third of cases each one. Pediatric intensive care unit admission was frequent, although length of stay was less than 1 week, and mortality was low. Most patients received immunoglobulin or steroids, although the level of evidence for that treatment is low. The PIMS-ST was recently described, and the detailed quantitative pooled data will increase clinicians' awareness, improve diagnosis, and promptly start treatment. This analysis also highlights the necessity of future collaborative studies, given the heterogeneous nature of the PIMS-TS.

Therapeutic variability in infants admitted to Latin-American pediatric intensive units due to acute bronchiolitis. / Variabilidad terapéutica en lactantes con bronquiolitis hospitalizados en unidades de cuidados intensivos latinoamericanas.

The objective of this study was to describe the management of infants with acute bronchiolitis admit ted to 20 pediatric intensive care units (PICU) members of LARed in 5 Latin American countries. Pa tients and Method: Retrospective, multicenter, observational study of data from the Latin American Registry of Acute Pediatric Respiratory Failure. We included children under 2 years of age admitted to the PICU due to community-based acute bronchiolitis between May and September 2017. Demo graphic and clinical data, respiratory support, therapies used, and clinical results were collected. A subgroup analysis was carried out according to geographical location (Atlantic v/s Pacific), type of insurance (Public v/s Private), and Academic v/s non-Academic centers. Results: 1,155 patients were included in the registry which present acute respiratory failure and 6 were excluded due to the lack of information in their record form. Out of the 1,147 patients, 908 were under 2 years of age, and out of those, 467 (51.4%) were diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis, which was the main cause of admission to the PICU due to acute respiratory failure. The demographic and severity characteristics among the centers were similar. The most frequent maximum ventilatory support was the high-flow nasal can nula (47%), followed by non-invasive ventilation (26%) and invasive mechanical ventilation (17%), with a wide coefficient of variation (CV) between centers. There was a great dispersion in the use of treatments, where the use of bronchodilators, antibiotics, and corticosteroids, representing a CV up to 400%. There were significant differences in subgroup analysis regarding respiratory support and treatments used. One patient of this cohort passed away. Conclusion: we detected wide variability in respiratory support and treatments among Latin American PICUs. This variability was not explained by demographic or clinical differences. The heterogeneity of treatments should encourage collabora tive initiatives to reduce the gap between scientific evidence and practice.

Variabilidad terapéutica en lactantes con bronquiolitis hospitalizados en unidades de cuidados intensivos latinoamericanas / Therapeutic variability in infants admitted to Latin-American pediatric intensive units due to acute bronchiolitis

Resumen: Objetivo: describir las terapias utilizadas en lactantes con bronquiolitis aguda admitidos en 20 Uni dades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) pediátricos miembros de LARed en 5 países latinoamerica nos. Pacientes y Método: Estudio observacional retrospectivo, multicéntrico, de datos del Registro Latinoamericano de Falla Respiratoria Aguda Pediátrica. Se incluyeron niños menores de 2 años ingresados a UCI pediátrica por bronquiolitis aguda comunitaria entre mayo-septiembre 2017. Se recolectaron datos demográficos, clínicos, soporte respiratorio, terapias utilizadas y resultados clí nicos. Se realizó análisis de subgrupos según ubicación geográfica, tipo financiación y presencia de academia. Resultados: Ingresaron al registro 1155 pacientes con falla respiratoria aguda. Seis casos fueron excluidos por no tener formulario completo. De los 1147 pacientes, 908 eran menores de 2 años. De ellos, 467 tuvieron diagnóstico de bronquiolitis aguda, correspondiendo a la principal causa de ingreso a UCI pediátrica por falla respiratoria aguda (51,4%). Las características demográficas y de gravedad entre los centros fueron similares. El soporte máximo respiratorio más frecuente fue cánula nasal de alto flujo (47%), seguido por ventilación mecánica no invasiva (26%) y ventilación mecánica invasiva (17%), con un coeficiente de variación (CV) amplio entre los centros. Hubo una gran dispersión en uso de terapias, siendo frecuente el uso de broncodilatadores, antibióticos y corticoides, con CV hasta 400%. El análisis de subgrupos mostró diferencias significativas en soporte respiratorio y tratamientos utilizados. Un paciente falleció en esta cohorte. Conclusión: Detectamos gran variabilidad en el soporte respiratorio y tratamientos entre UCI pediátricas latinoamericanas. Esta variabilidad no es explicada por disparidades demográficas ni clínicas. Esta heterogeneidad de tratamientos debería promover iniciativas colaborativas para disminuir la brecha entre la evidencia científica y la práctica asistencial.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to describe the management of infants with acute bronchiolitis admit ted to 20 pediatric intensive care units (PICU) members of LARed in 5 Latin American countries. Pa tients and Method: Retrospective, multicenter, observational study of data from the Latin American Registry of Acute Pediatric Respiratory Failure. We included children under 2 years of age admitted to the PICU due to community-based acute bronchiolitis between May and September 2017. Demo graphic and clinical data, respiratory support, therapies used, and clinical results were collected. A subgroup analysis was carried out according to geographical location (Atlantic v/s Pacific), type of insurance (Public v/s Private), and Academic v/s non-Academic centers. Results: 1,155 patients were included in the registry which present acute respiratory failure and 6 were excluded due to the lack of information in their record form. Out of the 1,147 patients, 908 were under 2 years of age, and out of those, 467 (51.4%) were diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis, which was the main cause of admission to the PICU due to acute respiratory failure. The demographic and severity characteristics among the centers were similar. The most frequent maximum ventilatory support was the high-flow nasal can nula (47%), followed by non-invasive ventilation (26%) and invasive mechanical ventilation (17%), with a wide coefficient of variation (CV) between centers. There was a great dispersion in the use of treatments, where the use of bronchodilators, antibiotics, and corticosteroids, representing a CV up to 400%. There were significant differences in subgroup analysis regarding respiratory support and treatments used. One patient of this cohort passed away. Conclusion: we detected wide variability in respiratory support and treatments among Latin American PICUs. This variability was not explained by demographic or clinical differences. The heterogeneity of treatments should encourage collabora tive initiatives to reduce the gap between scientific evidence and practice.

Obstrucción intestinal por semillas de Vasconcellea: reporte de tres casos y revisión de la literatura / Intestinal obstruction due to Vasconcellea seeds: Report of three cases and literature review / Obstrução intestinal por sementes de Vasconcellea: reporte de três casos e revisão da literatura

Vasconcellea spp., es una especie de papaya andina que crece en las áreas rurales cerca a Medellín, Colombia. Debido al agradable y dulce sabor de sus frutos, con frecuencia los niños ingieren accidentalmente sus semillas. Luego de la ingestión, las semillas se engranan en la luz del colon y obstruyen la salida de la materia fecal, lo que causa dolor y distensión abdominal, y favorece la translocación bacteriana. El diagnóstico se basa en la historia clínica y el tacto rectal. El tratamiento depende del grado de afectación local y sistémica e incluye la desimpactación del contenido rectal bajo anestesia general y lavados del colon con solución salina al 0,9%. En los casos más graves se ha requerido colostomía derivativa. En la literatura médica no existen reportes de obstrucción intestinal por semillas de Vasconcellea, posiblemente porque se han confundido con las del género Carica. En este artículo se describen tres casos tratados en servicios pediátricos de Medellín en los años 2012 y 2013; observamos que es una entidad poco sospechada, lo que lleva a un diagnóstico tardío con posibles consecuencias catastróficas. Es importante educar a la población para prevenir la ingestión de las semillas.

Vasconcellea spp., is a species of Andean papaya commonly cultivated in rural communities close to Medellín, Colombia. Due to the pleasant and sweet flavor of its fruits, children frequently ingest its seeds accidentally. After ingestion, the seeds are engaged in the colonic lumen and block the exit of stools, causing pain and bloating, and promoting bacterial translocation. Diagnosis is based on clinical history and rectal examination. Treatment depends on the degree of local and systemic involvement and includes disimpaction of rectal contents under general anesthesia and colonic washes with 0.9% saline solution. In severe cases derivative colostomy has been required. In the literature there are no reports of intestinal obstruction due to Vasconcellea seeds, possibly because it has been mistaken for seeds of the genus Carica. In this article, three cases treated at pediatric services in Medellín, Colombia, in 2012 and 2013 are described. We note that this is a rarely suspected disease, leading to late diagnosis and potential catastrophic consequences. It is important to educate people to prevent the ingestion of the seeds.

Vasconcellea spp., é uma espécie de mamão papaia andino que cresce nas áreas rurais perto a Medellín, Colômbia. Devido ao agradável e doce sabor de seus frutos, com frequência as crianças ingerem acidentalmente suas sementes. Depois da ingestão, as sementes se engrenam na luz do cólon e obstruem a saída da matéria fecal, o que causa dor e distensão abdominal, e favorece a translocação bacteriana. O diagnóstico se baseia na história clínica e o tato retal. O tratamento depende do grau de afetação local e sistémica e inclui a desimpactação do conteúdo retal sob anestesia geral e lavagens do cólon com solução salina a 0,9%. Nos casos mais graves foi necessário colostomia derivativa. Na literatura médica não existem reportes de obstrução intestinal por sementes de Vasconcellea, possivelmente porque se confundiram com as do gênero Carica. Neste artigo se descrevem três casos tratados em serviços pediátricos de Medellín nos anos 2012 e 2013; observamos que é uma entidade pouco suspeitada, o que leva a um diagnóstico tardio com possíveis consequências catastróficas. É importante educar à população para prevenir a ingestão das sementes.

Epidemiología de la sepsis en pediatría: primer estudio colombiano multicéntrico / Epidemiology of sepsis in pediatrics: first colombiam multicenter survey

En el año 2002 la campaña Sobreviviendo a la Sepsis estableció algunos lineamientos para disminuir la elevada mortalidad en el mundo por la sepsis. Entre estos lineamientos se encuentra la recomendación para reconocer que la sepsis es una enfermedad que causa probablemente muchas muertes y un alto costo de atención en las unidades de cuidado intensivo pediátrico. Conocer sobre el comportamiento de este padecimiento probablemente sea el primer paso para poder impactarla. En el mundo hay pocos estudios de la epidemiología de la sepsis en niños y, en Colombia, menos aun. Quizá el estudio realizado en Estados Unidos en los años noventa sea de los más representativos. En Latinoamérica, especialmente en Brasil. Se han desarrollado también algunos estudios sobre la epidemiología de la enfermedad. Los autores se proponen iniciar un estudio multicéntrico sobre la epidemiología de la sepsis pediátrica en Colombia, por lo que se ha diseñado una página en Internet www.sepsisencolombia.com. para la recolección de los datos y la actualización permanentemente a la comunidad científica local en este tema.

In 2002, the Surviving sepsis campaign defined a strategy that aimed to reduce the high mortality due to sepsis. One point of this strategy was a recommendation to recognize that the sepsis is an important cause of deaths and high economic costs in the pediatric intensive care units. Knowledge of the disease is the first step to impact it. There are few studies of the sepsis epidemiology in the world children, and even less in Colombia. Maybe, the most important study in this field was developed in the United States in the nineties. In Latin-America there are others studies, especially in Brazil, but none in Colombia. The authors pretend to do a multicenter study about the epidemiology of the pediatric sepsis in Colombia. A web site has been designed to collect data and to give up-to-date information to the local scientific community about this topic: www.sepsisencolombia.com.