Supplemented vs. unsupplemented human milk on bone mineralization in very low birth weight preterm infants: a randomized clinical trial.

UNLABELLED: Very low birth weight preterm newborns weighing less than 1500 g were randomized to receive human milk supplemented with FM 85® or not. They have similar bone mineral content (BMC) at baseline, but, at the end of study, BMC was increasingly higher in the FM 85® group. INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a human milk supplement (FM 85®; Nestlé, Vevey, Switzerland) developed for the purpose of improving nutrition, including bone mineralization, in very low birth weight preterm newborns. METHODS: Preterm infants weighing less than 1500 g at birth admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital were studied. During hospitalization, they were fed at least 50 % of human milk. Newborns with ≥20 days of age were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 19) to receive human milk supplemented with FM 85® or to a control group (n = 19) to receive human milk only. Anthropometric measurements, whole-body bone densitometry (DXA), and biochemical tests were performed at study entry and at the end of the study (shortly before discharge when the infant had reached 2000 g). RESULTS: There were no start- or end-of-study differences between the two groups, except for daily increase in length (p = 0.010). At baseline, both groups had similar BMC: 5.49 ± 3.65 vs. 4.34 ± 2.98 g (p = 0.39) for the intervention and control group, respectively. However, at the end of the study, BMC was higher in the intervention group: 10.3 ± 4.71 vs. 6.19 ± 3.23 g (p = 0.003). The mean increase in BMC during the observation period was 4.90 ± 4.46 g for the intervention group and 1.86 ± 3.17 g for the control group (p = 0.020). Serum alkaline phosphatase levels were higher in the control group (720 ± 465 vs. 391 ± 177 IU/L; p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that supplementation of human milk with FM 85® leads to improved bone mineralization in very low birth weight preterm newborns.

Intramuscular midazolam versus intravenous diazepam for treatment of seizures in the pediatric emergency department: a randomized clinical trial.

AIM: To compare the therapeutic efficacy of intramuscular midazolam (MDZ-IM) with that of intravenous diazepam (DZP-IV) for seizures in children. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Pediatric emergency department. PATIENTS: Children aged 2 months to 14 years admitted to the study facility with seizures. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to receive DZP-IV or MDZ-IM. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Groups were compared with respect to time to treatment start (min), time from drug administration to seizure cessation (min), time to seizure cessation (min), and rate of treatment failure. Treatment was considered successful when seizure cessation was achieved within 5min of drug administration. RESULTS: Overall, 32 children (16 per group) completed the study. Intravenous access could not be obtained within 5min in four patients (25%) in the DZP-IV group. Time from admission to active treatment and time to seizure cessation was shorter in the MDZ-IM group (2.8 versus 7.4min; p<0.001 and 7.3 versus 10.6min; p=0.006, respectively). In two children per group (12.5%), seizures continued after 10min of treatment, and additional medications were required. There were no between-group differences in physiological parameters or adverse events (p=0.171); one child (6.3%) developed hypotension in the MDZ-IM group and five (31%) developed hyperactivity or vomiting in the DZP-IV group. CONCLUSION: Given its efficacy and ease and speed of administration, intramuscular midazolam is an excellent option for treatment of childhood seizures, enabling earlier treatment and shortening overall seizure duration. There were no differences in complications when applying MDZ-IM or DZP-IV.

Accidental asphyxia due to closing of a motor vehicle power window.

Injuries and deaths among children left unattended in motor vehicles are frequent and the rates are increasing. Injuries associated with motor vehicle power windows usually affect children, in particular children under 6 years of age. This case report is about a child who was asphyxiated because of a motor vehicle power window closing. She was rapidly resuscitated and recovered fully. A brief review of the literature, epidemiology, and preventive measures to avoid this type of injury is also presented.

Hiperglicemia e uso da insulina na criança criticamente enferma / Hyperglycemia and use of the insulin in critically ill child

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever sobre mecanismos da hiperglicemia e resistência à insulina na sepse grave e choque séptico, suas repercurssões em morbimortalidade nas Unidades de Tratamento Intensivo Pediátrico, assim como resultados e segurança do uso da insulina. Realizou-se revisão bibliográfica no banco de dados Medline no período de 1998 a 2005, utilizando os termos insulina, hiperglicemia, sepse e choque séptico. Estudos em adultos, relatam benefícios em mortalidade e morbidade com controle glicêmico estrito e uso de insulina. Os trabalhos envolvendo pacientes pediátricos, na maioria retros, apontam para resultados semelhantes. Os riscos de hipoglicemia não parecem significativos. Embora ainda não se disponha de evidências adequadas, parece prudente oferecer, aos pacientes pediátricos, controle glicêmico e uso de insulina quando necessário. Sugere-se protocolo clínico de controle glicêmico e uso da insulina nestes pacientes.

[Exogenous surfactant treatment for severe acute viral bronchiolitis: case report] / Uso de surfactante exógeno no tratamento da bronquiolite viral grave: relato de caso.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the possible clinical and laboratory effects of exogenous surfactant instillation into the tracheal tube of a child with severe acute bronchiolitis undergoing mechanical ventilation. CASE REPORT: a 2-month-old girl with clinical diagnosis of acute viral bronchiolitis underwent mechanical ventilation. She required high positive inspiratory peak pressure (35 to 45 cmH(2)O) and high inspiratory fraction of oxygen (FiO(2) = 0.9), but showed no clinical response or improvement in the arterial blood gas analysis. An exogenous surfactant (Exosurf(R), Glaxo - 50 mg/kg) was used to facilitate the use of a less aggressive ventilatory strategy. RESULTS: Four hours after surfactant administration, it was possible to reduce the positive peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) from 35 to 30 cmH(2)O, and FiO(2) from 0.9 to 0.6; and to increase the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) from 6 to 9 cmH(2)O. During this period the paO(2)/FiO(2) ratio increased from 120 to 266. At the end of 24 hours, FiO(2) could be reduced to 0.4. DISCUSSION: Surfactant inactivation may be a decisive factor in the unfavorable evolution of some severe cases of acute bronchiolitis. The tracheal instillation of exogenous surfactant, in these cases, allows us to adopt less aggressive ventilatory strategies, and promotes rapid clinical responses.

[Short-term effects of prone positioning on the oxygenation of pediatric patients submitted to mechanical ventilation] / Efeito a curto prazo da posição prona na oxigenação de crianças em ventilação mecânica.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the short-term effects of prone positioning on the oxygenation of mechanically-ventilated children suffering from severe hypoxemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, nonrandomized trial (each patient as his/her own control) was conducted between July 1998 and July 1999. Mechanically-ventilated children with peak inspiratory pressure greater than or equal to 30 cm H(2)O, FiO(2) greater than or equal to 0.5, and PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio less than or equal to 200 were included in the study. Each patient was kept in the prone position for two hours, returning to the supine position after this period. Oxygenation was assessed by means of PaO(2)/FiO(2) in the supine position (one hour before prone positioning), one hour after prone positioning, and one hour after returning to the supine position. Patients who presented an increase of at least 20 in PaO(2)/FiO(2) were considered responsive. The results were compared by Student t-test, Friedman test, chi-square test, Fishers exact test, and confidence interval. RESULTS: Eighteen children (10 males), whose mean age was 11.5 -/+11.5 months, with initial PaO(2)/FiO(2) of 96.06 -/+ 41.78, participated in the study. After one hour in the prone position, 27.7% of the patients (5/18) improved their PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio (P=0.045). Six of these patients presented reduced lung compliance (four of them had acute respiratory distress syndrome); and twelve patients showed increased airway resistance (six of them presented bronchiolitis). No significant difference was observed between these two groups (reduced lung compliance x increased airway resistance) in terms of age, sex, duration of ventilation prior to change in position, peak inspiratory pressure, FiO(2), severity of hypoxemia, and outcome. CONCLUSION: Prone positioning during mechanical ventilation of children with severe hypoxemia may improve the PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio in the first hour.

[Randomized clinical trial of intravenous magnesium sulfate versus salbutamol in early management of severe acute asthma in children] / Estudo controlado do uso endovenoso de sulfato de magnésio ou de salbutamol no tratamento precoce da crise de asma aguda grave em crianças.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of intravenous magnesium sulfate and intravenous salbutamol in the treatment of severe asthma in children. METHODS: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, including children above 2 years of age with severe acute asthma admitted to the observation ward of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Hospital São Lucas. All patients received conventional treatment (oxygen, corticoids, beta-adrenergics) on admission, and later received one of the following solutions: a) IVMg (50 mg/kg); b) intravenous salbutamol (1 micro g/kg); c) saline solution. Clinical assessments, electrolyte concentration, and arterial blood gas analyses were recorded before intravenous infusion and one hour after that. RESULTS: Fifty patients participated in this study (of whom 53% were females, mean age = 4.5 years). There were no significant differences among the three groups. The group that received IVMg presented lower blood pressure during administration, which reached normal levels one hour afterwards, along with an increase in serum magnesium (P<0,001) and serum pH, and reduction of PaCO(2). The group that received intravenous salbutamol had lower respiratory rate (P=0.05) and higher blood pressure (P=0.01), and one hour after administration, these patients showed decreased respiratory rate (P=0.02); lower levels of serum potassium (P=0.009); higher pH, and reduced PaCO(2). This group required fewer nebulizations (P=0.009), fewer nebulizations per day (P<0.001) and less oxygen therapy than the IVMg and placebo groups. Acidosis was more persistent (P<0.01) in the placebo group. No difference as to the length of hospital stay was observed in any of the three groups. Artificial ventilation was necessary in 10% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The early intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate, especially salbutamol, achieved a rapid clinical response with excellent prognosis and no significant side effects.

[The use of helium-oxygen mixture in the ventilation study of children with chronic obstructive lung disease] / Uso da mistura de hélio e oxigênio no estudo da ventilação de crianças com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica.

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution of Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol when heliox or oxygen are used in the nebulization of children and adolescents with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during pulmonary ventilation scintigraphy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical randomized and controlled trial. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (5 to 18 years old) who required pulmonary scintigraphy between March 1996 and September 1998 were included. Obstruction of the lower airway was measured by spirometry. Patients were randomized into two groups according to the gas used for nebulization during scintigraphy: heliox (80% helium and 20% oxygen) or oxygen. Scintigraphy studies were expressed as slope of the cumulative pulmonary radioactivity uptake curve and as the maximal cumulative radioactivity in the lung. The mean diameter of the Tc-99m DTPA particles generated by heliox and oxygen was measured by laser diffraction. RESULTS: Ten patients were allocated in each group. There were no statistical differences (P>0.05) in terms of gender, main diagnosis, signs of malnutrition, mean values of weight, height, body area, or spirometry results. The mean slope in the heliox group (5,039-/+1,652) was significantly different (P=0.018) from the mean slope of the oxygen group (3,410-/+1,100). The mean slope of patients with severe airflow obstruction in the heliox group was statically different (P=0.017) from the mean slope of patients with airflow obstruction in the oxygen group. In both groups, patients without evidence of airflow obstruction were similar in terms of mean slopes (P=0.507) and mean cumulative radiation in the lung (P=0.507). The mean diameter of heliox-generated Tc-99m DTPA particles was 2.13 m (-/+0.62). This was statistically different (P=0.004) from the mean diameter of oxygen-generated particles (0.88-/+0.99 m). CONCLUSIONS: Nebulization with heliox was more efficacious than nebulization with oxygen for distribution and dispersion of Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol in the lungs of children and adolescents with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease submitted to ventilation scintigraphy. The benefits of heliox over oxygen are more evident in the presence of lower airway obstruction. Without airway obstruction, we did not observe any difference in the distribution and dispersion of radioaerosol in the lungs. Although the mean diameter of the Tc-99m DTPA particles generated by heliox and oxygen was significantly different, the particles generated by both gases were still within the recommended range (between 1 and 5 m). Therefore, this difference does not account for the effects of heliox observed in this study.

[Shock therapy in children] / Tratamento do choque na criança.

OBJECTIVE: Review the theoretical bases of the therapeutic approach for volumetric resuscitation of the infant in shock and the evolutionary process that take to the pharmacological support to the circulationMETHODS: References were obtained from computerized searches on the National Library of Medicine (Medline), recent review articles and personal files. RESULTS: Shock and septic shock is the leading cause of mortality in critically ill patients. The septic shock is an extremely complex disease process leading to progressive multiple organ failure. Its presentation may be subtle or catastrophic. Successful management depends on an understanding of the pathophysiology of the syndrome, allowing rapid, appropriate resuscitation. Treatment often requires aggressive correction of volume deficit, maintenance of adequate perfusion pressure with inotropic and vasopressor, mechanical ventilation and others therapies. CONCLUSIONS: The management of the shock in children presents a challenge for the pediatrician. Hemodynamic and respiratory instability should be anticipated. Management requires multisystemic and careful intervention.

[Acid-base balance disorders] / Distúrbios do equilíbrio ácido-básico.

OBJECTIVE: Review the theoretical bases on the maintenance of the acid-basic balance, the pathophysiology of the disturbances and its therapeutics in the child.METHODS: References were obtained from computerized searches on the National Library of Medicine (Medline), recent review articles and personal files.RESULTS: Acid-basic disturbances are frequently found in critical ill children. Their pathophysiology and main causes are a complex and multifactorial process. The management depends on precocious diagnosis and of the understanding of the base cause. The treatment should be adjusted for each disturbance and its base cause. Frequently it requests an aggressive correction and continuous monitoring.CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of the physiology of the acid-basic balance as well as the understanding of the pathophysiology of the main disturbances associated to the clinical situations represent a challenge for the pediatrician. The management of acid-basic balance demands appropriate and careful intervention.

[Severe acute asthma in the child] / Asma aguda grave na criança.

OBJECTIVE: To present a current review about diagnosis and treatment of severe acute asthma, based on the reviewed publications and the authors personal experience. METHODS: We reviewed the most relevant articles about diagnosis and management of severe acute asthma. RESULTS: Severe acute asthma is an important cause of morbidity in children and it can usually lead to respiratory failure. The diagnostic (clinical manifestations and lung function tests) and treatment (oxygen, bronchodilators and steroids) are now well determined by the literature, and are very important for a good prognosis of every patient. CONCLUSIONS: Considering severe acute asthma a prevalent condition in pediatric emergency room and intensive care unit, the ability to make an early diagnosis of this condition, associated with a prompt treatment, are essential for an effective reduction in morbimortality rates.

[Respiratory failure in the child] / Insuficiência respiratória na criança.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the main physiopathologic mechanism of the respiratory failure in the child, as well as to discuss some aspects of the differential diagnosis and treatment. SOURCE OF DATA: The main national and international textbooks and articles about respiratory failure in the child were used as sources of data for this research. RESULTS: Respiratory failure is defined as the incapacity to maintain a paO(2) over 50 mmHg associated or not to a paCO(2) over 50 mmHg in children breathing ambient air at sea level. This failure may be classified as hypoxemic or hypercapnic, or even as acute or chronic. The main alterations may be hypoventilation, ventilation perfusion mismatch and diffusion defect. It may be secondary to a central origin, upper or lower airway compromise, parenchyma disease, or due to pleural or thorax wall affection. The hypoxemia evaluation may be done by hemoglobin saturation, alveolar capillary gradient of oxygen (D[A-a]O(2)) or by the paO(2) / FiO(2) index. COMMENTS: The knowledge of the physiopathologic mechanisms that cause respiratory failure in the child is important to define the more efficient therapeutic strategy for each cause.

[Intravenous terbutaline in children] / Terbutalina endovenosa em crianças.

OBJECTIVE: The authors describe their experience with theuse of intravenous Beta2 adrenergic (IV terbutaline) in patientsadmitted to a PICU with severe lower airway obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of all admissions to a PICU was conducted in Santo Antonio Hospital in Porto Alegre (Brazil) during the winter of 1995. The files ofall the patients that were treated with intravenous Beta2 adrenergicas a bronchodilator were selected. The analysis included lengthof use, initial doses, maximal doses, associated phenomena,arterial blood gases and plasma level of potassium. RESULTS: During the three months of study 367 patients wereadmitted to the PICU and 38 (10.3%) used IV terbutaline. Thisgroup of patients had a mean age of 13.8-/+12.2 months old andused IV terbutaline for a mean length of 7.24-/+3.6 days. Theinitial rate of infusion was 0.55-/+0.25 mcg/kg/min with a meantherapeutic dose of 2.45-/+1.18 mcg/kg/min. Twelve patients(31.5%) had increase in their heart rate (over 180 bpm) thatprevented increases in the infusion rate. However this was atemporary effect. The patients under 12 months of age startedwith low infusion rates (0.45-/+0.22 mcg/kg/min), when comparedto children over 1 year old (0.57-/+0.3 mcg/kg/min), p <0.01. No patient developed pathologic heart rate attributed to the drug. The serum levels of potassium decreased significantly (p <0.01) only in the group of patients under 1 year (4.1-/+0.7 to 3.47-/+0.52 mEq/L), but this difference had no clinical relevance. COMMENTS: In view of these results the authors showed that the infusion of IV terbutaline in children is safe and presents alow risk if the criteria of administration and monitoring are followed. In this manner, IV terbutaline is an excellent therapeuticoption for children with severe lower airway obstruction andno response to the conventional treatment.

[Accidental extubation in a pediatric intensive care unit]. / Extubação acidental em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva.

It is an on-going practice in the pediatric ICUs to obtain and to maintain a working artificial airway. Nevertheless this procedure bears not infrequent risks of accidental extubation (AE) which ranges in several services from 0.9 to 3.3 for each 100 days of intubation. The risk factors that are involved in AE are related to: sedation level, age-group, intubation path, and others. The purpose of the authors in this article was to observe the incidence of AE in their service and to compare the relative risk in the rate of AE among orotracheal and nasotracheal intubation population. A prospective study was taken during six months, in which every patients with artificial airway admitted at the PICU of the Santo Antonio Hospital in Porto Alegre (Brazil) was included except those with tracheostomy. The total number of cases were 673 patients-day with artificial airway, with an average of 3.7 patients with tracheal tube per day. In the period there were 18 AE, with a rate of 2.7 AE/ 100 days. The incidence rate of AE in the orotracheal group was 3.1% and 1.6% in the nasotracheal group with no statistically significant difference (p=0.6). The authors concluded that the pathway of intubation in their study does not carry any additional risk in the incidence of accidental extubation.