Open versus Closed Suctioning Among Mechanically Ventilated Pediatric Patients: A Randomised Control Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the difference in efficacy of closed tracheal suction system (CTSS) to open tracheal suction system (OTSS) in reducing incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). Also to evaluate their efficacy in stabilizing cardio-respiratory parameters, reducing mortality and duration of intubation. METHODS: This study was a single centre, parallel group, open label, randomized controlled study with an equal allocation (1:1) in pediatric patients requiring mechanical ventilation. A specific suction system of CTSS or OTSS was assigned to the two groups based on randomization. All the demographic, clinical, laboratory parameters and treatment outcomes were noted in the preformed sheet. RESULTS: Total 116 eligible pediatric ventilated patients were studied. Total incidence of VAP was 9 (7.75%) of which 3 occurred in open and 6 in closed suction group. Rate of VAP was similar among both the groups with RR 2.11 (95% CI 0.50-8.9). However, significant number of infection-related ventilator associated condition (IVAC) were found in CTSS (17) compared to OTSS (6) group with RR 3.5 (95% CI 1.3-9.9). SpO2 was better maintained in the CTSS group post-suction (p = 0.001). Incidence of mortality and intubation days were similar between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of VAP was similar between open and closed suction groups.

Evolution of Acute Kidney Injury and Its Association With Systemic Hemodynamics in Children With Fluid-Refractory Septic Shock.

OBJECTIVES: There are no studies in pediatrics evaluating the progression of acute kidney injury in septic shock. We investigated the evolution of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury and its association with systemic hemodynamics in children with fluid-refractory septic shock. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: PICU of a tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: All patients with fluid-refractory septic shock (n = 61) between September 2010 and February 2014. INTERVENTIONS: Hemodynamic variables using noninvasive ultrasound cardiac output monitor were measured at admission and 6 hourly thereafter till 48 hours. We used the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria to define and stage acute kidney injury. Associations between various hemodynamic variables and development of acute kidney injury were evaluated. Severe acute kidney injury was defined as stage 2 or 3 acute kidney injury and was compared with no acute kidney injury or stage 1 acute kidney injury. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Severe acute kidney injury developed in 29.5% (n = 18) of the 61 children with fluid-refractory septic shock, whereas 43 patients (70.49%) had either no or stage 1 acute kidney injury. Most patients who developed acute kidney injury did so within the first 48 hours of PICU admission. Severe acute kidney injury conferred a three-fold increased risk of death by day 28 (hazard ratio, 3.23; 95% CI, 1.52-6.67; p = 0.002), longer ICU stay, and increased duration of mechanical ventilation. Central venous pressure at presentation was higher in severe acute kidney injury by 5 cm H2O. Highest lactate in the first 24 hours of PICU admission, low diastolic blood pressure, low systemic vascular resistance index at admission were associated with severe acute kidney injury. This model reliably predicted stage 2/3 acute kidney injury by day 3 with area under the curve equals to 94%; 95% CI, 88.3-99.99. None of the other hemodynamic variables showed any association with severe acute kidney injury. CONCLUSIONS: Manifestations of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury often occur early after PICU admission and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. There is a need to develop a predictive model in septic shock which could facilitate early detection of acute kidney injury.

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase deficiency caused by a novel homozygous Alu element insertion in the FBP1 gene and delayed diagnosis.

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) enzyme deficiency is one of the treatable autosomal recessive inherited metabolic disorders. If diagnosed early, FBPase deficiency has a favorable prognosis. We report the clinical and biochemical findings of a 9.5-year-old female child with FBPase deficiency. FBPase deficiency is caused by a homozygous Arthrobacter luteus (Alu) insertion in the FBP1 gene, reported for the first time.