Risk factors for post-extubation stridor in children: the role of orotracheal cannula.

Objective To determine the risk factors associated with stridor, with special attention to the role of the cuffed orotracheal cannula. Methods Prospective analysis of all the intubated patients submitted to mechanical ventilator support from January 2008 to April 2011. The relevant factors for stridor collected were age, weight, size and type of airway tube, diagnosis, and duration of mechanical ventilation. The effects of variables on stridor were evaluated using uni- and multivariate logistic regression models. Results A total of 136 patients were included. Mean age was 1.4 year (3 days to 17 years). The mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 73.5 hours. Fifty-six patients (41.2%) presented with stridor after extubation. The total reintubation rate was 19.6% and 12.5 in patients with and without stridor, respectively. The duration of mechanical ventilation (>72 hours) was associated with a greater risk for stridor (odds ratio of 8.60; 95% confidence interval of 2.98-24.82; p<0.001). The presence of the cuffed orotracheal cannula was not associated with stridor (odds ratio of 98; 95% confidence interval of 0.46-2.06; p=0.953). Conclusion The main risk factor for stridor after extubation in our population was duration of mechanical ventilation. The presence of the cuffed orotracheal cannula was not associated with increased risk for stridor, reinforcing the use of the cuffed orotracheal cannula in children with respiratory distress.

Risk factors for post-extubation stridor in children: the role of orotracheal cannula / Fatores de risco para estridor pós-extubação em crianças: o papel da cânula orotraqueal

Objective To determine the risk factors associated with stridor, with special attention to the role of the cuffed orotracheal cannula. Methods Prospective analysis of all the intubated patients submitted to mechanical ventilator support from January 2008 to April 2011. The relevant factors for stridor collected were age, weight, size and type of airway tube, diagnosis, and duration of mechanical ventilation. The effects of variables on stridor were evaluated using uni- and multivariate logistic regression models. Results A total of 136 patients were included. Mean age was 1.4 year (3 days to 17 years). The mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 73.5 hours. Fifty-six patients (41.2%) presented with stridor after extubation. The total reintubation rate was 19.6% and 12.5 in patients with and without stridor, respectively. The duration of mechanical ventilation (>72 hours) was associated with a greater risk for stridor (odds ratio of 8.60; 95% confidence interval of 2.98-24.82; p<0.001). The presence of the cuffed orotracheal cannula was not associated with stridor (odds ratio of 98; 95% confidence interval of 0.46-2.06; p=0.953). Conclusion The main risk factor for stridor after extubation in our population was duration of mechanical ventilation. The presence of the cuffed orotracheal cannula was not associated with increased risk for stridor, reinforcing the use of the cuffed orotracheal cannula in children with respiratory distress. .

Objetivo Determinar os fatores de risco associados ao estridor, com especial atenção para o papel da cânula orotraqueal. Métodos Análise prospectiva de todos os pacientes entubados submetidos à ventilação mecânica no período de janeiro de 2008 a abril de 2011. Os fatores relevantes para estridor coletados foram idade, peso, tamanho e tipo da cânula orotraqueal, diagnóstico, e duração da ventilação mecânica. Os efeitos das variáveis sobre estridor foram avaliados utilizando modelos de regressão logística uni e multivariada. Resultados Foram incluídos 136 pacientes. A média de idade foi 1,4 ano (3 dias a 17 anos). O tempo médio de ventilação mecânica foi 73,5 horas. Apresentaram estridor após extubação 56 pacientes (41,2%). A taxa de reintubação foi de 19,6% e 12,5% em pacientes com ou sem estridor, respectivamente. A duração da ventilação mecânica (>72 horas) foi associada a um maior risco de estridor (odds ratio de 8,60; intervalo de confiança de 95% de 2,98-24,82; p<0,001). A presença da cânula orotraqueal não foi associada ao estridor (odds ratio de 0,98; intervalo de confiança de 95% de 0,46- 2,06; p=0,953). Conclusão O principal fator de risco para estridor após extubação em nossa população foi o tempo de ventilação mecânica. A presença da cânula orotraqueal não foi associada a maior risco de estridor, reforçando o uso de cânulas com balonete em crianças com dificuldade respiratória. .

Síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo causada por Mycoplasma pneumoniae em uma criança: o papel da metilprednisolona e claritromicina / Acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae in a child: the role of methylprednisolone and clarythromycin

Mycoplasma pneumoniae was recognized as an important agent of pneumonia in pediatric population. In rare situations, severe pulmonary injury can develop. The use of corticoids in these cases remains controversial. A case of a girl with acute respiratory distress syndrome and bilateral pleural effusion secondary to pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae is described, with good recovery after appropriate use of methylprednisolone and clarythromicyn.

Mycoplasma pneumonia é reconhecido como um importante agente causador de pneumonia em crianças. Raramente pode evoluir para lesão pulmonar grave. O uso de corticoide nesses casos ainda é controverso. Descrevemos aqui o caso de uma menina com síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo e derrame pleural bilateral secundário à pneumonia por Mycoplasma pneumoniae com boa recuperação após utilização de metilprednisolona e claritromicina.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae in a child: the role of methylprednisolone and clarythromycin.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is recognized as an important agent of pneumonia in pediatric population. In rare situations, severe pulmonary injury can develop. The use of corticoids in these cases remains controversial. A case of a girl with acute respiratory distress syndrome and bilateral pleural effusion secondary to pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae is described, with good recovery after appropriate use of methylprednisolone and clarythromicyn.

Unidade de Cuidados Especiais Pediátricos (UCEP): um novo conceito no cuidado de crianças portadoras de doenças crônicas / Pediatric Special Care Unit (UCEP): a new concept in the care of children with chronic diseases

O desenvolvimento da medicina e dos cuidados aos pacientes graves gerou aumento do número de crianças com sequelas/disfunções orgânicas crônicas. Esses pacientes permanecem por tempo prolongado na UTI-Pediátrica (UTIP). A UTIP do Hospital Estadual Vila Alpina (HEVA) conta com seis leitos e no segundo semestre de 2008, quatro deles estavam ocupados com pacientes crônicos (67%). Nessa ocasião, UTIP tinha permanência média de 22 dias de internação (soma dos pacientes agudos+crônicos), sendo que estudos preconizam permanência média de 3-7 dias. Em relação à média de internações/mês tínhamos média de 8,5 internações/mês, sendo que o ideal seria 12-15 internações/mês. Frente a esse problema, associado ao grau de insatisfação dos familiares, foi idealizado UCEP, num ambiente fora da terapia intensiva e com características para atendimento de pacientes crônicos. Essa unidade foi criada e resultados foram avaliados no período de seis meses pós-criação. Houve queda de 43% na média de permanência na UTIP e aumento significativo no número de internações por mês, com aumento de mais de 100%. Grau de satisfação dos familiares com a UCEP foi avaliado por questionário de 13 perguntas: houve número significativamente maior de excelente e ótimo na UCEP, (cerca de 2,5 vezes mais notas excelente/ótimo em relação a UTIP). A UCEP atingiu seus objetivos, tanto na melhora da rotatividade da UTIP como na satisfação dos familiares e profissionais. Mostrou que, além de viável, essa unidade pode fornecer melhora na qualidade de vida dos pacientes/familiares, inimagináveis dentro do ambiente de UTIP.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa septic shock associated with ecthyma gangrenosum in an infant with agammaglobulinemia.

Ecthyma gangrenosum (EG) due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a rare and invasive infection that can be associated with agammaglobulinemia. The cornerstone of the treatment is based on prompt recognition with appropriate antibiotic coverage and intravenous immunoglobulin. The authors report a case of EG emphasizing the clinical and therapeutic aspects of this condition.

Complications of tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in children: report of 5 cases and review of the literature.

Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is one of leading causes of death in children, especially among those younger than 3 years of age. The inhalation of a foreign body may cause a wide variety of symptoms, and early diagnosis is highly associated with the successful removal of the inhaled foreign material. Despite the great advances in endoscopic procedures and anesthesia, a large number of difficulties and complications still result from foreign body aspiration. We describe 5 cases of serious acute complications following aspiration of foreign bodies that became lodged in the tracheobronchial tree, including pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, total atelectasis, foreign body dislodgment, and need for thoracotomy in children admitted into our intensive care unit in 1999 and 2000; these were all situations that could have been prevented with early recognition and prompt therapeutic intervention.

Complications of tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in children: report of 5 cases and review of the literature

Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is one of leading causes of death in children, especially among those younger than 3 years of age. The inhalation of a foreign body may cause a wide variety of symptoms, and early diagnosis is highly associated with the successful removal of the inhaled foreign material. Despite the great advances in endoscopic procedures and anesthesia, a large number of difficulties and complications still result from foreign body aspiration. We describe 5 cases of serious acute complications following aspiration of foreign bodies that became lodged in the tracheobronchial tree, including pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, total atelectasis, foreign body dislodgment, and need for thoracotomy in children admitted into our intensive care unit in 1999 and 2000; these were all situations that could have been prevented with early recognition and prompt therapeutic intervention

Pseudomonas aeruginosa septic shock associated with ecthyma gangrenosum in an infant with agammaglobulinemia

Ecthyma gangrenosum (EG) due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a rare and invasive infection that can be associated with agammaglobulinemia. The cornerstone of the treatment is based on prompt recognition with appropriate antibiotic coverage and intravenous immunoglobulin. The authors report a case of EG emphasizing the clinical and therapeutic aspects of this condition

Neuromuscular blockade in children

Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) have been widely used to control patients who need to be immobilized for some kind of medical intervention, such as an invasive procedure or synchronism with mechanical ventilation. The purpose of this monograph is to review the pharmacology of the NMBAs, to compare the main differences between the neuromuscular junction in neonates, infants, toddlers and adults, and moreover to discuss their indications in critically ill pediatric patients. Continuous improvement of knowledge about NMBAs pharmacology, adverse effects, and the many other remaining unanswered questions about neuromuscular junction and neuromuscular blockade in children is essential for the correct use of these drugs. Therefore, the indication of these agents in pediatrics is determined with extreme judiciousness. Computorized (Medline 1990-2000) and active search of articles were the mechanisms used in this review