Which factors accompany maternal acceptance-rejection in children with specific learning disabilities?

BACKGROUND: Children with specific learning disabilities (SLDs) and their parents experience many problems that may influence their interactions. The study aimed to evaluate the maternal acceptance/rejection status of children with SLDs and their associations with sociodemographic characteristics, and problem behaviors. METHODS: The Parental Acceptance-Rejection/Control Questionnaire (PARQ/C) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were applied to the mothers with children aged 7-17 years with a diagnosis of SLD. RESULTS: Among 266 children enrolled, the mean age was 10.2 years, and 61.7% were male, the mean score was 30.4 for warmth/affection, 25.8 for hostility/aggression, 22.9 for indifference/neglect, 16.3 for undifferentiated rejection, 95.4 for the total PARQ, and 40.8 for the control scales. Generalized linear models revealed that maternal depression, poor family income, parental smoking, and presence of dysgraphia, and poor total difficulties and prosocial scores of SDQ subscales were associated with the maternal acceptance-rejection. There was an interaction between the maternal control subscale and the school success of the child. CONCLUSION: Mothers of children with SLDs had high maternal rejection scores which were associated with unfavorable characteristics of child and family. Early detection and giving appropriate support of these cases could improve the mother's relationship with her SLD child.

Strengths and difficulties in children with specific learning disabilities.

BACKGROUND: The study aims to investigate the social, emotional, and behavioral challenges in children with a specific learning disability (SLD) and to identify the factors that accompany these problems by screening with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). METHODS: The descriptive study was conducted on 278 children with SLD. Strengths and difficulties in children were evaluated by the SDQ applied to their mothers. The percentage of cases above the cut-off limits of the SDQ was calculated. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used for analysis. RESULTS: The mean (SD) total SDQ score was 15.8 (6.5). The percentage of scores of abnormal total difficulties in SLD was 47.8%. Multivariate analysis revealed that cases exposed to antenatal smoking had higher odds ratio of abnormal emotional symptoms and abnormal total difficulties; cases with poor familial income and the presence of a history of antenatal smoking exposure showed considerably higher odds ratio of conduct problems; cases with younger age at the diagnosis of SLD, dyscalculia, extreme duration of preschool screen time (≥4 h), and history of hospitalization had significantly higher odds ratio for hyperactivity-inattention problems; and cases having shorter breastfeeding duration had higher odds ratio of peer problems compared to counterparts. CONCLUSION: Children with SLD have a high score on the SDQ. Practitioners could especially give guidance and support to families with financial problems and those having a child with an early age at diagnosis, exposure to antenatal smoking, short breastfeeding period, early age of the first screen use, and long screen exposure duration during the preschool period.

Associations between pediatric intensive care procedures and urinary free-BPA levels.

BACKGROUND: Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in many medical materials used in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Our aim was to evaluate how the urinary free-BPA(fBPA) and total-BPA(tBPA) levels were associated with the use of medical devices in the PICU in a prospective study. METHODS: The procedures applied to the patient were recorded during the follow-up period. Three urine samples were taken on the first day of hospitalization; the seventh day, and after 30 days or when the patients were discharged. Urinary tBPA and fBPA levels were determined using high-pressure liquid chromatography. Generalized estimating equations with repetitive measures were used to determine the associations between PICU procedures and BPA levels. RESULTS: A total of 115 urine samples of 40 children were studied. Mean urinary levels were 189.2 µg/g-creatinine for tBPA and 27.8 µg/g-creatinine for fBPA, and the fBPA/tBPA ratio was 27.9%. Endotracheal intubation, catheter, and haemodialysis procedures caused higher urinary fBPA levels. External drains, inhaler treatment, and the use of four or more medical devices were associated with considerably higher values of fBPA%. The increase in tBPA was positively correlated with fBPA. CONCLUSIONS: fBPA levels and the fBPA/tBPA ratio varied according to the procedure and level of BPA exposure in children.

The association between urinary BPA levels and medical equipment among pediatric intensive care patients.

We aim to evaluate urinary total BPA (tBPA) levels and association with medical devices used on patients in pediatric intensive care units. This cross-sectional descriptive study included 117 critically ill children. Urinary tBPA levels were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. General estimating equations with repeated measures analyzed the effect of interventions and devices on urinary BPA levels. A total of 292 urine samples taken from 117 child intensive care patients were studied. When age, sex, and body mass index-for age z-scores were controlled, cases having endotracheal intubation showed higher urinary tBPA levels (p = 0.003) and hemodialyzed patients had considerably higher urinary tBPA levels (p = 0.004). When confounding factors were controlled, cases using both multiple iv treatment and more than four medical devices showed higher urinary tBPA levels than their counterparts (p = 0.007 and p = 0.028, respectively). The use of certain medical devices and interventions could increase BPA exposure in pediatric intensive care patients.

Do the Children of Mothers with Optimum PICCOLO Scores Have Better Denver II Test Results?

AIM: Positive parenting skills, especially mother-child interactions, are associated with positive effects in countless areas of child development. We aimed to evaluate mother-child interactions in children with developmental delay compared to those with age-appropriate development. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Children aged 1-5 years admitted to the outpatient clinic for child health supervision were evaluated for the study. A 10-minute video recording was obtained while the participant mother-child couple played together in a room. Children were divided into 3 developmental groups using the Denver Developmental Screening Test II (DDST-II); as age-appropriate, questionable, and delayed. Mother-child interaction was assessed using the "Parenting Interactions with Children: Checklist of Observations Linked to Outcomes" (PICCOLO) tool. RESULTS: A total of 142 children, whose developmental status was evaluated according to DDST-II and were grouped as age-appropriate (59), questionable (39), and delayed (44), were included in the study. The mean age of the children was 29.0 ± 11.9 months. The median PICCOLO score was 43 (interquartile range (IQR)=36-47) in the age-appropriate developmental group, 44 (IQR=35-51) in the questionable group, and 36 (IQR=32-45) in the delayed group. When adjusted for child's age, gender, presence of a sibling, maternal age, mother's education level, mother's occupation, and household size, multiple logistic regression revealed higher rates for optimum responsiveness and encouragement domains, and total scores in age-appropriate and questionable groups, than in the delayed development group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Supporting all areas, especially the responsive and encouragement domains in mother-child interactions, may improve child development.

Mother-child interaction and the development status of children who have been accidentally poisoned.

Positive parent-child interaction, in particular bond between mother and child, is important for the mental and behavioral development of children. The aim of this study was to evaluate both mother-child interactions as well as the developmental status of children admitted to the pediatric emergency department with accidental poisoning using Parenting Interactions with Children: Checklist of Observations Linked to Outcomes tool (PICCOLO) and Denver Developmental Screening Test-II (DDST-II). Children between ages 1 to 5 years who were admitted to the emergency department with accidental poisoning were included in the study alongside a control group selected from healthy volunteers. A ten-minute video recording was obtained both for the case and control groups, while the mother and her child played together in a separate room. The interaction of mother-infant pair was assessed using the PICCOLO tool. The children`s development was examined using the DDST-II. The video recordings of 115 children (n=65 in the case group and n=50 in the control group) were evaluated. A high score of PICCOLO-teaching domain (≥9 points) was associated with a 3.3-fold increase in terms of risk of poisoning [p < 0.05, at 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.34-8.37]. Multivariable analysis revealed that the PICCOLO-teaching domain was a significant factor. A high proportion of cases had either abnormal or questionable DDST-II scores (p < 0.05). In order to improve the bond between mother and child, drug poisoning prevention training must be meticulously provided to both mothers and children alike. Developmental assessments of these children as a holistic approach also should not be forgotten.

Evaluation of Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis in Pediatric Patients with Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the value of Thiol/Disulfide homeostasis in pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis patients suffering from type 1 diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study featured children who were diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis and who were consecutively admitted to pediatric intensive care within one year of their diagnosis. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis was evaluated in 45 pediatric patients suffering from DKA, as well as 45 healthy controls of parallel gender and age. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters were measured using a novel automated measurement method and the correlation between demographic data and parameters was measured. RESULTS: Pediatric patients were found to have low native thiols, total thiols and disulfide levels with type 1 diabetes after DKA (331.82±106.40, 362.71±113.31, 17.02±5.33 µmol/L, respectively) as compared to the control group (445.08±24.41, 481.21± 28.47, 18.06±5.12 µmol/L, respectively). CONCLUSION: Thiol/disulfide homeostasis was distorted in pediatric patients with DKA. Furthermore, it was found that they are not likely to return to normal, immediately after treatment.

Role of Ischemia Modified Albumin Serum Levels as an Oxidative Stress Marker in Children with Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) is a biomarker that has been introduced recently for use in the evaluation of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to measure the ischemia modified albumin serum levels in pediatric patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) during acidosis and after the patient recovered from acidosis and to compare these with the control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pediatric patients with Type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) who were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with the diabetic ketoacidosis were assigned as the study group and healthy children who were admitted to the outpatient clinic and decided as healthy after clinic and laboratory evaluation were selected as the control group. IMA and adjusted IMA levels were evaluated in the blood samples from the control group and the study group when admitted first time to the intensive care unit during the acidosis period (DKA before treatment, DKA-BT), and after recovering from acidosis (DKA after treatment, DKA-AT). RESULTS: A total of 24 pediatric patients with diabetic ketoacidosis and 30 healthy control children matching age and sex were included in the current study. The albumin levels in pediatric patients with T1DM during DKA-BT were higher than the albumin levels after acidosis (4.101±0.373, 3.854±0.369 g/dL, respectively) (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference when these values were compared to the control group. Mean values of IMA and Adj-IMA were statistically higher in DKAAT compared to the control group (0.748±0.150 vs 0.591±0.099, p< 0.001; 0.708±0.125 vs 0.607±0.824, p< 0.001, respectively). IMA and adjusted IMA levels measured after recovered from acidosis were significantly higher compared to the level of IMA during DKA (0.748±0.150 vs 0.606±0.105 as absorbance unit, p<0.001; 0.708±0.125 vs 0.625±0.100, p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: In children with T1DM, even though acidosis recovered following the treatment in diabetic ketoacidosis, which is an oxidative stress marker, the ischemia modified albumin levels and adjusted ischemia modified albumin levels were high.

Brain Death and Organ Donation in Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively analyse the brain death (BD) cases that were specified within the last 8 years in the paediatric intensive care unit of our hospital. METHODS: Archive files and computer records of 23 paediatric cases were analysed. Data on age, gender, conditions that caused BD, paediatric risk of mortality (PRISM III) scores, time between suspicion of BD and issuing of BD report, confirmatory tests used, complications that occurred following the diagnosis of BD and time to cardiac arrest development after diagnosis of BD were recorded. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 6.8±5.5 years. The most frequent cause of BD was intracranial haemorrhage (30.4%). The mean time to diagnosis after BD suspicion was 5.9±6.2 days. Electroencephalography was performed in 61% of the patients in addition to the apnoea test. Radiological imaging methods were used in 39% of the patients (n=9). Of the cases, 34.7% developed hypothermia, and 4.3% developed diabetes insipidus (DI). Among them, 43.4% had both DI and hypothermia. The mean PRISM score was calculated as 22±9.2. The donation rate of the families was 17%. The mean time to cardiac arrest development after diagnosis of BD was 6.9±7.4 days in non-donor cases where medical support had been reduced. CONCLUSION: Any patient with a neurologically poor prognosis in the intensive care unit should be considered to develop BD and diagnosed with BD without delay. The donation rate will increase if family interviews are done by an experienced and educated coordinator.

La homeostasis de tiol/disulfuro es un indicador del estrés oxidativo en los niños críticamente enfermos con sepsis / Thiol-disulphide homeostasis is an oxidative stress indicator in critically ill children with sepsis

Objetivo. Evaluar un novedoso marcador del estrés oxidativo (la homeostasis de tiol /disulfuro) en la sepsis pediátrica y determinar sus efectos sobre el pronóstico de esta afección. Métodos. En el estudio, se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico de sepsis y controles sanos. Se midieron las concentraciones de tiol total, tiol nativo, disulfuro, disulfuro /tiol total, disulfuro /tiol nativo y tiol nativo/tiol total en los grupos con sepsis y de referencia. Se compararon los parámetros entre los supervivientes y los no supervivientes del grupo con sepsis. Se midieron las concentraciones de hemoglobina, leucocitos, trombocitos, lactato y proteína C-reactiva en los pacientes con sepsis al momento del diagnóstico. Se utilizaron el puntaje de riesgo de mortalidad pediátrico (Pediatric Risk of Mortality, PRISM) y el puntaje de disfunción orgánica (Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction, PELOD) para estimar la gravedad de la enfermedad. Resultados. En el grupo con sepsis se incluyó a 38 pacientes y en el de referencia, a 40 niños sanos. Las concentraciones plasmáticas de tiol en los pacientes con sepsis fueron significativamente inferiores que las del grupo de referencia (p < 0,001). Conclusión. La homeostasis de tiol/disulfuro fue anormal en los niños con sepsis en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos.

The aim of this study is to evaluate a novel oxidative stress marker (thiol-disulphide homeostasis) in paediatric sepsis and to determine their effects on the prognosis of sepsis. Patients diagnosed with sepsis (n= 38) and healthy controls (n= 40) were incorporated in the study. Total thiol, native thiol, disulphide, disulphide/total thiol, disulphide/native thiol, and native thiol /total thiol levels were measured in the sepsis and control groups. Additionally, the parameters were compared between survivors and non-survivors in the sepsis group. The levels of hemoglobin, white blood cell, platelet, lactate, and C-reactive protein were measured in patients with sepsis at diagnosis. The paediatric risk of mortality and paediatric logistic organ dysfunction scores of the patients were used to estimate the disease severity. The plasma thiol levels of the patients with sepsis were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.001). This study showed that thiol/disulphide homeostasis is abnormal in children with sepsis in Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Thiol-disulphide homeostasis is an oxidative stress indicator in critically ill children with sepsis. / La homeostasis de tiol/disulfuro es un indicador del estrés oxidativo en los niños críticamente enfermos con sepsis.

The aim of this study is to evaluate a novel oxidative stress marker (thiol-disulphide homeostasis) in paediatric sepsis and to determine their effects on the prognosis of sepsis. Patients diagnosed with sepsis (n= 38) and healthy controls (n= 40) were incorporated in the study. Total thiol, native thiol, disulphide, disulphide/total thiol, disulphide/native thiol, and native thiol /total thiol levels were measured in the sepsis and control groups. Additionally, the parameters were compared between survivors and non-survivors in the sepsis group. The levels of hemoglobin, white blood cell, platelet, lactate, and C-reactive protein were measured in patients with sepsis at diagnosis. The paediatric risk of mortality and paediatric logistic organ dysfunction scores of the patients were used to estimate the disease severity. The plasma thiol levels of the patients with sepsis were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.001). This study showed that thiol/disulphide homeostasis is abnormal in children with sepsis in Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Objetivo. Evaluar un novedoso marcador del estrés oxidativo (la homeostasis de tiol /disulfuro) en la sepsis pediátrica y determinar sus efectos sobre el pronóstico de esta afección. Métodos. En el estudio, se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico de sepsis y controles sanos. Se midieron las concentraciones de tiol total, tiol nativo, disulfuro, disulfuro /tiol total, disulfuro /tiol nativo y tiol nativo/tiol total en los grupos con sepsis y de referencia. Se compararon los parámetros entre los supervivientes y los no supervivientes del grupo con sepsis. Se midieron las concentraciones de hemoglobina, leucocitos, trombocitos, lactato y proteína C-reactiva en los pacientes con sepsis al momento del diagnóstico. Se utilizaron el puntaje de riesgo de mortalidad pediátrico (Pediatric Risk of Mortality, PRISM) y el puntaje de disfunción orgánica (Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction, PELOD) para estimar la gravedad de la enfermedad. Resultados. En el grupo con sepsis se incluyó a 38 pacientes y en el de referencia, a 40 niños sanos. Las concentraciones plasmáticas de tiol en los pacientes con sepsis fueron significativamente inferiores que las del grupo de referencia (p < 0,001). Conclusión. La homeostasis de tiol/disulfuro fue anormal en los niños con sepsis en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos.

Perfil de mortalidad en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos: asociación entre la mortalidad y el período fuera del horario diurno semanal / Six year mortality profile of a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: associaton between out-of-hours and mortality

Introducción. El personal capacitado y los avances tecnológicos mejoraron las unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP); por ende, mejoraron la atención, la supervivencia y el pronóstico. Pero la calidad de la atención varía según la disponibilidad de recursos humanos y técnicos. Objetivo. Determinar la correlación de las tasas de mortalidad dentro y fuera del horario diurno en días de semana. .Métodos. Se definió horario de días de semana de 8:00 a. m. a 5:00 p. m., el período fuera del horario fueron de 5:00 p. m. a 8:00 a. m., fines de semana y feriados, con un residente en la UCIP y un médico de planta de guardia pasiva. Se clasificaron las causas de mortalidad en la UCIP. Resultados. Se hospitalizaron 2187 pacientes en la UCIP. Fallecieron 394; 151 niñas (38,3 %) y 243 varones (61,7 %). Según el horario de muerte, la mayoría ocurrió fuera del horario diurno 244 (61,9 %) versus a 150 (38,1 %) durante el turno diurno, una diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p < 0,05). La edad, el sexo y la duración de la hospitalización en la UCIP no fueron significativos (p > 0,05) al comparar el período dentro y fuera del horario diurno. Se evaluaron las afecciones que acompañaron la muerte. La relación entre el horario de médicos de planta y la muerte fue significativa (p < 0,05). Hubo más afecciones asociadas a mortalidad fuera del horario diurno . Conclusión. El período fuera del horario diurno sin médicos de planta estuvo asociado con mayor mortalidad.

Introduction.Recent improvements in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) were achieved through trained personnel and better technology, leading to an increase in patient care, survival rates and good prognosis. Nevertheless the quality of care varies according to the availability of human and technical resources. Objective. The aim was to determine the correlation of mortality rates with daytime shifts compared to other shift periods (off-hours). Methods. Work hours were defined as week days between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with in-house attendance of senior staff, and off-hours as week days between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., weekends and public holidays, with one resident covering the PICU and senior staff directly available only on-call. Mortality causes in children hospitalized in the intensive care unit were classified. Results. During this period, a total of 2,187 patients were hospitalized in the PICU. A total of 394 patients died; 151 were girls (38.3 %) and 243 boys (61.7 %). Evaluating time of mortality showed that death occurred mostly at out-off hours: 244 (61.9 %) vs. 150 (38.1 %) during the daytime shift, which was statistically significant (p < 0.05). In addition, age, gender and the length of stay in the PICU were not significant (p > 0.05) when daytime was compared to outoff hours. The conditions which accompanied death were evaluated, the relationship between working hours and death was also significant (p < 0.05). More conditions related to mortality were encountered at off-hours.

Six year mortality profile of a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: associaton between out-of-hours and mortality. / Perfil de mortalidad en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos: asociación entre la mortalidad y el período fuera del horario diurno semanal.

INTRODUCTION: Recent improvements in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) were achieved through trained personnel and better technology, leading to an increase in patient care, survival rates and good prognosis. Nevertheless the quality of care varies according to the availability of human and technical resources. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine the correlation of mortality rates with daytime shifts compared to other shift periods (off-hours). METHODS: Work hours were defined as week days between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with in-house attendance of senior staff, and off-hours as week days between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., weekends and public holidays, with one resident covering the PICU and senior staff directly available only on-call. Mortality causes in children hospitalized in the intensive care unit were classified. RESULTS: During this period, a total of 2,187 patients were hospitalized in the PICU. A total of 394 patients died; 151 were girls (38.3 %) and 243 boys (61.7 %). Evaluating time of mortality showed that death occurred mostly at out-off hours: 244 (61.9 %) vs. 150 (38.1 %) during the daytime shift, which was statistically significant (p < 0.05). In addition, age, gender and the length of stay in the PICU were not significant (p > 0.05) when daytime was compared to out-off hours. The conditions which accompanied death were evaluated, the relationship between working hours and death was also significant (p < 0.05). More conditions related to mortality were encountered at off-hours. CONCLUSION: Off-hours without 24 hour attendance of senior staff, was associated with higher mortality.

Introducción. El personal capacitado y los avances tecnológicos mejoraron las unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP); por ende, mejoraron la atención, la supervivencia y el pronóstico. Pero la calidad de la atención varía según la disponibilidad de recursos humanos y técnicos. Objetivo. Determinar la correlación de las tasas de mortalidad dentro y fuera del horario diurno en días de semana. Métodos. Se definió horario de días de semana de 8:00 a. m. a 5:00 p. m., el período fuera del horario fueron de 5:00 p. m. a 8:00 a. m., fines de semana y feriados, con un residente en la UCIP y un médico de planta de guardia pasiva. Se clasificaron las causas de mortalidad en la UCIP. Resultados. Se hospitalizaron 2187 pacientes en la UCIP. Fallecieron 394; 151 niñas (38,3 %) y 243 varones (61,7 %). Según el horario de muerte, la mayoría ocurrió fuera del horario diurno 244 (61,9 %) versus a 150 (38,1 %) durante el turno diurno, una diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p < 0,05). La edad, el sexo y la duración de la hospitalización en la UCIP no fueron significativos (p > 0,05) al comparar el período dentro y fuera del horario diurno. Se evaluaron las afecciones que acompañaron la muerte. La relación entre el horario de médicos de planta y la muerte fue significativa (p < 0,05). Hubo más afecciones asociadas a mortalidad fuera del horario diurno. Conclusión. El período fuera del horario diurno sin médicos de planta estuvo asociado con mayor mortalidad.

Effects of Hemodialysis on Thiol-Disulphide Homeostasis in Critically Ill Pediatric Patients with Acute Kidney Injury.

AIM: To evaluate thiol/disulphide homeostasis as a new indicator of oxidative stress in AKI patients and to determine the effect of HD on antioxidant balance and oxidative stress through plasma thiols. METHODS: This study was performed in patients aged between 12 months and 18 years prospectively who underwent hemodialysis due to AKI and were followed up for a year in a 22-bed tertiary pediatric intensive care unit. 20 patients and 39 controls were included. RESULTS: No difference was present between the groups in terms of age and gender. Median values of plasma native thiol, total thiol, and percent thiol were significantly lower in AKI group both before and after dialysis when compared to control group. The median dynamic disulphide values were significantly lower in the AKI group of predialysis compared to the controls. When pre- and postdialysis values were compared, disulphide values were statistically higher after dialysis. When pre- and postdialysis native thiol, dynamic disulphide, total thiol, and percent thiol median values were compared, postdialysis values were significantly higher than the predialysis values. There was a positive correlation between albumin, total thiol, and native thiol values before dialysis in the patient group. CONCLUSION: AKI patients have low levels of thiol species showing the presence of oxidative stress and hemodialysis has a positive effect on thiol/disulphide balance. This new method may be an inexpensive and simple tool suitable for clinical studies and can be used in routine screening as a useful indicator to show oxidative stress.

Clinical impact and efficacy of bedside echocardiography on patient management in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs): A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the indication and necessity of echocardiographic assessment and therapeutic interventions in critically ill children. METHODS: A total of 140 children, including 75 mechanically ventilated (MV) and 65 spontaneously breathing (SB) children, who were admitted consecutively from March to August 2013 were evaluated prospectively. Data regarding the indication for echocardiography and therapeutic approaches used were documented. For evaluating disease severity, the Pediatric Risk of Mortality Score III (PRISM) was ascertained. The correlation between PRISM score and the requirement of echocardiographic evaluations were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients ages were between 45 days to 18 years. The male-to-female ratio was 1.33. In 35.4% patients who underwent echocardiographic evaluation, no definitive alteration occurred in treatment approach, whereas in the remaining 64.6% patients, decisive or supplemental information was gathered. Echocardiography was indicated in 88% MV children and 46.2% SB children. Echocardiographic evaluation was necessary in MV children and there was a positive correlation between the PRISM score and the requirement of echocardiographic assessment (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Echocardiographic evaluation is an invaluable tool especially in MV children and the requirement of echocardiographic assessment increases according to clinical severity. Basic training for intensivists in this procedure is crucial and needs to be improved and supported in critically ill.

Effects of paraoxonase, arylesterase, ceruloplasmin, catalase, and myeloperoxidase activities on prognosis in pediatric patients with sepsis.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate the levels of paraoxonase (PON), stimulated paraoxonase (SPON), arylesterase (ARE), ceruloplasmin (CLP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and catalase (CAT) in pediatric sepsis and to explore their effects on the prognosis of sepsis. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with sepsis (n=33) and healthy controls (n=30) were included. PON, SPON, ARE, CLP, MPO, and CAT activities were measured in the sepsis and control groups. Additionally, the parameters were compared between survivors and non-survivors in the sepsis group. The levels of hemoglobin, white blood cell, platelet, lactate, and C-reactive protein were measured in the blood samples drawn from the patients with sepsis at diagnosis, at the 48th hour, and on day 7. The pediatric risk of mortality and pediatric logistic organ dysfunction scores of the patients were used for the estimation of severity of disease. RESULTS: Lower ARE (153.24 vs. 264.32U/L; p<0.001), lower CLP (80.58 vs. 97.98U/L; p=0.032), lower MPO (91.24 vs. 116.55U/L; p=0.023), and higher CAT levels (256.5 vs.145.5kU/L; p=0.003) were determined in the sepsis group as compared to the control group. There was no difference between the groups in terms of PON or SPON levels. No difference was determined between the survivors and non-survivors in terms of any of the parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The present study determined that ARE, CLP, CAT, and MPO levels are different between the pediatric patients with sepsis and healthy controls. ARE level can be a potent biomarker for sepsis in critical patients in intensive care units. Further studies with larger samples are required to demonstrate the value of these parameters as prognostic biomarkers in pediatric sepsis.

Diagnostic Value of Upar, IL-33, and ST2 Levels in Childhood Sepsis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of Upar, IL-33, and ST2 in comparison with C-reactive protein, TNF-α, and Interleukin-6 in childhood sepsis. METHODS: A total of 128 children were included and 20 of them were the control group. We used only data showing a high probability of sepsis with blood culture positive children, because of this reason 68 children were excluded. Blood was collected from children from first day of sepsis (1st value) and 48 - 72 hours later (2nd value). RESULTS: There were significant differences between control and sepsis (1st value) for IL-33 levels (1.1 ± 0.28 ng/ mL and 5.23 ± 1.80 ng/mL, p = 0.01), for sST2 levels (6.73 ± 5.3 ng/mL and 53.23 ± 28.30 ng/mL, p = 0.01), for sUpar levels (3.3 ± 1.7 ng/mL and 15.2 ± 6.3 ng/mL, p = 0.01), respectively. There were significant differences between sepsis (1st value) and sepsis (2nd value) for IL-33 levels, for sST2 levels, and for suPAR levels. CONCLUSIONS: In the light of these results, it may be suggested that Upar, IL-33, and ST2 can be used as an acute phase reactant like C-reactive protein, TNF-α, and Interleukin-6 in the diagnosis of childhood sepsis.

Seizures in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the research is to determine the etiology and clinical features of seizures in critically ill children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS: A total of 203 children were admitted from June 2013 to November 2013; 45 patients were eligible. Age ranged from 2 months to 19 years. Seizures were organized as epileptic or acute symptomatic. Pediatric risk of mortality score III, Glasgow coma scale, risk factors, coexistent diagnosis, medications administered before admission, type and duration of seizures, drugs used, requirement and duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay and neuroimaging findings were collected as demographic data prospectively. RESULTS: The male-female ratio was 0.8. Mean age was 5.4. The most common causes of seizures were acute symptomatic. Most frequent coexistent diagnosis was infectious diseases, and 53.3% had recurrent seizures. Medications were administered to 51.1% of the patients before admission. Seizures were focal in 21 (46.7%), generalized in 11 (24.4%) and 13 (28.9%) had status epilepticus. Intravenous midazolam was first-line therapy in 48.9%. Acute symptomatic seizures were usually new-onset, and duration was shorter. Epileptic seizures tended to be recurrent and were likely to progress to status epilepticus. However, type of seizures did not change severity of the disease. Also, laboratory test results, medications administered before admission, requirement and duration of ventilation, mortality and length of stay were not significant between epileptic/acute symptomatic patients. CONCLUSION: Seizures in critically ill children, which may evolve into status epilepticus, is an important condition that requires attention regardless of cause. Intensified educational programs for PICU physicians and international guidelines are necessary for a more efficient approach to children with seizures.

Stress induced gastrointestinal bleeding in a pediatric intensive care unit: which risk factors should necessitate prophilaxis?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and the risk factors of stress induced gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in critically ill children, and to investigate the effect of prophilaxis. The setting was a 14-beded, tertiary care PICU. METHODS: Records of 182 children admitted consecutively from December 2012 to May 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. 136 patients were eligible. The age ranged from 40 days to 18 years. Diagnosis, demographic data, risk factors, administration of prophilaxis, drugs used in medication, prescence and degree of GIB and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The male-female ratio was 1.3. Mean age was 5.9. Mean PRISM III score was 12.2 and 49.3% had PRISM Score ≥10. Most frequent diagnosis was infectious diseases. Sixtyone (44.9%) children received prophylaxis in which antacids was used in 28 (45.9%), sucralfate in 18 (29.5%), proton pomp inhibitors (PPIs) in 51 (83.6%) and 5 (8.2%) received H2 reseptor antagonist. The incidence of GIB was 15.4% (N.=21), in which 66.7% (N.=14) were mild, 23.8% (N.=5) were moderate, 4.8% (N.=1) was significant and 4.8% (N.=1) was massive. In children who received prophylaxis 17 (27.9%) cases developed GIB. Mechanical ventilation was found to be the only risk factor significantly associated with stress induced GIB. Also; mechanical ventilation and trauma was strongly significant (P<0.001) and coagulopathy/thrombocytopenia, PRISM III ≥10, renal and hepatic failure, hypotension, and heart failure/arrhythmia was found to be associated with the development of GIB in critically ill children (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: GIB is a serious concern for PICU clinicians and intensivists are confused about the conflicting evidence supporting prophilaxis. We believe that prophylaxis could be beneficial for mechanically ventilated children. Also trauma, coagulopathy/thrombocytopenia, PRISM III≥10, renal and hepatic failure, hypotension, and heart failure/arrhythmia must be kept in mind as risk factors requiring attention in PICU setting.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis secondary to Varicella zoster infection in a child with Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a fatal, hyper-inflammatory syndrome that is characterized by untimely activation of macrophages, and manifests as cytopenia, organ dysfunction, and coagulopathy. Secondary HLH can be associated with infection, drugs, malignancy, and transplantation, and is mostly triggered by infection. Herein, we report the case of a patient with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) who developed severe HLH secondary to Varicella zoster infection.