Clinical profile of a cohort of neonates with seizures: Association between semiology, etiology, and electroencephalographic findings.

BACKGROUND: Seizures are the most common sign of neurologic dysfunction, reflecting a wide variety of central nervous system disorders. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study of neonates with a clinical diagnosis of seizures was conducted in order to verify relationships between clinical aspects and EEG findings. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the EEG recording available as: 1) with confirmatory ictal EEG; 2) with altered but non-ictal EEG; and 3) without any EEG recording. Variables related to pregnancy and birth history, neonatal complications, and seizure semiology (by video or clinical description) were compared to EEG findings. RESULTS: 97 neonates were included (39.1% preterm, 54.6% male), 71 with available EEG data (56.3% with ictal EEG). The group without EEG presented clinical characteristics significantly different from the others such as extreme prematurity, low birth weight, and higher neonatal mortality (P = 0.002, 0.001, and 0.003, respectively). The most common etiology was hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) (46.4%) followed by vascular disorders, which predominated in extremely preterm neonates (P = 0.006). Sequential seizure was the most common type (44.6%) and was more frequently identified in term neonates (46%). In 51.2% of the ictal recordings the main finding was electrographic seizure without clinical manifestation. Discharge using antiseizure medication was higher among those with ictal or altered non-ictal EEG (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HIE is still a frequently etiology for neonatal seizures. Even if the patients in the sample were not under continuous EEG, the substantial proportion of electrographic seizures without clinical manifestations detected suggests the importance of continuous EEG monitoring in neonates at increased risk of seizures.

Choque séptico em pediatria / Septic shock in pediatrics

Objetivos: Descrever as características do choque séptico em pediatria, seus critérios diagnósticos e tratamento atual. Métodos: Revisão da literatura publicada entre 2013 e 2018 no banco de dados PubMed e LILACS, utilizando as palavras-chave "Shock", "Septic", "Child" e "Infant". Resultados: O choque séptico é uma sepse com disfunção cardiovascular. Seu diagnóstico requer a suspeita ou a confirmação de uma infecção além de sinais de choque, que apresenta sinais de disfunção cardiovascular após a reposição de 40 ml/kg de volume cristaloide. O atendimento na primeira hora após o choque é crucial para um bom prognóstico, devendo seguir os passos: monitorização, oxigenação e via aérea, circulação, antibioticoterapia, drogas vasoativas e o encaminhamento do paciente para uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica. Conclusão: Choque séptico é a uma das principais causas de morte em pediatria. Seu reconhecimento e tratamento adequado, feito de forma precoce, são cruciais para diminuir a chance de evolução para choque refratário e disfunção de múltiplos órgãos, condições de alta morbimortalidade.

Aims: To describe the characteristics of septic shock in pediatrics, diagnostic criteria and current treatment.Methods: Literature review between 2013 and 2018 in the PubMed and LILACS database, using the keywords "Shock", "Septic", "Child" and "Infant". Results: Septic shock is a sepsis with cardiovascular dysfunction. Its diagnosis requires the suspicion or confirmation of an infection in addition to signs of shock, which shows signs of cardiovascular dysfunction after the replacement of 40 ml / kg of crystalloid volume. The first hour after the shock is crucial for a good prognosis and should follow the steps: monitoring, oxygenation and airway, circulation, antibiotic therapy, vasoactive drugs and the referral of the patient to a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Conclusion: Septic shock is one of the leading causes of death in pediatrics. Its recognition and proper treatment early is crucial to decrease the chance of evolution to refractory shock and dysfunction of multiple organs, conditions of high morbidity and mortality.

Avaliação do diagnóstico de morte encefálica em diferentes regiões do mundo / Evaluation of brain death diagnosis around the world

Objetivos: Descrever critérios diagnósticos adotados para morte encefálica nos Estados Unidos, em países da Europa e comparar com os critérios brasileiros revisados em 2017. Métodos: Esse estudo constitui- -se de uma revisão de literatura utilizando as bases de dados Pubmed e LILACS dentro do período de 2013 a 2018. Foram incluídos também a Resolução nº 2.173/2017, do Conselho Federal de Medicina (CFM) e o guideline da Academia Americana de Neurologia (AAN). Resultados: Brasil, Estados Unidos da América (EUA) e alguns países da Europa possuem em sua legislação a definição e a obrigatoriedade de diagnosticar a morte encefálica. Os países diferem sobre os pré-requisitos para se iniciar os procedimentos de determinação de morte encefálica (ME) e quanto ao tempo de observação desde o momento da internação até o momento do exame. Brasil, EUA e Europa têm como aspecto central do diagnóstico de ME o exame clínico. Todos eles exigem a realização dos testes de ausência de reflexos do tronco encefálico. O teste de apneia é realizado apenas uma vez durante o protocolo em todos os países pesquisados. Os exames complementares são exigidos pelo Brasil e Europa. Em alguns países europeus, a obrigatoriedade é para o eletroencefalograma (EEG). Nos EUA, os testes auxiliares não são necessários para o diagnóstico de ME. Conclusão: O conceito de morte encefálica já é padronizado; contudo, há diferenças nos testes de diagnósticos e no modo que são aplicados. Embora exista um protocolo instituído no Brasil, existem falhas na qualificação dos profissionais aptos a realizarem o diagnóstico de morte encefálica. Dessa maneira, é fundamental a inserção do tema já no meio acadêmico dos estudantes da área da saúde.

Aims: To describe diagnostic criteria used to determine brain death in the United States of America and in some European countries, and compare them with the Brazilian criteria, reviewed in 2017. Methods: This article is a literature review using the Pubmed and LILACS databases from 2013 to 2018. Were also included the Resolution No. 2,173 / 2017 of the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) and the guideline of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). Results: Brazil, United States and some European countries have legislation concerning the definition of brain death and the obligation to diagnose it. The countries differ on the prerequisites for initiating procedures for BD determination, regarding observation time from the admission to the examination. Brazil, USA and Europe have clinical examination as central aspect of the diagnosis of BD. All of them require test of absence of brainstem reflexes. The apnea test is performed only once during the protocol in all countries surveyed. Complementary exams are required by both Brazil and Europe; in some European countries, this obligation concerns the EEG in particular. In USA, ancillary tests are not necessary for the diagnosis of BD. Conclusions: The concept of brain death has already been standardized, however, there are differences in the diagnostic tests and the way they are applied. Although there is a protocol established in Brazil, there are shortcomings in the qualification of professionals capable of performing the diagnosis of brain death. Thus, it is fundamental to insert this subject in the health students academic environment.