Impact of Telemedicine use on clinical care indicators of pediatric intensive care units: protocol for a cluster randomized clinical trial.

The objective of this study is to present the protocol of a cluster randomized clinical trial to be conducted through the TeleICU project - Qualification of Intensive Care by Telemedicine. The study will consist of a cluster randomized clinical trial, open label, in pediatric intensive care units, with an allocation ratio of 1:1, to compare the intervention group (support of Telemedicine for patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit) with a control group (pediatric intensive care unit usual care). The study proposed to select 16 pediatric intensive care units, including 100 participants per site, with a total of 1,600 participants. The intervention group will receive telerounds from Monday to Friday and will have specialists and continuing education activities available. The primary outcome measure will be the length of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit, defined as the difference between the date of discharge of the participant and the date of admission to the intensive care unit. The secondary outcomes will be mortality rate, invasive mechanical ventilation-free days, days using antibiotics, days using vasoactive drugs and days using sedoanalgesia. This study will be conducted in accordance with Resolution 466/12 of the National Health Council, with approval by the Research Ethics Committee of the institutions involved. The present study has the potential to reproduce studies on Telemedicine in intensive care and may make important contributions to care in intensive care units in Brazil and other settings. If Telemedicine shows positive clinical care results compared to conventional treatment, more pediatric patients may benefit. ClinicalTrials.gov registry: NCT05260710.

Impact of Telemedicine use on clinical care indicators of pediatric intensive care units: protocol for a cluster randomized clinical trial / Impacto do uso da Telemedicina nos indicadores clínicos assistenciais de unidades de terapia intensiva pediátricas: protocolo para um ensaio clínico randomizado em cluster

ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to present the protocol of a cluster randomized clinical trial to be conducted through the TeleICU project - Qualification of Intensive Care by Telemedicine. The study will consist of a cluster randomized clinical trial, open label, in pediatric intensive care units, with an allocation ratio of 1:1, to compare the intervention group (support of Telemedicine for patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit) with a control group (pediatric intensive care unit usual care). The study proposed to select 16 pediatric intensive care units, including 100 participants per site, with a total of 1,600 participants. The intervention group will receive telerounds from Monday to Friday and will have specialists and continuing education activities available. The primary outcome measure will be the length of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit, defined as the difference between the date of discharge of the participant and the date of admission to the intensive care unit. The secondary outcomes will be mortality rate, invasive mechanical ventilation-free days, days using antibiotics, days using vasoactive drugs and days using sedoanalgesia. This study will be conducted in accordance with Resolution 466/12 of the National Health Council, with approval by the Research Ethics Committee of the institutions involved. The present study has the potential to reproduce studies on Telemedicine in intensive care and may make important contributions to care in intensive care units in Brazil and other settings. If Telemedicine shows positive clinical care results compared to conventional treatment, more pediatric patients may benefit. ClinicalTrials.gov registry: NCT05260710

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo será apresentar o protocolo de um ensaio clínico randomizado em cluster a ser realizado por meio do projeto TeleUTI - Qualificação da Assistência em Terapia Intensiva por Telemedicina. O estudo consistirá em um ensaio clínico randomizado por cluster, open label, em unidades de terapia intensiva pediátricas, com proporção de alocação de 1:1, com o intuito de comparar o grupo de intervenção (apoio da telemedicina para os pacientes internados na unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica) com um grupo controle (cuidados habituais da unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica). O estudo se propõe a selecionar 16 unidades de terapia intensiva pediátricas, incluindo 100 participantes por local, com o total de 1.600 participantes. O grupo intervenção receberá telerounds de segunda-feira a sexta-feira e terá à disposição especialistas e atividades de educação continuada. O desfecho primário a ser avaliado será o tempo de permanência nas unidades de terapia intensiva pediátricas, definido pela diferença entre a data de alta do participante com a data de admissão na unidade de terapia intensiva. Os desfechos secundários serão: taxa de mortalidade; dias livres de ventilação mecânica, dias de uso de antibióticos, dias de uso de drogas vasoativas e dias de uso de sedoanalgesia. Este estudo será conduzido em conformidade com a resolução 466/12 do Conselho Nacional de Saúde, com aprovação pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa das instituições hospitalares envolvidas. O trabalho tem o potencial de reproduzir estudos sobre Telemedicina em cuidados intensivos, podendo trazer contribuições importantes ao atendimento em unidades de terapia intensiva no Brasil e em outras realidades. Se a Telemedicina mostrar resultados clínicos assistenciais positivos em relação ao tratamento convencional, mais pacientes pediátricos poderão ser beneficiados. Registro ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05260710

Coqueluche em crianças menores de 3 anos de idade hospitalizadas em 2011 e 2012 / Pertussis in children below 3 years of age admitted in 2011 and 2012

Descrever as características demográficas e clínicas de pacientes pediátricos internados com reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) positivo para Bordetella pertussis. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, observacional incluindo todos os pacientes pediátricos entre zero e 2 anos, 11 meses e 29 dias de idade internados em um hospital universitário com diagnóstico de coqueluche confirmado por PCR, no período de julho de 2011 a dezembro de 2012. Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 155 pacientes com idade média de 7,8 meses. Apenas 22 casos tinham história de contato com tosse paroxística ou prolongada (>14 dias). O tempo médio de duração de sintomas antes da admissão hospitalar foi de 9,87±10,08 dias e o tempo de internação médio foi de 5,52±9,60 dias. Tosse foi o sintoma mais prevalente (99%), sendo paroxística em apenas 16,8%. Cianose esteve presente em 29,7% e apneia em 5,8%. Além disso, 52,2% dos pacientes necessitaram oxigênio suplementar, 6,5% necessitaram de ventilação mecânica, e 2,5% foram a óbito. Conclusão: O estudo corrobora o impacto da coqueluche epidêmica sobre as crianças, principalmente lactentes, evidenciando a necessidade da implementação de novas estratégias de prevenção e controle desta infecção...

To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of pediatric patients admitted with positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Bordetella pertussis. Methods: Retrospective, observational study including all pediatric patients between zero and 2 years, 11 months and 29 days of age admitted to a university hospital, diagnosed with pertussis confirmed by PCR from July 2011 to December 2012. Results: The study included 155 patients with a mean age of 7.8 months. Only 22 cases had history of contact with people with paroxysmal or prolonged cough (>14 days). The average duration of symptoms before hospital admission was 9.87±10.08 days and the average time of hospitalization was 5.52±9.60 days. Coughing was the most prevalent symptom (99%), with paroxysmal features in only 16.8%. Cyanosis was present in 29.5% and apnea was present in 5.8%. Additionally, 52.2% of patients required supplemental oxygen, 6.5% required mechanical ventilation, and 2.5% died. Conclusion: The study corroborates the impact of epidemic pertussis in children, particularly in infants, highlighting the need for new strategies to prevent and control this infection...

Management of anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists in a tertiary hospital outpatient clinic

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the main risk factors for stroke. Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) reduce this risk, and the effectiveness of this treatment is directly related to time in therapeutic range (TTR). This study aimed to report the TTR in patients with non-valvular AF at an anticoagulation outpatient clinic; and to describe the profile of this population of patients in terms of risk of stroke, as well as the occurrence of adverse events during the follow-up. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study involving patients of the anticoagulation outpatient clinic of the Department of Internal Medicine at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. We evaluated outpatient visits, hospital admissions, and emergency visits from January to December 2011. TTR was calculated using the Rosendaal method. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were investigated. Their mean age was 74.3±10.9 years. The CHADS2 score was ≥ 4 in 44.5% of the patients; 63.5% of them had a CHA2 DS2 -VASc score ≥ 5. The TTR was 64.8%. During follow-up, the incidence of overall bleeding was 31.7%, with major and minor bleeding rates of 4.8% and 34.9%, respectively. There were no other complications related to AF or anticoagulation. CONCLUSION: The patients achieved a TTR of 64.8% during follow-up, which is deemed appropriate and in agreement with the literature. Patients had high risk for stroke, and the incidence of minor bleeding was higher than the rate found in the literature, whereas the incidence of major bleeding was similar to the one found in previous studies

[Gestational diabetes management: a multidisciplinary treatment algorithm]. / Diabetes gestacional: um algoritmo de tratamento multidisciplinar.

Effective treatment of gestational diabetes is important as an attempt to avoid unfavorable maternal and fetal outcomes. The objective of this paper is to describe the available therapies to optimize gestational diabetes treatment and to suggest a multidisciplinary approach algorithm. Nutrition therapy is the first option for the majority of these pregnancies; light to moderate physical activity is recommended in the absence of obstetrical contraindications. Medical treatment is recommended if glycemic control is not achieved or if excessive fetal growth is detected by ultrasound. Insulin is the standard treatment although oral antidiabetic drugs have recently been considered an effective and safe option. The monitoring of gestational diabetes treatment includes capillary glucose measurements and evaluation of fetal abdominal circumference by ultrasound performed around the 28th gestational week.

Diabetes gestacional: um algoritmo de tratamento multidisciplinar / Gestational diabetes management: a multidisciplinary treatment algorithm

O tratamento do diabetes gestacional é importante para evitar a morbimortalidade materno-fetal. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever o tratamento atualmente disponível para o manejo otimizado da hiperglicemia na gestação e sugerir um algoritmo de tratamento multidisciplinar. A terapia nutricional é a primeira opção de tratamento para as gestantes, e a prática de exercício físico leve a moderado deve ser estimulada na ausência de contraindicações obstétricas. O tratamento medicamentoso está recomendado quando os alvos glicêmicos não são atingidos ou na presença de crescimento fetal excessivo à ultrassonografia. O tratamento tradicional do diabetes gestacional é a insulinoterapia, embora mais recentemente a metformina venha sendo considerada uma opção segura e eficaz. A monitorização do tratamento é realizada com aferição da glicemia capilar e com avaliação da circunferência abdominal fetal por meio de ultrassonografia obstétrica a partir da 28ª semana de gestação.

Effective treatment of gestational diabetes is important as an attempt to avoid unfavorable maternal and fetal outcomes. The objective of this paper is to describe the available therapies to optimize gestational diabetes treatment and to suggest a multidisciplinary approach algorithm. Nutrition therapy is the first option for the majority of these pregnancies; light to moderate physical activity is recommended in the absence of obstetrical contraindications. Medical treatment is recommended if glycemic control is not achieved or if excessive fetal growth is detected by ultrasound. Insulin is the standard treatment although oral antidiabetic drugs have recently been considered an effective and safe option. The monitoring of gestational diabetes treatment includes capillary glucose measurements and evaluation of fetal abdominal circumference by ultrasound performed around the 28th gestational week.

Tuberculose infantil: estudo retrospectivo / Tuberculosis in childhood: retrospective study

Introdução: a tuberculose (TB) infantil permanece como uma das doenças mais prevalentes e preocupantes no mundo, sobretudo em nações em desenvolvimento, onde as taxas são ainda mais elevadas e os casos descritos subestimados pela dificuldade em se estabelecer um diagnóstico definitivo. Dessa forma, este estudo tem como objetivo descrever o perfil clínico e epidemiológico dos pacientes com TB infantil pulmonar e extrapulmonar.Métodos: foram avaliados retrospectivamente, através de questionário, pacientes com idade de até 15 anos, internados no Serviço de Pediatria do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), no período de janeiro de 2002 a setembro de 2007. Resultados: dos 52 pacientes incluídos, 63% apresentavam TB pulmonar. Das formas extra-pulmonares, a meningoencefalite foi a mais prevalente (22%). Comorbidades foram detectadas em 31 (60%) pacientes, dos quais 15 (29%) apresentavam desnutrição grave, 9 (18%) HIV positivo e 7 (13%) pneumopatia crônica. Das manifestações clínicas, febre e tosse estavam presentes na maioria dos pacientes. O padrão radiológico predominante foi o de consolidação pulmonar (51%). A maioria dos pacientes referia história de contato com paciente bacilífero (64%). Conclusão: a TB pulmonar representa a principal forma de apresentação clínica da TB, sendo o diagnóstico feito de forma presuntiva na maioria dos casos. Os resultados do nosso estudo reforçam a importância da anamnese (história epidemiológica e vacinal) e achados clínicos e radiológicos para o diagnóstico de TB infantil. Tendo em vista que a TB em crianças é considerada um “evento sentinela”, indicando recente transmissão a partir de um adulto infectado, além da maior gravidade da doença nesta população, torna-se imperativo uma maior ênfase na prevenção e diagnóstico precoces.

Background: tuberculosis (TB) in childhood remains one of the most prevalent and disturbing diseases worldwide. This is especially true in developing countries, where TB rates are even higher and the number of cases is underestimated because of the difficulty to establish definitive diagnosis. Aim: the present study was to describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of children with pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB. Methods: we used a questionnaire to retrospectively evaluate patients aged up to 15 years admitted to the Pediatric Unit of HCPA from January 2002 to September 2007. Results: of the 52 patients included in the study, 63% had pulmonary TB. Among the extrapulmonary forms, meningoencephalitis was the most prevalent (22%). Comorbidities were detected in 31 (60%) patients, and 15 (29%) of them had severe malnutrition, 9 (18%) were positive for HIV, and 7 (13%) had chronic lung disease. Among the clinical manifestations, fever and cough were present in most patients. The predominant radiological pattern was pulmonary consolidation (51%). Most patients reported a history of contact with contagious TB patients (64%). Conclusion: pulmonary TB is the main clinical presentation of TB, and most patients receive a presumptive diagnosis. Our results reinforce the importance of anamnesis (epidemiological and vaccination history) and clinical and radiological findings to establish the diagnosis of TB in childhood. Considering that TB in children is a “sentinel event”, indicating recent transmission from an infected adult, and because of the greater severity of the disease in this population, it is crucial to emphasize prevention and early diagnosis.

Diabetes e gestação: perfil clínico e laboratorial em pré-natal de alto risco / Diabetes and pregnancy: clinical profile in high-risk prenatal care

Introdução: O diabetes é complicação clínica frequente na gestação e sua prevalência vem aumentando nos últimos anos. Objetivo: Analisar a frequência dos tipos de diabetes na gestação, as características clínicas das gestantes e alguns desfechos materno-fetais, em pré-natal de alto risco. Método: Estudo retrospectivo de revisão dos prontuários eletrônicos de mulheres com diabetes e gestação atendidas no período de janeiro 2009 a junho 2010 no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA). Resultados: Nesse período, 173 gestantes foram atendidas no ambulatório de gestação e diabetes, no total de 1459 consultas. O diabetes gestacional ocorreu em 84% das gestantes, 8% apresentaram diabetes tipo 2, 6%, diabetes tipo 1 e 2%, outros tipos. As mulheres com diabetes gestacional apresentaram HbA1c inferior às demais. A maioria das pacientes iniciou o pré-natal após o primeiro trimestre. A taxa geral de cesariana foi de 56%, tendo sido mais frequente no diabetes tipo 1. O recém-nascido foi considerado pequeno para a idade gestacional em 9% dos casos, e grande em 13%, sem diferença entre os tipos de diabetes. Nas mulheres com diabetes gestacional, o peso do recém-nascido correlacionou-se positivamente com o índice de massa corporal, glicemia de jejum ao diagnóstico e HbA1c da mãe. Conclusão: O diabetes associado à gestação é motivo frequente de atendimento no pré-natal especializado do HCPA, sendo a maioria diabetes gestacional. Nesses casos, obesidade e pior controle glicêmico associaram-se com o peso fetal aumentado. As gestantes chegam tardiamente ao centro de tratamento, com controle metabólico aquém do recomendado.

Background: Gestational diabetes is a common complication of pregnancy and its prevalence has increased in the last years. Aim: To describe the frequency of different types of diabetes, maternal clinical characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant diabetic women who received prenatal care at a high-risk prenatal center. Method: Review of medical records of pregnant diabetic women who received prenatal care between January 2009 and June 2010 at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA). Results: In this period, 173 pregnant diabetic women received prenatal care; 1,459 medical visits were made. Gestational diabetes was diagnosed in 84% of the women, 8% had type 2 diabetes, 6% had type 1 diabetes, and 2% had other types of diabetes. Women with gestational diabetes had lower HbA1c than the other diabetic groups. Most patients started the prenatal care after the first quarter. The global frequency of cesarean section was 56% but it was more frequent among type 1 diabetics. Newborns were small for gestational age in 9% of the cases and large for gestational age in 13%, without significant differences between different types of diabetes. In gestational diabetic women, birth weight was associated with mother’s body mass index, fasting glycemia at diagnosis, and HbA1c. Conclusion: Diabetes associated with pregnancy is a frequent reason for prenatal care at HCPA; gestational diabetes is the most frequent type of diabetes and, in these women, maternal obesity and worst glycemic control adversely influenced fetal birth weight. Patients arrive with a suboptimal glycemic control and start their treatment with undesirable delay.