Niveles de neopterina y síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica en pacientes críticos pediátricos / Neopterin levels and systemic inflammatory response syndrome in pediatric critically ill patients

Introducción: La neopterina y biopterina, subproductos de reacciones redox, son cofactores en la producción de óxido nítrico. Hipótesis: La neopterina y biopterina plasmáticas sufren evolución diferente durante los primeros días de una enfermedad crítica en pediatría. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo observacional monocéntrico en pacientes de 7 días-14 años ingresados en UCIP con criterios de SRIS. Se recogieron, al ingreso y a las 24 h, los niveles de neopterina y biopterina, otros reactantes de fase aguda y datos clínicos. Resultados: Se analizó a 28 pacientes, el 78,9% varones, de 5,04 años (RIQ 1,47-10,26), con PRISM II 2,0% (RIQ 1,1-5,0), ventilación mecánica (VM) en 90% (36,8% >24 h), duración de VM de 6,0 h (RIQ 3,7-102,0), ingreso en UCIP de 5,0 días (RIQ 2,7-18,7), media de VIS máximo de 0 (RIQ 0-14). La neopterina inicial fue de 2,3 ± 1,2 nmol/l y a las 24 h de 2,3 ± 1,4 nmol/l. La biopterina basal fue 1,3 ± 0,5 nmol/l y a las 24h 1,4 ± 0,4 nmol/l. La neopterina fue significativamente mayor en estancia > 6 días (p = 0,02), VM > 24h (p = 0,023) y con complicaciones (p = 0,05). La neopterina se correlaciona de forma directa con la duración de VM (rho = 0,6; p = 0,011), la estancia en UCIP (rho = 0,75; p < 0,0001) y el VIS (rho = 0,73; p = 0,001). Adicionalmente, la biopterina se correlaciona directamente con el PRISM (rho = 0,61; p = 0,008) y la cifra de leucocitos (rho = 0,88; p = 0,002). Discusión: Existe un ascenso de neopterina con mayor estancia, mayor VIS, VM más duradera y aparición de complicaciones, lo que refleja una activación del sistema inmune celular en los más graves (AU)

Introduction: Neopterin and biopterin are sub-products of redox reactions, which act as cofactors of enzymes responsible for nitric oxide production. The hypothesis is presented that plasma neopterin and biopterin evolve differently during the first days in a critically ill child. Methods: A single-centre prospective observational study was conducted on patients 7 days to 14 years admitted to our Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and that met Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria. Neopterin and biopterin levels, as well as other acute phase reactants, were collected at admission and at 24 h. Results: A total of 28 patients were included, of which 78.9% were male, The median age was 5.04 years (interquartile range [IQR] 1.47-10.26), and PRISM II 2.0% (IQR 1.1-5.0). Mechanical ventilation (MV) was used in 90% of patients, with a median duration of 6.0 hrs (IQR 3.7-102.0). The median length of stay in PICU was 5.0 days (IQR 2.7-18.7), maximum VIS mean of 0 (IQR 0-14). Baseline neopterin level was 2.3±1.2 nmol/l and at 24 h it was 2.3±1.4 nmol/l. Baseline biopterin was 1.3±0.5 nmol/l and 1.4±0.4 nmol/l at 24 h. Neopterin levels were significantly higher in patients with PICU length of stay > 6 days (P=.02), patients who needed MV >24 h (P=.023), and those who developed complications (P=.05). Neopterin correlates directly and is statistically significant with the duration of MV (rho=.6, P=.011), PICU length of stay (rho=.75, P<.0001), and VIS (rho=.73, P=.001). Additionally, biopterin directly correlates with the PRISM (rho=.61, P=.008). Discussion: There is a higher neopterin level when there is a longer PICU stay, higher VIS score, longer time on MV, and occurrence of complications, indicating the involvement of an activation of the cellular immune system (AU)

[Neopterin levels and systemic inflammatory response syndrome in pediatric critically ill patients]. / Niveles de neopterina y síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica en pacientes críticos pediátricos.

INTRODUCTION: Neopterin and biopterin are sub-products of redox reactions, which act as cofactors of enzymes responsible for nitric oxide production. The hypothesis is presented that plasma neopterin and biopterin evolve differently during the first days in a critically ill child. METHODS: A single-centre prospective observational study was conducted on patients 7 days to 14 years admitted to our Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and that met Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria. Neopterin and biopterin levels, as well as other acute phase reactants, were collected at admission and at 24 h. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients were included, of which 78.9% were male, The median age was 5.04 years (interquartile range [IQR] 1.47-10.26), and PRISM II 2.0% (IQR 1.1-5.0). Mechanical ventilation (MV) was used in 90% of patients, with a median duration of 6.0 hrs (IQR 3.7-102.0). The median length of stay in PICU was 5.0 days (IQR 2.7-18.7), maximum VIS mean of 0 (IQR 0-14). Baseline neopterin level was 2.3±1.2 nmol/l and at 24 h it was 2.3±1.4 nmol/l. Baseline biopterin was 1.3±0.5 nmol/l and 1.4±0.4 nmol/l at 24 h. Neopterin levels were significantly higher in patients with PICU length of stay > 6 days (P=.02), patients who needed MV >24 h (P=.023), and those who developed complications (P=.05). Neopterin correlates directly and is statistically significant with the duration of MV (rho=.6, P=.011), PICU length of stay (rho=.75, P<.0001), and VIS (rho=.73, P=.001). Additionally, biopterin directly correlates with the PRISM (rho=.61, P=.008). DISCUSSION: There is a higher neopterin level when there is a longer PICU stay, higher VIS score, longer time on MV, and occurrence of complications, indicating the involvement of an activation of the cellular immune system.

Acute alithiasic cholecystitis: a not so rare disease.

INTRODUCTION: Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) occurs more frequently in critically ill patients, in the immediate postoperative period, after trauma or extensive burns. It has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Ischemia, infection and vesicular stasis are determinants in its pathogenesis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective study including all cases of AAC diagnosed in our pediatric intensive care unit between January 1997 and December 2012. RESULTS: We included 7 patients, all associated with viral or bacterial infection. All of them suffered from abdominal pain, mainly localized in the right upper quadrant, jaundice and dark urine. Abdominal ultrasound showed thickening and hypervascularity of the gallbladder wall in all cases. The outcome was satisfactory without surgery in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical presentation is oligosymptomatic within severe systemic diseases. The AAC should be suspected in the appearance of any abdominal pain with jaundice/dark urine and hypertransaminasemia in patients suffering from critical or serious infections.

Colecistitis aguda alitiásica en pediatría. Una patología no tan rara / Acute alithiasic cholecystitis: a not so rare disease

Introducción: la colecistitis aguda alitiásica (CAA) se da con mayor frecuencia en pacientes críticos, en el periodo postoperatorio inmediato, tras traumatismos o quemaduras extensas. Tiene una alta tasa de morbimortalidad. La isquemia, la infección y la estasis vesicular son determinantes en su patogenia. Material y método: estudio retrospectivo que incluye todos los casos de CAA diagnosticados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos de nuestro centro en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 1997 y diciembre de 2012. Resultados: se incluyen a 7 pacientes, todos asociaron infección viral o bacteriana. Todos debutaron con dolor abdominal localizado en hipocondrio derecho, ictericia y coluria. La ecografía abdominal en todos los casos demostró engrosamiento e hipervascularización de la pared vesicular. La evolución fue satisfactoria en todos los casos sin necesidad de cirugía. Conclusiones: la presentación del cuadro es oligosintomática en el seno de enfermedades sistémicas de gravedad variable. La CAA se debe sospechar ante todo cuadro de dolor abdominal con ictericia/coluria e hipertransaminasemia en pacientes críticos o que cursan infecciones graves (AU)

Introduction: Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) occurs more frequently in critically ill patients, in the immediate postoperative period, after trauma or extensive burns. It has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Ischemia, infection and vesicular stasis are determinants in its pathogenesis. Material and method: Retrospective study including all cases of AAC diagnosed in our pediatric intensive care unit between January 1997 and December 2012. Results: We included 7 patients, all associated with viral or bacterial infection. All of them suffered from abdominal pain, mainly localized in the right upper quadrant, jaundice and dark urine. Abdominal ultrasound showed thickening and hypervascularity of the gallbladder wall in all cases. The outcome was satisfactory without surgery in all patients. Conclusions: The clinical presentation is oligosymptomatic within severe systemic diseases. The AAC should be suspected in the appearance of any abdominal pain with jaundice/dark urine and hypertransaminasemia in patients suffering from critical or serious infections (AU)

Use of adenosine in the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia in a pediatric emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is the most frequent arrhythmia requiring treatment in childhood, with an estimated incidence of 1/100 to 1/250 children. The treatment of choice of the acute event is intravenous adenosine. This study aimed to determine if doses of adenosine higher than previously described are needed to successfully revert SVT in children. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of SVT cases in a tertiary hospital from January 2007 to December 2011. RESULTS: A total of 44 episodes of SVT were recorded in 26 patients. Mean age was 3.1 years. In 39 patients (89%), adenosine was administered, reverting to stable sinus rhythm in 29 episodes, which represents an effectiveness of 75%. In relation to the number of doses administered, 12 patients (30%) received a single dose, with a mean (SD) response dose of 112 (35) µg/kg; 16 (41%) received 2 doses, with a mean (SD) response dose of 188 (55) µg/kg; and 9 (24%) received 3 doses, with a mean (SD) response dose of 249 (108) µg/kg. Finally, in 2 patients (4%), 4 doses of adenosine were administered, with only 1 of them responding to a dose of 300 µg/kg. The mean (SD) dose that reverted the SVT to normal sinus rhythm was 173 (84) µg/kg, and the mean (SD) number of doses administered was 1.7 (0.8) (range, 1-4). Sixty-six percent were discharged home, without the need to be transferred to pediatric intensive care unit or pediatric ward. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients with SVT episodes require treatment with more than 1 dose of adenosine. Doses higher than the usually described in the guidelines are necessary to revert SVT. Most patients can be discharged home from the emergency department, without the need of hospital admission.