Clinical practices related to liberation from mechanical ventilation in Latin American pediatric intensive care units: survey of the Sociedad Latino-Americana de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos Mechanical Ventilation Liberation Group.

OBJECTIVE: To address the current practice of liberating patients from invasive mechanical ventilation in pediatric intensive care units, with a focus on the use of standardized protocols, criteria, parameters, and indications for noninvasive respiratory support postextubation. METHODS: Electronic research was carried out from November 2021 to May 2022 in Ibero-American pediatric intensive care units. Physicians and respiratory therapists participated, with a single representative for each pediatric intensive care unit included. There were no interventions. RESULTS: The response rate was 48.9% (138/282), representing 10 Ibero-American countries. Written invasive mechanical ventilation liberation protocols were available in only 34.1% (47/138) of the pediatric intensive care units, and their use was associated with the presence of respiratory therapists (OR 3.85; 95%CI 1.79 - 8.33; p = 0.0008). The most common method of liberation involved a gradual reduction in ventilatory support plus a spontaneous breathing trial (47.1%). The mean spontaneous breathing trial duration was 60 - 120 minutes in 64.8% of the responses. The presence of a respiratory therapist in the pediatric intensive care unit was the only variable associated with the use of a spontaneous breathing trial as the primary method of liberation from invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 5.1; 95%CI 2.1 - 12.5). Noninvasive respiratory support protocols were not frequently used postextubation (40.4%). Nearly half of the respondents (43.5%) reported a preference for using bilevel positive airway pressure as the mode of noninvasive ventilation postextubation. CONCLUSION: A high proportion of Ibero-American pediatric intensive care units lack liberation protocols. Our study highlights substantial variability in extubation readiness practices, underscoring the need for standardization in this process. However, the presence of a respiratory therapist was associated with increased adherence to guidelines.

Association between the lactate-albumin ratio and microcirculation changes in Pediatric Septic patients.

A lactate/albumin ratio (LAR) greater than 0.5 measured early in the course of pediatric critical illness is associated with greater mortality. Whether the elevated LAR can be explained by microcirculation disorders in children with sepsis is not known. In this longitudinal retrospective study (January 2021-January 2024), serum albumin and lactate were measured on admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), with sublingual video microscopy performed simultaneously to measure microcirculation. A total of 178 children were included, 37% of whom had septic shock measured with the Phoenix Sepsis Score. Patients with remote sepsis had greater odds of an elevated LAR (aOR 6.87: 95% CI 1.98-23.73; p < 0.01). Children with an elevated LAR had more microvascular blood flow abnormalities (aOR 1.31 95% CI 1.08-1.58; p < 0.01), lower 4-6-micron capillary density (aOR 1.03 95% CI 1.01-1.05; p < 0.01) and greater odds of dying (aOR 3.55 95% CI 1.21-10.38; p = 0.02) compared to those with a low LAR. We found no association between LAR and endothelial glycocalyx degradation. A normal LAR is associated with less risk of microcirculatory injury (aOR 0.77 95% CI 0.65-0.93; p < 0.01). In children with sepsis, an elevated LAR is associated with microcirculation abnormalities (microvascular density and flow). The lactate/albumin ratio is a potentially useful biomarker for microcirculatory injury in sepsis.

Clinical and epidemiological factors related to mortality due to septic shock in a pediatric intensive care unit.

INTRODUCTION: Septic shock is a potentially life-threatening condition. The aim of this study was to identify clinical and epidemiological factors associated with mortality in pediatric patients admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with septic shock. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective comparative case series study was conducted with children aged 1 month to 14 years with septic shock from 2018 to 2020 in a PICU in Lima, Peru. Patients were divided into deceased and survivor groups based on their condition at discharge from the PICU. The influence of each variable on mortality was assessed using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: A total of 174 patients were included in the study, with 51 (29.3%) fatalities. Deceased patients, compared to survivors, were older, had a higher incidence of oncological disease (31.4% vs. 14.6%; p = 0.011), more frequently presented with hemoglobin ≤ 9 g/dL (44% vs. 28%; p = 0.043), lactate > 2 mmol/L (70% vs. 44%; p = 0.002), platelets ≤ 150 (×103)/µL (77% vs. 42%; p < 0.001), and pH ≤ 7.1 (31% vs. 6%; p < 0.001). In the logistic regression model, factors related to mortality were having a pH ≤ 7.1 (odds ratio [OR] = 8.95; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.52-31.75) and platelets ≤ 150 (×103)/µL (OR = 3.89; 95% CI: 1.40-10.84). CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with mortality in pediatric patients with septic shock were a pH ≤ 7.1 and platelets ≤ 150 (×103)/µL in the assessments conducted upon admission to the PICU.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El shock séptico es una condición potencialmente mortal. El objetivo del estudio fue identificar factores clínicos y epidemiológicos relacionados con la mortalidad en pacientes que ingresaron por shock séptico a una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (UCIP). MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo tipo serie de casos comparativos con niños de 1 mes a 14 años hospitalizados por shock séptico del 2018 al 2020 en una UCIP de Lima en Perú. Los pacientes fueron divididos en fallecidos y vivos según su condición al alta de la Unidad. La influencia de cada variable sobre la mortalidad fue evaluada mediante un modelo de regresión logística. RESULTADOS: Ingresaron 174 pacientes al estudio, fallecieron 51 (29.3%). Los fallecidos en comparación con los vivos fueron de mayor edad, tuvieron más casos oncológicos (31.4% vs. 14.6%; p = 0.011), presentaron con mayor frecuencia hemoglobina ≤ 9 g/dL (44% vs. 28%; p = 0.043), lactato > 2 mmol/L (70% vs. 44%; p = 0.002), plaquetas ≤ 150 (×103)/µL (77% vs. 42%; p < 0.001) y pH ≤ 7,1 (31% vs. 6%; p < 0.001). En la regresión logística ajustada los factores que se relacionaron con la mortalidad fueron tener un pH ≤ 7,1 (OR = 8.95; IC 95%: 2.52 a 31.75) y plaquetas ≤ 150 (×103)/µL (OR = 3.89; IC 95%: 1.40 a 10.84). CONCLUSIONES: Los factores relacionados con la mortalidad en pacientes hospitalizados por shock séptico fueron tener un pH ≤ 7.1 y plaquetas ≤ 150 (×103)/µL en los controles realizados al ingreso de la UCIP.

Structured respiratory physiotherapy protocol for resolution of atelectasis in pediatric intensive care.

Children are at higher risk of atelectasis due to their anatomical and physiological particularities. Several physiotherapy techniques are used to treat atelectasis, but only four studies cite methods in pediatric patients undergoing Invasive Mechanical Ventilation (IMV). The objective of this study was to evaluate the Structured Respiratory Physiotherapy Protocol (SRPP) for airway clearance and lung reexpansion for infants on IMV with atelectasis. This is a prospective study including 30 infants (mean ± standard deviation age 8.9 ± 8.0 months; weight 7.5 ± 3.0 kg; BMI 15.8 ± 1.6 kg/cm2 and IMV duration 7.7 ± 4.3 days). The sample was randomized into a Control Group (CG), which received routine physiotherapy, and an Intervention Group (IG), submitted to SRPP (postural drainage, mechanical thoracic vibration, manual hyperinflation, stretching of the accessory respiratory muscles, and functional positioning). Both groups were evaluated before and after physiotherapy for respiratory effort using the Wood Downes Score (WD) and pulmonary aeration using lung ultrasonography (Lung Ultrasound Score ‒ LUS). The outcome of the intervention was evaluated by the magnitude of the effect by the Hedges' g test [(small (0.2 < Hedges' g < 0.5), moderate (0.5 < Hedges' g < 0.8) and large (Hedges' g > 0.8) effects]. There were large within-group effects on the reduction of WD in the CG after intervention in both the CG (Hedges' g = -1.53) and IG (Hedges' g = -2.2). There was a moderate effect on LUS reduction in the CG (Hedges' g = -0.64) and a large effect on IG (Hedges' g = -1.88). This study has shown that the SRPP appears to be safe and may be effective in improving airway clearance and lung reexpansion in children on IMV with atelectasis.

Prevalence of muscle atrophy in pediatric patients during ICU hospitalization.

To evaluate the muscle thickness and prevalence of muscle atrophy of the biceps brachii/brachialis (BB) and quadriceps femoris (QF) in critically ill children using ultrasound (US). The prospective longitudinal study was conducted in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary hospital in southern Brazil with children and adolescents of both sexes, aged 1 month to 12 years, on invasive mechanical ventilation for 24 h. US measurements were taken up to 24 h after admission, 72 h after, and weekly until discharge from the PICU. One hundred one patients were selected, of whom 97 underwent two evaluations, 68 three evaluations, and 26 four ultrasound evaluations. The median age was 6 months, with 63 (62.4%) < 1 year old. The most prevalent clinical diagnosis was respiratory diseases (70.3%). There was a reduction in BB thickness from 1 to 2 weeks (- 0.10 cm, p = 0.009) and in QF from 24 h to 2 weeks (- 0.20 cm, p = 0.013) and 72 h to 2 weeks (- 0.18 cm, p = 0.045). The prevalence of muscle atrophy (decrease > 10% in thickness) was 41.2% in at least one muscle group between 24 and 72 h, 39.7% between 24 h and 1 week, and 59.3% between 24 h and 2 weeks. The US allows the evaluation of BB and QF muscle thickness in critically ill children, and monitoring muscles during PICU hospitalization is important. The prevalence of muscle atrophy was 30.8% in the biceps brachii and 46.2% in the quadriceps femoris at the end of 2 weeks of PICU hospitalization, regardless of age and diagnosis. What is Known: • Ultrasound has emerged as a promising method, being a clinically valuable tool for bedside muscle monitoring in critical patients. • Using the ultrasound to measure the muscle thickness in adults has demonstrated good sensitivity for detecting muscle atrophy. However, this method has only been previously validated in few studies with small sample of pediatric patients. What is New: • Using the ultrasound, we observed that critically ill children experienced a loss of muscle thickness and muscle atrophy, especially during the second week of intubation. • The significant prevalence of muscle atrophy at the end of PICU hospitalization highlights the importance of ultrasound in identifying muscle loss.

Evaluation of the use of telemedicine in pediatric intensive care units: a cluster-randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: Telemedicine has shown promising results, allowing specialists to provide rapid and effective care in remote locations. However, to our knowledge, current evidence is not robust enough to prove the effectiveness of this tool. This cluster-randomized trial (CRT) aimed to evaluate the impact of telemedicine on clinical care indicators in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). METHODS: An open-label CRT was conducted in 16 PICUs within the Brazilian public health system. The trial took place from August 2022 to December 2023 and compared an intervention group, which received telemedicine support, with a control group, which received usual PICU care. The primary outcome was the PICU length of stay. The main secondary outcomes were mortality rate and ventilator-free days. RESULTS: A total of 1393 participants were included, 657 in the control group and 736 in the intervention group. The mean PICU length of stay was 10.42 (SD, 10.71) days for the control group and 11.52 (SD, 10.80) days for the intervention group. The overall mean of ventilator-free days was 6.82 (SD, 7.71) days. Regarding mortality, 7.54% of participants died in total. No significant difference was found in the outcomes between the groups. CONCLUSION: Despite the potential benefits of telemedicine, its effective implementation in the Brazilian public health system faces considerable challenges, highlighting the continued importance of investigating and improving the role of telemedicine in pediatric critical care. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05260710 and ReBEC - RBR-7×j4wyp.

Perspectives of BrinquEinstein healthcare professionals on the implementation of therapeutic play in pediatrics. / Perspectivas dos profissionais de saúde do BrinquEinstein sobre a implementação do brinquedo terapêutico na pediatria.

The benefits of therapeutic play (TP) in pediatrics are widely reported in the literature, however its use by health professionals is still limited. The objective was to understand how professionals belonging to the BrinquEinstein group evaluate the process of systematic implementation of TP in hospital pediatric units. Exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, developed in the pediatric and intensive care units of extra-large general hospital in São Paulo. The sample consisted of 13 professionals from different categories belonging to BrinquEinstein. Data was collected through individual semi-structured and audio-recorded interviews, being analyzed based on the Inductive Thematic Analysis proposed by Braun and Clark. From the analysis of the interviews, five themes emerged: experiencing a transforming process; the benefits that strengthen the path; the facilities that encourage the walk; the barriers that challenge the process; the future prospects. For the interviewed professionals, it is essential that the use of TP becomes a routine practice in different contexts of the child´s healthcare, in which managers and institutions play a fundamental role in its implementation.

Os benefícios do brinquedo terapêutico (BT) em pediatria são amplamente divulgados na literatura, entretanto, seu uso pelos profissionais de saúde ainda é limitado. Objetivou-se compreender como os profissionais que pertencem ao grupo BrinquEinstein e avaliam o processo de implementação sistemática do BT em unidades pediátricas hospitalares. Realizou-se estudo exploratório, de abordagem qualitativa, nas unidades pediátrica e de terapia intensiva de um hospital geral de extraporte, na cidade de São Paulo. Participaram 13 profissionais de diferentes categorias pertencentes ao BrinquEinstein. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada individual e audiogravada, sendo analisados a partir da Análise Temática Indutiva proposta por Braun e Clark. Da análise das entrevistas, emergiram cinco temas: vivenciando um processo transformador; os benefícios que fortalecem o caminho; as facilidades que impulsionam a caminhada; as barreiras que desafiam o processo; e as perspectivas futuras. Para os profissionais entrevistados, é imprescindível que o uso do BT se torne uma prática rotineira nos diferentes contextos de atendimento à saúde da criança, sendo que gestores e instituições têm papel fundamental na sua implementação.

Comparing the clinical characteristics and outcomes of septic shock children with and without malignancies: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: There is an amelioration in mortality rates of septic shock patients with malignancies over time, but it remains uncertain in children. Therefore, the authors endeavored to compare the clinical characteristics, treatment needs, and outcomes of septic shock children with or without malignancies. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed the data of children admitted to the PICU due to septic shock from January 2015 to December 2022 in a tertiary pediatric hospital. The main outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 508 patients were enrolled. The proportion of Gram-negative bacteria and fungal infections in children with malignancies was significantly higher than those without malignancies. Septic shock children with malignancies had a longer length of stay (LOS) in the hospital (21 vs. 11 days, p<0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the LOS of PICU (5 vs. 5 days, p = 0.591), in-hospital mortality (43.0 % vs. 49.4 %, p = 0.276), and 28-day mortality (49.2 % vs. 44.7 %, p = 0.452). The 28-day survival analysis (p = 0.314) also showed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: Although there are significant differences in the bacterial spectrum of infections, the septic shock children with or without malignancies showed a similar mortality rate. The septic shock children with malignancies had longer LOS of the hospital.

Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) in predicting prognosis of critical pediatric trauma patients: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the predictive value of Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) to Pediatric Risk of Mortality-3 (PRISM-3), Pediatric Trauma Score (PTS), and Pediatric Glasgow Coma Score (pGCS) in determining clinical severity and mortality among critical pediatric trauma patients. METHOD: A total of 122 patients monitored due to trauma in the pediatric intensive care unit between 2020 and 2023 were included in the study. Physical examination findings, vital parameters, laboratory values, and all scoring calculations for patients during emergency room admissions and on the first day of intensive care follow-up were recorded. Comparisons were made between two groups identified as survivors and non-survivors. RESULTS: The study included 85 (69.7%) male and 37 (30.3%) female patients, with an average age of 75 ± 59 months for all patients. Forty-one patients (33.6%) required Invasive Mechanical Ventilation (IMV) and 11 patients (9%) required inotropic therapy. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between mortality and PEWS (p < 0.001), PRISM-3 (p < 0.001), PTS (p < 0.001), and pGCS (p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis demonstrated that the PEWS score (cutoff > 6.5, AUC = 0.953, 95% CI 0.912-0.994) was highly predictive of mortality, showing similar performance to the PRISM-3 score (cutoff > 21, AUC = 0.999, 95% CI 0.995-1). Additionally, the PEWS score was found to be highly predictive in forecasting the need for IMV and inotropic therapy. CONCLUSION: The Pediatric Early Warning Score serves as a robust determinant of mortality in critical pediatric trauma patients. Simultaneously, it demonstrates strong predictability in anticipating the need for IMV and inotropic therapy.

Analysis of factors associated with mortality due to sepsis resulting from device-related infections.

INTRODUCTION: Health care-associated infections (HAIs) contribute to morbidity and mortality and to the dissemination of multidrug-resistant organisms. Children admitted to the intensive care unit undergo invasive procedures that increase their risk of developing HAIs and sepsis. The aim of the study was to analyse factors associated with mortality due to sepsis arising from HAIs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a case-control study in a 7-bed multipurpose paediatric intensive care unit in a tertiary care teaching hospital. The sample consisted of 90 children admitted between January 2014 and December 2018. The case group consisted of patients who died from sepsis associated with the main health care-associated infections; the control group consisted of patients who survived sepsis associated with the same infections. RESULTS: Death was associated with age less than or equal to 12 months, presence of comorbidity, congenital disease, recurrent ventilator-associated pneumonia and septic shock. In the multiple regression analysis, heart disease (OR, 12.48; CI 2.55-60.93; P = .002), infection by carbapenem-resistant bacteria (OR, 31.51; CI 4.01-247.25; P = .001), cancer (OR, 58.23; CI 4.54-746.27; P = .002), and treatment with adrenaline (OR, 13.14; CI 1.35-128.02; P = .003) continued to be significantly associated with death. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital sepsis secondary to carbapenem-resistant bacteria contributed to a high mortality rate in this cohort. Children with heart disease or neoplasia or who needed vasopressor drugs had poorer outcomes.

[Reduction of prescription error and its adverse effects in the pediatric intensive care area]. / Reducción del error de prescripción y de sus efectos adversos en el área pediátrica de cuidados intensivos.

INTRODUCTION: Prescription is the node of medication management and use that most frequently presents medication errors, according to various studies. This study aims to analyze prescriptions before and after the incorporation of a multidisciplinary round in the pediatric intensive care area and its implication in the occurrence of adverse drug events. METHODS: This is an uncontrolled before and after study. RESULTS: 100 patients were studied before and 100 after, range 1-17 years, mean age: 6.4 SD: 8.7. 55.5% (n = 111) were men. A prescription error was detected before the intervention of 12% (n = 12) and after 0% of the intervention, 0%, p = 0.001. A total of 45 adverse events were detected, that is, 45 adverse events per 100 admissions and 38, that is, 38 events per 100 admissions, before and after the intervention respectively (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The intervention was useful to reduce prescription error in this sample of patients.

Introducción: La prescripción es el nodo del manejo y uso de medicamentos que con mayor frecuencia presenta errores de medicación, según diversos estudios. Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar las prescripciones antes y después de la incorporación de una ronda multidisciplinar en el área de cuidados intensivos pediátricos y su implicación en la ocurrencia de eventos adversos por medicamentos. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio antes y después, no controlado. Resultados: Se estudiaron 100 pacientes antes y 100 después, rango 1-17 años, edad media: 6.4 DE: 8.7. El 55.5% (n = 111) eran varones. Se detectó un error de prescripción antes de la intervención del 12% (n = 12) y después de intervención, del 0%, p = 0.001. Se detectó un total de 45 eventos adversos por 100 ingresos y 38 eventos por 100 ingresos, antes y después de la intervención respectivamente (p > 0.05). Conclusión: La intervención fue útil para disminuir el error de prescripción en esta muestra de pacientes.

Cuidados respiratorios en pacientes con atrofia muscular espinal para evitar el fallo ventilatorio agudo y la traqueostomía: revisión literaria y recomendaciones consensuadas / Respiratory care in patients with spinal muscular atrophy to avoid acute ventilatory failure and tracheostomy: literature review and consensus recommendations

La atrofia muscular espinal (AME) 5q es una de las enfermedades neuromusculares de mayor incidencia en la infancia. Sin embargo, la prevalencia de AME tipo 1, su forma más severa de presentación, es menor debido a muertes prematuras evitables antes de los dos años por insuficiencia ventilatoria subtratada. La irrupción de nuevos tratamientos modificadores de la enfermedad pueden cambiar dramáticamente este pronóstico y es una oportunidad para actualizar el manejo respiratorio, a través de cuidados estandarizados básicos, preferentemente no invasivos, abordando la debilidad de los músculos respiratorios, la insuficiencia tusígena y ventilatoria, con un enfoque preventivo. La siguiente revisión literaria entrega estrategias para evitar la intubación y la traqueostomía usando soporte ventilatorio no invasivo (SVN), reclutamiento de volumen pulmonar (RVP) y facilitación de la tos. Se analizan en detalle los protocolos de extubación en niños con AME tipo 1.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) 5q is one of the neuromuscular diseases with the highest incidence in childhood. Nevertheless, the prevalence of its most severe form SMA1 is lower due to premature preventable deaths before two years of age related to ventilatory insufficiency undertreated. The emergence of new disease-modifying treatments can dramatically change this prognosis and is an opportunity to update respiratory management, through basic standardized care, mostly non-invasive, addressing respiratory muscles pump weakness, cough and ventilatory insufficiency with a preventive approach. This literature review provides consensus recommendations for strategies to avoid intubation and tracheostomy using noninvasive ventilatory support (NVS), lung volume recruitment (LVR), and cough facilitation. Extubation protocols in children with SMA type 1 are analyzed in detail.

The death risk of pediatric patients with cancer-related sepsis requiring continuous renal replacement therapy: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of patients with cancer-related sepsis requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in a single-center pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHOD: Children with sepsis who necessitate CRRT from January 2017 to December 2021 were enrolled. The patients with leukemia/lymphoma or solid tumors were defined as underlying cancer. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the death risk factors in patients with cancer-related sepsis. RESULTS: A total of 146 patients were qualified for inclusion. Forty-six (31.5%) patients with cancer-related sepsis and 100 (68.5%) non-cancer-related sepsis. The overall PICU mortality was 28.1% (41/146), and mortality was significantly higher in cancer-related sepsis patients compared with non-cancer patients (41.3% vs. 22.0%, p = 0.016). Need mechanical ventilation, p-SOFA, acute liver failure, higher fluid overload at CRRT initiation, hypoalbuminemia, and high inotropic support were associated with PICU mortality in cancer-related sepsis patients. Moreover, levels of IL-6, total bilirubin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and international normalized ratio were significantly higher in non-survivors than survivors. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, pediatric sequential organ failure assessment (p-SOFA) score (OR:1.805 [95%CI: 1.047-3.113]) and serum albumin level (OR: 0.758 [95%CI: 0.581 -0.988]) were death risk factors in cancer-related sepsis receiving CRRT, and the AUC of combined index of p-SOFA and albumin was 0.852 (95% CI: 0.730-0.974). CONCLUSION: The overall PICU mortality is high in cancer-related sepsis necessitating CRRT. Higher p-SOFA and lower albumin were independent risk factors for PICU mortality.

Association between prolonged vancomycin infusion and trough concentrations in children. Retrospective study. / Asociación entre infusión prolongada de vancomicina y concentración valle en niños. Estudio retrospectivo.

Introduction: This study investigated the serum concentration of vancomycin during prolonged infusion in children. Population and methods: This retrospective cohort study included pediatric patients who received vancomycin from June 2017 to June 2020 at a tertiary referral hospital. The patients were divided into two groups according to infusion strategy, the SII (standard intermittent infusion) group and the PI (prolonged infusion) group. Demographic details, infusion period, serum creatinine, duration of vancomycin therapy, trough concentration of vancomycin, and pediatric intensive care unit stay were reviewed. Differences of the concentrations were measured. Results: Sixty-eight patients were included: 31 in the SII group and 37 in the PI group. The trough concentration of vancomycin was significantly higher in the PI group than in SII group (11.2 mg/L [5.9-13.7] vs. 7 mg/L [3.5- 9.3]; p = 0.02). The target attainment rate was higher in the PI group than in the SII group (59.4% and 19.3%, respectively; p = 0.001). There were no significant differences between the SII and PI groups regarding the peak concentrations of vancomycin, final creatinine and peak creatinine. There were no differences between the SII and PI groups regarding the failure events, PICU stay and duration of vancomycin therapy. The multivariable analysis showed that PI was significantly associated with higher trough serum concentrations of vancomycin (OR = 2.27; p = 0.005). Conclusion: Compared to the SII strategy, the PI strategy may be an optimized option to children with severe infection, as it can achieve higher trough concentrations and target concentration attainment.

Introducción: Este estudio investigó la concentración plasmática de vancomicina en los niños, durante la infusión prolongada. Población y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de una cohorte que incluyó pacientes pediátricos tratados con vancomicina desde junio de 2017 hasta junio de 2020, en un hospital de referencia de nivel III. Los pacientes se dividieron en dos grupos sogún el tipo de infusión: el grupo de infusión intermitente estándar (IIE) y el grupo de infusión prolongada (IP). Se registraron detalles demográficos, periodo de infusión, creatinina plasmática, duranción del tratamiento con vancomicina, concentración valle de vancomicina y permanencia en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP). Se midieron las diferencias entre concentraciones. Resultados: Se incluyeron 68 pacientes, 31 en el gruop IIE y 37 en el grupo IP. La concentración valle de vancomicina fue significativamente más alta en el grupo IP en comparación con el grupo IIE (11,2mg/L [5,9-13,7] vs. 7 mg/L [3,5-9,3]; p = 0,02). La tasa de logro del objetivo fue más alta en el grupo IP que en el grupo IIE (59,4 % y 19,3 % repectivamente; p = 0,001). No hubo diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos en las concentraciones pico de vancomicina, valor de creatinina final, pico de creatinina, fracaso terapéutico, duración de la estadía en la UCIP y duración del tratamiento con vancomicina. El análisis multivariado mostró que la IP se asoció en forma significativa con concentraciones valle más altas de vancomicina (OR: 2,27, p = 0,005). Conclusión: En comparación con la estrategia de IIE, la infusión prolongada puede ser una opción optimizada para los niños con infección grave, porque puede alcanzar concentraciones valle más altas y mejorar la obtención de la concentración objetivo.

A machine learning model for the early diagnosis of bloodstream infection in patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit.

Bloodstream infection (BSI) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and high healthcare costs. Early detection and appropriate treatment of BSI may improve patient's outcome. Data on machine-learning models to predict BSI in pediatric patients are limited and neither study included time series data. We aimed to develop a machine learning model to predict an early diagnosis of BSI in patients admitted to the PICU. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who had at least one positive blood culture result during stay at a PICU of a tertiary-care university hospital, from January 1st to December 31st 2019. Patients with positive blood culture results with growth of contaminants and those with incomplete data were excluded. Models were developed using demographic, clinical and laboratory data collected from the electronic medical record. Laboratory data (complete blood cell counts with differential and C-reactive protein) and vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, temperature, oxygen saturation) were obtained 72 hours before and on the day of blood culture collection. A total of 8816 data from 76 patients were processed by the models. The machine committee was the best-performing model, showing accuracy of 99.33%, precision of 98.89%, sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 98.46%. Hence, we developed a model using demographic, clinical and laboratory data collected on a routine basis that was able to detect BSI with excellent accuracy and precision, and high sensitivity and specificity. The inclusion of vital signs and laboratory data variation over time allowed the model to identify temporal changes that could be suggestive of the diagnosis of BSI. Our model might help the medical team in clinical-decision making by creating an alert in the electronic medical record, which may allow early antimicrobial initiation and better outcomes.

Impact of Prolonged Continuous Ketamine Infusions in Critically Ill Children: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Ketamine has been considered as an adjunct for children who do not reach their predefined target sedation depth. However, there is limited evidence regarding the use of ketamine as a prolonged infusion (i.e., >24 hours) in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of continuous ketamine infusion for >24 hours in mechanically ventilated children. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in a tertiary PICU from January 2020 to December 2022. The primary outcome was the incidence of adverse events (AEs) after ketamine initiation. The secondary outcome included assessing the median proportion of time the patient spent on the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) goal after ketamine infusion. Patients were also divided into two groups based on the sedative regimen, ketamine-based or non-ketamine-based, to assess the incidence of delirium. RESULTS: A total of 269 patients were enrolled: 73 in the ketamine group and 196 in the non-ketamine group. The median infusion rate of ketamine was 1.4 mg/kg/h. Delirium occurred in 16 (22%) patients with ketamine and 15 (7.6%) patients without ketamine (p = 0.006). After adjusting for covariates, logistic regression showed that delirium was associated with comorbidities (odds ratio [OR] 4.2), neurodevelopmental delay (OR 0.23), fentanyl use (OR 7.35), and ketamine use (OR 4.17). Thirty-one (42%) of the patients experienced at least one AE following ketamine infusion. Other AEs likely related to ketamine were hypertension (n = 4), hypersecretion (n = 14), tachycardia (n = 6), and nystagmus (n = 2). There were no significant changes in hemodynamic variables 24 h after the initiation of ketamine. Regarding the secondary outcomes, patients were at their goal RASS level for a median of 76% (range 68-80.5%) of the time in the 24 hours before ketamine initiation, compared with 84% (range 74.5-90%) of the time during the 24 h after ketamine initiation (p < 0.001). The infusion rate of ketamine did not significantly affect concomitant analgesic and sedative infusions. The ketamine group experienced a longer duration of mechanical ventilation and a longer length of stay in the PICU and hospital than the non-ketamine group. CONCLUSION: The use of ketamine infusion in PICU patients may be associated with an increased rate of adverse events, especially delirium. High-quality studies are needed before ketamine can be broadly recommended or adopted earlier in the sedation protocol.

As reações adversas frente ao uso de analgésicos e sedativos em cuidados intensivos pediátricos: implicações para a enfermagem / Adverse reactions to the use of analgesics and sedatives in pediatric intensive care: implications for Nursing

A pouca sedação em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica (UTIP) pode gerar estresse psicológico e físico desnecessário, além de extubação acidental. Em contrapartida, a super sedação pode provocar o uso da ventilação mecânica prolongada, levando ao maior tempo de internação dentro da UTIP, além de síndrome de abstinência, tolerância e delírio. Neste sentido, delimitou-se como objeto de estudo a identidade do cuidado de enfermagem frente às reações adversas do uso de analgésicos e sedativos nas crianças gravemente doentes. Os objetivos são: descrever as reações adversas do uso de sedativos e analgésicos identificadas pela equipe de enfermagem; analisar a prática do cuidado da equipe de enfermagem frente às reações adversas do uso de sedativos e analgésicos nas crianças; e discutir as implicações da prática do cuidado da enfermagem prestada à criança que apresenta reações adversas no uso de analgésicos e sedativos. Trata-se de um estudo de abordagem qualitativa. Foram entrevistados 15 membros da equipe de enfermagem que trabalhavam em uma UTIP de um hospital especializado em doenças crônicas e raras, utilizando-se a técnica de entrevista, o formulário de caracterização dos participantes, o diário de campo para observação não participante e a coleta de informações nos prontuários. Contou-se com o apoio do software Iramuteq para realizar a Análise Textual Discursiva. Obteve-se que as principais reações adversas identificadas pelos profissionais de enfermagem foram irritabilidade, choro e agitação. A prática do cuidado de enfermagem é desenvolvida de acordo com as reações adversas previamente identificadas e varia conforme profissional de enfermagem que atende a criança, não existindo um padrão institucional pré-estabelecido. Entre os cuidados descritos estão: banho momo, administração de doses fracionadas de sedação segundo a prescrição médica e acalento pelo familiar responsável ou pelo próprio profissional. No entanto, não foram observados registros no prontuário acerca dessas reações adversas, bem como desses cuidados relatados. Destaca-se que existe insegurança por parte da equipe de enfermagem no que tange os seus conhecimentos sobre as reações adversas relacionadas ao uso de sedativos e analgésicos e, como implicações para a prática, a falta de identidade no seu cuidado interferindo em sua autonomia e protagonismo profissional, sendo a figura do médico percebida como o mais atuante nessa temática. Conclui-se que a equipe de enfermagem reconhece alguns sinais e sintomas das reações adversas no uso de sedativos e analgésicos. Todavia, se faz necessário um aprimoramento e atualizações frente à utilização desses medicamentos, suas reações adversas e cuidados que devem ser prestados, de modo a reconhecer sua atuação e perceber sua posição dentro da equipe multiprofissional.

Inadequate sedation in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) can generate unnecessary psychological and physical stress, in addition to accidental extubating. On the other hand, oversedation can lead to the use of prolonged mechanical ventilation, leading to longer hospitalization in the PICU in addition to withdrawal syndrome, tolerance, and delirium. In this sense, the identity of nursing care in the face of adverse reactions from the use of analgesics and sedatives in seriously ill children was defined as the object of study. The objectives are to describe the adverse reactions caused using sedatives and analgesics identified by the nursing team; analyze the care practice of the nursing team in the face of adverse reactions from the use of sedatives and analgesics in children; and discuss the implications of nursing care practice provided to children who present adverse reactions to the use of analgesics and sedatives. This is a qualitative study. Fifteen members of the nursing team who worked in a PICU of a hospital specializing in chronic and rare diseases were interviewed, using the interview technique, the participant characterization form, the field diary for non-participant observation and data collection. information in medical records. The Iramuteq software was supported, and discursive textual analysis was used. It was found that the main adverse reactions identified by nursing professionals were irritability, crying and agitation. The practice of nursing care is developed according to previously identified adverse reactions and varies depending on the nursing professional who cares for the child, and there is no pre-established institutional standard. Among the care described are warm bath, administration of fractional doses of sedation according to medical prescription and comfort by the responsible family member or by the professional himself, however, no records were observed in the medical records regarding these adverse reactions, as well as this reported care. It is noteworthy that there is insecurity on the part of the nursing team regarding their knowledge about adverse reactions related to the use of sedatives and analgesics and, as implications for practice, the lack of identity in their care, interfering with their autonomy and protagonism professional, with the doctor being perceived as the most active on this topic. It is concluded that the nursing team recognizes some signs and symptoms of adverse reactions in the use of sedatives and analgesics, however, improvement and updates are necessary regarding the use of these medications, their adverse reactions and the care that must be provided to recognize their performance and understand their position within the multidisciplinary team.

Una mala sedación en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (UCIP) puede generar estrés psicológico y físico innecesario, además de extubaciones accidentales. Por otro lado, la sobresedación puede llevar al uso de ventilación mecánica prolongada, provocando una hospitalización más prolongada en la UCIP además de síndrome de abstinencia, tolerancia y dehrio. En este sentido, se definió como objeto de estudio la identidad del cuidado de enfermería ante las reacciones adversas por el uso de analgésicos y sedantes en niños gravemente enfermos. Los objetivos son: describir las reacciones adversas provocadas por el uso de sedantes y analgésicos identificadas por el equipo de enfermería; analizar la práctica de cuidados del equipo de enfermería ante las reacciones adversas por el uso de sedantes y analgésicos en niños; y discutir las implicaciones de la práctica de los cuidados de enfermería brindados a niños que presentan reacciones adversas al uso de analgésicos y sedantes. Este es un estudio cualitativo. Se entrevistó a quince miembros del equipo de enfermería que trabajaban en una UCIP de un hospital especializado en enfermedades crónicas y raras, utilizando la técnica de la entrevista, la ficha de caracterización participante, el diario de campo para la observación no parficipante y la recolección de información en historias clínicas. Se apoyó el software Iramuteq y se utiliz6 análisis textual discursivo. Se encontró que las principales reacciones adversas identificadas por los profesionales de enfermería fueron irritabilidad, llanto y agitaci6n. La práctica del cuidado de enfermería se desarrolla según reacciones adversas previamente identificadas y varía dependiendo del profesional de enfermería que atiende al niño, no existiendo un estándar institucional preestablecido. Entre los cuidados descritos se encuentran: baño tibio, administración de dosis fraccionadas de sedación según prescripción médica y confort por parte del familiar responsable o por el propio profesional, sin embargo, no se observaron registros en las historias clínicas respecto a estas reacciones adversas, así como estos ínformamn cuidados. Se destaca que existe inseguridad por parte del equipo de enfermería respecto de su conocimiento sobre las reacciones adversas relacionadas al uso de sedantes y analgésicos y, como implicaciones para la práctica, la falta de identidad en su cuidado, interfiriendo en su autonomía y protagonismo profesional, siendo el médico el más activo en este tema. Se concluye que el equipo de enfermería reconoce algunos signos y síntomas de reacciones adversas en el uso de sedantes y analgésicos, sin embargo, es necesario mejorar y actualizar respecto al uso de estos medicamentos, sus reacciones adversas y los cuidados que se deben brindar para reconocer su desempeño y comprender su posición dentro del equipo multidisciplinario.

Time Course of Mechanical Ventilation Driving Pressure Levels in Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Outcomes in a Prospective, Multicenter Cohort Study From Colombia, 2018-2022.

OBJECTIVES: High driving pressure (DP, ratio of tidal volume (V t ) over respiratory system compliance) is a risk for poor outcomes in patients with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS). We therefore assessed the time course in level of DP (i.e., 24, 48, and 72 hr) after starting mechanical ventilation (MV), and its association with 28-day mortality. DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective study conducted between February 2018 and December 2022. SETTING: Twelve tertiary care PICUs in Colombia. PATIENTS: One hundred eighty-four intubated children with moderate to severe PARDS. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of the PARDS cohort was 11 (IQR 3-24) months. A total of 129 of 184 patients (70.2%) had a pulmonary etiology leading to PARDS, and 31 of 184 patients (16.8%) died. In the first 24 hours after admission, the plateau pressure in the nonsurvivor group, compared with the survivor group, differed (28.24 [IQR 24.14-32.11] vs. 23.18 [IQR 20.72-27.13] cm H 2 O, p < 0.01). Of note, children with a V t less than 8 mL/kg of ideal body weight had lower adjusted odds ratio (aOR [95% CI]) of 28-day mortality (aOR 0.69, [95% CI, 0.55-0.87]; p = 0.02). However, we failed to identify an association between DP level and the oxygenation index (aOR 0.58; 95% CI, 0.21-1.58) at each of time point. In a diagnostic exploratory analysis, we found that DP greater than 15 cm H 2 O at 72 hours was an explanatory variable for mortality, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.74-0.89); there was also increased hazard for death with hazard ratio 2.5 (95% CI, 1.07-5.92). DP greater than 15 cm H 2 O at 72 hours was also associated with longer duration of MV (10 [IQR 7-14] vs. 7 [IQR 5-10] d; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In children with moderate to severe PARDS, a DP greater than 15 cm H 2 O at 72 hours after the initiation of MV is associated with greater odds of 28-day mortality and a longer duration of MV. DP should be considered a variable worth monitoring during protective ventilation for PARDS.