Improving Outcomes for Bronchiolitis Patients After Implementing a High-Flow Nasal Cannula Holiday and Standardizing Discharge Criteria in a PICU.

OBJECTIVES: To decrease length of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), PICU, and hospital length of stay (LOS). DESIGN: Quality improvement project. SETTING: A quaternary academic PICU. PATIENTS: Patients with bronchiolitis less than 24 months old. INTERVENTIONS: After initial implementation of a respiratory therapist (RT)-driven HFNC protocol (Plan-Do-Study-Act [PDSA] 1) in October 2017, additional interventions included adjusting HFNC wean rate (PDSA 2) in July 2020, a HFNC holiday (PDSA 3), and standardized discharge criteria (PDSA 4) in October 2021. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Duration of HFNC was used as the primary outcome measure. PICU LOS and hospital LOS were used as secondary outcome measures. Noninvasive ventilation use, invasive mechanical ventilation use, and 7-day PICU and hospital readmission rates were used as balancing measures. A total of 1,310 patients were included in this study. Patients in PDSA 2, PDSA 3 and 4 groups were older compared with pre-intervention and PDSA 1 (median of 9 and 10 mo compared with 8 mo; p = 0.01). HFNC duration decreased from 2.5 to 1.8 days after PDSA 1, then to 1.3 days after PDSA 2. PICU LOS decreased from 2.6 to 2.1 days after PDSA 1, 1.8 days after PDSA 2, and 1.5 days after PDSA 3 and 4. Hospital LOS decreased from 5.7 to 4.5 days after PDSA 1, 3.1 days after PDSA 2, and 2.7 days after PDSA 3 and 4. The use of noninvasive ventilation and invasive mechanical ventilation decreased throughout the study from 23.2% in the pre-intervention group, to 6.9% at the end of the project. The 7-day PICU and hospital readmission rates did not increase after implementation. The percentage of patients discharged from the PICU increased from 6.2% to 21.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Modifications to an existing RT-driven HFNC protocol and standardization of discharge criteria led to an improvement in outcomes for patients admitted to the PICU with bronchiolitis without an increase in adverse events.

Engaging All Stakeholders to Create a Trusted, Data-Driven, Process Improvement Approach to Addressing Learner Mistreatment.

Problem: Learner mistreatment has remained an ongoing challenge in academic medicine despite accreditation requirements mandating that every program has systems in place to prevent and respond to mistreatment. While efforts vary across institutions, much remains unanswered in the literature about best practices. Additionally, for the foreseeable future, challenges in the learning environment will likely continue and potentially worsen, given the confluence of multiple external stressors including the COVID-19 pandemic, faculty burnout and general political divisiveness in the nation. It is essential, therefore, to focus on indicators of improvement via process metrics such as knowledge and awareness of mistreatment policies and procedures, willingness to report, reasons for not reporting, and satisfaction with having made a report, while simultaneously focusing on the more complex challenge of eliminating mistreatment occurrences. Intervention: We describe the aspects of our mistreatment prevention and response system first implemented in 2017 along with process and outcome measures. The interventions included expanding our policy outlining appropriate conduct in the teacher-learner relationship; a graduated response protocol to allegations of mistreatment with a clear escalation approach; an online reporting system; a graduate medical education exit survey which mirrors the AAMC Graduation Questionnaire on mistreatment; a robust communication and professional development campaign; a comprehensive data dashboard; and a comprehensive summary report dissemination plan. Context: The interventions were implemented at the largest allopathic medical school in the U.S., with nine campuses across the state. The system is available to all learners, including medical students, graduate students, residents, and fellows. Impact: Both institutional and national data sources have informed the continuous improvement strategies. Data from internal reporting systems, institutional surveys, and national data are presented from 2017 to 2021. Findings include an increasing number of incidents reported each year, including confidential reports from students who include their contact information rather than report anonymously, which we view as an indicator of learner trust in the system. Our data also show consistent improvements in learners' awareness of the policy and procedures and satisfaction with having made a report. We also include other data such as the nature of complaints submitted and timeliness of our institutional response. Lessons Learned: We present several lessons learned that may guide other institutions looking to similarly improve their mistreatment systems, such as a close partnership between faculty affairs, diversity affairs, and educational affairs leadership; communication, professional development, and training through multiple venues and with all stakeholders; easily accessible reporting with anonymous and confidential options and the ability to report on behalf of others; policy development guidance; data transparency and dissemination; and trust-building activities and ongoing feedback from learners.

Progression of Respiratory Support Following Pediatric Extubation.

OBJECTIVES: High-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation have become ubiquitous in contemporary PICUs. Practice patterns associated with the use of these modalities have not been well described. In this study, we aimed to describe the use of high-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in children after extubation and analyze the progression of usage in association with patient factors. Our secondary aim was to describe interventions used for postextubation stridor. DESIGN: Single-center retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A 36-bed quaternary medical-surgical PICU. PATIENTS: Mechanically ventilated pediatric patients admitted between April 2017 and March 2018. Exclusions were patients in the cardiac ICU, patients requiring a tracheostomy or chronic ventilatory support, and patients with limited resuscitation status. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data regarding respiratory modality use was collected for the first 72 hours after extubation. There were 427 patients included in the analysis; 51 patients (11.9%) were extubated to room air, 221 (51.8%) to nasal cannula, 132 (30.9%) to high-flow nasal cannula, and 23 (5.4%) to noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. By 72 hours, 314 patients (73.5%) were on room air, 52 (12.2%) on nasal cannula, 29 (6.8%) on high-flow nasal cannula, eight (1.9%) on noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, and 24 (5.6%) were reintubated. High-flow nasal cannula was the most used respiratory modality for postextubation stridor. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that longer duration of invasive mechanical ventilation increased the odds of initial high-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation use, and a diagnosis of cerebral palsy increased the odds of escalating from high-flow nasal cannula to noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in the first 24 hours post extubation. CONCLUSIONS: High-flow nasal cannula is commonly used immediately after pediatric extubation and the development of postextubation stridor; however, its usage sharply declines over the following 72 hours. Larger multicenter trials are needed to identify high-risk patients for extubation failure that might benefit the most from prophylactic use of high-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation after extubation.

Modification and Assessment of the Bedside Pediatric Early Warning Score in the Pediatric Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Population.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the validity of the Bedside Pediatric Early Warning Score system in the hematopoietic cell transplant population, and to determine if the addition of weight gain further strengthens the association with need for PICU admission. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant patients from 2009 to 2016. Daily Pediatric Early Warning Score and weights were collected during hospitalization. Logistic regression was used to identify associations between maximum Pediatric Early Warning Score or Pediatric Early Warning Score plus weight gain and the need for PICU intervention. The primary outcome was need for PICU intervention; secondary outcomes included mortality and intubation. SETTING: A large quaternary free-standing children's hospital. PATIENTS: One-hundred two pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 102 hematopoietic cell transplant patients included in the study, 29 were admitted to the PICU. The median peak Pediatric Early Warning Score was 11 (interquartile range, 8-13) in the PICU admission cohort, compared with 4 (interquartile range, 3-5) in the cohort without a PICU admission (p < 0.0001). Pediatric Early Warning Score greater than or equal to 8 had a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 90%. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.83. There was a high negative predictive value at this Pediatric Early Warning Score of 90%. When Pediatric Early Warning Score greater than or equal to 8 and weight gain greater than or equal to 7% were compared together, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve increased to 0.88. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a Pediatric Early Warning Score greater than or equal to 8 was associated with PICU admission, having a moderately high sensitivity and high specificity. This study adds to literature supporting Pediatric Early Warning Score monitoring for hematopoietic cell transplant patients. Combining weight gain with Pediatric Early Warning Score improved the discriminative ability of the model to predict the need for critical care, suggesting that incorporation of weight gain into Pediatric Early Warning Score may be beneficial for monitoring of hematopoietic cell transplant patients.

An Interprofessional Quality Improvement Initiative to Standardize Pediatric Extubation Readiness Assessment.

OBJECTIVES: Establishing protocols to wean mechanical ventilation and assess readiness for extubation, with the goal of minimizing morbidity associated with extubation failure and prolonged mechanical ventilation, have become increasingly important in contemporary PICUs. The aim of this quality improvement initiative is to establish a respiratory therapist-led daily spontaneous breathing trial protocol to standardize extubation readiness assessment and documentation in our PICU. DESIGN: A quality improvement project. SETTING: Single center, tertiary care Children's Hospital PICU. PATIENTS: All intubated patients admitted to PICU requiring conventional mechanical ventilation between February 2013 and January 2016. INTERVENTIONS: A working group of pediatric intensivists, respiratory therapists, nurses, and information technology specialists established the protocol, standardized documentation via the electronic medical record, and planned education. Daily spontaneous breathing trial protocol implementation began in February 2015. All patients on mechanical ventilation were screened daily at approximately 4 AM by a respiratory therapist to determine daily spontaneous breathing trial eligibility. If all screening criteria were met, patients were placed on continuous positive airway pressure of 5 cm H2O with pressure support of 8 cm H2O for up to 2 hours. If tolerated, patients would be extubated to supplemental oxygen delivered via nasal cannula in the morning, after intensivist approval. Daily audits were done to assess screening compliance and accuracy of documentation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We analyzed data from 398 mechanically ventilated patients during daily spontaneous breathing trial period (February 2015-January 2016), compared with 833 patients from the pre-daily spontaneous breathing trial period (February 2013-January 2015). During the daily spontaneous breathing trial period, daily screening occurred in 92% of patients. Extubation failure decreased from 7.8% in the pre-daily spontaneous breathing trial period to 4.5% in daily spontaneous breathing trial period. The use of high-flow nasal cannula slightly increased during the project, while there was no change in duration of mechanical ventilation or the use of noninvasive ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: An interprofessionally developed respiratory therapist-led extubation readiness protocol can be successfully implemented in a busy tertiary care PICU without adverse events.

An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline: Pediatric Chronic Home Invasive Ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Children with chronic invasive ventilator dependence living at home are a diverse group of children with special health care needs. Medical oversight, equipment management, and community resources vary widely. There are no clinical practice guidelines available to health care professionals for the safe hospital discharge and home management of these complex children. PURPOSE: To develop evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the hospital discharge and home/community management of children requiring chronic invasive ventilation. METHODS: The Pediatric Assembly of the American Thoracic Society assembled an interdisciplinary workgroup with expertise in the care of children requiring chronic invasive ventilation. The experts developed four questions of clinical importance and used an evidence-based strategy to identify relevant medical evidence. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology was used to formulate and grade recommendations. RESULTS: Clinical practice recommendations for the management of children with chronic ventilator dependence at home are provided, and the evidence supporting each recommendation is discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Collaborative generalist and subspecialist comanagement is the Medical Home model most likely to be successful for the care of children requiring chronic invasive ventilation. Standardized hospital discharge criteria are suggested. An awake, trained caregiver should be present at all times, and at least two family caregivers should be trained specifically for the child's care. Standardized equipment for monitoring, emergency preparedness, and airway clearance are outlined. The recommendations presented are based on the current evidence and expert opinion and will require an update as new evidence and/or technologies become available.

Outcomes of a respiratory therapist driven high flow nasal cannula management protocol for pediatric critical asthma patients.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine if a respiratory therapist (RT)-driven high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) protocol could decrease duration of HFNC use, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS), and duration of continuous albuterol use in pediatric patients with critical asthma. METHODS: This was a quality improvement project performed at a quaternary academic PICU. Patients admitted to the PICU between 2 and 18 years of age with a diagnosis of asthma requiring continuous albuterol and HFNC were included. Implementation of an RT-driven HFNC protocol [Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) 1] occurred in October 2017. Additional interventions included weaning continuous albuterol and HFNC simultaneously (PDSA 2; March 2019), adjusting HFNC wean rate (PDSA 3; July 2020), and a HFNC holiday (PDSA 4; October 2021). HFNC duration was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included LOS data and continuous albuterol duration. Noninvasive ventilation (NIV), invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and 7-day PICU and hospital readmission rates were used as balancing measures. RESULTS: A total of 410 patients were included. Patient demographics and adjunct therapy use did not differ among the groups. After PDSA 2, mean HFNC duration decreased (26.8-18.1 h). Mean PICU LOS decreased (41-31.8 h). Mean hospital LOS also decreased (86.5-68 h). These outcomes remained stable during PDSA 3 and 4. Continuous albuterol duration and NIV use were unchanged, while IMV use decreased. CONCLUSIONS: An RT-driven HFNC protocol led to decreased length of HFNC and PICU and hospital LOS for pediatric patients with critical asthma without an increase in adverse events.

Diversifying Faculty Leadership in Academic Medicine: The Program to Launch Underrepresented in Medicine Success (PLUS).

PLUS (Program to Launch Underrepresented in Medicine Success) is a 2-year cohort program at Indiana University School of Medicine providing professional development, funding and skills to produce scholarship, and a community to mitigate social and/or professional isolation for underrepresented in medicine (URiM) faculty. In year 1, scholars participate in leadership and professional development seminars and regular meetings with their mentor(s). They are assigned a PLUS Advisory Council advisor with whom they meet 2 to 3 times annually. In year 2, scholars participate in monthly seminars focused on research methods, writing productivity, and wellness. Additionally, scholars engage in a writing accountability group and practice reflective writing. Connections events, designed to combat isolation and cultivate community, occur monthly. At program completion, scholars complete a project resulting in a scholarly product for submission and dissemination in a peer-reviewed forum. To date, 3 cohorts, totaling 24 people, have participated: 20 (83%) Black, 4 (17%) Latinx; 12 (50%) females. Five scholars have completed the full program, whose pre- and postsurvey results are described. Program surveys demonstrate significant gains in scholars' confidence to secure leadership opportunities, connect with colleagues, and advocate for themselves and others. Scholars reported statistically significant increases in confidence to pursue leadership roles (t = -3.67, P = .02) and intent to submit their dossier for promotion (t = -6.50, P = .003). They were less likely to leave academic medicine (t = 2.75, P = .05) or pursue another academic appointment (t = 2.75, P = .05) after PLUS completion than at baseline. All scholars adequately met requirements for their third-year review (tenure track only), were promoted, or achieved tenure in less than 3 years since program completion. This article describes PLUS program objectives, evaluative components, and lessons learned during implementation, as a model to support URiM faculty at other institutions.

Implementation of a High-Flow Nasal Cannula Management Protocol in the Pediatric ICU.

BACKGROUND: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy is a respiratory modality that has been adopted to support pediatric patients with bronchiolitis. There is no standardized protocol for initiation, escalation, or weaning of HFNC in the pediatric ICU. The aim of this respiratory therapist (RT)-driven quality improvement management protocol was to decrease duration of HFNC. METHODS: An RT-driven HFNC management protocol based on an objective respiratory score was implemented in 2017 at a quaternary care children's hospital. Subjects included children less than 2 y old admitted to the pediatric ICU with bronchiolitis. All subjects needing HFNC were scored and placed within the protocol as appropriate for age, then weaned or escalated per the scoring tool. Comparison to a pre-intervention control group was performed. Average HFNC duration per subject was used as the primary outcome measure. Protocol compliance was used as a process measure. Noninvasive ventilation use, intubation rate, and 30-d pediatric ICU readmission rate were used as balancing measures. RT satisfaction with HFNC management before and after protocol implementation were measured. RESULTS: Protocol compliance was sustainable and above the goal of 80% after 4 months of protocol implementation. HFNC duration decreased from 2.5 d to 2 days for each subject during planning and then to 1.8 d after protocol implementation. Length of stay (LOS) in the pediatric ICU and hospital LOS decreased from 2.6 d to 2.1 d and from 5.7 d to 4.7 d after protocol implementation, respectively. The use of noninvasive ventilation and the rate of intubation did not change significantly. RTs reported increased involvement in HFNC management decisions and appropriateness on how quickly the team weaned HFNC. CONCLUSIONS: An RT-driven HFNC management protocol was safely implemented in a pediatric ICU and decreased HFNC duration, pediatric ICU LOS, and hospital LOS. It allows the RT to work independently to the highest extent of their scope of practice, leading to improvement in RT job satisfaction.

Reducing Unnecessary Nitric Oxide Use: A Hospital-Wide, Respiratory Therapist-Driven Quality Improvement Project.

BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate the institutional use of inhaled nitric oxide (INO) and to create a pathway to reduce waste using the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's model for improvement. Our aim was to reduce the use of INO by 20% within 8 months. METHODS: This was a prospective, respiratory therapist-driven, quality improvement project. We implemented a hospital-wide INO utilization protocol that was developed by neonatology, pediatric critical care, cardiac critical care, and respiratory therapy. INO use and respiratory therapist input for protocol failures were derived from the electronic medical record and were used to generate improvement opportunities. Monthly total hospital use of INO (in hours) was used as the primary outcome measure. Median hourly use per subject (evaluated in groups of 7 subjects) was used as a secondary outcome measure. New sildenafil dosing was tabulated for pre- and post-INO weaning protocol intervention as a balancing measure. Subjects included all patients in the hospital who were given INO therapy during the specified timeframe. RESULTS: Hospital-wide total hours were reduced from 1,515 h/month to 930 h/month. This hospital-wide reduction of 39% equates to a cost-avoidance of approximately $912,000 per year based on 2018 costs of INO of $130 per hour. Median hours of INO per subject decreased from 88 h to 50 h. Sildenafil was started in 18 of 98 subjects (18%) in the pre-intervention period and in 12 of 109 subjects (11%) in the post-intervention period (P = .27). CONCLUSIONS: A hospital-wide, multi-professional initiative led to a reduction in unnecessary INO use, resulting in decreased subject exposure and associated cost avoidance.

Extubation Readiness Practices and Barriers to Extubation in Pediatric Subjects.

BACKGROUND: Invasive mechanical ventilation is a lifesaving intervention that is associated with short- and long-term morbidities. Extubation readiness protocols aim to decrease extubation failure rates and simultaneously shorten the duration of invasive ventilation. This study sought to analyze extubation readiness practices at one institution and identify barriers to extubation in pediatric patients who have passed an extubation readiness test (ERT). METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of all pediatric subjects admitted between April 2017 and March 2018, and who were on mechanical ventilation. Exclusion criteria were cardiac ICU admission, tracheostomy, chronic ventilator support, limited resuscitation status, and death before extubation attempt. Data with regard to the method of ERT and reasons for delaying extubation were collected. RESULTS: There were 427 subjects included in the analysis with 69% having had an ERT before extubation. Of those, 39% were extubated per our daily spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) protocol, and the daily SBT failed in 30% but they had passed a subsequent pressure support and CPAP trial on the same day. The most common reasons for failing the daily SBT were a lack of spontaneous breathing (30% [75/252]), being intubated < 24 h (24% [60/252]), breathing frequency outside the target range (22% [55/252]), and not meeting tidal volume goal (14% [34/252]). The most common documented reasons for delaying extubation despite passing daily SBT were planned procedure (29% [26/90]), neurologic status (23% [21/90]), and no leak around the endotracheal tube (18% [16/90]). The median time between passing ERT and extubation was 7 h (interquartile range, 5-10). CONCLUSIONS: In our institution, there was variation in extubation readiness practices that could lead to a significant delay in liberation from invasive ventilation. Adjustment of our daily SBT to tolerate a higher work of breathing, such as higher breathing frequencies and lower tidal volumes, and incorporating sedation scoring into the protocol could be made without significantly affecting extubation failure rates.

Comparison between chloral hydrate and propofol-ketamine as sedation regimens for pediatric auditory brainstem response testing.

INTRODUCTION: The use of diagnostic auditory brainstem response testing under sedation is currently the "gold standard" in infants and young children who are not developmentally capable of completing the test. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to compare a propofol-ketamine regimen to an oral chloral hydrate regimen for sedating children undergoing auditory brainstem response testing. METHODS: Patients between 4 months and 6 years who required sedation for auditory brainstem response testing were included in this retrospective study. Drugs doses, adverse effects, sedation times, and the effectiveness of the sedative regimens were reviewed. RESULTS: 73 patients underwent oral chloral hydrate sedation, while 117 received propofol-ketamine sedation. 12% of the patients in the chloral hydrate group failed to achieve desired sedation level. The average procedure, recovery and total nursing times were significantly lower in the propofol-ketamine group. Propofol-ketamine group experienced higher incidence of transient hypoxemia. CONCLUSION: Both sedation regimens can be successfully used for sedating children undergoing auditory brainstem response testing. While deep sedation using propofol-ketamine regimen offers more efficiency than moderate sedation using chloral hydrate, it does carry a higher incidence of transient hypoxemia, which warrants the use of a highly skilled team trained in pediatric cardio-respiratory monitoring and airway management.

Implementing a Respiratory Therapist-Driven Continuous Albuterol Weaning Protocol in the Pediatric ICU.

BACKGROUND: Status asthmaticus is one of the most frequent admission diagnoses in the pediatric ICU (PICU). Collaboration between respiratory therapists (RTs) and physicians may help efficiently deliver care to a patient in status asthmaticus. The Pediatric Asthma Severity Score (PASS) is a measure of severity of a patient's asthma exacerbation at a point in time. The aim of this quality improvement initiative was to establish an RT-driven continuous albuterol weaning protocol using the PASS score. We hypothesized that this would decrease the duration of continuous albuterol without increasing adverse events. METHODS: This was a single-center implementation study in the PICU of a quaternary care children's hospital. Patients with a diagnosis of status asthmaticus who met criteria on continuous albuterol between September 2015 and September 2017 were included. An interdisciplinary team established the protocol, order sets, documentation, and education for involved staff. Qualifying subjects were assessed by an RT per protocol and assigned a PASS score, and the albuterol dose was adjusted on the basis of the PASS score. RESULTS: We compared 104 subjects studied before the implementation of this protocol (September 2015 to August 2016) to 117 subjects after the implementation of this protocol (September 2016 to October 2017). Median (interquartile range) duration of continuous albuterol in the PICU post-implementation was unchanged compared to pre-implementation: 12.1 (7.2-21.0) h versus 11.1 (6-19) h (P = .22). Median PICU length of stay was also unchanged post-implementation compared to pre-implementation: 19.5 (14.3-29.7) h versus 23.2 (15.2-31.3) h (P = .16). Using control charts, these processes were stable. There was no difference in adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: An interprofessionally-developed, RT-driven continuous albuterol weaning protocol can be implemented without negatively impacting duration of continuous albuterol or PICU length of stay and without increasing adverse events.

Disaccharidase activity in infants and comparison based on symptoms and histological changes.

OBJECTIVES: There is uncertainty regarding disaccharidase activity (DA) in infants. In this study, values for DA in infants were established and compared with symptoms and intestinal mucosal histological appearance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Disaccharidase activity and histological appearance of endoscopically obtained intestinal mucosal biopsy specimens from 131 infants (75 males; mean age 180 days; range 20-364 days) obtained during an 8-year period were reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of absence (group 1; n = 56) or presence (group 2; n = 75) of failure to thrive (FTT) and/or diarrhea. These groups were subdivided into 3 subgroups on the basis of histological findings: normal histological appearance (A), mild histological abnormalities (B), and moderate to severe histological abnormalities (C). RESULTS: The DA from patients in group 1A represent values in infants who were free of diarrhea/FTT and who had normal intestinal mucosal histological appearance. The geometric means (95% CI) in units of DA were as follows: lactase 33.7 (normal range 29.0-39.1), sucrase 48.9 (normal range 44.2-54.1), maltase 160.5 (normal range 144.4-178.3), and palatinase 11.2 (normal range 9.7-12.9). Differences in DA were not related to symptoms, in the absence of histological abnormalities (1A vs 2A), but rather on the presence of histological abnormalities even in the absence of symptoms (1A vs 1B). Differences were also found when patients with FTT and/or diarrhea with abnormal histological appearance (2B and 2C) were compared with patients with no FTT and/or diarrhea with a normal brush border (1A). CONCLUSIONS: We outline DA values in a large cohort of infants. DA in infants, as in children, relates to intestinal mucosal histological appearance rather than to symptoms.

Comparison between chloral hydrate and propofol-ketamine as sedation regimens for pediatric auditory brainstem response testing / Comparação entre o uso de hidrato de cloral e propofol-quetamina como formas de sedação para exames de potenciais evocados auditivos de tronco encefálico

Abstract Introduction: The use of diagnostic auditory brainstem response testing under sedation is currently the "gold standard" in infants and young children who are not developmentally capable of completing the test. Objective: The aim of the study is to compare a propofol-ketamine regimen to an oral chloral hydrate regimen for sedating children undergoing auditory brainstem response testing. Methods: Patients between 4 months and 6 years who required sedation for auditory brainstem response testing were included in this retrospective study. Drugs doses, adverse effects, sedation times, and the effectiveness of the sedative regimens were reviewed. Results: 73 patients underwent oral chloral hydrate sedation, while 117 received propofol-ketamine sedation. 12% of the patients in the chloral hydrate group failed to achieve desired sedation level. The average procedure, recovery and total nursing times were significantly lower in the propofol-ketamine group. Propofol-ketamine group experienced higher incidence of transient hypoxemia. Conclusion: Both sedation regimens can be successfully used for sedating children undergoing auditory brainstem response testing. While deep sedation using propofol-ketamine regimen offers more efficiency than moderate sedation using chloral hydrate, it does carry a higher incidence of transient hypoxemia, which warrants the use of a highly skilled team trained in pediatric cardio-respiratory monitoring and airway management.

Resumo Introdução: O uso de testes diagnósticos de potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico sob sedação é atualmente o padrão-ouro em lactentes e crianças pequenas que não têm desenvolvimento suficiente para realizar o exame. Objetivo: O objetivo do estudo foi comparar a sedação de crianças submetidas a testes de potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico com propofol-quetamina e com hidrato de cloral por via oral. Método: Pacientes entre 4 meses e 6 anos de idade que necessitaram de sedação para a realização do potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico foram incluídos nesse estudo retrospectivo. Foram revisadas as doses dos medicamentos, os efeitos adversos, os tempos de sedação e a eficácia das formas de sedação. Resultados: 73 pacientes foram submetidos à sedação oral com hidrato de cloral, enquanto 117 receberam sedação com propofol-quetamina; 12% dos pacientes do grupo hidrato de cloral não alcançaram o nível desejado de sedação. Os tempos médios de procedimento, recuperação e o tempo total de cuidados de enfermagem foram significativamente menores no grupo propofol-quetamina, entretanto este grupo experimentou maior incidência de hipoxemia transitória. Conclusão: Ambos os regimes de sedação podem ser utilizados com sucesso para sedar crianças para realização do exame de potencial evocado de tronco encefálico. Embora a sedação profunda com propofol e quetamina ofereça mais eficiência do que a sedação moderada com hidrato de cloral, ela apresenta maior incidência de hipoxemia transitória, o que requer uma equipe altamente qualificada, treinada em monitoramento cardiorrespiratório pediátrico e manejo de vias aéreas.