[Non-invasive ventilation in infants with severe infection presumably due to respiratory syncytial virus: feasibility and failure criteria]. / Ventilation non invasive des nourrissons ayant une infection respiratoire sévère présumée à virus respiratoire syncitial: faisabilité et critères d'échec.

UNLABELLED: Beneficial effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) during non invasive ventilation (NIV) has been reported in infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, but no study has analyzed the predictors of its failure. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of NIV and to determine NIV failure criteria. POPULATION AND METHODS: All infants hospitalized in one PICU with presumed RSV infection between 2002 and 2006 were prospectively included. When respiratory support was needed, NIV was first started according to a pre-established protocol. RESULTS: One hundred and one infants, 43 females, 58 males, median age 49 days (range: 10-334), median weight 3.9 kg (range: 2,4-12) were included. RSV infection was confirmed in 84/101. Sixty-seven infants were transported by the paediatric medical transport system, 27 with NIV and 15 with invasive ventilation (IV). Fifteen infants were in IV at admission, 69 received NIV during their PICU stay (12 secondarily requiring IV) and 17 were never ventilated. A significant decrease in PCO2 with increase in pH was observed within 2 hours of NIV. Parameters associated with NIV failure were apneas, high values of admission PCO2 and H24 PRISM score. The 17 non-ventilated infants were older and had a lower severity score than those who were ventilated. CONCLUSION: In infants with RSV and needing respiratory support, NIV represented the sole method of respiratory support in 68% of cases. NIV failure criteria were apneas, high values of admission PCO2 and H24 PRISM score.

Plastic bronchitis mimicking foreign body aspiration that needs a specific diagnostic procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To report two children admitted to our emergency department with respiratory failure, one for status asthmaticus with pneumomediastinum and requiring mechanical ventilation and the other for high suspicion of foreign body aspiration. INTERVENTIONS: Bronchoscopy revealed obstructive plugs and permitted their extraction and their identification as bronchial casts after the immersion in normal saline. Allergy was suspected in the first one, and Hemophilus influenzae infection was present in the second. The outcome was favorable. CONCLUSIONS: Plastic bronchitis is an infrequent cause of acute life-threatening respiratory failure that can mimic foreign body aspiration or status asthmaticus. Bronchoscopic extraction must be performed urgently in the case of severe obstruction. This entity is probably underestimated as the casts with their specific ramifications are difficult to recognize. We recommend the immersion in normal saline of all plugs discovered in children with predisposing diseases mainly represented by infections, allergy, acute chest syndrome, and congenital cardiopathies.

Admission plasma vasopressin levels in children with meningococcal septic shock.

OBJECTIVE: Vasopressin (AVP) response has been reported to be inappropriately low in adult established septic shock. We studied admission AVP levels in children with meningococcal septic shock (MSS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: All children with meningococcal infection admitted to our PICU between May 2001 and August 2002 were classified as MSS (persistent hypotension despite fluid therapy, with perfusion abnormalities and the need for vasoactive drug infusion for at least 24 h or until death), or meningococal infection without shock (fever and purpura, with or without meningitis). Blood samples were collected at admission and AVP levels were subsequently determined using Nichols Institute Diagnostics vasopressin assay. Eighteen of 19 children with MSS (7 deaths) and 15 without shock (no death) were included. RESULTS: In children with MSS median admission AVP level was 41.6 pg/ml (1.4-498.9) and in those without 3.3 pg/ml (1.6-63.8). In children with MSS the AVP level was not correlated with duration of shock and fluid expansion prior to AVP sampling, or with age-adjusted blood pressure and natremia at the time of blood sampling. AVP levels were higher in nonsurvivors, but not significantly so. Only one nonsurvivor had an admission AVP level below 30 pg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: In our children with established MSS who died the admission AVP level Delta were not inappropriately low. Further studies including serial AVP level assessments are needed before concluding that AVP administration is of little interest in children with MSS.

Mechanical ventilatory support in infants with respiratory syncytial virus infection.

OBJECTIVE: To present a review of current knowledge of the use of mechanical ventilatory support in the management of infants with respiratory failure secondary to infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE and manual search for case reports and clinical trials that address management strategies for respiratory support of infants with RSV infection. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Critical appraisal of reported epidemiologic and clinical data regarding risk factors, pathophysiology, and efficacy of respiratory therapy. There is an increasing number of hospital admissions for RSV infection with a variable proportion of infants who need mechanical ventilatory support. The mortality rate is estimated to be <1% in infants without preexisting respiratory or cardiac disorders vs. <5% in those with preexisting respiratory or cardiac disorders. Optimal ventilator settings need to be refined according to the dominant obstructive or restrictive pattern with the aim to avoid barovolutrauma. The role of noninvasive ventilation and additional therapies (heliox, beta(2) agonists, surfactant) is not conclusively established. The indications for high-frequency oscillatory ventilation with the possible adjunction of inhaled nitric oxide deserve further study. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation plays a minor role in severe cases that are refractory to conventional treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional ventilation strategies are usually adequate for treating infants with severe RSV infection. Particular attention must be paid to the dominant pathophysiologic mechanism in a given condition. Prospective trials are needed to validate alternative therapeutic options and to improve the outcome of the rare but most severe cases that are difficult to control.

Spondylodiscitis and mediastinitis after esophageal perforation owing to a swallowed radiolucent foreign body.

A 6-year-old boy with aphagia presented with a radiolucent foreign body, esophageal perforation, mediastinitis, and a C6-C7 spondylodiscitis. A rigid plastic gear wheel was removed via thoracotomy, and the mediastinal abscess was drained through the esophagomediastinal fistula. Treatment included antibiotics as well as nonsurgical orthopedic management of the spondylodiscitis. The recovery period was uneventful, and the patient has remained asymptomatic for 2 years. Physicians must be aware of radiolucent foreign bodies. Computed tomography is very helpful in establishing the diagnosis of radiolucent foreign body, mediastinal abscess, and spondylodiscitis.

[Upper airway obstruction (foreign bodies excluded)]. / Obstruction des voies aériennes supérieures (à l'exclusion des corps étrangers).

Upper airway obstruction is a frequent cause of admission to the emergency department and the intensive care unit. Symptoms are mainly represented by dyspnea and stridor. Severity must be rapidly assessed to allow adapted treatment and avoid cardiac arrest and hypoxic encephalopathy. The possible etiologies are numerous, with acquired and congenital ones, but the majority is represented by laryngitis, lymphoid hypertrophy and laryngotracheomalacia. In case of respiratory failure, treatment must first establish airway patency with bag and mask ventilation, and then intubation. If vital prognosis is not threatened, biologic, radiologic or endoscopic examination can be performed to identify the cause of the obstruction and treat it.

[Effects of hypocaloric diet on respiratory manifestations in Willi-Prader syndrome]. / Effets du régime hypocalorique sur les manifestations respiratoires du syndrome de Willi-Prader.

BACKGROUND: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a multisystem disorder with hyperphagia and obesity. Breathing disorders such as snoring, sleep apnea syndrome, and sleep hypoventilation have also been reported. CASE REPORT: Jonathan was born with the typical features of PWS. He developed exercise dyspnea, cyanosis and nocturnal sweating at the age of 3 years. A few months later, a respiratory failure required his admission to the intensive care unit. His weight was then 48 kg (300% ideal body weight (IBW); physical examination showed polypnea (60 breaths/min), cyanosis, fat deposition on the chest wall. Transcutaneous oxygen saturation was 65%, carbon dioxide tension 81 mmHg (capillary sample). Pulmonary hypertension was found (mean arterial pulmonary pressure = 55 mmHg). Polysomnography detected hypoventilation with persistent hypoxemia increasing during the night and transient dips of oxygen saturation with bradycardia. He was treated with oxygen, mechanical ventilation (facial mask) and a low caloric diet (600 cal/day). Four months later, he weighed 33 kg (200% IBW); the respiratory features had resolved and gazometric values and pulmonary pressure returned to the normal ranges. Polysomnography showed only obstruction apnea and hypopnea without oxygen desaturation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PWS may develop respiratory symptoms sufficient by severity to be life threatening. They are related to morbid obesity and are influenced by a hypocaloric diet. Follow-up of patients with this syndrome must include repeated respiratory evaluation.

[Treatment of meningococcal purpura fulminans]. / Traitement du purpura fulminans méningococcique.

In France, the incidence of meningococcal infections is increasing. The most severe presentation, called purpura fulminans, has a death rate of 20-25%; 5 to 20% of the survivors need skin grafts and/or amputations. Diagnosis of invasive meningococcal infection is very difficult when purpura and "toxic" appearance are absent: one should take into account parents' impression of their ill child. This diagnosis must be evoked in any child presenting with febrile purpura (like in the United Kingdom, parents should be encouraged to use the "tumbler test" to identify a vasculitic rash); a fulminant form is to be suspected in the presence of only one ecchymosis and signs of infection, remembering that recognition of shock is difficult in children. Recently, the Health Authority has recommended to administer a third generation cephalosporin promptly (before biological investigations) for any child with signs of infection and a necrotic or ecchymotic purpura (> 3 mm of diameter), and then to refer the patient to the hospital. By grouping the patients from 7 studies, it can be observed that preadmission antibiotic administration has a protective effect on mortality (odds ratio: 0.36; 95% confidence interval: 0.23-0.56); a negative effect was observed in only one of these series. Children with purpura fulminans should be referred to a paediatric intensive care unit. Management includes antibiotics, steroids, fluid resuscitation and catecholamines (be aware of hypoglycaemia, particularly in infants, and hypocalcaemia). Treatment of cutaneous necrosis and distal ischemia is difficult and still controversial: antithrombin, protein C, tissue plasminogen activator and vasodilator infusion have no proven efficacy. Cases must be rapidly notified to the Public Health Service who will institute chemoprophylaxis for close contacts. Given the predominance of serogroup B in France, we hope that an efficient vaccine will soon become available.

[Impact of vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae on the incidence of invasive infections from Haemophilus influenzae type B in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region]. / Impact de la vaccination anti-Haemophilus influenzae sur l'incidence des infections invasives à Haemophilus influenzae de type b dans la région Nord-Pas-de-Calais.

BACKGROUND: In industrialized countries where immunization against Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib) is largely used, the incidence of invasive Hib infections has dramatically decreased. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of immunization against Hib on the incidence of invasive Hib infections in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais area in France. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study enrolled 11 of the 18 hospitals in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais area, comparing two periods: 1991-1993 (before immunization), and 1994-1996 (during immunization). All children less than 60 months of age and having an invasive Hib infection were included. The Pasteur-Mérieux Company was asked to provide the number of vaccines sold in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais area during the study period. RESULTS: The number of vaccines sold in 1992 was 56,208; this reached 189,173 in 1996, corresponding to an immunization ratio higher than 90%. One hundred and two children representing 155 invasive Hib infections were studied. The annual incidence was 42 during the first period (meningitis: 18.6; septicemia: 14.6; epiglottitis: 5.6), and nine (meningitis: 5; septicemia: 2.6; epiglottitis: 0.3) during the second period, that is a 78% decrease. CONCLUSION: These results confirm previous data in the literature by demonstrating that immunization in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais area has dramatically decreased the incidence of invasive Hib infections.

[Acute rhabdomyolysis in the child]. / Rhabdomyolyses aiguës de l'enfant.

Rhabdomyolysis results from muscular fibre lysis with release of cellular contents (myoglobin, enzymes, electrolytes) into the plasma. Traumatic (crush syndrome) and non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis have been mostly reported in adults. Traumatic rhabdomyolysis are mostly due to ischemic and reperfusion injuries. Non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis include several factors: muscular compression (comas), cytotoxic injury (infections and poisonings), ischemia (shock, cardiorespiratory arrest) or excessive muscular activity (seizures, strenuous exercise). The main etiologies reported in children are: anoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (including sudden infant death and life threatening events); electrolyte disorders; severe hyperthermia; poisonings; hereditary myopathies. Non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis must be suspected in these circumstances, requiring blood creatinine phosphokinase measurements. Indeed, clinical signs are inconstant and non-specific, and functional signs are difficult to appreciate in children. During the initial phase, the main risk is arrhythmias secondary to hyperkalemia. The two main complications are the compartmental syndrome leading to irreversible vasculo-nervous injuries and acute renal failure. Treatment of traumatic and non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis includes correction of hyperkalemia, active fluid loading in order to prevent acute renal failure and alkalinisation. Prognosis of rhabdomyolysis relates to the aetiology and the presence of acute renal failure.

[Vascular tracheal compression presenting as bronchiolitis in infants]. / Compression trachéale vasculaire se présentant comme une bronchiolite chez le nourrisson.

BACKGROUND: Anomalies of the aortic arch and pulmonary arteries may produce compression of the trachea with chronic stridor or wheezing aggravated by crying, feeding and flexion of the neck. CASE REPORTS: Three infants, 3, 5 and 2 months-old, respectively, were admitted suffering from acute bronchiolitis. The first patient had intermittent wheezing for one month; lateral chest X-rays showed an opaque area inserted between the trachea and oesophagus and computed tomography showed pulmonary artery sling with tracheal stenosis which was successfully operated. The second patient displayed pulmonary atelectasia which required bronchoscopy; this technique showed tracheal stenosis which was due to pulmonary artery sling. The third patient had a history of congenital stridor: he required endotracheal intubation; a bronchoscopy performed because persistent pulmonary atelectasia showed tracheal stenosis which was secondary to a double aortic arch. The condition was improved after surgical correction. CONCLUSIONS: A history of stridor and/or wheezing in patients admitted for bronchiolitis must lead to consider the possibility of vascular compression of the trachea and to perform specific investigations.

[Modality and causes of 259 deaths in a pediatric intensive care unit]. / Modalités et causes de 259 décès dans un service de réanimation pédiatrique.

BACKGROUND: There are few data available from European pediatric intensive care units (PICU) regarding the modes of death and their causes. POPULATION AND METHODS: Two hundred and fifty nine children, not including neonates, died in the PICU over a 7-year period (1987-1993). Data were obtained from a computerized data base and the retrospective review of medical records by two intensivists. Deaths were classified into three groups according to the terminal event: brain death (BD), unsuccessful resuscitation (UR), do-not-resuscitate order and limitation and/or withdrawal of therapy (LWT). RESULTS: BD was the most common mode of death (38%); UR accounted for 34% and LWT for 28% of deaths. There was no significant annual variation in the proportion of BD, UR and LWT. Age and sex were similar in the three groups. The predominant organ system failure involved upon admission was the central nervous system (52%) in the LWT group, and the cardiovascular system (54%) in the UR group. Severe chronic disease (37%) and immunosuppression (19%) were more prevalent in the LWT group than in the BD group. Time from admission to death was longer in the LWT group (median = 119 hours) as compared to the UR group (10 hours) and the BD group (54 hours). Ten percent of the BD patients became organ transplant donors. Sixty-seven per cent of BD patients had medical contraindication for organ donation: parents did not accept organ donation in 61% of potential cases. Thirty deaths (12%) seemed to be avoidable; dehydration from acute infectious gastroenteritis (n = 7) was the most common cause of avoidable death. CONCLUSIONS: The modes of death in our PICU were statistically not different from those seen in two of four North-American PICUs; LWT was less prevalent than in the two other PICUs, but the patient populations were very different (presence of neonates and many cardiovascular surgery patients). Assessment of the severity of illness at admission and of functional outcome in the survivors are mandatory in future studies.

[Acute respiratory insufficiency revealing myasthenia gravis: apropos of 3 cases]. / Insuffisance respiratoire aiguë révélatrice d'une myasthénie juvénile: à propos de trois cas.

BACKGROUND: Myasthenia gravis is usually revealed by a ptosis or a diplopia. A respiratory muscle weakness often occurs during the course but an acute respiratory failure as initial feature is unusual. CASE REPORTS: Three girls, aged 8, 10 and 14 years, were hospitalised in an intensive care unit, along a 15 year-period, for an acute respiratory distress. The first two children suffered from skeletal and bulbar muscle weakness. The third, admitted with the diagnosis of unexplained pneumonia, was complaining of skeletal and bulbar muscle weakness for the last 18 months. Myasthenia gravis was confirmed with electromyography, and detection of the acetylcholine-receptors antibodies in all three cases. CONCLUSION: Any unexplained acute respiratory distress must lead to search for skeletal and bulbar muscle weakness, specially after muscular exercise or at the end of day, manifestations which characterize myasthenia gravis.

[Purpura fulminans and coxsackie B2 co-infection]. / Purpura fulminans et co-infection à coxsackie B2.

INTRODUCTION: During septic shock in children, myocardial deficiency usually lasts 3 to 6 days. When prolonged, an other etiology should be looked for. OBSERVATION: A 29 month-old child presented with purpura fulminans, probably due to Neisseria meningitidis. Positivity of the serodiagnostic for coxsackie B2, performed because of persisting myocardial deficiency, evoked diagnosis of a coxsackie B2 co-infection. DISCUSSION: Abnormally prolonged myocardial deficiency during purpura fulminans must lead to the search for a congenital, metabolic or infectious cardiomyopathy.

[Treatment with intermittent high dosage corticotherapy in chronic interstitial pneumonia in an infant. A case report]. / Traitement par corticothérapie intermittente à forte dose de la pneumopathie interstitielle chronique du nourrisson. A propos d'une observation.

Chronic interstitial pneumonia (PIC) are rare in infants. We report a case of an infant who presented with a chronic interstitial pneumonia following an infection with a respiratory syncytial virus. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically (open lung biopsy). The failure of oral steroid therapy (Prednisolone 2 mg/kg/day) led to the use of boluses of methylprednisone (30 mg/kg/day, daily for three days in three series one month apart). The treatment led to a progressive improvement and thirty months after the last bolus the respiratory examination was normal as was the radiology. The efficacy of bolus steroid therapy observed by other authors should be confirmed in multicentre trials using surgical biopsy to precise the pulmonary lesions.