Hyperglycemia and infections in pediatric trauma patients.

Hyperglycemia has been associated with poor outcome in children with head injuries and burns. However, there has not been a correlation noted between hyperglycemia and infections in severely injured children. The trauma registry of a Level I trauma center was queried for injured children <13 years admitted between July 1, 1999 and August 31, 2003. The records of severely injured children [Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 15] were examined for survival, age, weight, ISS, infection, length of stay (LOS), and maximum glucose levels within the first 24 hours of injury (D1G). Statistical analysis was performed using a t test, Fisher's exact test, a Mann-Whitney Rank Sum test, or Kendall's Tau where appropriate. Eight hundred and eighty eight children under 13 years of age were admitted. One hundred and nine had an ISS > 15, and 57 survived to discharge with measured D1G. Patients excluded were those who died in less than 72 hours or had an LOS less than 72 hours. The survivors were divided into high glucose (> or =130 mg/dL; n = 48) and normal glucose (<130 mg/dL; n = 9). There was no difference between the groups with respect to age, weight, incidence of head injury, and ISS. An elevated D1G correlated with an increased risk of infection (P = 0.05) and an increased LOS (P = 0.01). These data suggest that severely injured children are often hyperglycemic in the first 24 hours after injury. Hyperglycemia in this study population correlated with an increased incidence of infection and increased length of stay. This suggests that strict control of hyperglycemia in injured children may be beneficial.

Clostridium botulinum toxin inhibits myometrial activity in vitro: possible application on the prevention of preterm labor after fetal surgery.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The current study aimed to analyze the effects of Clostridium botulinum toxin (Botox) on pregnant myometrium activity in vitro. METHODS: Strips of myometrium were obtained from pregnant Wistar rats on gestational day 13 through 15 and placed under controlled conditions within tissue baths containing DeJalon solution. Muscular activity, including amplitude and frequency of contractions, was recorded by a force transducer connected to a polygraph. After stable baseline values were recorded, different concentrations of Botox were added to the tissue baths. Myometrial activity data points for each drug concentration were entered as mean percentual variations of the baseline. A total of 26 uterine samples from 13 animals were studied. Statistical analysis was by single-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) with P <.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Except for a narrow concentration range, when the effects were nonmonotonic, both amplitude and frequency of myometrial contractions were significantly depressed (P <.05) and eventually totally abolished at most concentrations studied, albeit in a potentially biphasic pattern. Those effects could be reversed by a complete washout of the tissue bath. CONCLUSIONS: Within appropriate concentrations, Botox consistently inhibits or completely arrests myometrial activity in potentially reversible fashion. This agent may prove valuable in premature labor prevention after fetal surgery.

Ad libitum feeding decreases hospital stay for neonates after pyloromyotomy.

PURPOSE: The optimal feeding regimen for neonates after pyloromyotomy for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) remains controversial. This study sought to compare ad libitum feeding to a Conventional feeding regimen with regard to time to full diet, length of hospital stay, and readmission rates. METHODS: A 6-month review of 36 consecutive patients who underwent pyloromyotomy for HPS was undertaken. Patients were fed in 1 of 2 ways according to specific surgeon preference. Conventional Regimen patients (n = 19) were kept nothing by mouth (NPO) for 6 hours after surgery and incrementally advanced to full feedings. ad libitum (n = 17) patients were kept NPO until fully reversed from anesthesia and then given full strength formula or breast milk. Discharge was considered when 2 feedings of 60 mL were tolerated. RESULTS: Twenty-eight males and 8 females with a mean age of 5.0 plus minus 1.7 (SD) weeks, gestational age of 39 plus minus 2.1 weeks, weight of 4.0 plus minus 0.9 kg, and operating time of 56 plus minus 12 minutes were studied. The interval from operating room to full diet was significantly less with ad libitum feeding than on the conventional regimen (20.3 plus minus 5.0 v. 25.4 plus minus 8.3 hours, P <.05). The Ad Libitum group also had a significantly decreased length of hospital stay (28.5 plus minus 8.9 hours v. 35.8 plus minus 11 hours; P <.05). There were no readmissions in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Ad libitum feedings decrease time to full diet and discharge without an increase in readmission rates. The estimated potential savings per patient using ad libitum feedings were $392.00. Thus, the use of ad libitum feedings after pyloromyotomy for HPS appears indicated.

Analysis of an improved survival rate for congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a condition associated with significant mortality. This study examines the survival rate of neonates with CDH treated by a multidisciplinary team in a single pediatric hospital. Actual survival rate is compared with predicted outcome based on severity of illness. METHODS: A consecutive series of neonates with CDH was evaluated beginning January 1, 2000. There were no excluded patients. A treatment protocol emphasizing minimal barotrauma and control of pulmonary hypertension was used. Predicted survival rate was estimated using birth weight and Apgar score at 5 minutes per the logistic regression equation published by the CDH Study Group. Actual survival rates were calculated and compared with predicted values using a one sample binomial test with significance deemed to be present at P less than.05. RESULTS: Thirty-six of 39 (93%) neonates with CDH survived, whereas the predicted survival rate for this cohort was 68% (P <.001). Twelve of 14 (86%) neonates requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) survived, despite a predicted survival rate of 52% for this subset (P <.01). Twenty-five percent of survivors required supplemental oxygen at home. CONCLUSIONS: Using a simple analysis, centers may now objectively compare their CDH survival rates with predicted outcomes adjusted for disease severity. This technique confirmed that a consecutive series of neonates with CDH, treated in one hospital, had a significantly higher than predicted survival rate. Thus, it may be possible to identify other centers with higher than expected survival rates and to define common therapeutic strategies associated with decreased mortality.

Impact of AMICAR on hemorrhagic complications of ECMO: a ten-year review.

PURPOSE: Preliminary studies have shown aminocaproic acid (AMICAR), an inhibitor of fibrinolysis, reduced the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage and significant surgical site bleeding in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The purpose of this analysis is to determine if these benefits remain when AMICAR is used in a large population. METHODS: ECMO patients from a single pediatric institution, with routine use of AMICAR for "high-risk" patients, were evaluated retrospectively from 1991 to 2001. Data including diagnosis, duration of support, significant complications, and survival were recorded. These variables were compared with those of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO), an international ECMO registry, using a chi2 test. P less than.05 was deemed significant. RESULTS: ECMO was used 431 times during the 10-year study period. A total of 298 patients received AMICAR, most frequently for surgical procedures. The survival rate was not statistically different in the study group when compared with the ELSO Registry (P =.06). The rate of neonatal intracranial hemorrhage was not significantly different between the 2 groups (P =.133); however, the rate of surgical site bleeding was significantly reduced in the study population (P =.005). Decrease in surgical site bleeding was particularly evident in cardiac patients (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this large experience, use of AMICAR for high-risk patients on ECMO did not appear to alter the rate of neonatal intracranial hemorrhage, but did significantly reduce the incidence of surgical site bleeding. AMICAR remains a valuable tool for the prevention of hemorrhage in patients undergoing operation prior to or while on ECMO.

Energy expenditure in ill premature neonates.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The energy needs of critically ill premature neonates undergoing surgery remain to be defined. Results of studies in adults would suggest that these neonates should have markedly increased energy expenditures. To test this hypothesis, a recently validated stable isotopic technique was used to measure accurately the resting energy expenditure (REE) of critically ill premature neonates before and after patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation. METHODS: Six ventilated, fully total parenteral nutrition (TPN)-fed, premature neonates (24.5 plus minus 0.5 weeks' gestational age) were studied at day of life 7.5 plus minus 0.7, immediately before and 16 plus minus 3.7 hours after standard PDA ligation. REE was measured with a primed continuous infusion of NaH(13)CO(3), and breath samples were analyzed by isotope ratio mass spectroscopy. Serum CRP and cortisol concentrations also were obtained. Statistical analyses were made by paired sample t tests and linear regression. RESULTS: The resting energy expenditures pre- and post-PDA ligation were 37.2 plus minus 9.6 and 34.8 plus minus 10.1 kcal/kg/d (not significant, P =.61). Only preoperative energy expenditure significantly (P <.01) predicted postoperative energy expenditure (R(2) = 88.0%). Pre- and postoperative determinations of CRP were 2.1 plus minus 1.5 and 7.1 plus minus 4.2 mg/dL (not significant, P =.34), and cortisol levels were 14.1 plus minus 2.3 and 14.9 plus minus 2.1 microgram/dL (not significant, P =.52). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, critically ill premature neonates do not have elevated REE, and, further, there is no increase in REE evident the first day after surgery. This suggests that routine allotments of excess calories are not necessary either pre-or postoperatively in critically ill premature neonates. Given the high interindividual variability in REE, actual measurement is prudent if protracted nutritional support is required.

Functional outcome of nonoperatively managed renal injuries in children.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to define better the functional outcome of nonoperatively managed renal injuries in children. METHODS: All children who had blunt renal trauma managed nonoperatively were reviewed for injury grade, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, blood pressure, and percentage of function according to technetium-99m-dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan after complete healing. RESULTS: Over a 2-year period, 17 children (mean age, 10.4 years) were managed conservatively for their renal injuries. There were two grade 2, two grade 3, nine grade 4, and four grade 5 injuries. Complete healing was documented in all cases within 3 months after injury. Renal scarring and volume loss were evident for all healed high-grade injuries (grades 4 to 5) at follow-up imaging. Technetium-99m-dimercaptosuccinic acid scanning demonstrated a decline in percentage of total renal function corresponding to injury severity (44.7 +/- 8.4% function for grades 2 and 3, 41.8 +/- 9.2% for grade 4 vs 29.5 +/- 7.9% for grade 5). Only two children (22%), however, with grade 4 injury had severe compromise of function (<30%). At the follow-up visit, all the children were asymptomatic and normotensive. None had abnormal BUN or creatinine (mean BUN, 10.5 +/- 5.1 mg/dL; mean creatinine, 0.6 +/- 0.2 mg/dL). CONCLUSIONS: The functional outcome for children with nonoperatively managed kidney injuries is good and correlates with injury grade. Children with grades 2 to 4 injuries managed conservatively retain near normal function. Those with grade 5 injuries have a loss of function attributable to scarring and parenchymal volume loss. Long-term follow-up evaluation of these children may be warranted.