Therapeutic plasma exchange in critically ill children: 18-year experience of a tertiary care paediatric intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been used as a primary or supportive treatment in critical paediatric patients during the clinical course of many diseases. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to characterise the indications, complications, and outcomes of critically ill children who received TPE in a tertiary referral paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS: This retrospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary referral 13-bed PICU of a university hospital. Critically ill children, who received at least one TPE procedure, were retrospectively included in the study. TPE was utilised by the same paediatric intensivist in accordance with the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) guideline between January 2005 and December 2022. The procedures were analysed in terms of technical aspects and complications. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for mortality. RESULTS: In total, 1528 TPE sessions were performed on a total of 328 children. The overall TPE utility rate was 25 per 1000 PICU admissions. Primary indications for TPE were sepsis, neurological autoimmune, haematological diseases, acute liver failure, drug overdose, and autoimmune rheumatological disorders in 109 (33.2%), 90 (27.4%), 49 (14.9%), 43 (13.1%), 12 (3.7%), and 10 (3%) of patients, respectively. The distribution of TPE indications according to ASFA categories was as follows: 37 patients (11.3%) were in category I, 44 patients (13.4%) were in category II, and 211 (64.3%) were in category III. Complications were observed in 18.7% of sessions, and the most common complications were haemodynamic (10.8%) and circuit-/catheter-related (7.6%) complications. The mortality rate was 28.4% in the study. Moreover, both Pediatric Index of Mortality 3 score and number of organ failures were found as independent risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that TPE may be an effective procedure even in critically ill children in accordance with ASFA recommendations. We also showed that mortality rate increased with Pediatric Index of Mortality 3 score at admission and number of organ failures.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of continuous renal replacement therapy performed on younger children weighing up to 10 kg.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the clinical features, modality, complications, and effecting factors on the survival of children weighing up to 10 kg who received continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). METHODS: This study was a retrospective observational study conducted in five pediatric intensive care units in tertiary hospitals in Turkey between January 2015 and December 2019. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-one children who underwent CRRT were enrolled in the study. The median age was 6 (range, 2-12)months, and 74 (52.5%) were male. The median weight of the patients was 6 (range, 4-8.35) kg and 52 (36.9%) weighed less than 5 kg. The most common indication for CRRT was fluid overload in 75 (53.2%) patients, and sepsis together with multiorgan failure in 62 (44%). The overall mortality was 48.2%. DISCUSSION: Despite its complexity, CRRT in children weighing less than 10 kg is a beneficial, lifesaving extracorporeal treatment modality.

Central Venous Catheter Insertion for Vascular Access: A 6-year Single-center Experience.

Background: Central venous catheterization is performed for such reasons as hemodynamic monitoring, parenteral nutrition, drug and fluid administration, and extracorporeal treatment. This study aimed to retrospectively review the indications for central venous catheter (CVC) insertion for vascular access and removal by pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) physicians, catheter types, and catheter-associated complications. Materials and methods: The indications for CVC insertion and removal, catheter insertion site, types of catheters, catheter-associated complications, whether or not insertion was ultrasonographically guided, catheter-associated infections, and duration of use of 1200 catheters used by PICU physicians between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: In all, 315 (26.3%) hemodialysis catheters and 885 (73.8%) CVCs were inserted. Mean duration of catheter use was 12.33 ± 7.28 days. CVCs were inserted most commonly (28.4% [n = 341]) based on the indication of multiple drug infusions. In total, 44.8% of the CVCs were inserted under ultrasonographic guidance. The most common reason for the removal of catheters was that they were no longer needed (76.8% [n = 921]). Catheter-associated bloodstream infection occurred at the rate of 5.5 days per 1000 catheter days. Conclusion: Central venous catheterization is becoming more widespread because of the benefits it provides during the follow-up and treatment of children. As central venous catheterization is a more invasive procedure than peripheral localization and is associated with severe complications, especially in pediatric patients, it should be carefully performed under sterile conditions and by experienced personnel based on appropriate indications. Central venous catheters should be removed as soon as the need disappears. How to cite this article: Misirlioglu M, Yildizdas D, Yavas DP, Ekinci F, Horoz OO, Yontem A. Central Venous Catheter Insertion for Vascular Access: A 6-year Single-center Experience. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(10):748-753.

A Rare Complication of Central Venous Catheterization Interventions: Subdural Effusion.

Central venous catheterization interventions are used in various clinics for diagnostic and treatment purposes. Establishing vascular access is a difficult and critical step, especially in critically ill pediatric patients. Complications include ventricular arrhythmia, air embolism, carotid artery puncture, cardiac tamponade, pneumothorax, hemothorax, artery-vein laceration, thoracic duct injury, and catheter malposition can be observed in patients after central venous catheterization interventions. In this case report, a pediatric case was discussed, in which a central venous catheter was inserted without the usage of imaging methods and without confirming the location and was used, even though no blood return was obtained. It was aimed to draw attention to subdural effusions and spinal canal interventions, which is a rare complication of central venous catheterization interventions. How to cite this article: Misirlioglu M, Horoz OO, Yildizdas D, Ekinci F, Yontem A, Pehlivan UA. A Rare Complication of Central Venous Catheterization Interventions: Subdural Effusion. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(3):384-386.

Predicting nasal high-flow therapy failure by pediatric respiratory rate-oxygenation index and pediatric respiratory rate-oxygenation index variation in children.

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate whether pediatric respiratory rate-oxygenation index (p-ROXI) and variation in p-ROXI (p-ROXV) can serve as objective markers in children with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) failure. In this prospective, single-center observational study, all patients who received HFNC therapy in the general pediatrics ward, pediatric intensive care unit, and the pediatric emergency department were included. High-flow nasal cannula success was achieved for 116 (88.5%) patients. At 24 h, if both p-ROXI and p-ROXV values were above the cutoff point (≥ 66.7 and ≥ 24.0, respectively), HFNC failure was 1.9% and 40.6% if both were below their values (p < 0.001). At 48 h of HFNC initiation, if both p-ROXI and p-ROXV values were above the cutoff point (≥ 65.1 and ≥ 24.6, respectively), HFNC failure was 0.0%; if both were below these values, HFNC failure was 100% (p < 0.001).Conclusion: We observed that these parameters can be used as good markers in pediatric clinics to predict the risk of HFNC failure in patients with acute respiratory failure. What is Known: • Optimal timing for transitions between invasive and noninvasive ventilation strategies is of significant importance. • The complexity of data requires an objective marker that can be evaluated quickly and easily at the patient's bedside for predicting HFNC failure in children with acute respiratory failure. What is New: • Our data showed that combining p-ROXI and p-ROXV can be successful in predicting HFNC failure at 24 and 48 h of therapy.

Bedside sonographic assessments for predicting predialysis fluid overload in children with end-stage kidney disease.

Although the number of studies evaluating methods to predict fluid overload is increasing, the assessment of fluid status in children on dialysis is still fraught with inaccuracies. We aimed to evaluate the predictive capability of lung ultrasounds and the inferior vena cava collapsibility index (cIVC) in predialysis overhydration in children with end-stage kidney disease. Ten children with end-stage kidney disease who were on an intermittent hemodialysis program were included. The hydration status of the patients was clinically evaluated. Moreover, 30 predialysis and 30 postdialysis lung ultrasound, cIVC, and bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) measurements were performed. The median age of the participants was 14 (IQR, 13-15) years, and two (20%) were male. There was a strong positive correlation between the predialysis total number of B-lines and predialysis fluid overload (r=0.764, p<0.001). Additionally, there was a moderate negative correlation between predialysis cIVC and predialysis fluid overload (r=-0.599, p=0.002). Although the moderate correlation was determined between the postdialysis fluid overload and total number of B-lines, no correlation was determined using cIVC. Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated that the total number of B-lines and cIVC could successfully predict the predialysis fluid overload (relative hydration >7% derived from the BIS; AUROC 0.82 and 0.80, respectively). When both evaluations were combined, if either the total number of B-lines or the cIVC was outside the corresponding cutoff range (>10.5 and ≤23.5, respectively), it was detected in 16 out of 17 sessions (sensitivity 94%). If either one was outside the corresponding cutoff range (total number of B-lines >10.5 and cIVC ≤18.2), the severe predialysis fluid overload was predicted successfully in all eight (100%) sessions. Conclusion: Randomized controlled studies are needed to prove the reliability of the combined use of lung ultrasounds and cIVC in the assessment of predialysis fluid overload. What is Known: • The association of chronic fluid overload with increased morbidity and mortality raises the need for optimal determination of fluid overload in pediatric patients who are dialysis-dependent at a young age. • The linear correlation between the total number of B-lines on lung ultrasound images and fluid overload by weight has been shown. What is New: • This study evaluates the lung ultrasound and inferior vena cava collapsibility index combined in predicting fluid overload in dialytic children. • If either the total number of B-lines or the cIVC was outside the corresponding cutoff range (>10.5 and cIVC ≤18.2, respectively), the severe predialysis fluid overload was predicted successfully in all eight (100%) sessions.

Point-of-care ultrasound assessment of the inferior vena cava distensibility index in mechanically ventilated children in the operating room

Background and aim: Point-of-care ultrasound imaging of the inferior vena cava distensibility index is a potential indicator for determining fluid overload and dehydration in the mechanically ventilated patients. Data on inferior vena cava distensibility index and inferior vena cava distensibility variability are limited in mechanically ventilated pediatric patients. That is why our aim in this study was to measure inferior vena cava distensibility index and to obtain mean values in pediatric patients, ventilated in the operating room before the ambulatory surgical procedure started. Materials and methods: This crosssectional study was performed between February 2019 and February 2020. Ultrasonographic measurements were performed in a total of 125 children. Results: In a period of 13 months, the measurements were performed in a total of 125 children, of which 120 (62.5% male) met the criteria and were included in the study. Overall inferior vena cava distensibility index (%): mean ± SD: 6.8 ± 4.0, median (min­max): 5.7 (1.4­19.6), IQR: 3.8­8.7. Overall inferior vena cava distensibility variability (%): mean ± SD: 6.5 ± 3.7, median (min­max): 5.5 (1.4­17.8), IQR: 3.7­8.4. Conclusion: Our study is the largest series of children in the literature in which inferior vena cava distensibility index measurements were investigated.

Frequency and Causes of Delirium in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: The number of studies evaluating delirium and its frequency in critically ill infants, children, and adolescents is increasing day by day. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate all patients hospitalized in our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in terms of pediatric delirium, to determine the frequency and risk factors of pediatric delirium. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients included in this study had been hospitalized in the PICU between November 1, 2018, and August 31, 2019, and were followed up for more than 48 hours. RESULTS: Delirium was detected in 14 patients (9.9%) through regular evaluations. The Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 (PIM2) scores and the length of stay in the PICU were higher in patients with delirium (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01, respectively). The use of respiratory support, sedation-analgesia, vasoactive and corticosteroid treatments, and physical restraints were higher in patients with delirium and were statistically significant (p <0.05). Following admission to the PICU, psychosocial interventions were implemented for 76.1% of the whole cohort. Delirium developed in only five (4.5%) of the 108 patients who underwent psychosocial interventions, while it was detected in nine (26.5%) of the 34 patients who did not receive psychosocial interventions (p = 0.001). The psychosocial intervention was associated with a lower likelihood of delirium (odds ratio [OR], 0.237; p = 0.044). An increasing number of days in the PICU was independently associated with increasing odds of delirium (OR, 1.095; p = 0.037 for each day). CONCLUSIONS: We observed that the risk factors associated with delirium were similar to previous studies. Additionally, psychosocial intervention before delirium symptoms developed was associated with a lower risk of developing delirium. However, multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed on this subject. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Yontem A, Yildizdas D, Horoz OO, et al. Frequency and Causes of Delirium in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Observational Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(6):715-719.

Clinical Factors of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Success in Children.

This study was aimed to evaluate the success rate of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy and factors causing therapy failure. This prospective observational study included 131 children who received HFNC oxygen and followed-up in the pediatric emergency department, pediatric clinics, and pediatric intensive care unit between March 2018 and December 2019. The median age was 23.0 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 9.0-92.0) and 65 patients were male (49.6%). The most common reason for requiring HFNC oxygen therapy was pneumonia ( n = 75, 57.3%). A complex chronic condition was present in 112 (85.5%) patients. Therapy success was achieved in 116 patients (88.5%). The reason for requiring treatment and the patients' complex chronic condition did not affect the success of the therapy ( p = 0.294 and 0.091, respectively). In the first 24 hours of treatment, a significant improvement in pulse rate, respiratory rate, pH, and lactate level were observed in successful HFNC oxygen patients ( p < 0.05). In addition, these patients showed a significant improvement in SpO 2 and SpO 2 /FiO 2 ratio, and a significant decrease in FiO 2 and flow rate ( p < 0.05). HFNC oxygen success rate was 95.6% in patients with SpO 2 /FiO 2 ≥ 150 at the 24th hour; it was 58.0% in those with SpO 2 /FiO 2 < 150 ( p < 0.001). Caution should be exercised in terms of HFNC oxygen failure in patients with no significant improvement in vital signs and with SpO 2 /FiO 2 < 150 during treatment.

The Effects of Protein Intake on Clinical Outcome in Pediatric Intensive Care Units.

OBJECTIVE: Factors such as increased metabolic needs and inadequate calorie and protein intake increase the risk of malnutrition in critically ill children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. This study aimed to determine the risk of malnutrition and associated clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from all patients aged 1 month to 18 years in 4 pediatric intensive care units in Adana, Turkey, were prospectively collected. Patient anthropometric data, the duration of mechanical ventilation, the length of stay in pediatric intensive care unit, 60-day mortality, nutritional status, and calorie and protein intake were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients were included in the study. There was a significant difference between survivor and non-survivor patients in terms of calorie and protein intake 48 hours after admission and protein intake on the seventh day after admission (P = .001, P = .000, and P = .003, respectively). No significant correlation was found between the length of pediatric intensive care unit stay, sepsis, and calorie intake in the first week. It was found that 1 g/kg/ day increase in protein intake on the seventh day of intensive care hospitalization decreased the risk of mechanical ventilation by 0.49 times (P = .035; sensitivity: 83.3%; specificity: 34.5%). CONCLUSION: Nutritional status should be evaluated fully in patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit and early detected malnutrition should be monitored closely to determine the need for early intervention. The risk of developing malnutrition is high in critically ill children. Providing the necessary energy and protein intake with nutritional therapy affects the clinical course in children with critical illness. Protein intake causes prolongation of mechanical ventilation time, delaying clinical recovery.

A Retrospective Cohort Study of Traumatic Brain Injury in Children: A Single-Institution Experience and Determinants of Neurologic Outcome.

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has become a significant cause of death and morbidity in childhood since the elucidation of infectious causes within the last century. Mortality rates in this population decreased over time due to developments in technology and effective treatment modalities. Aim of the study: This retrospective cohort study aimed to describe the volume, severity and mechanism of all hospital-admitted pediatric TBI patients at a university hospital over a 5-year period. Material and Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study including 90 pediatric patients with TBI admitted to a tertiary care PICU. The patients' demographic data, injury mechanisms, disease and trauma severity scores, initiation of enteral nutrition and outcome measures such as hospital stay, PICU stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, mortality, and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) were also recorded. Late enteral nutrition was defined as initiation of enteral feeding after 48 hours of hospitalization. Results: Of the 90 patients included in the cohort, 60% had mild TBI, 21.1% had moderate TBI and 18.9% had severe TBI. Their mean age was 69 months (3-210 months). TBI was isolated in 34 (37.8%) patients and observed as a part of multisystemic trauma in 56 (62.2%). The most commonly involved site in multisystemic injury was the thorax (33.3%). The length of hospitalization in the late enteral nutrition group was significantly higher than that in the early nutrition group, while the PICU stay was not significantly different between the two groups. The multiple logistic regression analysis found a significant relationship between GOS-3rd month and PIM3 score, the presence of diffuse axonal injury and the need for CPR in the first 24 h of hospitalization. Conclusion: Although our study showed that delayed enteral nutrition did not affect neurologic outcome, it may lead to prolonged hospitalization and increased hospital costs. High PIM3 scores and diffuse axonal injury are both associated with worse neurologic outcomes.

Evaluation of nutritional status in pediatric intensive care unit patients: the results of a multicenter, prospective study in Turkey.

Introduction: Malnutrition is defined as a pathological condition arising from deficient or imbalanced intake of nutritional elements. Factors such as increasing metabolic demands during the disease course in the hospitalized patients and inadequate calorie intake increase the risk of malnutrition. The aim of the present study is to evaluate nutritional status of patients admitted to pediatric intensive care units (PICU) in Turkey, examine the effect of nutrition on the treatment process and draw attention to the need for regulating nutritional support of patients while continuing existing therapies. Material and Method: In this prospective multicenter study, the data was collected over a period of one month from PICUs participating in the PICU Nutrition Study Group in Turkey. Anthropometric data of the patients, calorie intake, 90-day mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay and length of stay in intensive care unit were recorded and the relationship between these parameters was examined. Results: Of the 614 patients included in the study, malnutrition was detected in 45.4% of the patients. Enteral feeding was initiated in 40.6% (n = 249) of the patients at day one upon admission to the intensive care unit. In the first 48 h, 86.82% (n = 533) of the patients achieved the target calorie intake, and 81.65% (n = 307) of the 376 patients remaining in the intensive care unit achieved the target calorie intake at the end of one week. The risk of mortality decreased with increasing upper mid-arm circumference and triceps skin fold thickness Z-score (OR = 0.871/0.894; p = 0.027/0.024). The risk of mortality was 2.723 times higher in patients who did not achieve the target calorie intake at first 48 h (p = 0.006) and the risk was 3.829 times higher in patients who did not achieve the target calorie intake at the end of one week (p = 0.001). The risk of mortality decreased with increasing triceps skin fold thickness Z-score (OR = 0.894; p = 0.024). Conclusion: Timely and appropriate nutritional support in critically ill patients favorably affects the clinical course. The results of the present study suggest that mortality rate is higher in patients who fail to achieve the target calorie intake at first 48 h and day seven of admission to the intensive care unit. The risk of mortality decreases with increasing triceps skin fold thickness Z-score.

The Effects of Endotracheal Suctioning on Hemodynamic Parameters and Tissue Oxygenation in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Airway secretions may increase in intubated patients due to the impaired mucociliary clearance, impaired cough reflex, abnormal glottic function, insufficient moisturizing, and respiratory tract infections. As with any intervention, patients should be cautiously monitored for possible complications during the endotracheal suctioning. Procedure-related changes in the cerebral and somatic tissue oxygenation, hemodynamics, and oxygen saturation can be observed in these patients. It is important to ensure maintenance of tissue oxygenation during these and other interventions performed in critically ill children. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the endotracheal suctioning on tissue oxygenation in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in the pediatric intensive care unit. Cerebral and somatic near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring were performed noninvasively using standardized NIRS equipment as a means of monitoring regional tissue oxygenation. Vital signs, level of sedation, pain scores, and somatic and cerebral tissue oxygenation values of mechanically ventilated patients were recorded prospectively 5 minutes before, during, and after endotracheal suctioning. Cerebral NIRS measurements did not exhibit any statistically significant changes during endotracheal suctioning. Somatic NIRS levels changed significantly before, during, and after endotracheal suctioning and remained low throughout the procedure. Endotracheal suctioning is an invasive intervention that facilitates clearance of tracheal secretions and maintenance of the oxygenation and ventilation. The maintenance of the tissue oxygenation should be documented during these and other interventions performed on critically ill children. Somatic NIRS is a useful tool for monitoring tissue oxygenation during such procedures.

Pulmonary embolism complicated the course of anti-N-methyl-D aspartate receptor encephalitis in a pediatric intensive care unit setting: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis, an autoimmune neurological disorder resultant from the autoantibodies directed to the NR1 subunit of the NMDAR, is mainly characterized by neuropsychiatric symptoms, including behavior changes, paranoia, delusions, epileptic seizures, movement disorders, aphasia, insomnia, dysautonomia, and altered consciousness. Pulmonary embolism (PE) presents with pleuritic chest pain, hemoptysis, and respiratory distress by obstruction of the pulmonary circulation. Unlike adults, pediatric PE usually related to obvious risk factors, including central venous line, malignancy, lupus erythematosus, renal disease, congenital thrombophilia, surgery, and major trauma. Besides, PE has rarely been encountered in adult patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis even in the absence of these risk factors. CASE PRESENTATION: A 16-year-old male patient, with acute psychosis, epileptic seizure, and altered consciousness, was diagnosed as having anti-NMDAR encephalitis and treated by intravenous immunoglobulin and high-dose pulse intravenous methylprednisolone. During follow-up, on the 11th day of hospitalization, the disease course was complicated by the occurrence of pulmonary embolism, presenting with acute onset respiratory distress and the need for supplementary oxygen treatment. PE improved with low-molecular-weight heparin treatment. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary embolism should be kept in mind as a possible cause of respiratory insufficiency in pediatric anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients along with altered consciousness, breathing instability, hypersalivation, status epilepticus or dystonia, and their treatment.

Evaluation of ultrasonographic optic nerve sheath diameter and central retinal artery Doppler indices by point-of-care ultrasound in pediatric patients with increased intracranial pressure.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) with point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a non-invasive and radiation-free technique that can be used to assess increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery Doppler indices can be used like transcranial Doppler to evaluate increased ICP. This study aims to examine the diagnostic value of ONSD measurements and central retinal artery Doppler indices in the evaluation of pediatric patients with increased ICP. METHODS: This was a prospective, case-controlled single center study. The study group was comprised of a total of 38 pediatric patients with increased ICP and the control group included 19 healthy children. Ophthalmic ultrasound was performed and ONSD and central retinal artery Doppler indices were measured. RESULTS: The mean age of the study group was 80.84 ± 65.12 months. The mean ONSD was 5.9 ± 0.8 (3.6-8.1) mm in the study group and the mean resistive index (RI) was 0.71 ± 0.08 (min:0,55-max:1) and was significantly greater than the control group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). In terms of predicting increased ICP, the ONSD measurement was the strongest parameter, with its area under the curve: 0.767 (95 percent confidence interval: 0.68-0.85). In the study group, the cut-off value for ONSD was 5.8 mm (66 percent sensitivity, 100 percent specificity) and the cut-off value for RI was 0.68 (63 percent sensitivity, 83 percent specificity). CONCLUSIONS: Point-of-care ultrasound is a noninvasive and important tool in pediatric intensive care units. Our study is significant as one of the few pediatric studies where central retinal artery Doppler indices are evaluated in addition to OSND, in patients with increased ICP.

A rare cause of pediatric acute pancreatitis: Perindopril intoxication.

Acute pancreatitis is a reversible inflammatory condition of the pancreas. It usually develops on the basis of trauma, structural abnormalities, and chronic systemic diseases. A definitive causal correlation between a drug and acute pancreatitis is quite difficult for clinicians. Drugs play a vital role in the etiology in approximately 10% of children with pancreatitis. More than 50 drugs including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have been reported to cause pancreatic damage. There was no pediatric case report developed pancreatitis following perindopril use. A pediatric case of pancreatitis following perindopril intake was presented in this article to emphasize pancreatitis, which is one of the complications that may occur after drug intake.

Invasive Candida Infections in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Turkey: Evaluation of an 11-Year Period.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the Candida species, predisposing factors, antifungal treatment approaches, and clinical outcomes of invasive Candida infections (ICIs) in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). A retrospective study was performed from January 2008 to January 2019 including 102 children with ICIs who were admitted to a university hospital in southeastern Turkey. Positive blood cultures were detected in 43 (42.1%) patients, and positive urine cultures were detected in 59 (57.8%). According to our results, Candida albicans (42.2%) was the most common species for all isolates followed by C. parapsilosis (17.6%). In our patient population, non- albicans Candida species were dominant (57.8%) in all isolates. The most common facilitating factor in our study was the use of mechanical ventilator support (87.3%). The mortality rate of our patients with ICIs was 13.7%. Candida albicans was found to have the highest mortality rate among all Candida species (30.7%). When we compared patients with C. albicans and those with non- albicans Candida species in terms of risk factors, we detected a significant difference between the two groups for total parenteral nutrition use ( p = 0.027). Fluconazole was the most preferred (58.8%) treatment option in our PICU for ICIs. Our results showed an increased trend in micafungin use in recent years. ICIs are a significant problem due to the high mortality and morbidity rates in critically ill pediatric patients in PICUs. In recent years, an increase in Candida infections caused by non- albicans Candida species has been reported. Multicenter prospective studies are needed to determine the risk factors for ICIs.