Demographic profile and outcome analysis of a tertiary level pediatric intensive care unit

Pre-extubation Dexamethasone: Does It Merely Muffle Stridor or Provide Real Benefit for Mechanically Ventilated Children?

How to cite this article: Lolam V. Pre-extubation Dexamethasone: Does It Merely Muffle Stridor or Provide Real Benefit for Mechanically Ventilated Children? Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(11):997-998.

High Dependency Units (HDUs) in Pediatrics: Need of the Hour in Resource-Limited Settings

Background Critically ill children, being vulnerable and having higher mortality as compared to adults, require specialized intensive care. However, the focus of critical care remains on adults, especially in resource-limited countries. Limited beds in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) along with the limitation of infrastructure and staff add to the challenge in pediatric critical care. In such scenarios, high-dependency units (HDUs) can help save a few more lives, who could not be provided with the PICU facility. HDU provides a level of care that is intermediate to that of the PICU and the general ward providing close observation, monitoring, and intervention to children who are critically ill. Our study highlighted that critically ill children can be given a chance of survival in resource-limited settings through HDU care. Materials and methods In our single-center prospective observational study, 204 children (less than 18 years) admitted to the HDU over 11 months and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included. Blood samples were drawn for baseline investigations. The child's clinical course in the HDU along with the total duration of stay were recorded in a proforma. Children were reviewed for the requirement of invasive, non-invasive respiratory support along with inotropic support. Various parameters of the pediatric risk of mortality (PRISM) IV score were recorded within a time period of two hours prior and four hours following admission to HDU. The final outcome of the children was recorded. All data were analyzed and reviewed. Results Among the 204 patients admitted to HDU 136 (66.7%) children were treated successfully, whereas 63 (30.9%) children succumbed to their disease and complications, and five children were transferred to the PICU. Among various factors of age less than one year, the primary indication of admission being respiratory distress, the need of >2 inotropes had higher odds of mortality. Odds of mortality were eight times in patients with shock and altered sensorium, three times in children with respiratory distress, and two times in those having seizures. Those patients with a PRISM IV score of >15 had almost 100 times higher odds of mortality as compared to those with a score of <15. Conclusion In a resource-limited setting like ours, there's a scarcity of PICU beds for the provision of critical care. We envisage that providing intensive care in HDU will help save a few more lives, who could not be provided PICU facility for any reason.

VEEG monitoring and electrographic seizures in 232 pediatric patients in ICU at a tertiary hospital in China

Objectives

To investigate neonatal electroencephalography (EEG) background activity and electrographic seizures in patients in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) who underwent bedside video-electroencephalography (vEEG) monitoring.

Methods

A total of 232 pediatric patients admitted or transferred to PICU that underwent vEEG monitoring were retrospectively enrolled in this study, and electrographic status epilepticus was observed after vEEG monitoring.

Results

The median age was 1.56 years [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12-2.44]. Electrographic seizures occurred in 88 patients (37.9%), out of which 36 cases (40.9%) had electrographic status epilepticus. Prior epileptic encephalopathy diagnosis [odds ratio (OR) = 6.57, 95% CI = 1.91-22.59, p = 0.003], interictal epileptiform discharges (OR = 46.82, 95%CI = 5.31-412.86, p = 0.0005), slow disorganized EEG background (OR = 11.92, 95%CI = 1.31-108.71, p = 0.028), and burst-suppression EEG background (OR = 23.64, 95%CI = 1.71-327.57, p = 0.018) were the risk factors for electrographic seizures' occurrence. Of the 232 patients, the condition of 179 (77.2%) patients improved and they were discharged, 34 cases (14.7%) were withdrawn, and 18 cases (7.8%) died. The in-hospital death rate was 47.6% (10 in 21 cases) in patients with attenuated/featureless, compared to 0/23 with normal EEG background.

Conclusions

Electrographic status epilepticus occurs in more than one-third of patients with electrographic seizures. vEEG is an efficient method to determine electrographic seizures in children. Abnormal EEG background activity is associated with both electrographic seizures' occurrence and unfavorable in-hospital outcomes.

Association of intensive care unit or paediatric intensive care unit admissions with the method of transporting patients: a multicentre retrospective study

Background

Reports regarding transportation methods of severely critical patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) or paediatric ICU (PICU) are limited. In an attempt to address this research gap, this study aimed to test the hypothesis that prognosis is worse in patients transported by family members.

Methods

This multicentre study collected data from the Japanese Registry of Paediatric Acute Care database. Data concerning patients aged ≤16 years admitted to a participating hospital ICU or PICU and their transportation method to the hospital were extracted and divided into two groups: transported by family and transported by emergency medical services (EMS).

Results

Of the 2963 patients who met the criteria, 871 (29.4%) were transported by family and 2092 (70.6%) were transported by EMS. Significantly more patients with chronic conditions (551 patients, 63.3% vs. 845 patients, 40.4%; p <  0.01) or respiratory failure (414 patients, 47.5% vs. 455 patients, 21.7%; p <  0.01) were admitted to the ICU or PICU in the family transport group. There was no significant difference in survival rate between EMS and family transport group, matched by PIM2, chronic condition status and transport distance (OR:1.17, 95%CI:0.39–3.47, p = 0.78).

Conclusion

The results of this study show that the transportation method does not affect the survival rate of paediatric patients. The proportion of patients with chronic conditions or those admitted because of respiratory failure was higher in the family transport group than in the EMS group. Therefore, as these patients are more likely to be admitted to the ICU or PICU, it is important to provide prompt respiratory care and medical interventions to achieve the best outcomes.

Role of Sildenafil in Management of Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has high mortality and multiple therapeutic strategies have been used to improve the outcome. Inhaled nitric oxide (INO), a pulmonary vasodilator, is used to improve oxygenation. This study was conducted to determine the role of sildenafil, an oral vasodilator, to improve oxygenation and mortality in pediatric ARDS (PARDS). The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in PARDS was studied as well. Inclusion criteria included children (1–18 years) with ARDS requiring invasive ventilation admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit of a teaching hospital in Northern India over a 1-year period of time. Thirty-five patients met the inclusion criteria. Cardiologist performed a detailed echocardiogram to determine pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP). Patients with persistent hypoxemia were started on oral sildenafil. The majority (77%) patients had a primary pulmonary etiology of PARDS. Elevated PAP (>25 mm Hg) was detected in 54.3% patients at admission. Sildenafil was given to 20 patients who had severe and persistent hypoxemia. Oxygenation improved in most patients after the first dose with statistically significant improvement in PaO2/FiO2 ratios at both 12 and 24 hours following initiation of therapeutic dosing of sildenafil. Improvement in oxygenation occurred irrespective of initial PAP. Outcomes included a total of 57.1% patients discharged, 28.6% discharged against medical advice (DAMA), and a 14.3% mortality rate. Mortality was related to the severity of PARDS and not the use of sildenafil. This is the first study to determine the effect of sildenafil in PARDS. Sildenafil led to improvement in oxygenation in nearly all the cases without affecting mortality. Due to unavailability of INO in most centers of developing countries, sildenafil may be considered as an inexpensive alternative in cases of persistent hypoxemia in PARDS. We recommend additional randomized controlled trials to confirm the effect of sildenafil in PARDS as determined in this study.

Outcomes following admission to paediatric intensive care: A systematic review

AIM

To describe the long-term health outcomes of children admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed. Studies of children under 18 years of age admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit were included. Studies focussed on neonatal admissions and investigating specific paediatric intensive care unit interventions or admission diagnoses were excluded. A table was created summarising the study characteristics and main findings. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for observational studies. Primary outcome was short-, medium- and long-term mortality. Secondary outcomes included measures of neurodevelopment, cognition, physical, behavioural and psychosocial function as well as quality of life.

RESULTS

One hundred and eleven studies were included, most were conducted in high-income countries and focussed on short-term outcomes. Mortality during admission ranged from 1.3 to 50%. Mortality in high-income countries reduced over time but this trend was not evident for lower income countries. Higher income countries had lower standardised mortality rates than lower income countries. Children had an ongoing increased risk of death for up to 10 years following intensive care admission as well as increased physical and psychosocial morbidity compared to healthy controls, with associated poorer quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

There is limited high-level evidence for the long-term health outcomes of children after intensive care admission, with the burden of related morbidity remaining greater in poorly resourced regions. Further research is recommended to identify risk factors and modifiable factors for poor outcomes, which could be targeted in practice improvement initiatives.

The Association Between Admission Sources and Outcomes at a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objectives In this study, we aimed to examine the association between sources of admission (either intra-hospital transfers or ED admissions) in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and the discharge rate, mortality rate, and referral over a period of three years. We also sought to identify the independent predictors of discharge and mortality rate in the study population. Patients and methods This was a retrospective cohort study involving the analysis of 2,547 patients' data collected from the Pediatric Intensive Care Registry of a secondary care community hospital. We included patients admitted to the PICU from January 1, 2016, till December 31, 2018, who were aged 0-14 years with a specific diagnosis, recorded source of admission, and clear outcome. Data were collected, coded, and analyzed using the SPSS Statistics software (IBM, Armonk, NY) and STATA software (StataCorp, College Station, TX). Results Of the included patients, 1,356 (53.2%) were males, and 1,191 (46.8%) were females. Infants were associated with an increased risk of a long stay in the hospital [relative risk ratio (RRR)=5.34, 95% CI: (1.28, 22.27)] and mortality [RRR=3.56, 95% CI: (1.41, 8.95)] compared to older children. Similarly, neonates were associated with a higher risk of mortality [RRR=2.83, 95% CI: (1.05, 7.65)]. Patients who were admitted through ED were associated with a lower risk of a long-stay [RRR=0.56, 95% CI: (10.36, 0.87)] and mortality [RRR=0.68, 95% CI: (0.49, 0.95)] compared to intra-hospital transfers. Concerning the admission date, all time periods were associated with a lower risk of mortality compared to the period of October-December. Conclusion Our findings showed that the age of patients, source of admission, and date of admission might be used as independent predictors for determining the outcome of admissions, including discharge and mortality rates. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.

Emergency tracheal intubation during off-hours is not associated with increased mortality in hospitalized patients: a retrospective cohort study

Background

The prognosis of hospitalized patients after emergent endotracheal intubation (ETI) remains poor. Our aim was to evaluate the 30-d hospitalization mortality of subjects undergoing ETI during daytime or off-hours and to analyze the possible risk factors affecting mortality.

Methods

A single-center retrospective study was performed at a university teaching facility from January 2015 to December 2018. All adult inpatients who received ETI in the general ward were included. Information on patient demographics, vital signs, ICU (Intensive care unit) admission, intubation time (daytime or off-hours), the department in which ETI was performed (surgical ward or medical ward), intubation reasons, and 30-d hospitalization mortality after ETI were obtained from a database.

Results

Over a four-year period, 558 subjects were analyzed. There were more male than female in both groups (115 [70.1%] vs 275 [69.8%]; P = 0.939). A total of 394 (70.6%) patients received ETI during off-hours. The patients who received ETI during the daytime were older than those who received ETI during off-hours (64.95 ± 17.54 vs 61.55 ± 17.49; P = 0.037). The BMI of patients who received ETI during the daytime was also higher than that of patients who received ETI during off-hours (23.08 ± 3.38 vs 21.97 ± 3.25; P < 0.001). The 30-d mortality after ETI was 66.8% (373), which included 68.0% (268) during off-hours and 64.0% (105) during the daytime (P = 0.361). Multivariate Cox regression analysis found that the significant factors for the risk of death within 30 days included ICU admission (HR 0.312, 0.176–0.554) and the department in which ETI was performed (HR 0.401, 0.247–0.653).

Conclusions

The 30-d hospitalization mortality after ETI was 66.8%, and off-hours presentation was not significantly associated with mortality. ICU admission and ETI performed in the surgical ward were significant factors for decreasing the risk of death within 30 days.

Trial registration

This trial was retrospectively registered with the registration number of ChiCTR2000038549.

Burden of respiratory illnesses in pediatric intensive care unit and predictors of mortality: Experience from a low resource country

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Acute respiratory infections (ARI), a major cause of childhood mortality and morbidity, place substantial burden on health services worldwide. Due to scarce data regarding respiratory illnesses requiring Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions (especially in low income/developing countries), we studied the burden of respiratory illnesses in the PICU and the risk factors contributing to mortality.

METHODS

This prospective observational study was conducted over 18 months. Children (aged 1 month to 12 years) admitted to the PICU for acute respiratory/cardiorespiratory illnesses were enrolled. Demographic and clinical details of the study population were recorded and tabulated. Risk factors contributing to mortality (severity of illness [PRISM III score], diagnosis/etiology, need for mechanical ventilation, immunocompromised status, malnutrition, and length of stay [LOS]) were analyzed (using the χ² test or Fischer Exact test).

RESULTS

Two hundred and ninety-three children were enrolled (median age: 5 months; range, 1-132 months; male/female: 181/112). Mean LOS in PICU was 5.25 ± 5.48 days and mean length of hospital stay of 14.82 ± 13.35 days. Mechanical ventilation was required in 62.8% cases. Pneumonia contributed to 66.89% of respiratory admissions and 91% of mortality. Ninety patients (30.7%) died; mortality being higher in cardiorespiratory cases (52.7%). PRISM III score and shock (respiratory cases) and age below 1 year (cardiorespiratory group) were significantly associated with higher mortality ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Respiratory illnesses are a significant contributor to PICU admissions and are associated with significant mortality risk in presence of high PRISM III score and shock (respiratory group); and age below 1 year (cardiorespiratory group).

Profile of hospitalizations in Pediatric Intensive Care Units of the Brazilian Unified Health System in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil

In Brazil, the distribution of pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), causes of admission, costs incurred and how care is provided are still poorly understood. The objective was to describe the profile of hospitalizations in the PICUs of the Brazilian Unified Health System in the state of Pernambuco, in 2010. A cross-sectional study was performed, with 1,915 hospitalizations in the six PICUs, collected in the Hospital Information System. The variables were compared by age group. There was a predominance of male hospitalizations (58.1%), an age range of between one and four years old (32.5%), the use of philanthropic units (64.1%) and type III PICUs (59.2%) and admissions due to neoplasms (28.9%). The mean hospital stay was 14.4 days, and the mean cost was BRL 6,674.80. The mean distance between the municipality of residence and the PICU ranged from 8.7 to 486.5 km. There were 207 deaths (10.8/100 admissions), of which 30% were due to infectious and parasitic diseases. Differences were identified between the age groups (p < 0.05), except regarding gender. In conclusion, admissions to PICUs in Pernambuco show differences in geographical access and sociodemographic characteristics, admissions, and causes of hospitalization and death among age groups.

Comparison of Pediatric Risk of Mortality III, Pediatric Index of Mortality 2, and Pediatric Index of Mortality 3 in Predicting Mortality in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Aims  To compare and validate the Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) III, Pediatric Index of Mortality (PIM) 2, and PIM 3 scores in a tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) (Indian setting). Materials and Methods  All consecutively admitted patients in the PICU of a public hospital (excluding those with unstable vital signs or cardiopulmonary resuscitation within 2 hours of admission, cardiopulmonary resuscitation before admission, and discharge or death in less than 24 hours after admission) were included. PRISM III, PIM 2, and PIM 3 scores were calculated. Mortality discrimination for the three scores was calculated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and calibration was performed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. Results  A total of 350 patients were included (male:female = 1.3:1) over the study duration of 18 months (median age: 12 months [interquartile range: 4-60 months]). Nearly half were infants (47.4%). Patients with central nervous system disease were the highest (22.8%) followed by cardiovascular system (20.6%). Mortality rate was 39.4% (138 deaths). The area under the ROC curve for the PRISM III score was 0.667, and goodness-of-fit test showed no significant difference between the observed and expected mortalities in any of these categories ( p  > 0.5), showing good calibration. Areas under the ROC curve for the PIM 2 and PIM 3 scores were 0.728 and 0.726, respectively. For both the scores, the goodness-of-fit test showed good calibration. Conclusions  Although all the three scores demonstrate good calibration, the PIM 2 and PIM 3 scores have an advantage regarding the better discrimination ability, ease of data collection, simplicity of computation, and inherent capacity of not being affected by treatment in PICU.

New directions in point-of-care ultrasound at the crossroads of paediatric emergency and critical care

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The diagnostic capability, efficiency and versatility of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) have enabled its use in paediatric emergency medicine (PEM) and paediatric critical care (PICU). This review highlights the current applications of POCUS for the critically ill child across PEM and PICU to identify areas of progress and standardized practice and to elucidate areas for future research.

RECENT FINDINGS

POCUS technology continues to evolve and advance bedside clinical care for critically ill children, with ongoing research extending its use for an array of clinical scenarios, including respiratory distress, trauma and dehydration. Rapidly evolving and upcoming applications include diagnosis of pneumonia and acute chest syndrome, identification of intra-abdominal injury via contrast-enhancement, guidance of resuscitation, monitoring of increased intracranial pressure and procedural guidance.

SUMMARY

POCUS is an effective and burgeoning method for both rapid diagnostics and guidance for interventions and procedures. It has clinical application for a variety of conditions that span PEM and PICU settings. Formal POCUS training is needed to standardize and expand use of this valuable technology by PICU and PEM providers alike.

Current State of Pediatric Intensive Care and High Dependency Care in Nepal

OBJECTIVES

To describe the state of pediatric intensive care and high dependency care in Nepal. Pediatric intensive care is now a recognized specialty in high-income nations, but there are few reports from low-income countries. With the large number of critically ill children in Nepal, the importance of pediatric intensive care is increasingly recognized but little is known about its current state.

DESIGN

Survey.

SETTING

All hospitals in Nepal that have separate physical facilities for PICU and high dependency care.

PATIENTS

All children admitted to these facilities.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

A questionnaire survey was sent to the chief of each facility. Eighteen hospitals were eligible and 16 responded. Two thirds of the 16 units were established in the last 5 years; they had a total of 93 beds, with median of 5 (range, 2-10) beds per unit. All 16 units had a monitor for each bed but only 75% could manage central venous catheters and only 75% had a blood gas analyzer. Thirty two percent had only one functioning mechanical ventilator and another 38% had two ventilators, the other units had 3-6 ventilators. Six PICUs (38%) had a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:2 and the others had 1:3 to 1:6. Only one institution had a pediatric intensive care specialist. The majority of patients (88%) came from families with an income of just over a dollar per day. All patients were self funded with a median cost of PICU bed being $25 U.S. dollars (interquartile range, 15-31) per day. The median stay was 6 (interquartile range, 4.8-7) days. The most common age group was 1-5. Sixty percent of units reported respiratory distress/failure as their primary cause for admission. Mortality was 25% (interquartile range, 20-35%) with mechanical ventilation and 1% (interquartile range, 0-5%) without mechanical ventilation.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric intensive care in Nepal is still in its infancy, and there is a need for improved organization, services, and training.

Clinical outcome and predictors of mortality in children with sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock from Rohtak, Haryana: A prospective observational study

Background:

Information regarding early predictive factors for mortality and morbidity in sepsis is limited from developing countries.

Methods:

A prospective observational study was conducted to determine the clinical outcome and predictors of mortality in children with sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. Children aged 1 month to 14 years admitted to a tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with a diagnosis of sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock were enrolled in the study. Hemodynamic and laboratory parameters which discriminate survivors from nonsurvivors were evaluated.

Results:

A total of 50 patients (30 [60%] males) were enrolled in the study, of whom 21 (42%) were discharged (survivors) and rest 29 (58%) expired (nonsurvivor). Median (interquartile range) age of enrolled patients were 18 (6, 60) months. Mortality was not significantly predicted individually by any factor including age (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval [CI]]: 0.96 [0.91-1.01], P = 0.17), duration of PICU stay (OR [95% CI]: 1.18 [0.99-1.25], P = 0.054), time lag to PICU transfer (OR [95% CI]: 1.02 [0.93-1.12], P = 0.63), Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) score at admission (OR [95% CI]: 0.71 [0.47-1.04], P = 0.07) and number of organ dysfunction (OR [95% CI]: 0.03 [0.01-1.53], P = 0.08).

Conclusion:

Mortality among children with sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock were not predicted by any individual factors including the time lag to PICU transfer, duration of PICU stay, presence of multiorgan dysfunction, and PRISM score at admission.

Critical Analysis of PIM2 Score Applicability in a Tertiary Care PICU in Western India

Objective. Children have limited physiological reserve that deteriorates rapidly. Present study profiled patients admitted to PICU and determined PIM2 score applicability in Indian setting. Patients and Methods. Prospective observational study. Results. In 742 consecutive admissions, male : female ratio was 1.5 : 1, 35.6% patients were ventilated, observed mortality was 7%, and 26.4% were <1 year. The profile included septicemia and septic shock (29.6%), anemia (27.1%), pneumonia (19.6%), and meningitis and encephalitis (17.2%). For the first year, sensitivity of PIM2 was 65.8% and specificity was 71% for cutoff value at 1.9 by ROC curve analysis. The area under the curve was 0.724 (95% CI: 0.69, 0.76). This cutoff was validated for second year data yielding similar sensitivity (70.6%) and specificity (65%). Logistic regression analysis (LRA) over entire data revealed various variables independently associated with mortality along with PIM2 score. Another logistic model with same input variables except PIM2 yielded the same significant variables with Nagelkerke R square of 0.388 and correct classification of 78.5 revealing contribution of PIM2 in predicting mortality is meager. Conclusion. Infectious diseases were the commonest cause of PICU admission and mortality. PIM2 scoring did not explain the outcome adequately, suggesting need for recalibration. Following PALS/GEM guidelines was associated with better outcome.

The reality of pediatric emergency mass critical care in the developing world

INTRODUCTION

Public health emergencies resulting from major man-made crises and large-scale natural disasters severely impact developing countries, causing unprecedented rates of indirect mortality and morbidity, especially in children and women. Concomitantly, the state of children's health in the least-developed countries is the worst since the 1950s before the Declaration of Alma Ata. Worldwide decline in public health protections, infrastructures, and systems, and a health worker crisis primarily in Africa and Asia, limit the delivery of intensive and critical care services.

METHODS

In May 2008, the Task Force for Mass Critical Care published guidance on provision of mass critical care to adults. Acknowledging that the critical care needs of children during disasters were unaddressed by this effort, a 17-member Steering Committee, assembled by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education with guidance from members of the American Academy of Pediatrics, convened in April 2009 to determine priority topic areas for pediatric emergency mass critical care recommendations.Steering Committee members established subgroups by topic area and performed literature reviews of MEDLINE and Ovid databases. The Steering Committee produced draft outlines through consensus-based study of the literature and convened October 6-7, 2009, in New York, NY, to review and revise each outline. Eight draft documents were subsequently developed from the revised outlines as well as through searches of MEDLINE updated through March 2010.The Pediatric Emergency Mass Critical Care Task Force, composed of 36 experts from diverse public health, medical, and disaster response fields, convened in Atlanta, GA, on March 29-30, 2010. Feedback on each manuscript was compiled and the Steering Committee revised each document to reflect expert input in addition to the most current medical literature.

TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS

Using pandemics as a model of public health emergencies, steps to improve care to the most vulnerable of populations are outlined, including mandates under the International Health Regulations Treaty of 2007 and World Health Organization guidelines. Recommendations include an emphasis on first improving primary care, prevention, and basic emergency care, where possible. Advances in care should move incrementally without compromising primary care resources. A first step in preparing for a pandemic in developing countries involves building capacity in public health surveillance and proven community containment and mitigation strategies. Given the severe lack of healthcare workers in at least 57 countries, the Task Force also supports World Health Organization's recommendations that planning for a public health emergency include means for health workers to collaborate with staff in the military, transport, and education sectors as well as international healthcare workers to maximize the efficiency of scarce human resources. Rapid response teams can be augmented by international subject matter experts if these do not exist at the country level.

Pediatric Sepsis Guidelines: Summary for resource-limited countries

Justification:

Pediatric sepsis is a commonly encountered global issue. Existing guidelines for sepsis seem to be applicable to the developed countries, and only few articles are published regarding application of these guidelines in the developing countries, especially in resource-limited countries such as India and Africa.

Process:

An expert representative panel drawn from all over India, under aegis of Intensive Care Chapter of Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) met to discuss and draw guidelines for clinical practice and feasibility of delivery of care in the early hours in pediatric patient with sepsis, keeping in view unique patient population and limited availability of equipment and resources. Discussion included issues such as sepsis definitions, rapid cardiopulmonary assessment, feasibility of early aggressive fluid therapy, inotropic support, corticosteriod therapy, early endotracheal intubation and use of positive end expiratory pressure/mechanical ventilation, initial empirical antibiotic therapy, glycemic control, and role of immunoglobulin, blood, and blood products.

Objective:

To achieve a reasonable evidence-based consensus on the basis of published literature and expert opinion to formulating clinical practice guidelines applicable to resource-limited countries such as India.

Recommendations:

Pediatric sepsis guidelines are presented in text and flow chart format keeping resource limitations in mind for countries such as India and Africa. Levels of evidence are indicated wherever applicable. It is anticipated that once the guidelines are used and outcomes data evaluated, further modifications will be necessary. It is planned to periodically review and revise these guidelines every 3–5 years as new body of evidence accumulates.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever and shock syndromes

OBJECTIVES

To provide a comprehensive review of dengue, with an emphasis on clinical syndromes, classification, diagnosis, and management, and to outline relevant aspects of epidemiology, immunopathogenesis, and prevention strategies. Dengue, a leading cause of childhood mortality in Asia and South America, is the most rapidly spreading and important arboviral disease in the world and has a geographic distribution of > 100 countries.

DATA SOURCE

Boolean searches were carried out by using PubMed from 1975 to March 2009 and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from 1993 to March 2009 to identify potentially relevant articles by key search terms such as: "dengue"; "dengue fever"; "dengue hemorrhagic fever"; "dengue shock syndrome"; "severe dengue" and "immunopathogenesis," pathogenesis," "classification," "complications," and "management." In addition, authoritative seminal and up-to-date reviews by experts were used.

STUDY SELECTION

Original research and up-to-date reviews and authoritative reviews consensus statements relevant to diagnosis and therapy were selected.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

We considered the most relevant articles that would be important and of interest to the critical care practitioner as well as authoritative consensus statements from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dengue viral infections are caused by one of four single-stranded ribonucleic acid viruses of the family Flaviviridae and are transmitted by their mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti. The clinical syndromes caused by dengue viral infections occur along a continuum; most cases are asymptomatic and few present with severe forms characterized by shock. Management is predominantly supportive and includes methods to judiciously resolve shock and control bleeding while at the same time preventing fluid overload.

CONCLUSIONS

Dengue is no longer confined to the tropics and is a global disease. Treatment is supportive. Outcomes can be optimized by early recognition and cautious titrated fluid replacement, especially in resource-limited environments.

Diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia in children in resource-limited setting: a comparative study of bronchoscopic and nonbronchoscopic methods

OBJECTIVES

To compare the available methods for the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intubated pediatric patients and to suggest less costly diagnostic method for developing countries.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care, multidisciplinary teaching hospital located in northern India.

PATIENTS

All consecutive patients on mechanical ventilation for >48 hrs were evaluated clinically for ventilator-associated pneumonia.

INTERVENTIONS

Four diagnostic procedures (tracheal aspiration, blind bronchial sampling, blind bronchoalveolar lavage, and bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage) were performed in the same sequence within 12 hrs of clinical suspicion of ventilator-associated pneumonia. The bacterial density > or =104 colony-forming units/mL in a bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage sample was taken as reference standard.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Thirty patients with 40 episodes of ventilator-associated pneumonia were included in the study. Tracheal aspirate at the cutoff of > or =105 colony-forming units/mL was found to have sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of 84%, 77%, 87.5%, 73%, and 80%, respectively. For blind bronchial sampling at > or =104 colony-forming units/mL cutoff, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 88%, 82%, 88%, 83%, and 87%, respectively; the most reliable results were obtained with blind bronchoalveolar lavage at the cutoff of > or =103 cfu/mL (sensitivity 96%, specificity 80%, positive predictive value 88%, negative predictive value 92%, and accuracy 90%). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of tracheal aspiration, blind bronchial sampling, and blind bronchoalveolar lavage was 0.87 +/- 0.06, 0.89 +/- 0.06, and 0.89 +/- 0.05, respectively. The cost of balloon-tip pressure catheter used for blind bronchoalveolar lavage was INR 1600.00 (US$40) whereas that for blind bronchial sampling was only INR 35.00 (<1 US$).

CONCLUSIONS

Blind bronchoalveolar lavage was the most reliable method followed closely by blind bronchial sampling for the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Considering the difference of the cost in the two procedures, blind bronchial sampling may be the preferred method in the pediatric intensive care unit of a developing country.

Epidemiology and peculiarities of pediatric multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in New Delhi, India

OBJECTIVE

Most pediatric studies on multiple organ dysfunction syndrome derive from developed countries. There is little information regarding the etiologies and outcomes of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in critically ill children from developing countries. The objective of this study was to examine the differences in epidemiology of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and the relationship of the Organ Failure Index (OFI) to outcomes from multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in critically ill children from a developing country.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

A 10-bed tertiary pediatric intensive care unit.

PATIENTS

A total of 1722 children (1 month to 16 years of age) admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit during the study period from January 1998 to June 2003.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Of all the patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, 184 patients (10.6%) had persistent multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. During the study period 136 deaths (7.9%) occurred in the ICU. Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome was associated with nearly half of these deaths, 67/136 (49.2%). Overall survival of all patients with persistent multiple organ dysfunction syndrome was 64% (117/184). In addition to sepsis, falciparum malaria, fulminant hepatic failure, dengue shock syndrome, severe poisonings, post cardiopulmonary bypass, and post cardiac arrest were significant antecedents of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome . Patients with OFI scores of 2, 3, 4-5, and >5 exhibited mortalities of 9%, 29%, 58%, and 100% respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to "traditional" sepsis, common etiologies of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome included falciparum malaria, fulminant hepatic failure, and dengue shock syndrome. In developing countries like India, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome carries a significant risk of mortality which is directly related to the OFI.

Ventilatory strategies and adjunctive therapy in ARDS

Acute respiratory distress syndrome, a diagnosis based on physiologic and radiological criteria, occurs commonly in critical care setting. A major challenge in evaluating therapies that may improve survival in ARDS is that it is not a single disease entity but, rather, numerous different diseases that result in endothelial injury, where the most obvious manifestation is within the lung resulting in pulmonary oedema. It has been shown that poor ventilatory technique that is injurious to the lungs can propagate systemic inflammatory response and adversely affect the mortality. The current data suggest that high tidal volumes with high plateau pressures are deleterious and a strategy of ventilation with lower tidal volumes and lower plateau pressure is associated with lower mortality. There may be a role for recruitment manoeuvres as well. Other forms of respiratory support still require further research. The present understanding of optimal ventilatory management and other adjunctive therapies are reviewed.