Severity and Cardiac Involvement in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

Multisystem infammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) occurs secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. A retrospective study, involving 6 tertiary-care centers in Haryana, was conducted to evaluate the clinical features, severity, laboratory fndings, and outcomes of patients with MIS-C. Disease severity was graded (mild/ moderate/severe) and presence of cardiac abnormalities noted. Patients with and without cardiac abnormalities and with and without severe disease were compared. Forty-eight children with MIS-C were included (median age - 9.5 y). Fever (100%), gastrointestinal (83.3%) and mucocutaneous (50%) symptoms were common. Only 16.7% patients had previous history of documented SARS-CoV-2 infection/contact. Severe disease and cardiac abnormalities were seen in 47.9% and 54.2% patients, respectively. NT-proBNP>1286.5 pg/mL and thrombocytopenia (?119500/µL) were signifcant risk factors for severe MIS-C. Forty-fve patients (93.8%) recovered and 3 died. Median hospitalization duration was 7 d (5–9.5). MIS-C must be considered as a possibility in any febrile child, even if a positive epidemiological history is absent. High NT-proBNP and thrombocytopenia are signifcant risk factors for severe MIS-C.

Clinical Profile of Scrub Typhus in Children and its Association with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis.

Objective: To study the clinical profile of children with scrub typhus and its association with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Methods: Children presenting with unexplained fever and multi-systemic involvement between May to December 2011 were tested for scrub typhus using IgM ELISA kits. Occurrence of Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in IgM positive cases of scrub typhus was studied. Results: Of the 35 children with unexplained fever and multi-systemic involvement, 15 children (9 boys) tested positive for scrub typhus. Thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia and raised hepatic transaminases were observed in all children. Out of seven children evaluated for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. 3 met the criteria for hemophagocytosis. Two children (one with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis) died. Conclusions: Scrub typhus is a common cause of unexplained fever in children in northern India. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis can occasionally complicate scrub typhus in children.

Pseudocyst in pulmonary acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Childhood ARDS is mostly caused by pneumonia. Pulmonary pseudocysts are reported in adults recovering from ARDS, usually in non-dependent lung regions. The authors present a 1.5-year-old boy, who survived severe pulmonary ARDS with development of pulmonary giant pseudocysts and other structural abnormalities in dependent lung region. To the best of authors knowledge, it is the first follow up report of pulmonary abnormality in a toddler with ARDS of extreme severity.

Management of intracranial hypertension.

Raised intracranial pressure (ICP) is a life threatening condition that is common to many neurological and non-neurological illnesses. Unless recognized and treated early it may cause secondary brain injury due to reduced cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and progress to brain herniation and death. Management of raised ICP includes care of airway, ventilation and oxygenation, adequate sedation and analgesia, neutral neck position, head end elevation by 200 -300, and short-term hyperventilation (to achieve PCO2 32- 35 mm Hg) and hyperosmolar therapy (mannitol or hypertonic saline) in critically raised ICP. Barbiturate coma, moderate hypothermia and surgical decompression may be helpful in refractory cases. Therapies aimed directly at keeping ICP <20 mmHg have resulted in improved survival and neurological outcome. Emerging evidence suggests that cerebral perfusion pressure targeted therapy may offer better outcome than ICP targeted therapies.

Probiotic use in the critically ill.

Probiotics are "live microbes which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit to the host" (FAO/WHO joint group). Their potential role in bio-ecological modification of pathological internal milieu of the critically ill is under evaluation. Probiotics are available as single microbial strain (e.g., Bacillus clausii, Lactobacillus) or as a mix of multiple strains of Lactobacillus (acidophilus, sporogenes, lactis, reuteri RC-14, GG, and L. plantarum 299v), Bifidobacterium (bifidum, longum, infantis), Streptococcus (thermophillus, lactis, fecalis), Saccharomyces boulardii etc. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are gram-positive, anaerobic, lactic acid bacteria. These are normal inhabitant of human gut and colonize the colon better than others. Critical illness and its treatment create hostile environment in the gut and alters the micro flora favoring growth of pathogens. Therapy with probiotics is an effort to reduce or eliminate potential pathogens and toxins, to release nutrients, antioxidants, growth factors and coagulation factors, to stimulate gut motility and to modulate innate and adaptive immune defense mechanisms via the normalization of altered gut flora. Scientific evidence shows that use of probiotics is effective in prevention and therapy of antibiotic associated diarrhea. However, available probiotics strains in currently used doses do not provide much needed early benefits, and need long-term administration to have clinically beneficial effects (viz, a reduction in rate of infection, severe sepsis, ICU stay, ventilation days and mortality) in critically ill surgical and trauma patients. Possibly, available strains do not adhere to intestinal mucosa early, or may require higher dose than what is used. Gap exists in our knowledge regarding mechanisms of action of different probiotics, most effective strains--single or multiple, cost effectiveness, risk-benefit potential, optimum dose, frequency and duration of treatment etc. More information is needed on safety profile of probiotics in immunocompromised state of the critically ill in view of rare reports of fungemia and sepsis and a trend toward possible increase in nosocomial infection. At present, despite theoretical potential benefits, available evidence is not conclusive to recommend probiotics for routine use in the critically ill.

Penicillin and gentamicin therapy vs amoxicillin/clavulanate in severe hypoxemic pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of sequential injectable crystalline penicillin (C.pen) and gentamicin combination followed by oral amoxicillin with sequential IV and oral amoxicillin-clavulanate (amox-clav) in treatment of severe or very severe hypoxemic pneumonia. METHODS: Children aged 2-59 months with WHO-defined severe or very severe pneumonia with hypoxemia (SpO2 < 90%) were included in the study. Patients with fever > 10 days, bacterial meningitis, prior antibiotic therapy > 24 hours, stridor, heart disease and allergy to any of the study drugs were excluded. They were randomly allocated to two groups--Group A and Group B. Group A received C. pen and gentamicin intravenously (IV), followed by oral amoxicillin and group B got amox-clav IV, followed by oral amox-clav. Minimum duration of IV therapy was 3 days and total 7 days. Respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and chest wall indrawing were monitored 6 hourly. RESULTS: 71 patients were included. There were two (5.2%) blood cultures positive in group A and three (9%) in group B. Organisms isolated were S. pneumoniae (n=3) and H. influenzae-b (n=2). There was only one treatment failure in each of the groups. One was due to penicillin resistant H. influenzae -b and the other was due to worsening of pneumonia. The mean time taken for normalization of tachypnea, hypoxia, chest wall indrawing and inability to feed was similar (P-N.S). Mean duration of IV therapy in group A was 76+/-25 hrs and group B was 75+/-24 hrs (p>0.1). CONCLUSION: In children of 2-59 months, sequential injectable C. pen and gentamicin combination, followed by oral amoxicillin or sequential IV and oral amox-clav were equally effective for the treatment of severe or very severe hypoxemic community acquired pneumonia.

Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome.

Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS) was infrequently diagnosed till recently. Now it is being diagnosed with increasing frequency in obese children with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2 DM) and its incidence is likely to go up, given global increase in incidence of childhood obesity, increased insulin resistance, and T2 DM. The syndrome is characterized by severe hyperglycemia, a marked increase in serum osmolality and dehydration without accumulation of beta -hydroxybutyric or acetoacetic ketoacids. Significant ketogenesis is restrained by the ability of the pancreas to secrete small amount of insulin. Prolonged phase of osmotic diuresis leads to severe depletion of body water, which excees that of sodium, resulting in hypertonic dehydration. These children, usually obese adolescents with T2 DM, present with signs of severe dehydration and depressed mental status but continue to have increased rather than decreased urine output and are at increased risk of developing rhabdomyolysis and malignant hyperthermia. Emergency treatment is directed at restoration of the intravascular volume, followed by correction of deficits of fluid and electrolyte (Na+, K+, Ca++, Mg++, PO4++), hyperglycemia and serum hyperosmolarity, and a thorough search for conditions that may lead to this metabolic decompensation and their treatment. Use of iso-osomolar isotonic fluid (0.9% saline) until hemodynamic stabilization initially, followed by 0.45% saline with insulin infusion at the rate of 0.1 units/kg/hour, addition of 5% dextrose in fluids and reduction of insulin infusion once the blood glucose is 250 to 300 mg/dl is generally recommended. However, evidence-based guidelines about composition and tonicity of fluids and electrolyte solutions for early resuscitation and rehydration, the rate of infusion-rapid vs slow, and insulin dose-low vs normal, in treatment of HHNS in children are awaited. Careful monitoring of glucose levels and ensuring adequate hydration in patients 'at risk' of HHNS, including those receiving medications that interfere with the secretion or effectiveness of insulin should decrease the risk of HHNS.

Non traumatic coma.

OBJECTIVE: To study the etiology and clinical profile of non-traumatic coma in children and to determine the clinical signs predictive of outcome. METHODS: 100 consecutive cases of non-traumatic coma between 2 months to 12 years. Clinical signs studied were temperature, pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, coma severity by Glasgow coma scale (GCS), respiratory pattern, pupillary and corneal reflex, extra ocular movements, motor patterns, seizure types and fundus picture. These were recoded at admission and after 48 hours of hospital stay. Etiology of coma was determined on basis of clinical history, examination and relevant laboratory investigations by the treating physician. The outcome was recorded as survived or died, and among those who survived as normal, mild, moderate, or severe disability. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were done to determine predictors of outcome. RESULTS: Etiology of coma in 60% cases was CNS infection (tubercular meningitis-19, encephalitis-18, bacterial meningitis-16, others-7); other causes were toxic-metabolic conditions (19%), status epilepticus (10%), intracranial bleed (7%), and miscellaneous (4%). 65 children survived, 11 were normal, 14 had mild disability, 21 had moderate disability and 14 were severely disabled and dependent. Survival was significantly better in patients with CNS infection (63%) as compared to those with toxic-metabolic causes (27%) and intracranial bleed (43%, P < 0.05). On bivariate analysis age < or = 3 years, poor pulse volume, abnormal respiratory pattern and apnoea, abnormal pupillary size and reaction, abnormal extra ocular movements, absent corneal reflex, abnormal motor muscle tone at admission or 48 hours correlated significantly with mortality. Survival was better with increasing GCS (Spearman rho = .32, P < 0.001). On logistic regression age < 3 years, poor pulse volume, absent extraocular movements and papilloedema at admission and 48 hours after admission were independent significant predictors of death. CONCLUSION: CNS infections were the most common cause of non-traumatic coma in childhood. Simple clinical signs were good predictors of outcome.

Predictive value of electroencephalography and computed tomography in childhood non-traumatic coma.

OBJECTIVES: To study value of electroencephalogram (EEG) and computed tomography (CT Scan) in predicting outcome of non-traumatic coma in children. METHODS: 100 consecutive children, between 2 months to 12 years, with non-traumatic coma, (Glasgow Coma Scale score < 8). Demographic and clinical data was recorded at admission. EEG and CT scan were done within 24 hours of admission. Etiologic diagnosis was assigned on basis of clinical data and relevant laboratory investigations. The outcome was recorded as survived and died. Among survivors it was graded as no disability, or mild, moderate, or severe disability. Odds ratio and/or relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (C I) were calculated. RESULTS: EEG could be done in 60 patients (43 survived; 7 were normal, 8 had mild, 17 moderate and 11 severe disability) CT scan in 93 patients (60 survived; 11 were normal, 14 had mild, 21 moderate and 14 severe disability). A normal/borderline EEG was associated with good outcome (P = 0.001); 11 of 12 survived and of survivors 55% had no or mild disability. Electrocerebral silence on EEG was a predictor of death (OR = 44 -sub .95% Cl - 1.5-7372; P = 0.01). An abnormal EEG was associated with significant increase in risk of disability among survivors (RR = 2.6, 95% Cl = 1.2-5.4, P = 0.03). Among CT abnormalities intracranial bleed suggested increased risk of death (RR = 2.1; 95% Cl - 0.8-5.3; P = 0.058), while, hydrocephalus was associated with better survival (RR = 0.7; 95% CI - 0.5 to 0.96; P = 0.029). However, hydrocephalus when compared with other abnormal CT scan findings, was associated with higher risk of moderate and severe disability among survivors (P = 0.046) CONCLUSION: A normal CT scan and EEG, and some of the specific findings could be helpful in predicting outcome in children with non-traumatic coma. EEG and CT scan should be done at admission in all patients with non-traumatic coma if feasible.

Sodium stibogluconate and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.

Numerous antimicrobials including pentavalent antimonials are implicated in causing prolong QT-interval and ventricular tachycardia. Torsades de pointes is rarely documented with use of sodium stibogluconate. Here is described a 12-yr-old girl with visceral leishmaniasis, who developed syncopal attacks, prolong QT-interval, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and torsades de pointes after completing a course of Stibogluconate (20 mg/kg/day for 30 days). Prolong lidocaine infusion and cardioversion were life saving.

Oral itraconazole in treatment of candidemia in a pediatric intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To examine efficacy of itraconazole in the treatment of candidemia in critically ill children. METHODS: We studied retrospectively cases of candidemia seen consecutively in our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) over three and half years. Candida isolates from those patients included. Candida albicans--19, C. tropicalis--31, C. guillermondii--9, C.krusei--4 and C. glabrata--1. RESULTS: Of the 64 patients, 48 (75%) had symptoms suggestive of septicemia and 16 had no symptoms suggestive of septicemia. No antifungal therapy was given to asymptomatic patients; they recovered from candidemia without development of any sequelae. Of the 48 symptomatic patients 11 died before results of fungal culture became available and antifungal therapy could be started. Thirty seven patients were treated with itraconazole (10 mg/kg/day orally or through gastric tube). Seven (18.9 %) of 37 patients died, 3 within first week of antifungal therapy. Thirty (81%) patients recovered; microbiological cure was noted on average by day 14 (range 4-30 days). The mean +/- SD duration of therapy in patients who responded was 24 +/-7 days (range 21-42 days). None had any major side effect. CONCLUSION: We conclude that oral itraconazole may be effective in treatment of candidemia in children in a PICU where non-C. albicans candida species constituted majority (70%) of all Candida isolates.

Acute iron poisoning: clinical picture, intensive care needs and outcome.

In this retrospective study, we examined the prevalence of acute iron poisoning among children attending Pediatric Emergency service of a teaching hospital, and studied their clinical profile, treatment and outcome to define intensive care needs. During the 5 years' study period of 27125 patient visits to Pediatric Emergency, 337 (1.2%) were for accidental poisoning. Of these 21(7%) patients had iron poisoning; 18 were transferred to PICU. Three patients were asymptomatic, others had vomiting (n =15, 83%), diarrhoea (n =13, 72%), malena (n = 8, 44%), and hemetemesis (n=6, 33%) generally within 6 hours of ingestion. Nine progressed to shock and/or impaired consciousness; two had acute liver failure. Dose of ingested iron and clinical signs were most useful guide to iron toxicity and management decisions; serum iron did not help. Gastric lavage yielded fragments of iron tablets in 10 patients. On desferrioxamine infusion Vin-rose colour urine was not seen in 31% even in presence of high serum iron. Shock responded to normal saline (33 +/- 15 mL/kg) and dopamine (10 +/- 4 microg/kg/min) within 4-24 hours in 7 of 9 patients. Presence of shock or acute liver failure with coagulopathy and/or severe acidosis predicted all the four deaths. Desferrioxamine infusion and supportive care of shock was the mainstay.

Profile of patients attending pediatric emergency service at Chandigarh.

Profile of children attending in a Pediatric Emergency Unit of an urban teaching hospital over a period of one year was analyzed. The total number of patients seen between September 1999 to August 2000 was 9205; there was a prepondence of boys (73%). The maximum number of patients were seen in the monsoon month of July and August. About half (52.5%) of the patients were infants. Fever (29.5%), breathing difficulty (17.4%) and diarrhea (14.5%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses were the two commonest pediatric emergencies. About 2% (n-198) patients died within 24 hours of hospitalization; 42.3% deaths were in the age group of 0-28 days. Sepsis was the most common diagnosis in patients who died. This information may help in planning and development of a Pediatric Emergency unit and prioritizing residents, training.

Acute iron poisoning: management guidelines.

Serum iron level may not be available and fully reliable in management decision and prognostication in our setting. An estimated ingestion of >60 mg/kg elemental iron, onset of symptoms, blood sugar >150 mg/dL, total leukocyte count >15,000 cumm and presence of iron tablets on abdominal radiograph indicates severe toxicity and need for chelation therapy. Appearance of "vin-rose" color urine following a dose of desferrioxamine may be helpful, but is not seen consistently after chelation therapy. Early decontamination of gut (gastric lavage/whole gut irrigation), desferrioxamine infusion (15 mg/kg/hour in saline), and aggressive management of shock, and organ failure preferably in a PICU are mainstay of management, and has improved the outcome. Shock, coagulopathy (prothrombin index <50%), severe acidosis and acute liver failure are poor prognostic indicators. Guardians should be counseled about safe storage of iron tablets made for adults, and general poisoning prevention measures.

Celiac crisis.

Celiac crisis is a life-threatening cause of acute diarrhea and multiple metabolic emergencies. It is extremely rare these days. We successfully managed a 5-year old girl with celiac crisis for multiple metabolic problems viz., hyponatremia, hypokalemia, metabolic acidosis, hyperglycemia and polyuria in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Steroid therapy was life saving. The case may serve as a reminder of the condition, which presents a difficult therapeutic challenge.