Nutrition in Critically Ill Children with AKI on Continuous RRT: Consensus Recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition plays a vital role in the outcome of critically ill children, particularly those with AKI. Currently, there are no established guidelines for children with AKI treated with continuous RRT (CRRT). A thorough understanding of the metabolic changes and nutritional challenges in AKI and CRRT is required. Our objective was to create clinical practice points for nutritional assessment and management in critically ill children with AKI receiving CRRT. METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched for articles related to the topic. Expertise of the authors and a consensus of the workgroup were additional sources of data in the article. Available articles on nutrition therapy in pediatric patients receiving CRRT through January 2023. RESULTS: On the basis of the literature review, the current evidence base was examined by a panel of experts in pediatric nephrology and nutrition. The panel used the literature review as well as their expertise to formulate clinical practice points. The modified Delphi method was used to identify and refine clinical practice points. CONCLUSIONS: Forty-four clinical practice points are provided on nutrition assessment, determining energy needs, and nutrient intake in children with AKI and on CRRT on the basis of the existing literature and expert opinions of a multidisciplinary panel.

Nutrition in critically ill children with acute kidney injury on continuous kidney replacement therapy: a 2023 executive summary.

OBJECTIVES: Nutrition plays a vital role in the outcome of critical illness in children, particularly those with acute kidney injury. Currently, there are no established guidelines for children with acute kidney injury treated with continuous kidney replacement therapy. Our objective was to create clinical practice points for nutritional assessment and management in critically ill children with acute kidney injury receiving continuous kidney replacement therapy. METHODS: An electronic search using PubMed and an inclusive academic library search (including MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Embase databases) was conducted to find relevant English-language articles on nutrition therapy for children (<18 y of age) receiving continuous kidney replacement therapy. RESULTS: The existing literature was reviewed by our work group, comprising pediatric nephrologists and experts in nutrition. The modified Delphi method was then used to develop a total of 45 clinical practice points. The best methods for nutritional assessment are discussed. Indirect calorimetry is the most reliable method of predicting resting energy expenditure in children on continuous kidney replacement therapy. Schofield equations can be used when indirect calorimetry is not available. The non-intentional calories contributed by continuous kidney replacement therapy should also be accounted for during caloric dosing. Protein supplementation should be increased to account for the proteins, peptides, and amino acids lost with continuous kidney replacement therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical practice points are provided on nutrition assessment, determining energy needs, and nutrient intake in children with acute kidney injury and on continuous kidney replacement therapy based on the existing literature and expert opinions of a multidisciplinary panel.

Effects of Gabapentin on Emergence Delirium in Pediatric Tonsillectomy/Adenoidectomy Patients: A Post-Hoc Analysis.

Emergence delirium (ED) is a significant source of both short- and long-term negative effects in the postoperative pediatric population, most notably following otolaryngology surgeries with an occurrence rate of 17.9%. Gabapentin, a gamma aminobutyric acid agonist, has been used for enhanced recovery in adult patients and for the purpose of decreasing ED in some pediatric patients undergoing strabismus surgery. This secondary analysis examined the effects of preoperative administration of gabapentin on the reduction of postoperative ED in pediatric patients between the ages of 3-18 undergoing elective tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. The parent study randomized subjects to receive preoperative gabapentin vs placebo. Our chart review encompassed both objective and subjective measures to identify the incidence of ED. While we found no statistical significance between the treatment and control groups, there was a clinically significant reduction of ED behaviors in the gabapentin group. The limitations included nonstandardized intraoperative medication administration, small sample size, and the lack of a validated tool for documenting behaviors associated with ED in the immediate postoperative period. Based on the results of this analysis, further investigation is warranted into the potential benefit of gabapentin to reduce the incidence of postoperative ED in the pediatric patient.

A survey on nutritional management of critically ill children on continuous renal replacement therapy.

We conducted a survey of pediatric nephrologists to examine the knowledge and current practices of and identify challenges in the nutritional management of critically ill children during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Although it is known that there is a significant effect on nutrition during CRRT, there seems to be a lack of knowledge as well as variability in the practices of nutritional management in these patients, as indicated by our survey results. The heterogeneity of our survey results highlights the need to establish clinical practice guidelines and develop consensus around optimal nutritional management in pediatric patients requiring CRRT. The results as well as the known effects of CRRT on metabolism should be considered during the development of guidelines in critically ill children on CRRT. Our survey findings also highlight the need for further research in the assessment of nutrition, determination of energy needs and caloric dosing, specific nutrient needs, and management.

Intermittent versus continuous enteral nutrition in critically ill children: A pre-planned secondary analysis of an international prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Intermittent enteral nutrition (EN) may have physiologic benefits over continuous feeding in critical illness. We aimed to compare nutrition and infection outcomes in critically ill children receiving intermittent or continuous EN. METHODS: International, multi-center prospective observational study of mechanically ventilated children, 1 month to 18 years of age, receiving EN. Percent energy or protein adequacy (energy or protein delivered/prescribed × 100) and acquired infection rates were compared between intermittent and continuous EN groups using adjusted-multivariable and 4:1 propensity-score matched (PSM) analyses. Sensitivity analyses were performed after excluding patients who crossed over between intermittent and continuous EN. RESULTS: 1375 eligible patients from 66 PICUs were included. Patients receiving continuous EN (N = 1093) had a higher prevalence of respiratory illness and obesity, and lower prevalence of neurologic illness and underweight status on admission, compared to those on intermittent EN (N = 282). Percent energy or protein adequacy, proportion of patients who achieved 60% of energy or protein adequacy in the first 7 days of admission, and rates of acquired infection were not different between the 2 groups in adjusted-multivariable and propensity score matching analyses (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Intermittent versus continuous EN strategy is not associated with differences in energy or protein adequacy, or acquired infections, in mechanically ventilated, critically ill children. Until further evidence is available, an individualized feeding strategy rather than a universal approach may be appropriate.

Gabapentin Premedication to Reduce Postoperative Pain for Pediatric Tonsillectomy/Adenoidectomy: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of preoperative gabapentin administration on postoperative pain in pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy (T/A) in a single ambulatory surgery location within a pediatric healthcare organization. DESIGN: This randomized, controlled pilot study enrolled patients age 3-18 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores of I-II undergoing T/A. METHODS: Both gabapentin and placebo groups were given study medication preoperatively and received standard opiate regimens intraoperatively and postoperative pain instructions. Outcome measurements included: time to first analgesic medication in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), mean acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and opiate doses in mg/kg. Additionally, we examined pain scores, medication use, and side effects reported by daily pain diaries completed by patients/families for 3 days postoperatively. FINDINGS: Forty-nine patients were included in final analysis (gabapentin n = 26, placebo n = 23). Demographic and clinical characteristics of both groups were similar; the majority (46 of 49) were under the age of 13. Both groups received opiates in PACU. Some patients in both groups received hydrocodone/acetaminophen postoperatively. There were no reported differences in side effects between groups. Gabapentin group reported less use of opiates, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen post-discharge. We identified small effect sizes for opiates and acetaminophen, and medium effect size for ibuprofen (80.1% gabapentin versus 100% placebo, RR 0.81 [95% CI 0.67-0.97]). Median pain scores were 4 on a scale of 10 for both groups for all 3 days of follow-up. Overall median satisfaction score was 9, with a mean difference of 0.35 (95% CI -0.78 - 1.37). Analysis of variance revealed no difference in pain scores or satisfaction per pain diaries between the groups in general and no difference in score trajectory. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to establish a rigorous process and feasibility to launch a larger, multi-center trial to examine this important issue. There remain few evidence-based options for acute pain relief in pediatric surgical populations besides opiates. Identifying opiate alternatives that are effective, cost efficient and safe are needed for pediatric tonsillectomy patients.

Facilitating Communication in a Pediatric Surgery Center: Implementation of an Interactive Communication Board.

BACKGROUND: Increasing linguistic diversity has important implications for providers serving limited English proficiency (LEP) populations. LEP patients have decreased understanding, increased risk for adverse events, and lower healthcare satisfaction. Limited interpreting methods affect nurses' ability to provide efficient, culturally competent care. OBJECTIVE: An interactive communication board was implemented to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of LEP patient communication and increase nurse satisfaction with communication in a pediatric ambulatory surgery center. METHODS: A pre-post survey design evaluated the implementation of an interactive communication board. After a 3-month implementation period, post-surveys assessed nurse satisfaction, perception of time required to interpret nursing tasks, and feasibility of the tool. RESULTS: Nurses reported a 64% increase (2.27 ± 0.88 pre; 3.57 ± 0.76 post; p = 0.0007) in satisfaction with the interpretation process and a 43% increase (2.07 ± 0.70 pre; 3.50 ± 0.76 post; p = 0.0001) in their self-perceived ability to communicate with LEP populations post-intervention. CONCLUSION: Communication boards and similar tools can improve nurse satisfaction and streamline the interpretation process in peri-operative periods. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Similar tools could be implemented in other healthcare settings to increase communication efficiency between nurses and LEP populations. Further projects must be conducted to evaluate the experience and efficacy of this tool from the patient/caregiver perspective.

'Blurred boundaries': When nurses and midwives give anti-vaccination advice on Facebook.

BACKGROUND: Nurses and midwives have a professional obligation to promote health and prevent disease, and therefore they have an essential role to play in vaccination. Despite this, some nurses and midwives have been found to take an anti-vaccination stance and promulgate misinformation about vaccines, often using Facebook as a platform to do so. RESEARCH QUESTION: This article reports on one component and dataset from a larger study - 'the positives, perils and pitfalls of Facebook for nurses'. It explores the specific issue of nurses and midwives who take an anti-vaccination stance, deemed to be unprofessional by crossing professional boundaries and by providing medical information on Facebook that is not within their scope of practice. PARTICIPANTS: Data were collected via an online worldwide survey from nurse and midwife participants, distributed and 'snowballed' through relevant nursing and midwifery groups on Facebook. In total, 1644 Registered Nurses and Midwives, and Enrolled Nurses worldwide attempted the online survey. There were 1100 (66.9%) completed surveys and 54 partially (33.1%) completed surveys. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted online using Skype® with 17 participants in Australia. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Ethical processes and procedures have been adhered to relating to privacy, confidentiality and anonymity of the participants. FINDINGS/RESULTS: A mixed-methods approach was used, including descriptive and content analysis of the quantitative survey data and thematic analysis of the qualitative interview data. The main theme 'blurred boundaries' was generated, which comprised three sub-themes: 'follow the science, 'abuse of power and erosion of trust' and 'the moral and ethical responsibility to safeguard public health'. The results offer an important and unique understanding of how nurses and midwives interpret the conduct of fellow health professionals as unprofessional and crossing the professional boundary if they used Facebook to promulgate anti-vaccination messages and/or give medical advice online. CONCLUSION: There are many positives and negatives for nurses and midwives associated with using Facebook for personal and professional communication, which is in keeping with the results of the larger study from which this article is taken. Professional behaviour is a key theme in the larger research as is the ethical construct of 'every act has a consequence'; however, in this article, the theme 'blurred boundaries' offers an overall understanding of how nurses and midwives interpret the behaviour of their colleagues who espouse anti-vaccination sentiment and/or give medical advice online that is outside their scope of practice and education.

Pediatric Organ Dysfunction Information Update Mandate (PODIUM) Contemporary Organ Dysfunction Criteria: Executive Summary.

Prior criteria for organ dysfunction in critically ill children were based mainly on expert opinion. We convened the Pediatric Organ Dysfunction Information Update Mandate (PODIUM) expert panel to summarize data characterizing single and multiple organ dysfunction and to derive contemporary criteria for pediatric organ dysfunction. The panel was composed of 88 members representing 47 institutions and 7 countries. We conducted systematic reviews of the literature to derive evidence-based criteria for single organ dysfunction for neurologic, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, acute liver, renal, hematologic, coagulation, endocrine, endothelial, and immune system dysfunction. We searched PubMed and Embase from January 1992 to January 2020. Study identification was accomplished using a combination of medical subject headings terms and keywords related to concepts of pediatric organ dysfunction. Electronic searches were performed by medical librarians. Studies were eligible for inclusion if the authors reported original data collected in critically ill children; evaluated performance characteristics of scoring tools or clinical assessments for organ dysfunction; and assessed a patient-centered, clinically meaningful outcome. Data were abstracted from each included study into an electronic data extraction form. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool. Consensus was achieved for a final set of 43 criteria for pediatric organ dysfunction through iterative voting and discussion. Although the PODIUM criteria for organ dysfunction were limited by available evidence and will require validation, they provide a contemporary foundation for researchers to identify and study single and multiple organ dysfunction in critically ill children.

Gastrointestinal Dysfunction Criteria in Critically Ill Children: The PODIUM Consensus Conference.

CONTEXT: Prior criteria to define pediatric multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) did not include gastrointestinal dysfunction. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to evaluate current evidence and to develop consensus criteria for gastrointestinal dysfunction in critically ill children. DATA SOURCES: Electronic searches of PubMed and EMBASE were conducted from January 1992 to January 2020, using medical subject heading terms and text words to define gastrointestinal dysfunction, pediatric critical illness, and outcomes. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were included if they evaluated critically ill children with gastrointestinal dysfunction, performance characteristics of assessment/scoring tools to screen for gastrointestinal dysfunction, and assessed outcomes related to mortality, functional status, organ-specific outcomes, or other patient-centered outcomes. Studies of adults or premature infants, animal studies, reviews/commentaries, case series with sample size ≤10, and non-English language studies with inability to determine eligibility criteria were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were abstracted from each eligible study into a standard data extraction form along with risk of bias assessment by a task force member. RESULTS: The systematic review supports the following criteria for severe gastrointestinal dysfunction: 1a) bowel perforation, 1b) pneumatosis intestinalis, or 1c) bowel ischemia, present on plain abdominal radiograph, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or gross surgical inspection, or 2) rectal sloughing of gut mucosa. LIMITATIONS: The validity of the consensus criteria for gastrointestinal dysfunction are limited by the quantity and quality of current evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the role of gastrointestinal dysfunction in the pathophysiology and outcomes of MODS is important in pediatric critical illness.

Bolus gastric feeds improve nutrition delivery to mechanically ventilated pediatric medical patients: Results of the COntinuous vs BOlus multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND: Comparison of bolus gastric feeding (BGF) vs continuous gastric feeding (CGF) with respect to timing and delivery of energy and protein in mechanically ventilated (MV) pediatric patients has not been investigated. We hypothesized that bolus delivery would shorten time to goal nutrition and increase the percentage of goal feeds delivered. METHODS: Multicenter, prospective, randomized comparative effectiveness trial conducted in seven pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Eligibility criteria included patients aged 1 month to 12 years who were intubated within 24 h of PICU admission, with expected duration of ventilation at least 48 h, and who were eligible to begin enteral nutrition within 48 h. Exclusion criteria included patients with acute or chronic gastrointestinal pathology or acute surgery. RESULTS: We enrolled 158 MV children between October 2015 and April 2018; 147 patients were included in the analysis (BGF = 72, CGF = 75). Children in the BGF group were slightly older than those in the CGF; otherwise, the two groups had similar demographic characteristics. There was no difference in the percentage of patients in each group who achieved goal feeds. Time to goal feeds was shorter in the BGF group (hazard ratio 1.5 [CI 1.02-2.33]; P = 0.0387). Median percentage of target kilocalories (median kcal 0.78 vs 0.59; P ≤ 0.0001) and median percentage of protein delivered (median protein 0.77 vs 0.59; P ≤ 0.0001) was higher for BGF patients. There was no difference in serial oxygen saturation index between groups. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated shorter time to achieve goal nutrition via BGF compared with CGF in MV pediatric patients. This resulted in increased delivery of target energy and nutrition. Further study is needed in other PICU populations.

Continuous Versus Bolus Gastric Feeding in Children Receiving Mechanical Ventilation: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition guidelines recommend enteral nutrition in the form of gastric feedings for critically ill children and acknowledge a lack of evidence describing an optimal method for providing these feedings. OBJECTIVE: To determine the state of the science regarding the efficacy of bolus (intermittent) or continuous gastric feedings to improve nutrition delivery in critically ill children receiving mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Five hundred seventy-nine abstracts met the inclusion criteria and were screened by 2 reviewers according to prespecified criteria. Full-text reviews were performed on 28 articles; 11 studies were selected for detailed analysis. Because of the small number of eligible studies, broader searches were conducted. RESULTS: Only 5 studies with a collective enrollment of fewer than 200 children closely addressed the specific research question. These 5 studies did not report any similarity in feeding regimens, nor did they report nutritional outcomes. Two of the articles described findings from the same study population. Although 4 of the 5 studies randomized children to bolus versus continuous feedings, only 3 studies described attainment of nutrient delivery goals in both the intervention and the control groups; the remaining study did not report this outcome. The heterogeneity in methodology and outcomes among the 5 studies did not allow for a meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The dearth of evidence regarding best practices and outcomes related to bolus versus continuous gastric feedings in critically ill children receiving mechanical ventilation requires additional rigorous investigation.

Simulation Prepares an Interprofessional Team to Evacuate a 60-Bed Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

In August 2011, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Baltimore/Washington, District of Columbia, corridor. The event identified a critical requirement to prepare our interprofessional team to evacuate approximately 60 neonatal patients. A needs assessment indicated that 60% of staff members had little or no knowledge of the unit's evacuation plan and 55% of respondents were not aware of their specific role in an emergency evacuation. The neonatal intensive care unit educators in collaboration with the unit's medical team, the leadership team, the hospital emergency management team, and the unit practice and professional council coordinated the design, implementation, and assessment of the simulated evacuation activity. To encourage realism within the simulated activity, prepared manikins were placed in patient rooms and assigned varying levels of acuity. The training session began with a prebrief session that included a description of the evacuation plan, delineation of roles, responsibilities based on scope of practice, use of the evacuation equipment, and unit emergency bags. Participants engaged in a debrief session following each session during which the staff notably expressed an increased confidence with the evacuation plan, roles, and operation of the evacuation equipment. In addition, the debriefing allowed for identification of latent threats, which the planning group used to streamline the evacuation process.

Growth and Changing Characteristics of Pediatric Intensive Care 2001-2016.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the growth, distribution, and characteristics of pediatric intensive care in 2016. DESIGN: Hospitals with PICUs were identified from prior surveys, databases, online searching, and clinician networking. A structured web-based survey was distributed in 2016 and compared with responses in a 2001 survey. SETTING: PICUs were defined as a separate unit, specifically for the treatment of children with life-threatening conditions. PICU hospitals contained greater than or equal to 1 PICU. SUBJECTS: Physician medical directors and nurse managers. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: PICU beds per pediatric population (< 18 yr), PICU bed distribution by state and region, and PICU characteristics and their relationship with PICU beds were measured. Between 2001 and 2016, the U.S. pediatric population grew 1.9% to greater than 73.6 million children, and PICU hospitals decreased 0.9% from 347 to 344 (58 closed, 55 opened). In contrast, PICU bed numbers increased 43% (4,135 to 5,908 beds); the median PICU beds per PICU hospital rose from 9 to 12 (interquartile range 8, 20 beds). PICU hospitals with greater than or equal to 15 beds in 2001 had significant bed growth by 2016, whereas PICU hospitals with less than 15 beds experienced little average growth. In 2016, there were eight PICU beds per 100,000 U.S. children (5.7 in 2001), with U.S. census region differences in bed availability (6.8 to 8.8 beds/100,000 children). Sixty-three PICU hospitals (18%) accounted for 47% of PICU beds. Specialized PICUs were available in 59 hospitals (17.2%), 48 were cardiac (129% growth). Academic affiliation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation availability, and 24-hour in-hospital intensivist staffing increased with PICU beds per hospital. CONCLUSIONS: U.S. PICU bed growth exceeded pediatric population growth over 15 years with a relatively small percentage of PICU hospitals containing almost half of all PICU beds. PICU bed availability is variable across U.S. states and regions, potentially influencing access to care and emergency preparedness.

What Is the Best Treatment for a Subperiosteal Abscess? A Case Report in a Pediatric Patient.

Subperiosteal abscess is a condition that typically presents as collection of pus in the space between the periorbital and the lamina papyracea as a result of the migration and spread of an infection, such as sinusitis and ethmoiditis. The low incidence requires a high index of suspicion to be considered in the differential diagnosis when encountering this life-threatening illness. This case highlights the significance of a prompt and accurate diagnosis for this infrequent condition, because it may progress to blindness, meningitis, intracranial abscess, and death. We present evidence to address the controversies of two approaches, immediate surgical drainage of the abscess versus more conservative pharmacologic medical treatment.

Bolus vs Continuous Nasogastric Feeds in Mechanically Ventilated Pediatric Patients: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition increases the risk of mortality and morbidity in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Barriers to adequate delivery of enteral nutrition (EN) include hemodynamic instability, feeding interruptions and intolerance, and lack of standardized feeding protocols. The most recent guidelines on nutrition support for the critically ill child describe a paucity of evidence around the best method to deliver EN. There is an untested clinical assumption that bolus gastric feeding (B-GF) in intubated patients is associated with aspiration events, lung injury, and associated morbidity compared with continuous gastric feeding (C-GF). This study compared the effectiveness and safety of C-GF vs B-GF in intubated pediatric patients. METHODS: We enrolled randomized patients aged 1 month-12 years who were intubated within 24 hours and received EN starting within 48 hours of admission to a C-GF or B-GF group. Goal-directed EN volume and caloric density were increased every 3 and 12 hours, respectively, to target. Feeding interruptions and intolerance events were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-five subjects were enrolled (B-GF = 11; C-GF = 14). At 24 hours, B-GF was associated with higher energy and protein delivery (P < 0.007) and was associated with faster time to goal volume (median B-GF = 15 hours; C-GF = 29.5 hours). No aspiration events resulting in additional lung injury were noted for either group (P = 0.866). CONCLUSIONS: B-GF was associated with superior delivery of EN with a comparable safety profile to C-GF. Further study is needed to compare both EN methods in other PICU populations.

The Association of Nutrition Status Expressed as Body Mass Index z Score With Outcomes in Children With Severe Sepsis: A Secondary Analysis From the Sepsis Prevalence, Outcomes, and Therapies (SPROUT) Study.

OBJECTIVES: The impact of nutrition status on outcomes in pediatric severe sepsis is unclear. We studied the association of nutrition status (expressed as body mass index z score) with outcomes in pediatric severe sepsis. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of the Sepsis Prevalence, Outcomes, and Therapies study. Patient characteristics, ICU interventions, and outcomes were compared across nutrition status categories (expressed as age- and sex-adjusted body mass index z scores using World Health Organization standards). Multivariable regression models were developed to determine adjusted differences in all-cause ICU mortality and ICU length of stay by nutrition status. SETTING: One-hundred twenty-eight PICUs across 26 countries. PATIENTS: Children less than 18 years with severe sepsis enrolled in the Sepsis Prevalence, Outcomes, and Therapies study (n = 567). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Nutrition status data were available for 417 patients. Severe undernutrition was seen in Europe (25%), Asia (20%), South Africa (17%), and South America (10%), with severe overnutrition seen in Australia/New Zealand (17%) and North America (14%). Severe undernutrition was independently associated with all-cause ICU mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.2-7.7; p = 0.02), whereas severe overnutrition in survivors was independently associated with longer ICU length of stay (1.6 d; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable variation in nutrition status for children with severe sepsis treated across this selected network of PICUs from different geographic regions. Severe undernutrition was independently associated with higher all-cause ICU mortality in children with severe sepsis. Severe overnutrition was independently associated with greater ICU length of stay in childhood survivors of severe sepsis.

Use of Electromagnetic Device to Insert Postpyloric Feeding Tubes in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND: The preferred route for providing nutrition in the pediatric intensive care unit is enteral. Placement of postpyloric feeding tubes using an electromagnetic-tipped stylet that emits a signal detected by a device held over the patient's abdomen is effective in adult intensive care units, but has not been well studied in pediatric units. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of the electromagnetic device in reducing the numbers of radiation exposures, intrahospital transports, tubes used, and tube placement attempts in the pediatric intensive care unit. METHODS: Data from a historical control group were compared with data from a prospective intervention group of patients less than 18 years of age and weighing at least 3 kg who required a postpyloric feeding tube in a 23-bed pediatric intensive care unit. Primary outcome was number of radiation exposures. Independent-samples Student t tests were used to compare the 2 study groups for mean equality; Pearson χ2 tests were used to compare categorical data. Statistical testing was 2-sided, and P less than .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of 73 children (30 in control group, 43 in intervention group), those in the intervention group had a higher success rate at tube placement (P = .009) and fewer radiation exposures (P = .006), intrahospital transports (P = .004), and tubes used (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Successful placement of postpyloric feeding tubes by nurse practitioners was safely enhanced using an electromagnetic device. Establishing users' expertise with the device before studying outcomes may improve effectiveness.

Enteral Nutrition in the PICU: Current Status and Ongoing Challenges.

Malnutrition in the critically ill or injured child is associated with increased morbidities and mortality in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), whether present upon admission or acquired during the PICU stay. Particular subpopulations such as those with congenital heart disease or severe thermal injury are at highest risk for malnutrition which can worsen with illness progression. A growing body of evidence suggests the presence of a positive association between nutrition support during critical illness and patient outcomes. Enteral nutrition (EN), the preferred route of nutrient delivery, may be a crucial component of care provided in the PICU which modifies the response to critical illness or injury, resulting in improved outcomes. Numerous challenges exist in the delivery of the EN goal in critically ill children. These include accurate assessment of nutrient requirements, hemodynamic instability, feeding intolerance, feeding interruptions, and the lack of a standardized approach to nutrition support. This article describes the current state of the science and challenges related to EN prescription and delivery in the critically ill child. Suggestions for improving EN practice are then presented, in addition to a platform for further research inquiry.