Born into an isolating world: family-centred care for babies born to mothers with COVID-19.

Background: The benefits of facilitating breastmilk feeding and close contact between mother and neonate (family-centred care; FCC) in the perinatal period are well-established. The aim of this study was to determine how the delivery of FCC practices were impacted for neonates born to mothers with perinatal SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Neonates born to mothers with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy were identified from the 'EsPnIC Covid paEdiatric NeonaTal REgistry' (EPICENTRE) multinational cohort between 10 March 2020 and 20 October 2021. The EPICENTRE cohort collected prospective data on FCC practices. Rooming-in and breastmilk feeding practice were the main outcomes, and factors influencing each were determined. Other outcomes included mother-baby physical contact prior to separation and the pattern of FCC components relative to time and local site guidelines. Findings: 692 mother-baby dyads (13 sites, 10 countries) were analysed. 27 (5%) neonates were positive for SARS-CoV-2 (14 (52%) asymptomatic). Most sites had policies that encouraged FCC during perinatal SARS-CoV-2 infection for most of the reporting period. 311 (46%) neonates roomed-in with their mother during the admission. Rooming-in increased over time from 23% in March-June 2020 to 74% in January-March 2021 (boreal season). 330 (93%) of the 369 separated neonates had no FCC physical contact with their mother prior, and 319 (86%) were asymptomatic. Maternal breastmilk was used for feeding in 354 (53%) neonates, increasing from 23% to 70% between March-June 2020 and January-March 2021. FCC was most impacted when mothers had symptomatic COVID-19 at birth. Interpretation: This is the largest report of global FCC practice during the COVID-19 pandemic to date. The COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted FCC despite low perinatal transmission rates. Fortunately, clinicians appear to have adapted to allow more FCC delivery as the COVID-19 pandemic progressed. Funding: The National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia): Grant ID 2008212 (DGT), Royal Children's Hospital Foundation: Grant ID 2019-1155 (EJP), Victorian Government Operational Infrastructure Support Program.

Recurrent tonic-clonic seizures and coma due to ingestion of Type I pyrethroids in a 19-month-old patient.

CONTEXT: Pyrethroids are synthetic pyrethrin analogues that induce sodium-channel depolarization and hyperexcitation. Severe pyrethroid poisoning is manifested by a "Tremor Syndrome" (Type I cyano-agents) or a "Choreoathetosis/Salivation Syndrome" (Type II non cyano-agents). Very few reports of neurotoxic effects caused by Type I pyrethroids ingestion are available, and no human data concerning Type I pyrethroid blood levels in pediatric poisoning are reported in the medical literature. CASE DETAILS: A 19-month-old female patient presented with irritability and inconsolable crying that rapidly worsened to tonic-clonic seizures and coma (GCS 6). On admission vital signs including BP 110/70 mmHg, HR 110 beats/min, and SpO2 98% on room air were normal. Orotracheal intubation, oxygen administration, and midazolam infusion (4 µg/kg/min) were performed. Intravenous thiopental sodium, up to 18 mg/kg/hour, was administered to control convulsions. An inquiry revealed that 9 h before presentation the patient had ingested an unknown amount of an insecticide containing 7% piperonyl-butoxide and a mixture of the Type I pyrethroids bifenthrin (5%) and esbiothrin (3%). Consequently, gastric lavage was performed, followed by administration of activated charcoal and cathartics. On the subsequent 48 h, the patient returned progressively alert; she was extubated on day 4 and discharged asymptomatically 12 days after hospitalization. After 9, 48, and 72 h of ingestion, the plasma levels were 500, 95, and 40 ng/mL for bifenthrin and 1,640, 640, and 165 ng/mL for piperonyl-butoxide respectively. DISCUSSION: This pediatric case showed severe pyrethroid neurotoxicity associated with measurable plasma levels of bifenthrin and piperonyl-butoxide. In pediatric pyrethroid poisoning, coma and seizures may represent the main life-threatening features. First-aid therapy including airway maintenance and control of muscle fasciculation and seizures is of major importance. Benzodiazepines and high-dose thiopental sodium were effective treatments for convulsion.

Non-invasive ventilation in pediatric intensive care.

The aims of this paper are: to examine the physiological rationale for noninvasive respiratory support (NRS) in children with acute respiratory failure (ARF); to review clinical available data and to give some practical recommendations to its safe application. NRS is the delivery of ventilatory support without the need of an invasive airway. Two types of NRS are commonly used in the pediatric population: non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (nPPV). In general, the evidence to promote the use of NRS in children with ARF is scarce. However, two randomized studies have been recently published suggesting that nPPV ameliorates clinical signs and gas exchange while reducing the need for endotracheal intubation. Moreover, nCPAP and heliox may improve clinical scores and CO2 washout in infants with severe bronchiolitis, without major complications. Data from non controlled studies show that NRS unloads the respiratory muscles and that the helmet can be a valid alternative to facial and/or nasal mask when nCPAP is administered to children in the early stage of ARF.

[Comparative clinical evaluation of 4 heat and moisture exchangers (HME) in general anesthesia]. / Valutazione clinica comparativa di quattro scambiatori di calore e umidità (HME) in corso di anestesia generale.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficiency, during general anaesthesia, of four commercially available HMEs, with particular attention to the change of performances due to the new modifications introduced by the manufacturers. DESIGN: Comparisons of the performances of each HMEs with psychometric method in terms of T degree C, RH (%), AH (mgH2O/1) of inhaled and expired gases. PATIENTS: A sample of 28 patients under general anesthesia longer than 150 minutes, undergone elective urological surgery. Patients with cardiological, respiratory and metabolic impairments have been excluded. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The measurements of T degree C, RH and AH have been performed with thermometric probes every minute. The collected data have been analyzed by Student's "t"-test for unpaired data. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained data show that a good conditioning of the inhaled gases is possible, although only few HMEs satisfy the requirements indicated in the ISO and BSI standards.