Characteristics of Pediatric Emergency Department Presentations of Anaphylaxis in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the triggers of pediatric anaphylaxis in Spain and to analyze the circumstances of the episode. METHODS: Planned secondary analysis of a prospective observational multicenter study endorsed by the Spanish Society of Pediatric Emergencies including children aged younger than 18 years diagnosed with anaphylaxis in 7 Spanish pediatric emergency departments (EDs) between 2016 and 2018. We analyzed factors related to the anaphylaxis episode and its management. RESULTS: Four hundred fifty-three cases were registered, happening mainly at home (295 [65.1%]), school (65 [14.3%]), and street (61 [13.5%]). The median age was 5 years, 143 (31.6%) had previous episodes, and 165 (36.4%) had previously been prescribed an epinephrine autoinjector, used in 40 (24.2% of those prescribed). Two thirds were well-appearing when arriving to the pediatric ED. Food was the trigger in 396 (87.4%). In 349 with a single food involved, the most frequent were milk (108 [30.4%]), nuts (103 [29.0%]), hen's egg (40 [11.3%]), and fish (31 [8.7%]), with variations related to the age of the child. CONCLUSIONS: Food, especially milk and nuts, are responsible for most anaphylaxis diagnosed in Spanish pediatric EDs. Consideration should be given to improving health education due to the low use of epinephrine autoinjectors.

Safety of ketamine for reducing fractures in a pediatric emergency department. / Seguridad del uso de ketamina para reducir fracturas en un servicio de urgencias pediátrico.

OBJECTIVES: Ketamine is one of the most widely used drugs for analgesia and sedation when reducing fractures in pediatric emergency departments (EDs). We aimed to analyze the safety of intravenous (IV) ketamine when administered by physicians who are not anesthesiologists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective observational study of adverse events (AEs) related to pediatric ED specialists' use of analgesia and sedation when reducing fractures in children under the age of 14 years between 2011 and 2019. Multivariate analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for AEs. RESULTS: We analyzed 1509 cases of IV ketamine administration for analgesia and sedation. The median age of patients was 8 years (interquartile range, 5-11 years). All had American Society of Anesthesiologists risk classifications of 1 or 2 and Mallampati scores of I or II. Prior to the procedure, 937 children (62.1%) had been administered an opioid analgesic. AEs were observed in 201 children (13.3%; 95% CI, 11.7%-15.1%); 71 experienced respiratory complications (4.7%; 95% CI, 3.2%-5.3%). No child required intubation, other advanced resuscitation maneuvers, or hospital admission because of a ketamine-related AE. Age was the only independent risk factor for developing an AE. The odds ratio (OR) for any type of AE in children aged 8 years or older was 1.9 (95% CI, 1.4-2.6). The OR for respiratory AEs in children aged 6 years or older was 2.6 (95% CI, 1.3-5.6). Opioid administration did not increase risk for AEs. CONCLUSION: Pediatric emergency physicians who are not anesthesiologists can safely administer IV ketamine for reducing fractures. Prior use of opioids is not associated with greater risk for respiratory AEs after ketamine use.

OBJETIVO: La ketamina es uno de los fármacos más utilizados para reducir fracturas en los servicios de urgencias de pediatría (SUP). Se analiza la seguridad de ketamina por médicos no anestesistas en reducciones de fracturas en un SUP. METODO: Estudio prospectivo observacional sobre los efectos adversos (EA) relacionados con procedimientos de analgesia y sedación (PAS) realizados por pediatras de urgencias para reducir fracturas en menores de 14 años en un SUP entre 2011 y 2019. Se realizó un análisis multivariante para identificar factores de riesgo independientes de EA. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 1.509 PAS con ketamina intravenosa (iv). La mediana de edad fue de 8 años (RIC 5-11), todos con una clasificación American Academy of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I o II y Mallampati I o II. Previo al procedimiento, 937 (62,1%), recibieron opioides. Se registraron EA en 201 (13,3%; IC 95%: 11,7-15,1), 71 respiratorios (4,7%; IC 95%: 3,2-5,3). Ningún niño requirió intubación, otras maniobras de reanimación avanzada o ingreso por un problema secundario al PAS. La edad fue el único factor de riesgo independiente para presentar tanto EA de manera global ( 8 años OR 1,9; IC 95%: 1,4-2,6) como respiratorios ( 6 años OR 2,6; IC 95%: 1,3-5,6). La administración de opioide no se relacionó con mayor riesgo de presentar tanto EA de manera global como respiratorios. CONCLUSIONES: Los PAS con ketamina iv realizados por médicos no anestesistas para reduccir fracturas en urgencias en niños son seguros. La administración previa de opioides no se asocia a mayor riesgo de EA respiratorios.

Seguridad del uso de ketamina para reducir fracturas en un servicio de urgencias pediátrico / Safety of ketamine for reducing fractures in a pediatric emergency department

Introducción. La ketamina es uno de los fármacos más utilizados para reducir fracturas en los servicios de urgencias de pediatría (SUP). Se analiza la seguridad de ketamina por médicos no anestesistas en reducciones de fracturas en un SUP.Métodos. Estudio prospectivo observacional sobre los efectos adversos (EA) relacionados con procedimientos de analgesia y sedación (PAS) realizados por pediatras de urgencias para reducir fracturas en menores de 14 años en un SUP entre 2011 y 2019. Se realizó un análisis multivariante para identificar factores de riesgo independientes de EA.Resultados. Se analizaron 1.509 PAS con ketamina intravenosa (iv). La mediana de edad fue de 8 años (RIC 5-11), todos con una clasificación American Academy of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I o II y Mallampati I o II. Previo al procedimiento, 937 (62,1%), recibieron opioides. Se registraron EA en 201 (13,3%; IC 95%: 11,7-15,1), 71 respiratorios (4,7%; IC 95%: 3,2-5,3). Ningún niño requirió intubación, otras maniobras de reanimación avanzada o ingreso por un problema secundario al PAS. La edad fue el único factor de riesgo independiente para presentar tanto EA de manera global ($ 8 años OR 1,9; IC 95%: 1,4-2,6) como respiratorios ($ 6 años OR 2,6; IC 95%: 1,3-5,6). La administración de opioide no se relacionó con mayor riesgo de presentar tanto EA de manera global como respiratorios.Conclusiones. Los PAS con ketamina iv realizados por médicos no anestesistas para reducir fracturas en urgencias en niños son seguros. La administración previa de opioides no se asocia a mayor riesgo de EA respiratorios. (AU)

Background and objective. Ketamine is one of the most widely used drugs for analgesia and sedation when reducing fractures in pediatric emergency departments (EDs). We aimed to analyze the safety of intravenous (IV) ketamine when administered by physicians who are not anesthesiologists.Methods. Prospective observational study of adverse events (AEs) related to pediatric ED specialists’ use of analgesia and sedation when reducing fractures in children under the age of 14 years between 2011 and 2019. Multivariate analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for AEs.Results. We analyzed 1509 cases of IV ketamine administration for analgesia and sedation. The median age of patients was 8 years (interquartile range, 5-11 years). All had American Society of Anesthesiologists risk classifications of 1 or 2 and Mallampati scores of I or II. Prior to the procedure, 937 children (62.1%) had been administered an opioid analgesic. AEs were observed in 201 children (13.3%; 95% CI, 11.7% 15.1%); 71 experienced respiratory complications (4.7%; 95% CI, 3.2%-5.3%). No child required intubation, other advanced resuscitation maneuvers, or hospital admission because of a ketamine-related AE. Age was the only independent risk factor for developing an AE. The odds ratio (OR) for any type of AE in children aged 8 years or older was 1.9 (95% CI, 1.4-2.6). The OR for respiratory AEs in children aged 6 years or older was 2.6 (95% CI, 1.3-5.6). Opioid administration did not increase risk for AEs.Conclusions. Pediatric emergency physicians who are not anesthesiologists can safely administer IV ketamine for reducing fractures. Prior use of opioids is not associated with greater risk for respiratory AEs after ketamine use. (AU)

Risk Factors for Severe Anaphylaxis in Children.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors associated with severe anaphylaxis in children. STUDY DESIGN: We carried out a multicenter prospective observational study including children less than 18 years old diagnosed with anaphylaxis in 7 Spanish pediatric emergency departments (EDs) between May 2016 and April 2018. Children were considered to have severe anaphylaxis if they met one or more of the following criteria: requirement for 2 or more doses of epinephrine, clinically important biphasic reaction, endotracheal intubation, intensive care unit admission, and/or death. RESULTS: We included 453 episodes of anaphylaxis. Of these, 61 were classified as severe anaphylaxis (13.5%, 95% CI [10.6-16.9]): 53 (11.7%) required more than 1 dose of epinephrine, and there were 14 (3.1%) cases of clinically important biphasic reactions, 2 (0.4%) intubations in the ED, and 6 (1.3%) admissions to the intensive care unit. No patients died. In the multivariable regression, we identified 5 independent risk factors for severe anaphylaxis: history of asthma (P = .002; OR 2.705, 95% CI [1.431-5.113]), onset of the symptoms less than 5 minutes after the allergen exposure (P = .002; OR 2.619, 95% CI [1.410-4.866]), non-well appearance (P = .005; OR 2.973, 95% CI [1.380-6.405]), tachycardia (P = .014; OR 2.339, 95% CI [1.191-4.959]), and hypotension (P = .036; OR 3.725, 95% CI [1.087-12.762]). CONCLUSIONS: Childhood anaphylaxis is usually well controlled in the ED. Children with a history of asthma, rapid onset of the symptoms, who are non-well appearing, or have tachycardia or hypotension upon arrival to the ED are more likely to have severe episodes.

Management of anaphylaxis in Spain: pediatric emergency care providers' knowledge.

BACKGROUND: Acute care providers must diagnose and treat patients with anaphylaxis. The objective was to analyze Spanish pediatric emergency departments' (ED) providers' knowledge of the international recommendations for the management of anaphylaxis. METHODS: A web-based survey including providers (both attending and residents) from seven Spanish pediatric EDs was conducted. To analyze the knowledge of the identification of anaphylaxis, we used the diagnostic criteria given by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease and Food Allergy and the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (2005). To analyze the management, we used the practical recommendations on the management of anaphylaxis published by the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters (2014). RESULTS: A total of 425 physicians received the link and 337 (79.2%) completed the survey (138 attending, 76.6%; 199 residents, 81.2%, P<0.05). More than 90% of the providers correctly identified the anaphylaxis, except for not diagnosing it when reduced blood pressure is detected after exposure to a known allergen (69.7%) and misdiagnosis of anaphylaxis in patients with progressive urticaria with significant angioedema (65.9%). Nearly 100% identified epinephrine as the first-line treatment. Main failures of treatment were related to the position of the patient, the effect of medications in preventing a biphasic reaction, the recommended time to observe patients, and those related to the follow-up. No significant differences were found between attendings and residents. CONCLUSION: Even though the Spanish pediatric ED providers' knowledge of the management of anaphylaxis is good, certain improvement areas are identified in both the identification and the management of these patients.

Recomendaciones sobre la prevención de aspiraciones de cuerpos extraños / Recommendations for the prevention of foreign body aspiration

La aspiración de un cuerpo extraño sigue siendo un problema pediátrico frecuente, con graves consecuencias, pudiendo producir tanto patología aguda como crónica. Suele afectar a niños por debajo de los 5 años, normalmente en su domicilio, que aspiran por lo común alimentos o frutos secos. Esta circunstancia puede provocar una crisis de asfixia aguda, constituyendo una urgencia médica que requiere de un diagnóstico precoz y una actitud terapéutica urgente, ya que puede producir la muerte en unos minutos. En el presente artículo, el Comité de Seguridad y Prevención de Lesiones No Intencionadas en la Infancia de la Asociación Española de Pediatría proporciona una serie de recomendaciones, tanto educativas (en la alimentación y en el juego) como legales para prevenir este tipo de lesiones

The aspiration of a foreign body remains a common paediatric problem, with serious consequences that can produce both acute and chronic disease. Aspiration usually causes a medical emergency that requires a prompt diagnosis and an urgent therapeutic approach as it may result in the death of the child or severe brain injury. It typically involves organic foreign bodies (mainly food or nuts) aspirated by children under 5 years old, and usually at home. In this statement, the Committee on Safety and Prevention of Non-Intentional Injury in Childhood of the Spanish Paediatrics Association provides a series of recommendations, both educational (while eating and playing), as well as legal, to prevent such episodes)

[Recommendations for the prevention of foreign body aspiration]. / Recomendaciones sobre la prevención de aspiraciones de cuerpos extraños.

The aspiration of a foreign body remains a common paediatric problem, with serious consequences that can produce both acute and chronic disease. Aspiration usually causes a medical emergency that requires a prompt diagnosis and an urgent therapeutic approach as it may result in the death of the child or severe brain injury. It typically involves organic foreign bodies (mainly food or nuts) aspirated by children under 5 years old, and usually at home. In this statement, the Committee on Safety and Prevention of Non-Intentional Injury in Childhood of the Spanish Paediatrics Association provides a series of recommendations, both educational (while eating and playing), as well as legal, to prevent such episodes.

Mortality in Spanish pediatric emergency departments: a 5-year multicenter survey.

BACKGROUND: Analysis of the causes of death in children in the pediatric emergency department (ED) may aid the development of management and prevention practices. OBJECTIVE: To identify the causes of death in Spanish pediatric EDs and to analyze the management of these children in the prehospital and hospital settings. METHODS: This was a retrospective descriptive multicenter survey including all patients whose death was certified in 18 Spanish pediatric EDs between 2008 and 2013. RESULTS: During the study period, 3 542 426 episodes were registered in the EDs. Of these, 54 patients died (mortality rate: 1.5/100 000 visits). Data of 53 patients are analyzed (male 36, 67%, 31 younger than 2 years old and 43.3% nonpreviously healthy children). The main causes of death were related to their previous illnesses (24.5%), sudden infant death syndrome (20.7%), and traumatism (18.8%).Prehospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed in 31 patients, and exclusively by health workers in 19 patients. In 35 patients, the parents witnessed the event and seven began CPR.Thirty children were transferred to the pediatric EDs by medical transport (56.6%) and all of them received prehospital CPR (vs. one patient out of 23 arrived in a nonmedical transportation).In 37 patients, CPR was performed in the pediatric EDs. Overall, CPR lasted 40±23 min (range, 10-120 min). CPR was not performed in seven patients at any time. CONCLUSION: The main causes of death in Spanish pediatric EDs are related to previous illnesses, sudden infant death syndrome, and nonintentional lesions. Several actions have to be considered to improve the quality of care of these children in prehospital and emergency settings.