Salivary epidermal growth factor correlates with hospitalization length in rotavirus infection.

BACKGROUND: The IFI27 interferon gene expression has been found to be largely increased in rotavirus (RV)-infected patients. IFI27 gene encodes for a protein of unknown function, very recently linked to epidermal proliferation and related to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) protein. The EGF is a low-molecular-weight polypeptide that is mainly produced by submandibular and parotid glands, and it plays an important physiological role in the maintenance of oro-esophageal and gastric tissue integrity. Our aim was to determine salivary EGF levels in RV-infected patients in order to establish its potential relationship with IFI27 increased expression and EGF-mediated mucosal protection in RV infection. METHODS: We conducted a prospective comparative study using saliva samples from 27 infants infected with RV (sampled at recruitment during hospital admission and at convalescence, i.e. at least 3 months after recovery) and from 36 healthy control children. RESULTS: Median (SD) EGF salivary concentration was 777 (529) pg/ml in RV-infected group at acute phase and 356 (242) pg/m at convalescence, while it was 337 (119) pg/ml in the healthy control group. A significant association was found between EGF levels and hospitalization length of stay (P-value = 0.022; r2 = -0.63). CONCLUSIONS: The salivary levels of EGF are significantly increased during the acute phase of natural RV infection, and relate to length of hospitalization. Further assessment of this non-invasive biomarker in RV disease is warranted.

Ventilación domiciliaria invasiva. La perspectiva de los padres / Domiciliary invasive mechanical ventilation: the parents’ perspective

No disponible

[Long-term consequences of pediatric trauma requiring intensive care]. / Consecuencias a largo plazo de los traumatismos pediátricos que precisaron cuidados intensivos.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma is a major cause of pediatric morbidity. The aim of the present study was to determine the long-term effects of severe trauma in children and their families. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed an observational, cross sectional study of 209 children admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit due to trauma between 1999 and 2003. Family members and/or children were interviewed at least 2 years after the event. Functional situation was assessed by means of the Pediatric Overall Performance Category (POPC) scale and neurological status by means of the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC) scale. Subjective perception of quality of life was also evaluated. RESULTS: At assessment, patient age was 13+/-4 years. The causes of trauma were traffic accidents (42.6%), falls (30.1%), bicycle accidents (15.3%) and other causes (12%). The trauma affected the brain and cranium in 78.9%, skeleton in 20.2%, abdomen in 16.3% and other body regions in 15.3% of the patients. At assessment, 1.5 % of the patients were in a persistent vegetative state, 0.5% had severe disability, and 1% had moderate disability. A total of 9.5% had some type of persistent psychological disorder and 3.8 % needed some kind of help to perform daily activities. The median (range) score for self-estimated quality of life by the family was 3 (0-6) for the group of children with moderate or severe disability, while 12.9% of parents reported serious alterations of family dynamics related to the trauma event. CONCLUSIONS: Most children who survive after severe trauma achieve a good functional situation in the long term. Although the number of children with severe sequelae is small, these children have serious difficulties in achieving normal social adaptation and their quality of life is clearly impaired.

Actitud práctica diagnóstica y terapéutica ante la bronquiolitis aguda del lactante en Galicia (estudio Bronquio-Gal) / A practice approach to the diagnosis and treatment of infants with acute bronchiolitis in Galicia, Spain (Bronquio-Gal study)

Introducción: El diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la bronquiolitis aguda son controvertidos. Pretendemos conocer las actitudes prácticas diagnóstico-terapéuticas de los pediatras de Galicia en el contexto de la bronquiolitis aguda y analizar la influencia que puedan tener en la respuesta factures profesionales, como la base formativa, la experiencia práctica y el entorno laboral. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional transversal mediante encuesta postal que incluía un supuesto clínico de bronquiolitis aguda y 40 cuestiones relacionadas. La encuesta se envió a los pediatras miembros de la Sociedad de Pediatría de Galicia en mayo de 2004. Resultados: Untotoal de 103 encuestas fueron devueltas debidamente cumplimentadas. La mita de los participantes (50,5%) tenía una edad superior a los 45 años. El 87% eran pediatras especialistas y el 13% médicos residentes. El 58% de los facultativos desarrollaban su trabajo habitual en el ámbito de la atención primaria. En la mayoría de los casos, la actitud diagnóstica se adecuó a las recomendaciones vigentes, destacando la aplicación de escalas clínicas y la pulsiocimetría. Por el contrario, se indicaron tratamientos farmacológicos con más frecuencia de la recomendable, y algunos fármacos, como broncodilatadores o los corticoides, se empleban de forma casi generalizada. La experiencia práctica no tuvo influencia en las respuestas. El uso de pruebas de detección rápida del virus respiratorio sincitial fue más frecuente entre los médicos residentes (p<0.001). Los pediatras hospitalarios aplicaron con más frecuencia todas las exploraciones complementarias encuestadas (p<0,001), con la excepción de las escalas de valoración clínica, empleadas por igual en ambos grupos. En el ámbito hospitalario se indicaron con más frecuencia la oxigenoterapia y los broncodilatadores y, en particular, la adrenalina (p<0,001). Conclusiones: Hay grandes discrepancias entre la práctica habitual y las evidencias que la justifican. La realización de una conferencia de consenso nacional sobre el tratamientro de la bronquiolitis aguda podría ayudar a mejorar la atención a estos pacientes y racionalizar el consumo de recursos

Introduction: The diagnosis and treatment of acute bronchiolitis are controversial issues. We proposed to assess the practice patterns of pediatricians in Galicia (Northwest Spain) in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, and to analyze the influence on the response of professional factors such as medical training, practical experience, and work setting. Material and methods: A total of 103 correctly completed surveys were returned. Half of the responders (50,5%) were over 45 years of age. Eighty-seven percent of them were pediatricians and 13% were pediatric residents. In all, 58% of the physicians worked, in the primary care setting. In most cases, the diagnostic approach followed the current international recommendations, with an especially widespread use of clinical scales and pulse oximetry. In contrast, pharmacological therapies were prescribed more frequently than is recommended,a nd the use of drugs such as bronchodilators or corticosteroids was nearly genralized. Practical experience did not influence the responses. Respiratory syncytial virus detection assays were more frequently indicated by medical residens (p<0.001). All the complementary tests included in the survey were requested more frequently by in-hospital pediatricians than by primary care pediatricians (p<0,001) , with the exception of clinical scales, which were employed to a similar extent in both groups. Oxygen therapy, bronchodilator therapy and, in particular, epinephrine were indicated more frequently in the hospital setting (p<0,001). Conclusions: There are considerable discrepancies between routine practice and the evidence justifying it. A national consensus conference on the management of acute bronchiolitis could help to improve patient care and to rationalize the use of resources

Consecuencias a largo plazo de los traumatismos pediátricos que precisaron cuidados intensivos / Long-term consequences of pediatric trauma requiring intensive care

Introducción Los traumatismos causan una gran morbilidad pediátrica. El presente estudio pretende estimar la repercusión a largo plazo de los traumatismos graves sobre el niño y su familia. Pacientes y métodos Estudio observacional y transversal que incluyó a 209 niños ingresados en nuestra unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos entre 1999 y 2003 por traumatismos. Al menos 2 años después, los familiares y/o los pacientes fueron entrevistados, evaluándose su situación funcional y neurológica con las escalas Pediatric Overall Performance Category (POPC) y Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC), así como la percepción de calidad de vida. Resultados Los pacientes tenían 13 ± 4 años cuando fueron estudiados. Las causas del traumatismo fueron por accidentes de tráfico (42,6 %), caídas (30,1 %), accidentes de bicicleta (15,3 %) y otros (12 %). La localización fue craneoencefálica (78,9 %), esquelética (20,2 %), abdominal (16,3 %) y otra (15,3 %). En la evaluación, 1,5 % de los pacientes estaban en estado vegetativo persistente, 0,5 % tenían discapacidad grave y 1 % discapacidad moderada. El 9,5 % presentaba alguna alteración psicológica persistente y el 3,8 % precisaba ayuda para realizar sus actividades diarias. La mediana (rango) de la estimación de la calidad de vida por la familia fue de 3 (0-6) en los casos con discapacidad moderada o grave. El 12,9 % de los padres refirieron una alteración seria de la dinámica familiar en relación con el episodio traumático. Conclusiones La mayoría de los niños que sobreviven a un traumatismo grave mantienen una buena situación funcional a largo plazo. Aunque son pocos los pacientes con secuelas importantes, dichos niños sufren serias dificultades para su adaptación social y ven mermada su calidad de vida

Introduction Trauma is a major cause of pediatric morbidity. The aim of the present study was to determine the long-term effects of severe trauma in children and their families. Patients and methods We performed an observational, cross sectional study of 209 children admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit due to trauma between 1999 and 2003. Family members and/or children were interviewed at least 2 years after the event. Functional situation was assessed by means of the Pediatric Overall Performance Category (POPC) scale and neurological status by means of the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC) scale. Subjective perception of quality of life was also evaluated. Results At assessment, patient age was 13 ± 4 years. The causes of trauma were traffic accidents (42.6 %), falls (30.1 %), bicycle accidents (15.3 %) and other causes (12 %). The trauma affected the brain and cranium in 78.9 %, skeleton in 20.2 %, abdomen in 16.3 % and other body regions in 15.3 % of the patients. At assessment, 1.5 % of the patients were in a persistent vegetative state, 0.5 % had severe disability, and 1 % had moderate disability. A total of 9.5 % had some type of persistent psychological disorder and 3.8 % needed some kind of help to perform daily activities. The median (range) score for self-estimated quality of life by the family was 3 (0-6) for the group of children with moderate or severe disability, while 12.9 % of parents reported serious alterations of family dynamics related to the trauma event. Conclusions Most children who survive after severe trauma achieve a good functional situation in the long term. Although the number of children with severe sequelae is small, these children have serious difficulties in achieving normal social adaptation and their quality of life is clearly impaired