Epidemiological study of pediatric severe sepsis in Argentina. / Estudio epidemiológico de sepsis grave pediátrica en la República Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: Severe sepsis (SS) is one of the leading causes of pediatric mortality in Argentina. The objective was to describe the epidemiological characteristics and to analyze risk factors associated with mortality from SS among patients hospitalized in pediatric intensive care units (PICU) in Argentina. POPULATION AND METHODS: Observational, prospective cohort study among patients with SS hospitalized in PICUs in Argentina from 8/1/2008 to 9/30/2008. RESULTS: Two thousand five hundred and fifty nine patients were admitted at 59 PICUs. A total of 315 patients (335 events) were included. Patients' median age was 8 months (1-182). The frequency was 13.8 %, and 28-day mortality was 31.6 %. Patients with a higher mortality were those who were coming from rural areas, had comorbidities at the time of admission or a history of cancer, had shock or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), were administered low-dose corticosteroids or vasoactive drugs or more than 60 ml/kg of fluid in the first hour and in the first 6hours, and had severe malnutrition. Following adjustment by severity using a multivariate logistic regression model, only coming from a rural area, having shock or ARDS remained associated with 28-day mortality. Forty per cent of patients received antibiotics 60 minutes after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: SS is an event with a high frequency and mortality in Argentina. In the severity adjusted multivariate analysis, only coming from a rural area, having ARDS and/or shock were associated with higher mortality.

Introducción. La sepsis grave (SG) es una de las principales causas de mortalidad pediátrica en Argentina. El objetivo fue describir las características epidemiológicas y analizar los factores asociados a la mortalidad de la SG en pacientes internados en unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP) de Argentina. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio observacional, de cohorte prospectiva en pacientes con SG internados en UCIP de Argentina del 1/8/2008 al 30/9/2008. Resultados. En 59 UCIP, ingresaron 2559 pacientes. Se incluyeron 315 pacientes, que tuvieron 335 eventos. La mediana de edad fue 8 meses (1-182). La frecuencia fue del 13,8 % y la mortalidad a los 28 días, del 31,6 %. Tuvieron mayor mortalidad quienes procedían del ámbito rural, presentaban una comorbilidad al ingresar o antecedentes oncológicos, tenían shock o síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA), recibieron corticoides en bajas dosis o drogas vasoactivas o más de 60 ml/kg de fluidos en la primera hora y en las 6 primeras horas, y los desnutridos graves. Al ajustarse por gravedad en un modelo de regresión logística multivariado, solo mantuvieron la asociación con mortalidad a los 28 días el provenir del ámbito rural, tener shock o SDRA. El 40 % de los pacientes recibieron antibióticos después de los 60 minutos del diagnóstico. Conclusiones. La SG es un evento de elevada frecuencia y mortalidad en Argentina. En el análisis multivariado ajustado por gravedad, solo provenir del área rural, la presencia de SDRA y/o de shock se asociaron a mayor mortalidad.

Intensive care treatments associated with favorable discharge outcomes in Argentine children with severe traumatic brain injury: For the South American Guideline Adherence Group.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the critical care management of children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in low middle income countries. We aimed to identify indicators of intensive care unit (ICU) treatments associated with favorable outcomes in Argentine children with severe TBI. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from patients previously enrolled in a prospective seven center study of children with severe TBI who were admitted to an ICU in one of the seven study centers. Severe TBI was defined by head AIS ≥ 3, head CT with traumatic lesion, and admission GCS < 9. Seven indicators of best practice TBI care were examined. The primary outcome was discharge Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category Scale [PCPC] and Pediatric Overall Performance category Scale [POPC]. We also examined variation in ICU care and in-patient mortality. RESULTS: Of the 117 children, 67% were male and 7.5 (4.3) years on average, 92% had isolated TBI. Hypotension (54%) was more common than hypoxia (28%) and clinical or radiographic signs of high intracranial pressure (ICP) were observed in 92%. Yet, ICP monitoring occurred in 60% and hyperosmolar therapy was used in only 36%. Adherence to indicators of best TBI practice ranged from 55.6% to 83.7% across the seven centers and adherence was associated with favorable discharge PCPC (aRR 0.98; 95% CI [0.96, 0.99]), and POPC (aRR 0.98; 95% CI [0.96, 0.99]). Compared to patients whose adherence rates were below 65%, patients whose adherence rates were higher between 75%-100% had better discharge PCPC (aRR 0.28; 95% CI [0.10, 0.83]) and POPC (aRR 0.32; 95% CI [0.15, 0.73]. Two indicators were associated with favorable discharge PCPC: Avoidance of hypoxia (aRR 0.46; 95% CI [0.23, 0.93]), and Nutrition started in 72 hours (aRR 0.45; 95% CI [0.21, 0.99]). Avoiding hypoxia was also associated with favorable discharge POPC (aRR 0.47; 95% CI [0.22, 0.99]). CONCLUSION: There is variation in Argentine ICU practice in the care of children with severe TBI. Second insults are common and hyperosmolar therapy use is uncommon. Adherence to best practice TBI care by avoiding hypoxia and providing timely nutrition were associated with significantly favorable discharge outcomes. Implementing strategies that prevent hypoxia and facilitate early nutrition in the ICUs are urgently needed to improve pediatric TBI outcomes.

Benchmarking Prehospital and Emergency Department Care for Argentine Children with Traumatic Brain Injury: For the South American Guideline Adherence Group.

OBJECTIVE: There is little information on the type of early care provided to children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in low middle income countries. We benchmarked early prehospital [PH] and emergency department [ED] pediatric TBI care in Argentina. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from patients previously enrolled in a prospective seven center study of children with TBI. Eligible participants were patients 0-18 years, and had diagnosis of TBI (admission Glasgow Coma scale score [GCS] < 13 or with GCS 14-15 and abnormal head CT scan within 48 hours of admission, and head AIS > 0). Outcomes were transport type, transport time, PH and ED adherence to best practice, and discharge Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category Scale (PCPC) and Pediatric Overall Performance category Scale (POPC). RESULTS: Of the 366 children, mean age was 8.7 (5.0) years, 58% were male, 90% had isolated TBI and 45.4% were transported by private vehicle. 50 (34.7%) of the 144 children with severe TBI (39.3% of all TBI patients) were transported by private vehicle. Most (267; 73%) patients received initial TBI care at an index hospital prior to study center admission, including children with severe (81.9%) TBI. Transport times were shorter for those patients who were directly transported by ambulance to study center than for the whole cohort (1.4 vs.5.5 hours). Ambulance blood pressure data were recorded in 30.9%. ED guideline adherence rate was higher than PH guideline adherence rate (84.8% vs. 26.4%). For patients directly transferred from scene to study trauma centers, longer transport time was associated with worse discharge outcome (PCPC aOR 1.10 [1.04, 1.18] and (POPC aOR 1.10 [1.04, 1.18]). There was no relationship between PH or ED TBI guideline adherence rate and discharge POPC and PCPC. CONCLUSION: This study benchmarks early pediatric TBI care in Argentina and shows that many critically injured children with TBI do not receive timely or best practice PH care, that PH guideline adherence rate is low and that longer transport time was associated with poor discharge outcomes for patients with direct transfer status. There is an urgent need to improve the early care of children with TBI in Argentina, especially timely transportation to a hospital.

Postdischarge Care of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury in Argentina: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To develop, in partnership with families of children with traumatic brain injury, a postdischarge intervention that is effective, simple, and sustainable. DESIGN: Randomized Controlled Trial. SETTING: Seven Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Centers in Argentina. PATIENTS: Persons less than 19 years of age admitted to one of the study hospitals with a diagnosis of severe, moderate, or complicated mild traumatic brain injury and were discharged alive. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention or standard care group. A specially trained Community Resource Coordinator was assigned to each family in the intervention group. We hypothesized that children with severe, moderate, and complicated mild traumatic brain injury who received the intervention would have significantly better functional outcomes at 6 months post discharge than those who received standard care. We further hypothesized that there would be a direct correlation between patient outcome and measures of family function. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome measure was a composite measured at 6 months post injury. There were 308 patients included in the study (61% men). Forty-four percent sustained a complicated mild traumatic brain injury, 18% moderate, and 38% severe. Sixty-five percent of the patients were 8 years old or younger, and over 70% were transported to the hospital without ambulance assistance. There was no significant difference between groups on the primary outcome measure. There was a statistically significant correlation between the primary outcome measure and the scores on the Family Impact Module of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (ρ = 0.57; p < 0.0001). Children with better outcomes lived with families reporting better function at 6 months post injury. CONCLUSIONS: Although no significant effect of the intervention was demonstrated, this study represents the first conducted in Latin America that documents the complete course of treatment for pediatric patients with traumatic brain injury spanning hospital transport through hospital care and into the postdischarge setting.

[Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in nine pediatric intensive care units of the Argentine Republic]. / Estudio colaborativo multicéntrico sobre reanimación cardiopulmonar en nueve unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos de la República Argentina: A multicentric study.

INTRODUCTION: The cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a common setting in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). There are very few reports or publications that evaluate the form of CPR administered in children. OBJECTIVES: 1) Identify the etiology and epidemiology of the CPR in the PICU. 2) Describe how to conduct CPR. 3) Describe the drugs used. 4) Knowing the patient outcomes. 5) Knowing CPR training of physicians in the PICU. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All children with cardiopulmonary arrest who were resuscitated in the PICU between 01/04/2004- 31/03/2005. A prospective cohort study. RESULTS: There were 2065 admissions in nine 9 PICU and CPR was conducted in 132 patients (6.39%). Most common etiologies of PCR were hypoxia and hypotension (65.9% of total). The initial rates of PCR were 43.94% bradycardia, asystolia 43.18%, 9.85% ventricular arrhythmias. The average beginning of time of CPR was 0.08 minutes (SD 0.25) and the average total duration was 25.91 minutes (SD 18.56). Patients who require drugs were 131. The number (mean) dose of adrenaline was 4.03 (SD 2.78). Increased number of doses of adrenaline was associated with less chance of recovery of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), OR 0.48 95% CI 0.37-0.63. (p= 0.000). The duration of CPR was inversely associated and significantly related to achieve ROSC, OR 0.93 95% CI 0.87-0.99. One hundred and four (78.79%) patients died and 28 survived. All survived were discharged from PICU, but 26 from hospital. In 22 patients there were not evidence of severe neurological damage when discharged home. CONCLUSIONS: Most common etiologies of PCR were hypoxia and shock. Most children received drugs. The drugs most used were the association adrenaline-bicarbonate and adrenaline alone. The chances of recovery were not favorable when CPR was conducted for over sixty minutes or more than six doses of adrenaline were given, without response. CPR in PICU children has a high mortality. Most patients discharged from hospital, had neurological normal state or slight disability. PICU physicians were highly trained in CPR with resuscitation courses.

Estudio colaborativo multicéntrico sobrereanimación cardiopulmonar en nueveunidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos de la República Argentina / Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in nine pediatric intensive care units of the Argentine Republic: a multicentric study

La reanimación cardiopulmonar(RCP) es una práctica común en las unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP), pero poco evaluada.Objetivos. 1) Identificar etiología y epidemiología del paro cardiorrespiratorio (PCR) en UCIP.2) Describir la forma de realización de la RCP.3) Describir los fármacos utilizados. 4) Conocer la evolución de los pacientes. 5) Conocer la formación en RCP de los médicos de las UCIP. Pacientes y métodos. Pacientes internados entre 01/04/2004-31/03/2005 que presentaron PCR. Estudio descriptivo, prospectivo.Resultados. En 9 UCIP, hubo 2065 admisiones y 132 PCR (6,39 por ciento). Las etiologías más frecuentes del PCR fueron hipoxia e hipotensión arterial (65,9 por ciento del total). Los ritmos iniciales del PCR fueron: bradicardia 43,94 por ciento, asistolia 43,18 por ciento, arritmias ventriculares 9,85 por ciento.Requirieron fármacos 131 pacientes; el número (media) de dosis de adrenalina fue 4,03. El mayor número de dosis de adrenalina se asoció con una menor posibilidad de recuperación de circulación espontánea (ROSC, por su sigla en inglés). La duración de la RCP se asoció en forma inversa y ignificativa con el hecho de lograr la ROSC. Fallecieron 104 pacientes (78,79 por ciento), sobrevivieron 28. Todos egresaron de UCIP y 26 del hospital; 22 egresaron con estado neurológico normal o incapacidad ligera. Conclusiones. Las etiologías más frecuentes del PCR fueron hipoxia y shock. La mayoría de los niños recibieron fármacos. Los compuestos más utilizados fueron la asociación adrenalina-bicarbonato y adrenalina sola. Las posibilidades de recuperación fueron escasas cuando se administróRCP durante más de sesenta minutos omás de seis dosis de adrenalina. La mortalidad fue elevada. La mayoría de los pacientes que egresaron del hospital tenían estado neurológico normal o incapacidad ligera. Los médicos delas UCIP tenían alto nivel de capacitación con cursos de reanimación.(AU)

Estudio colaborativo multicéntrico sobrereanimación cardiopulmonar en nueveunidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos de la República Argentina / Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in nine pediatric intensive care units of the Argentine Republic: a multicentric study

La reanimación cardiopulmonar(RCP) es una práctica común en las unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP), pero poco evaluada.Objetivos. 1) Identificar etiología y epidemiología del paro cardiorrespiratorio (PCR) en UCIP.2) Describir la forma de realización de la RCP.3) Describir los fármacos utilizados. 4) Conocer la evolución de los pacientes. 5) Conocer la formación en RCP de los médicos de las UCIP. Pacientes y métodos. Pacientes internados entre 01/04/2004-31/03/2005 que presentaron PCR. Estudio descriptivo, prospectivo.Resultados. En 9 UCIP, hubo 2065 admisiones y 132 PCR (6,39 por ciento). Las etiologías más frecuentes del PCR fueron hipoxia e hipotensión arterial (65,9 por ciento del total). Los ritmos iniciales del PCR fueron: bradicardia 43,94 por ciento, asistolia 43,18 por ciento, arritmias ventriculares 9,85 por ciento.Requirieron fármacos 131 pacientes; el número (media) de dosis de adrenalina fue 4,03. El mayor número de dosis de adrenalina se asoció con una menor posibilidad de recuperación de circulación espontánea (ROSC, por su sigla en inglés). La duración de la RCP se asoció en forma inversa y ignificativa con el hecho de lograr la ROSC. Fallecieron 104 pacientes (78,79 por ciento), sobrevivieron 28. Todos egresaron de UCIP y 26 del hospital; 22 egresaron con estado neurológico normal o incapacidad ligera. Conclusiones. Las etiologías más frecuentes del PCR fueron hipoxia y shock. La mayoría de los niños recibieron fármacos. Los compuestos más utilizados fueron la asociación adrenalina-bicarbonato y adrenalina sola. Las posibilidades de recuperación fueron escasas cuando se administróRCP durante más de sesenta minutos omás de seis dosis de adrenalina. La mortalidad fue elevada. La mayoría de los pacientes que egresaron del hospital tenían estado neurológico normal o incapacidad ligera. Los médicos delas UCIP tenían alto nivel de capacitación con cursos de reanimación.