The outcomes of children with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome: proceedings from the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference.

OBJECTIVE: To provide additional details and evidence behind the recommendations for outcomes assessment of patients with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome from the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference. DESIGN: Consensus conference of experts in pediatric acute lung injury. METHODS: A panel of 27 experts met over the course of 2 years to develop a taxonomy to define pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome and to make recommendations regarding treatment and research priorities. The outcomes subgroup comprised four experts. When published data were lacking, a modified Delphi approach emphasizing strong professional agreement was used. RESULTS: The Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference experts developed and voted on a total of 151 recommendations addressing the topics related to pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome, seven of which related to outcomes after pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. All seven recommendations had strong agreement. Children with acute respiratory distress syndrome continue to have a high mortality, specifically, in relation to certain comorbidities and etiologies related to pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. Comorbid conditions, such as an immunocompromised state, increase the risk of mortality even further. Likewise, certain etiologies, such as non-pulmonary sepsis, also place children at a higher risk of mortality. Significant long-term effects were reported in adult survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome: diminished lung function and exercise tolerance, reduced quality of life, and diminished neurocognitive function. Little knowledge of long-term outcomes exists in children who survive pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. Characterization of the longer term consequences of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome in children is vital to help identify opportunities for improved therapeutic and rehabilitative strategies that will lessen the long-term burden of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome and improve the quality of life in children. CONCLUSIONS: The Consensus Conference developed pediatric-specific recommendations for pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome regarding outcome measures and future research priorities. These recommendations are intended to promote optimization and consistency of care for children with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome and identify areas of uncertainty requiring further investigation.

Mechanical ventilation strategies in children with acute lung injury: a survey on stated practice pattern*.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this survey was to determine North American and European pediatric intensivists' knowledge and stated practice in the management of children with acute respiratory distress syndrome with regard to mechanical ventilation settings; blood gas and SO2 targets; and use of adjunctive treatments at sites where actual practice had just been assessed. DESIGN AND SETTING: A survey using three case scenarios to assess mechanical ventilation strategies used in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome was sent out toward the end of data collection to all centers participating in the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Mechanical Ventilation study (59 PICUs in 12 countries). For each case scenario, intensivists were asked to report the optimal mechanical ventilation parameters; blood gas and SO2 acceptable targets; and threshold for considering high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, and other adjunctive treatments. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-four pediatric intensivists, representing 47 centers from 11 countries. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Many pediatric intensivists reported using a tidal volume of 5-8 mL/kg (88-96%) and none reported using a tidal volume above 10 mL/kg. On average, the upper threshold of positive inspiratory pressure at which intensivists would consider another ventilation mode was 35 cm H2O. Permissive hypercapnia and mild hypoxemia (SO2 as low as 88%) was considered tolerable by many pediatric intensivists. Finally, a large proportion of pediatric intensivists reported they would use adjunctive treatments (nitric oxide, prone position, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, surfactant, steroids, ß-agonists) if the patient's condition worsened. CONCLUSIONS: Although in theory, many pediatric intensivists agreed with adult recommendations to ventilate with lower tidal volumes and pressure limits, the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Mechanical Ventilation data revealed that over 25% of pediatric patients with acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome at many of these practice sites were ventilated with tidal volumes above 10 mL/kg and that high positive inspiratory pressure levels (> 35 mm Hg) were often tolerated.

Management of children with sepsis and septic shock: a survey among pediatric intensivists of the Réseau Mère-Enfant de la Francophonie.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric sepsis represents an important cause of mortality in pediatric intensive care units (PICU). Although adherence to published guidelines for the management of severe sepsis patients is known to lower mortality, actual adherence to these recommendations is low. The aim of this study was to describe the initial management of pediatric patients with severe sepsis, as well as to describe the main barriers to the adherence to current guidelines on management of these patients. METHODS: A survey using a case scenario to assess the management of a child with severe sepsis was designed and sent out to all PICU medical directors of the 20 institutions member of the "Réseau Mère- Enfant de la Francophonie". Participants were asked to describe in detail the usual management of these patients in their institution with regard to investigations, fluid and catecholamine management, intubation, and specific treatments. Participants were also asked to identify the main barriers to the application of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines in their center. RESULTS: Twelve PICU medical directors answered the survey. Only two elements of the severe sepsis bundles had a low stated compliance rate: "maintain adequate central venous pressure" and "glycemic control" had a stated compliance of 8% and 25% respectively. All other elements of the bundles had a reported compliance of over 90%. Furthermore, the most important barriers to the adherence to Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines were the unavailability of continuous central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) monitoring and the absence of a locally written protocol. CONCLUSIONS: In this survey, pediatric intensivists reported high adherence to the current recommendations in the management of pediatric severe sepsis regarding antibiotic administration, rapid fluid resuscitation, and administration of catecholamines and steroids, if needed. Technical difficulties in obtaining continuous ScvO2 monitoring and absence of a locally written protocol were the main barriers to the uniform application of current guidelines. We believe that the development of locally written protocols and of specialized teams could add to the achievement of the goal that every child in sepsis should be treated according to the latest evidence to heighten his chances of survival.

Acute lung injury in children: therapeutic practice and feasibility of international clinical trials.

OBJECTIVES: To describe mechanical ventilation strategies in acute lung injury and to estimate the number of eligible patients for clinical trials on mechanical ventilation management. In contrast to adult medicine, there are few clinical trials to guide mechanical ventilation management in children with acute lung injury. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study for six 24-hr periods from June to November 2007. SETTING: Fifty-nine pediatric intensive care units in 12 countries in North America and Europe. PATIENTS: We identified children meeting acute lung injury criteria and collected detailed information on illness severity, mechanical ventilatory support, and use of adjunctive therapies. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 3823 patients screened, 414 (10.8%) were diagnosed with acute lung injury by their treating physician, but only 165 (4.3%) patients met prestablished inclusion/exclusion criteria to this trial and, therefore, would have been eligible for a clinical trial. Of these, 124 (75.2%) received conventional mechanical ventilation, 27 (16.4%) received high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, and 14 (8.5%) received noninvasive mechanical ventilation. In the conventional mechanical ventilation group, 43.5% were ventilated in a pressure control mode with a mean tidal volume of 8.3 ± 3.3 mL/kg; and there was no clear relationship between positive end-expiratory pressure and Fio2 delivery in the conventional mechanical ventilation group. Use of adjunctive treatments, including nitric oxide, prone positioning, surfactant, hemofiltration, recruitment maneuvers, steroids, bronchodilators, and fluid restriction, was highly variable. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals inconsistent mechanical ventilation practice and use of adjunctive therapies in children with acute lung injury. Pediatric clinical trials assessing mechanical ventilation management are needed to generate evidence to optimize outcomes. We estimate that a large number of centers (∼60) are needed to conduct such trials; it is imperative, therefore, to bring about international collaboration.

Critical illness in children with influenza A/pH1N1 2009 infection in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: To describe characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of critically ill children with influenza A/pandemic influenza A virus (pH1N1) infection in Canada. DESIGN: An observational study of critically ill children with influenza A/pH1N1 infection in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). SETTING: Nine Canadian PICUs. PATIENTS: A total of 57 patients admitted to PICUs between April 16, 2009 and August 15, 2009. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Characteristics of critically ill children with influenza A/pH1N1 infection were recorded. Confirmed intensive care unit cases were compared with a national surveillance database containing all hospitalized pediatric patients with influenza A/pH1N1 infection. Risk factors were assessed with a Cox proportional hazard model. The PICU cohort and national surveillance data were compared, using chi-square tests. Fifty-seven children were admitted to the PICU for community-acquired influenza A/pH1N1 infection. One or more chronic comorbid illnesses were observed in 70.2% of patients, and 24.6% of patients were aboriginal. Mechanical ventilation was used in 68% of children, 20 children (35.1%) had acute lung injury on the first day of admission, and the median duration of ventilation was 6 days (range, 0-67 days). The PICU mortality rate was 7% (4 of 57 patients). When compared with nonintensive care unit hospitalized children, PICU children were more likely to have a chronic medical condition (relative risk, 1.73); aboriginal ethnicity was not a risk factor of intensive care unit admission. CONCLUSIONS: During the first outbreak of influenza A/pH1N1 infection, when the population was naïve to this novel virus, severe illness was common among children with underlying chronic conditions and aboriginal children. Influenza A/pH1N1-related critical illness in children was associated with severe hypoxemic respiratory failure and prolonged mechanical ventilation. However, this higher rate and severity of respiratory illness did not result in an increased mortality when compared with seasonal influenza.

The spectrum of seat belt syndrome among Canadian children: Results of a two-year population surveillance study.

BACKGROUND: Seat belts have been proven to save lives. However, if they are not properly fitted, 'seat belt syndrome' can occur. The aim of the present study was to describe injuries encountered in Canadian children with seat belt-associated injuries. METHODS: Canadian paediatricians and paediatric subspecialists were surveyed monthly through the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program. Children younger than 18 years of age who were restrained in motor vehicles at the time of a collision, with abdominal or thoracolumbar spine injuries, were included. The children may have been restrained in child safety seats, booster seats, or two- or three-point seat belts. RESULTS: Twenty-eight children, between two and 16 years of age, with injuries compatible with seat belt syndrome were reported in Canada between September 2003 and August 2005. Although 12 children were younger than eight years of age, only one was restrained in a booster seat and only four of the older children were properly restrained with a three-point seat belt. Twenty-four children had abdominal injuries. Of these, 18 had stomach and/or intestinal injuries and 11 had solid organ injuries. Twelve patients had a spinal fracture, including only five Chance-type fractures. Seven patients presented with paraplegia, and none of them recovered. CONCLUSION: In Canada, over a two-year period, 28 children were reported to have sustained injuries consistent with seat belt syndrome; seven of these children remained paraplegic. These results emphasize the necessity to review restraints in motor vehicles to adequately protect children.

Spirometric pulmonary function in 3- to 5-year-old children.

Forced expiratory maneuvers are routinely used in children, 6 years of age and older for the diagnosis and follow-up of respiratory diseases. Our objective was to establish normative data for an extensive number of parameters measured during forced spirometry in healthy 3- to 5-year-old children. Children aged between 3 and 5 years were tested in 11 daycare centers. Usual parameters, including FEV1, FVC, PEF, FEF(25-75), FEF25, FEF50, FEF75, and Aex were measured and analyzed in relation to sex, age, height, and weight. In addition, the same analysis was performed for FEV0.5 and FEV0.75. One hundred sixty-four children were recruited for testing including 87 girls and 77 boys. Thirty-five were 3 years old, 63 were 4 years old, and 66 were 5 years old. Overall, 143 children (87%) accepted to perform the test and 128 children (78%) were able to perform at least two technically acceptable expiratory maneuvers. Analyses using different regression models showed that height was the best predictor for every parameter. In conclusion, the present study confirms that most healthy 3-5 years old children can perform valid forced expiratory maneuvers. In agreement with other studies, we found that height is the most important single predictor of various parameters measured on forced spirometry. The present study is the first to establish normative values for FEV0.75, as well as to demonstrate that Aex can be easily performed in the majority of children aged 3-5 years. These are likely important parameters of lung function in this age range.

Acceptable respiratory physiologic limits for children during weaning from mechanical ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this survey was to characterize the physiological limits considered appropriate during weaning from mechanical ventilation in children. DESIGN: Two hundred twenty-two (222) intensivists from 63 pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) were asked to provide the limits they considered acceptable for respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (V(T)) and end-tidal CO(2) (PetCO(2)) during weaning from mechanical ventilation of a 3-month-old, a 2-year-old and a 10-year-old patient. SETTING: Pediatric intensivists working in Canada, France, Switzerland and Belgium. PATIENTS: None. INTERVENTIONS: None. RESULTS: Ninety-seven intensivists (43%) from 49 PICUs responded to the survey. The median minimal RR (25th;75th percentile) was: 20 breaths per minute (bpm) (15;25) for the 3-month-old, 15 bpm (10;15) for the 2-year-old and 10 bpm (10;15) for the 10-year-old patient. The median maximal RR was 50 bpm (40;60) for the 3-month-old, 40 bpm (30;40) for the 2-year-old and 30 bpm (30;40) for the 10-year-old child. The median minimal V(T) was 5 ml/kg (4;6) for the 3-month-old and 2-year-old patients and 5 ml/kg (5;6) for the 10-year-old. The median maximal PetCO(2) was 55 mmHg (50;60) for the 3-month-old, 50 mmHg (45;50) for the 2-year-old and 50 mmHg (50;55) for the 10-year-old. CONCLUSION: This survey indicated that acceptable weaning limits are broad, as stated by the responders. We need to organize and consolidate our thinking on weaning children from mechanical ventilation before guidelines can be established.

Seat-belt injuries in children involved in motor vehicle crashes.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of seat belts in reducing deaths from motor vehicle crashes is well documented. A unique association of injuries has emerged in adults and children with the use of seat belts. The "seat-belt syndrome" refers to the spectrum of injuries associated with lap-belt restraints, particularly flexion-distraction injuries to the spine (Chance fractures). METHODS: We describe the injuries sustained by 8 children, including 2 sets of twins, in 3 different motor vehicle crashes. RESULTS: All children were rear seat passengers wearing lap or 3-point restraints. All had abdominal lap-belt ecchymosis and multiple abdominal injuries due to the common mechanism of seat-belt compression with hyperflexion and distraction during deceleration. Five of the children had lumbar spine fractures and 4 remained permanently paraplegic. CONCLUSIONS: These incidents illustrate the need for acute awareness of the complete spectrum of intra-abdominal and spinal injuries in restrained pediatric passengers in motor vehicle crashes and for rear seat restraints that include shoulder belts with the ability to adjust them to fit smaller passengers, including older children.