Medications used in paediatric intensive care by continuous infusion: Do the technical aspects of the package inserts corroborate scientific evidence?

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Hospitalized paediatric patients are three times more likely to experience medication errors with the potential to cause harm, when they are compared to adults. The lack of research in paediatrics, difficulties that are derived as indications and the parameters of safety and effectiveness of pharmacological therapy in children. To analyse whether the technical and legal aspects of the package insert for medicines used in paediatric intensive care units (ICU) using a continuous infusion (CI) pump corroborate the recommendations of clinical protocols and legal provisions. METHODS: A documentary study, in which technical and legal information contained in the package inserts of medications commonly used via CI in neopediatric ICUs was analysed. The consultation of the medication package insert was carried out through the electronic portal of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária - ANVISA). Information on the use of medications in the neonatal and paediatric populations via CI was sought in the medication package insert. To analyse the legal aspects, ANVISA's RDC no. 47/2009 was used. In order to compare the technical information, the Micromedex NeoFax®, Micromedex Paediatrics®, and Lexicomp® databases were consulted. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Of the 13 medications analysed, 46% (n = 6) had some non-compliance with RDC 47/2009. Only 46% (n = 6) of the medications are indicated for paediatric use and only the medication package insert for midazolam (7.7%) contained the information considered essential for use via CI in paediatrics. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: This is an innovative study that identifies the weaknesses of the medication package inserts for medications used by CI in paediatric ICUs. Failure to comply with legal recommendations can make medication administration difficult and increase the probability that errors will occur; and the absence of specific technical information can make care difficult and compromise patient safety. It is important that there is supervision by regulatory agencies and the contribution of health professionals so that non-conformities are reported and corrected, to guarantee safe care for paediatric patients in intensive care.

Enfisema pulmonar congênito: relato de caso / Congenital pulmonary enphysema: case report

Introdução: O enfisema pulmonar congênito (EPC) é uma doença rara, possuindo uma incidência de 1:20-30 mil nascimentos, é mais comum no sexo masculino do que no feminino, em uma razão de 3:1 e sua etiologia permanece desconhecida. Um terço dos casos são sintomáticos ao nascer e praticamente todos são diagnosticados nos primeiros seis meses de vida. Relato de Caso: Recém-nascido (RN) do sexo masculino, evoluiu com desconforto respiratório precoce, sendo encaminhado ao centro de terapia intensiva. Após uso de continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) e cateter nasal de oxigênio de 12 horas, resultou em bom padrão respiratório e boa saturação. Após realização de tomografia computadorizada, foi diagnosticado o EPC. Conclusão: O EPC é uma patologia rara e deve ser suspeitado em RN com desconforto respiratório, atribuindo-se importância aos vários diagnósticos diferenciais possíveis. Apesar da etiologia incerta, é de fácil diagnóstico e possui opções de manejo clínico e cirúrgico.

Introduction: Congenital pulmonary emphysema (EPC) is a rare disease, with an incidence of 1:20-30 thousand births, it is more common in males than in females, in a ratio of 3:1 and its etiology remains unknown. One third of the cases are symptomatic at birth and practically all are diagnosed in the first six months of life. Case Report: Newborn (NB) male, developed early respiratory distress, being referred to the intensive care unit. After using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and a 12-hour oxygen nasal catheter, it resulted in a good breathing pattern and good saturation. After performing computed tomography, EPC was diagnosed. Conclusion: EPC is a rare pathology and should be suspected in newborns with respiratory distress, with importance being given to the various possible differential diagnoses. Despite its uncertain etiology, it is easy to diagnose and has options for clinical and surgical management.

Interference of medicines in laboratory exams / Interferência dos medicamentos nos exames laboratoriais

ABSTRACT Objective: Conduct a survey on the interference of drugs in laboratory tests. Methodology: To identify the interference of each medication in laboratory tests, the Municipal List of Essential Medicines (Remume) of a medium-sized municipality in the state of Minas Gerais was used along with the following sources of information: Dynamed, Micromedex® and Nursing Reference Center. Results: We observed that the majority (67.7%) of Remume drugs can interfere in one or more laboratory tests; among them, the main classes of drugs are diuretics, beta blockers, ß-lactams, sulfonamides, macrolides, tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors antidepressants. Conclusion: It is extremely important to disseminate knowledge about these interferences so that health professionals are alert and know how to identify the possible changes, reducing analytical errors and subsequently misdiagnosis and erroneous monitoring. Continued education on drug interference in laboratory tests is equally important.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Llevar a cabo una encuesta acerca de la interferencia de los medicamentos en las pruebas de laboratorio. Métodos: Usamos la Relación Municipal de Medicamentos Esenciales (Remume) de una municipalidad mediana en el estado de Minas Gerais y las siguientes fuentes de información: Dynamed, Micromedex® y Nursing Reference Center. Resultados: Observamos que la mayor parte (67,7%) de los medicamentos de Remume puede interferir en una o más pruebas de laboratorio; entre ellos, las principales clases son los diuréticos, beta bloqueadores, betalactámicos, sulfonamidas, macrólidos, antidepresivos tricíclicos y antidepresivos inhibidores selectivos de la recaptación de serotonina. Conclusión: Es muy importante divulgar el conocimiento respecto a esas interferencias para que los profesionales de la salud puedan identificar las posibles alteraciones en las pruebas, reduciendo errores analíticos y diagnósticos y monitoreos equivocados. Por lo tanto, es necesaria una educación continuada acerca de las interferencias de medicamentos en las pruebas de laboratorio.

RESUMO Objetivo: Realizar um levantamento sobre a interferência dos medicamentos nos exames laboratoriais. Métodos: Utilizamos a Relação Municipal dos Medicamentos Essenciais (Remune) de um município de médio porte do estado de Minas Gerais e as seguintes fontes de informações: Dynamed, Micromedex® e Nursing Reference Center. Resultados: Observamos que a maioria (67,7%) dos medicamentos da Remune pode interferir em um ou mais exames laboratoriais; entre eles, as principais classes de medicamentos são os diuréticos, betabloqueadores, betalactâmicos, sulfonamidas, macrolídeos, antidepressivos tricíclicos e antidepressivos inibidores seletivos da recaptação de serotonina. Conclusão: É muito importante divulgar o conhecimento a respeito dessas interferências para que os profissionais da área da saúde possam identificar as possíveis alterações nos exames, reduzindo erros analíticos e diagnósticos e monitoramentos equivocados. Portanto, faz-se necessária a educação continuada sobre as interferências de medicamentos nos exames laboratoriais.

Proteinose alveolar pulmonar: Relato de caso / Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: Case report

A proteinose alveolar pulmonar (PAP) é rara e caracterizada por preenchimento alveolar com material lipoproteináceo. A proteinose alveolar é caracterizada por um alvéolo com material eosinofílico, acelular, finamente granular, com fendas de colesterol. Este relato de caso descreve um paciente do sexo masculino, 2 anos, portador de hipogamaglobulinemia. O paciente foi internado com quadro compatível com Stevens- Johnson após uso de amoxicilina e clavulanato para quadro de otite média aguda. Posteriormente, foi encaminhado à unidade de terapia intensiva devido à piora respiratória clínica e radiológica. Biópsia pulmonar: proteinose alveolar com alvéolos distendidos por material proteináceo, eosinofílico e grumoso com infiltrado linfo- histiocitário local. A proteinose alveolar pulmonar é rara e o diagnóstico correto deve ser realizado para que seja realizado tratamento adequado e acompanhamento da evolução. Deve-se atentar para complicações, especialmente infecções oportunistas.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is rare and it is characterized by alveolar filling with lipoproteinaceous material. Alveolar proteinosis is characterized by an alveolus with eosinophilic, acellular, finely granular material, with cholesterol cracks. This case report describes a 2-yearold male patient with hypogammaglobulinemia. The patient was hospitalized with Stevens-Johnson-compatible condition after use of amoxicillin and clavulanate for acute otitis media. Subsequently, he was referred to the intensive care unit due to worsening clinical and radiological breathing. Lung biopsy: alveolar proteinosis with alveoli distended by proteinaceous, eosinophilic and lumpy material with local lymphohistiocytic infiltrate. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is rare and the correct diagnosis must be made in order to carry out an appropriate treatment and follow-up of the evolution. Attention should be paid to complications, especially opportunistic infections.

Efficient extraction method using magnetic carbon nanotubes to analyze cocaine and benzoylecgonine in breast milk by GC/MS.

AIM: The increasing use of cocaine (COC) during breastfeeding has led to growing concern about exposure of infants. Therefore, to study this exposure, a new method to analyze COC and benzoylecgonine in breast milk was developed. METHODOLOGY: A new extraction method was used for the first time to analyze COC and its major metabolite, benzoylecgonine, in breast milk using magnetic carbon nanotubes partially doped with nitrogen. RESULTS: The calibration curves were linear in the range 5.0-180.0 ng ml-1. The limit of quantification was 5.0 ng ml-1. Coefficients of variation were between 3.2 and 13.9%. Recovery was between 89.6 and 99.2%. CONCLUSION: The proposed method is simple, efficient and suitable to determine analytes in breast milk.

Tuberculosis in Liver Transplant Recipients: A Report of Eight Cases During a Five Year Period.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis incidence in Portugal ranged from 20 to 22 cases per 100 000 inhabitants between 2010 and 2014. Tuberculosis incidence in liver transplant recipients is not precisely known, but it is estimated to be higher than among the general population. Tuberculosis in liver transplant recipients is particularly challenging because of the atypical clinical presentation and side effects of the antibacillary drugs and their potential interactions with immunosuppressive therapies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of liver transplant recipients with post-transplant tuberculosis occurring from January 2010 to December 2014 at a liver transplantation unit in Lisbon, Portugal. Demographic data, baseline and clinical features, as well as treatment regimen, toxicities and outcomes, were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 1005 recipients, active tuberculosis was diagnosed in eight patients between January 2010 and December 2014 (frequency = 0.8%). Late onset tuberculosis was more frequent than early tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was isolated from cultures in almost every case (7; 87.5%). Extra-pulmonary involvement and disseminated tuberculosis were frequent. Two patients developed rejection without allograft loss. Crude mortality was 37.5%, with 2 deaths being related to tuberculosis. DISCUSSION: Despite the uncertainty regarding treatment duration in liver transplant recipients, disease severity, as well as number of active drugs against TB infection, should be taken into account. There was a need for a rifampin-free regimen and immunosuppression adjustment in patients who experienced acute graf rejection. CONCLUSION: Although the number of cases of tuberculosis is low, its post-transplant frequency is significant and the observed mortality rate is not to be neglected. The cases of hepatotoxicity and graft rejection seen in this case series demonstrate the challenges associated with tuberculosis diagnosis in liver transplant recipients and management of the interactions between immunosuppressors and rifampin. This study strengthens the recommendation of latent tuberculosis infection screening and treatment in liver transplant candidates or recipients.

Introdução: A incidência de tuberculose em Portugal entre 2010 - 2014 foi de 20 a 22 casos por 100 000 habitantes. A incidência de tuberculose em transplantados hepáticos não é conhecida, estimando-se que seja mais elevada do que a da população em geral. O manejo da tuberculose em transplantados hepáticos constitui um desafio, não só pela apresentação clínica frequentemente atípica, mas também pelos efeitos secundários da terapêutica antibacilar e suas interações farmacológicas com a medicação imunossupressora, necessária no período pós-transplante. Material e Métodos: Os autores fizeram uma revisão retrospetiva dos casos de doentes transplantados hepáticos com tuberculose pós- transplante diagnosticada durante o período entre janeiro 2010 e dezembro 2014 num centro de transplantação hepática em Lisboa, Portugal. Foram analisados os dados demográficos, características clínicas, a par do regime antibacilar, toxicidade e evolução. Resultados: Num total de 1005 transplantados foi diagnosticada tuberculose ativa em oito doentes entre janeiro de 2010 e dezembro de 2014 (frequência de 0,8%). O desenvolvimento de tuberculose tardia foi mais frequente do que a doença precoce. Foi isolado Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex no exame cultural de sete doentes (87,5%). Foram frequentes a presença de envolvimento extrapulmonar, assim como doença tuberculosa disseminada. Dois doentes desenvolveram rejeição aguda, sem perda de enxerto. A taxa de mortalidade global foi de 37,5%, com duas mortes directamente atribuíveis à tuberculose. Discussão: Apesar da incerteza quanto à duração do tratamento da tuberculose em transplantados hepáticos, deverão ser tidos em conta a gravidade da doença, assim como o número de fármacos com actividade antibacilar. Nesta série, os doentes que desenvolveram rejeição aguda necessitaram da utilização de um regime sem rifampicina, e ajuste da terapêutica imunossupressora. Conclusão: Apesar do baixo número de casos de tuberculose, a sua frequência pós-transplante é significativa e a mortalidade associada não é negligenciável. Os casos de hepatotoxicidade e rejeição de enxerto demonstram os desafios no diagnóstico da tuberculose em transplantados hepáticos e a dificuldade do manejo das interações entre imunossupressores e a rifampicina. Este estudo reforça a recomendação de rastreio e tratamento de tuberculose latente em transplantados ou candidatos a transplante hepático.

Cutaneous alternariosis in a liver transplant recipient.

We describe the case of a liver transplant patient with a cutaneous alternariosis due to Alternaria infectoria. Cutaneous lesions regressed with the decrease in daily doses of immunosuppressors. The skin lesion remains cicatricial after one year of follow-up.