ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The therapeutic management of parapneumonic pleural effusions (PPE) is controversial in children. Decision-making often relies on parameters such as gross appearance of pleural fluid and on bacteriologic and biochemical analyses. Our goal was to describe the laboratory profile of PPE in children and to assess the influence of previous administration of antibacterial agents on culture and biochemical results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study including children (age, 1 month to 16 years) with a diagnosis of PPE. Two groups were evaluated: children with or without antibiotic treatment up to 48 hours before analysis of pleural fluid. Results were analyzed using the χ(2) or Mann-Whitney test (α = .05). Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated, with control of previous antibiotic therapy using multivariate logistic regression analysis, to determine the risk of empyema associated with specific biochemical parameters. RESULTS: One hundred ten children were selected. Fifty percent had received antibiotics at least 48 hours before pleural fluid analysis. Differences were observed between the groups in terms of PPE gross appearance (P = .033) and identification of bacteriologic agent by culture or Gram stain (P = .023). Biochemical parameters (pH ≤7.1 and glucose ≤40 mg/dL) were associated with increased odds of receiving a more invasive treatment. For pH, the odds ratio was 9.614 (95% CI, 1.952-47.362; P = .005); and for glucose, 9.201 (95% CI, 1.333-63.496; P = .024). CONCLUSIONS: Previous use of antibacterial agents affected the bacteriologic analysis of pleural fluid in this pediatric sample admitted for PPE. However, it did not interfere significantly with biochemical parameters of pleural fluid.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Body Fluids/drug effects , Pleural Effusion/metabolism , Pneumonia, Bacterial/drug therapy , Adolescent , Bacteriological Techniques , Body Fluids/chemistry , Body Fluids/microbiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Glucose/analysis , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Pleural Effusion/microbiology , Pneumonia, Bacterial/metabolism , Pneumonia, Bacterial/microbiology , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To review the steps involved in safe airway management in critically ill children. SOURCE OF DATA: Review of articles selected through Medline until April 2003 using the following key words: intubation, children, sedation. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Airway compromise is rare, but whenever it occurs, the situation depends on professionals trained to carry out safe, early, and rapid airway management, with no harm to the patient. The method currently advocated for airway management is rapid sequence intubation, which requires preparation, sedation and neuromuscular block. We observed that it is not possible to apply one single intubation protocol to all cases, since the selection of the most adequate procedure depends on indication and patient conditions. We defined the drug doses most commonly used in our setting, since little is know so far about the real effect of sedatives and analgesics. In most situations, the association of an opioid (fentanyl at 5-10 micro g/kg) with a sedative (midazolam at 0.5 mg/kg) and a neuromuscular blocking agent are sufficient for tracheal intubation. CONCLUSIONS: Training, knowledge, and skill in airway management are of fundamental importance for pediatric intensive caregivers and are vital for the adequate treatment of critically ill children. We present an objective and dynamic text aimed at offering a theoretical basis for the generation of new protocols, to be implemented according to the strengths and difficulties of each service.
Subject(s)
Airway Obstruction/therapy , Critical Illness/therapy , Emergency Treatment/methods , Intubation, Intratracheal/methods , Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Hypnotics and Sedatives/therapeutic use , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Intubation, Intratracheal/instrumentation , Neuromuscular Blocking AgentsABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: O artigo visa rever os passos da obtenção de uma via aérea segura no atendimento da criança criticamente enferma. FONTES DOS DADOS: Revisão de artigos a partir da busca na base de dados Medline até abril de 2003, utilizando os unitermos intubação, crianças e sedação. SíNTESE DOS DADOS: O comprometimento da via aérea é incomum, porém quando ocorre, depende de profissionais treinados para a rápida obtenção da via aérea, de maneira segura, precoce e sem causar prejuízos para tais pacientes. O método preconizado para tal abordagem é a seqüência rápida de intubação que além de preparação, utiliza sedação e bloqueador neuromuscular. Observamos que não é possível a aplicação de um protocolo único de intubação, pois depende da indicação e condições do paciente. Definimos doses das medicações mais utilizadas em nosso meio, pois acreditamos que pouco se conhece do real efeito de drogas sedativas e analgésicas. Na maioria das situações, a associação de um analgésico opióide (fentanil na dose de 5 a 10 µg/kg) e um sedativo (midazolam 0,5 mg/kg) e um bloqueador neuromuscular são suficientes para a intubação traqueal. CONCLUSÕES: Treinamento, conhecimento, habilidade na obtenção da via aérea são fundamentais para o intensivista pediátrico e são vitais para o adequado atendimento de crianças gravemente enfermas. Apresentamos um texto objetivo e dinâmico, visando a oferecer subsídios para a geração de protocolos a serem implementados de acordo com facilidades e dificuldades de cada serviço.
Subject(s)
Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Airway Obstruction/therapy , Critical Illness/therapy , Emergency Treatment/methods , Intubation, Intratracheal/methods , Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use , Hypnotics and Sedatives/therapeutic use , Intubation, Intratracheal/instrumentation , Neuromuscular Blocking AgentsABSTRACT
Approximately 25 per cent of the patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) present only extraesophageal manifestations. GERD may be defined as clinical manifestations and tissue lesions associed to gastroesophageal reflux. GERD results from excessive exposure of the mucosa to aggressors, prominently acid and pepsin, associated with diminished esophageal defense mechanisms. This review aims to characterize extraesophageal GERD symptoms. Most patients with reflux-related otolaryngologic symptoms present relatively preserved motor function and esophageal clearance, but exhibit poor upper esophageal sphincter function, which leads to a "high" (pharyngeal) symptom. Acidification in the distal esophagus is likely to activate vagovagal reflexes. These reflexes. These reflexes also induce respiratory symptoms and bronchoconstriction. Nonspecific laryngitis, granuloma, posterior comissure hypertrophy, cricoarytenoid arthritis and come cases of globus pharyngeus have been attributed to larynx and pharynx irritations produced by repeated GER episodes. Otolaryngologic patients with reflux respond better to treatment than those patients whose symptoms are typically gastrointestinal.
