The effect of dehydration, hyperchloremia and volume of fluid resuscitation on acute kidney injury in children admitted to hospital with diabetic ketoacidosis.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a recognized comorbidity in pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), although the exact etiology is unclear. The unique physiology of DKA makes dehydration assessments challenging, and these patients potentially receive excessive amounts of intravenous fluids (IVF). We hypothesized that dehydration is over-estimated in pediatric DKA, leading to over-administration of IVF and hyperchloremia that worsens AKI. METHODS: Retrospective cohort of all DKA inpatients at a tertiary pediatric hospital from 2014 to 2019. A total of 145 children were included; reasons for exclusion were pre-existing kidney disease or incomplete medical records. AKI was determined by change in creatinine during admission, and comparison to a calculated baseline value. Linear regression multivariable analysis was used to identify factors associated with AKI. True dehydration was calculated from patients' change in weight, as previously validated. Fluid over-resuscitation was defined as total fluids given above the true dehydration. RESULTS: A total of 19% of patients met KDIGO serum creatinine criteria for AKI on admission. Only 2% had AKI on hospital discharge. True dehydration and high serum urea levels were associated with high serum creatinine levels on admission (p = 0.042; p < 0.001, respectively). Fluid over-resuscitation and hyperchloremia were associated with delayed kidney recovery (p < 0.001). Severity of initial AKI was associated with cerebral edema (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Dehydration was associated with initial AKI in children with DKA. Persistent AKI and delay to recovery was associated with hyperchloremia and over-resuscitation with IVF, potentially modifiable clinical variables for earlier AKI recovery and reduction in long-term morbidity. This highlights the need to re-address fluid protocols in pediatric DKA.

Decrease in the use of bronchodilators in the management of bronchiolitis after applying improvement initiatives.

INTRODUCTION: In the treatment of patients with acute bronchiolitis there is great variability in clinical practice. Treatments whose efficacy has not been demonstrated are frequently used despite the recommendations contained in the Clinical Practice Guidelines. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A quality improvement strategy is implemented in the care of patients with acute bronchiolitis in the Emergency Department, which is maintained for five years and is periodically updated to be increasingly restrictive regarding the use of bronchodilators. To evaluate the impact of the intervention, a retrospective study of the rates of prescription of bronchodilators in children diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis in the month of December of four epidemic periods (2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018) was carried out. RESULTS: 1767 children are included. There were no differences regarding age, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation or the estimated severity in each of the study seasons. The use of salbutamol in the Emergency Department decreased from 51.2% (95% CI: 46.6-55.8%) in 2012 to 7.8% (95% CI: 5.7%-10.5%) in 2018 (P < .001) and epinephrine prescription rates fell from 12.9% (95% CI: 10.1%-16.3%) to 0.2% (95% CI: 0-1.1%) (P < .001). At the same time, there was a decrease in the median time of attendance in the Emergency Department and in the admission rate without changing the readmission rate in 72 h. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic and continuous deployment over time of actions aimed at reducing the use of salbutamol and epinephrine in the treatment of bronchiolitis, prior to the epidemic period, seems an effective strategy to reduce the use of bronchodilators in the Emergency Department.

Descenso del uso de broncodilatadores en el manejo de la bronquiolitis tras aplicar iniciativas de mejora / Decrease in the use of bronchodilators in the management of bronchiolitis after applying improvement initiatives

Introducción: En el tratamiento de los pacientes con bronquiolitis aguda existe una gran variabilidad de la práctica clínica y con frecuencia se utilizan de forma indiscriminada tratamientos cuya eficacia no está demostrada a pesar de las recomendaciones recogidas en las guías de práctica clínica. Material y métodos: Se implementó una estrategia de mejora de la calidad en la atención a los pacientes con bronquiolitis aguda en el Servicio de Urgencias que se mantuvo durante 5 años y se actualizó periódicamente para ser cada vez más restrictiva respecto al uso de tratamientos broncodilatadores. Para evaluar el impacto de la intervención se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de las tasas de prescripción de broncodilatadores en los niños diagnosticados de bronquiolitis aguda en el mes de diciembre de 4 periodos epidémicos (2012, 2014, 2016 y 2018). Resultados: Se incluyó a 1.767 niños. No existieron diferencias respecto a edad, frecuencia respiratoria, saturación de oxígeno ni gravedad en cada una de las temporadas a estudio. El empleo de salbutamol en Urgencias descendió del 51,2% (IC del 95%: 46,6-55,8%) en 2012 al 7,8% (IC del 95%: 5,7-10,5%) en 2018 (p <0,001) y el de adrenalina del 12,9% (IC del 95%: 10,1-16,3%) al 0,2% (IC del 95%: 0-1,1%) (p <0,001). Se produjo a su vez un descenso en la mediana de tiempo de asistencia en Urgencias y en la tasa de ingreso sin que se modificase la tasa de readmisión en 72 h. Conclusiones: El despliegue sistemático y continuado en el tiempo de acciones dirigidas a la reducción del uso de fármacos en el tratamiento de la bronquiolitis, previo al periodo epidémico, parece una estrategia eficaz para reducir el uso de broncodilatadores en urgencias. (AU)

Introduction: In the treatment of patients with acute bronchiolitis there is great variability in clinical practice. Treatments whose efficacy has not been demonstrated are frequently used despite the recommendations contained in the Clinical Practice Guidelines. Material and methods: A quality improvement strategy is implemented in the care of patients with acute bronchiolitis in the Emergency Department, which is maintained for five years and is periodically updated to be increasingly restrictive regarding the use of bronchodilators. To evaluate the impact of the intervention, a retrospective study of the rates of prescription of bronchodilators in children diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis in the month of December of four epidemic periods (2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018) was carried out. Results: 1767 children are included. There were no differences regarding age, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation or the estimated severity in each of the study seasons. The use of salbutamol in the Emergency Department decreased from 51.2% (95% CI: 46.6%–55.8%) in 2012 to 7.8% (95% CI: 5.7%–10.5%) in 2018 (P<.001) and epinephrine prescription rates fell from 12.9% (95% CI: 10.1%–16.3%) to 0.2% (95% CI: 0–1.1%) (P<.001). At the same time, there was a decrease in the median time of attendance in the Emergency Department and in the admission rate without changing the readmission rate in 72h. Conclusions: The systematic and continuous deployment over time of actions aimed at reducing the use of salbutamol and epinephrine in the treatment of bronchiolitis, prior to the epidemic period, seems an effective strategy to reduce the use of bronchodilators in the Emergency Department. (AU)

Increased prevalence and severity of psychiatric illness in hospitalized youth during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have demonstrated an increase in mental health emergencies among youth seen in ambulatory and emergency room settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates rates of mental health-related consultation and markers of illness severity since the start of the pandemic. METHODS: We evaluated all pediatric patients admitted to a single children's hospital from March 2019 to March 2021 who received psychiatry and/or psychology consults. We report the absolute number of these patients, as well as the proportion of all study site admissions who received such consults. Severity of psychiatric illness was described in terms of LOS, disposition, and use of restraints and psychotropic medications. RESULTS: The number and proportion of pediatric patients receiving psychiatry and/or psychology consults rose during the pandemic. Participants also became proportionally more female and older. The study population had higher odds of requiring restraints and antipsychotics during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: More pediatric inpatients at the study site have required psychiatric care during the pandemic. The severity of mental illness in this population appears to have worsened based on increased utilization of as-needed psychotropic medications and restraints. These findings highlight the changes experienced by patients and providers during the pandemic and merit further study.

Evidence-Based Design for Waiting Space Environment of Pediatric Clinics-Three Hospitals in Shenzhen as Case Studies.

This study explores the waiting space environment of pediatric clinics in general hospitals and the relationships between the use of space, behavioral activities and overall satisfaction. Patients often spend a lot of time waiting for doctors, and child patients waiting to be seen are particularly likely to feel bored, depressed and anxious, which negatively affects their overall experience of seeking medical attention. Since the launch of China's second-child policy, the number of children born in China has surged. As medical resources for children are in short supply and of uneven quality, it is urgently necessary to carry out research on optimizing the design of children's waiting space in Chinese hospitals to improve their medical environment and experience. METHOD: This study identified four first-level indicators and twenty-seven second-level indicators in four dimensions: functional layout (layout and area), flow organization, supporting facilities and environmental details (physical and landscape environment). The research combined subjective and objective methods, including comprehensive observation, a questionnaire survey and interviews, taking three hospitals in Shenzhen as case studies. RESULTS: The study found that the waiting space in pediatric clinics currently fails to meet key patient needs in areas such as mother and infant rooms, children's play areas and drinking water facilities, and there are widespread problems with the creation of natural environments, such as views of natural scenery from windows and indoor green plants. Six factors were found to significantly positively influence overall satisfaction with waiting space, describing 69.76% of the changes in the respondents' degree of satisfaction with the waiting environment. Supporting facilities and aspects of the physical environment had the greatest influence on overall satisfaction with the waiting space. CONCLUSION: Optimizing the design of the waiting space in pediatric clinics, with a focus on functional layout, flow organization, supporting facilities and environmental details, can improve overall satisfaction with pediatric waiting rooms. The results are preliminary; they need to be further tested in practice to complete the process of evidence-based design. This will lead to suggestions for refining the design of pediatric waiting units which can be used by architects and hospital administrators.

[Decrease in the use of bronchodilators in the management of bronchiolitis after applying improvement initiatives]. / Descenso del uso de broncodilatadores en el manejo de la bronquiolitis tras aplicar iniciativas de mejora.

INTRODUCTION: In the treatment of patients with acute bronchiolitis there is great variability in clinical practice. Treatments whose efficacy has not been demonstrated are frequently used despite the recommendations contained in the Clinical Practice Guidelines. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A quality improvement strategy is implemented in the care of patients with acute bronchiolitis in the Emergency Department, which is maintained for five years and is periodically updated to be increasingly restrictive regarding the use of bronchodilators. To evaluate the impact of the intervention, a retrospective study of the rates of prescription of bronchodilators in children diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis in the month of December of four epidemic periods (2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018) was carried out. RESULTS: 1767 children are included. There were no differences regarding age, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation or the estimated severity in each of the study seasons. The use of salbutamol in the Emergency Department decreased from 51.2% (95% CI: 46.6%-55.8%) in 2012 to 7.8% (95% CI: 5.7%-10.5%) in 2018 (P<.001) and epinephrine prescription rates fell from 12.9% (95% CI: 10.1%-16.3%) to 0.2% (95% CI: 0-1.1%) (P<.001). At the same time, there was a decrease in the median time of attendance in the Emergency Department and in the admission rate without changing the readmission rate in 72h. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic and continuous deployment over time of actions aimed at reducing the use of salbutamol and epinephrine in the treatment of bronchiolitis, prior to the epidemic period, seems an effective strategy to reduce the use of bronchodilators in the Emergency Department.

Concordancia clínico-patológica en fallecidos en el Hospital Pediátrico de Cienfuegos (2000-2015) / Clinical-pathological concordance in deceased at the Cienfuegos Pediatric Hospital, 2000-2015

RESUMEN Fundamento La concordancia y discrepancia de las causas de muerte entre el diagnóstico clínico y el morfológico son, de forma indirecta, indicadores de calidad en la atención hospitalaria, y han tenido un papel fundamental en la educación médica. Objetivo describir el comportamiento de la concordancia clínico-patológica en una serie de fallecidos en edades pediátricas. Métodos se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, en el Hospital Pediátrico de Cienfuegos, en el periodo comprendido del 1ro. de enero de 2000 hasta el 31 diciembre de 2015, que incluyó 214 fallecidos con necropsias. Del total que fue objeto de análisis, se clasificaron por el método de Goldman 36 fallecidos a partir de 2013. Resultados las enfermedades infecciosas predominaron en todos los grupos de edades, y fueron las neumonías y la sepsis, las más frecuentes. El síndrome de disfunción múltiple de órganos fue la afección más descrita como causa directa de muerte, vinculado no solo a enfermedades infecciosas, pues también se manifestó como evento final. Se obtuvo una baja frecuencia de discrepancia diagnóstica clínico-patológica, tanto para las causas básicas de muerte como para las directas, con 13,6 % y 18,2 %, respectivamente. Según la clasificación de Goldman, en el 69,4 % de los fallecidos no hubo discrepancias entre ambos diagnósticos. Conclusión existió una correlación clínico-patológica aceptable durante el periodo de estudio. Esta variable resulta útil como patrón para la evaluación de la calidad de la asistencia médica.

ABSTRACT Background Causes of death concordance and discrepancy between the clinical and the morphological diagnoses are, indirectly, indicators of quality in hospital care, and have played a fundamental role in medical education. Objective to describe the behavior of the clinical-pathological concordance in a series of pediatric deaths. Methods an observational, descriptive study was carried out in the Cienfuegos Pediatric Hospital, from January the 1st 2000 to December the 31st, 2015, which included 214 deaths with autopsies. Of the total that was analyzed, 36 deceased from 2013 were classified by the Goldman method. Results infectious diseases predominated in all age groups, pneumonia and sepsis were the most frequent. Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome was the condition most described as a direct cause of death, linked not only to infectious diseases, as it also manifested as a final event. A low frequency of clinicopathological diagnostic discrepancy was obtained, both for the basic causes of death and for the direct ones, with the 13.6% and the 18.2%, respectively. According to the Goldman classification, the 69.4% of the deceased did not present discrepancies. Conclusion there was an acceptable clinicopathological correlation during the study period. This variable is useful as a standard for evaluating the medical care quality.

Reporting and Categorization of Blood Culture Contaminants in Infants and Young Children: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Blood cultures are obtained routinely for infants and young children for the evaluation for serious bacterial infection. Isolation of organisms that represent possible contaminants poses a management challenge. The prevalence of bacteremia reported in this population is potentially biased by inconsistent contaminant categorization reported in the literature. Our aim was to systematically review the definition and reporting of contaminants within the literature regarding infant bacteremia. METHODS: A search of studies published between 1986 and mid-September 2016 was conducted using Medline/PubMed. Included studies examined children aged 0 to 36 months for whom blood culture was performed as part of a serious bacterial infection evaluation. Studies that involved children in an intensive care unit, prematurely born children, and immunocompromised children or those with an indwelling catheter/device were excluded. Data extracted included contaminant designation methodology, organisms classified as contaminants and pathogens, and contamination and bacteremia rates. DISCUSSION: Our search yielded 1335 articles, and 69 of them met our inclusion criteria. The methodology used to define contaminants was described in 37 (54%) study reports, and 16 (23%) reported contamination rates, which ranged from 0.5% to 22.8%. Studies defined contaminants according to organism species (n = 22), according to the patient's clinical management (n = 4), and using multifactorial approaches (n = 11). Many common organisms, particularly Gram-positive cocci, were inconsistently categorized as pathogens or contaminants. CONCLUSIONS: Reporting and categorization of blood culture contamination are inconsistent within the pediatric bacteremia literature, which limits our ability to estimate the prevalence of bacteremia. Although contaminants are characterized most frequently according to organism, we found inconsistency regarding the classification of certain common organisms. A standardized approach to contaminant reporting is needed.

Mental Health Conditions and Symptoms in Pediatric Hospitalizations: A Single-Center Point Prevalence Study.

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents necessitating hospitalization for physical health conditions are at high risk for mental health conditions; however, the prevalence of mental health conditions and symptoms among hospitalized children and adolescents is uncertain. The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of hospitalized children and adolescents who have diagnosed mental health disorders or undiagnosed mental health problems. METHODS: In this single-center point prevalence study of hospitalized children between the ages of 4 and 21 years, patients or their parents reported known mental health diagnoses and use of services using the Services Assessment for Children and Adolescent, and they reported patient mental health symptoms using the Pediatric Symptom Checklist, 17-item form (PSC-17). RESULTS: Of 229 eligible patients, 119 agreed to participate. Demographic characteristics of patients who enrolled were not statistically significantly different from those of patients who declined to participate. Among participants, 26% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18%-35%) reported a known mental health diagnosis. On the PSC-17, 29% (95% CI, 21%-38%) of participants had a positive screen for mental health symptoms. Of those with a positive screen, 38% (95% CI, 21%-55%) had no known mental health diagnosis, and 26% (95% CI, 12%-43%) had not received ambulatory mental health services in the 12 months before hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health conditions and symptoms are common among patients hospitalized in a tertiary children's hospital, and many affected patients are not receiving ambulatory mental health services.

[Status of pediatric hospital medicine in Spain: a report by the Spanish Pediatric Hospital Medicine Society (SEPHO)]. / Situación de la pediatría hospitalaria en España: informe de la Sociedad Española de Pediatría Hospitalaria (SEPHO).

Few reports are available on the status of pediatric hospital medicine in Spain. This has prompted the Spanish Society of Hospital Pediatrics (SEPHO) to conduct a study to determine the status of pediatric hospital care received. Data released by the Ministry of Health, the National Institute of Statistics have been used in the study, and an analysis was made of the results of a computerized survey designed and developed by SEPHO and available on the Internet for completion from November 2011 to December 2012 among Spanish hospitals. The results of this survey are part of the beginning of our journey as an association, and the current status of child and family welfare during hospitalization needs to be determined in order to consider and, where appropriate, make recommendations for improvement and standardization of care. The study, still unpublished, is to determine the state of pediatric hospital care as seen and analyzed from the perspective of the professionals directly involved in pediatric general hospital care. We included hospitals of different size and complexity of care. The aim of this report is to present the results of the survey and relate it to demographic and health care data from official sources.

Uma experiência terapêutica pré-cirúrgica: o uso do desenho como mediador lúdico / A pre-surgical therapeutic experience: the use of drawing as mediator

A hospitalização costuma estar impregnada de fantasias que são geradoras de alto nível de ansiedade, em especial para crianças. Assim o processo psicoterápico hospitalar deve propor medidas que possibilitem o desenvolvimento de recursos internos para o enfrentamento de situações geradoras de angústias. O presente artigo tem por objetivo demonstrar a importância da intervenção psicológica por intermédio do desenho como mediador lúdico no contexto de internação frente à situação pré-cirúrgica. Para tal, será apresentado um estudo de caso de uma menina de cinco anos, internada para realizar uma cirurgia de correção ortopédica. A paciente produziu sete desenhos que, no início, expressavam suas angústias frente à cirurgia e, no final, demonstravam sua tentativa de elaboração. Concluiu-se que o desenho é um importante instrumento terapêutico no contexto hospitalar.(AU)

Hospitalization is usually steeped in fantasies that generate high levels of anxiety, especially for children. Therefore, the hospital psychotherapeutic process must propose actions to enable them to develop internal resources to cope with situation that causes anxiety. This article aims to demonstrate the importance of psychological intervention through drawings as mediators in the pre-surgical context of orthopedic correction in the hospital. This patient made seven drawings that at first expressed her anguish towards the surgery and at the end showed her attempt to elaborate. We conclude that drawing is an important therapeutic tool in the hospital.(AU)

Uma experiência terapêutica pré-cirúrgica: o uso do desenho como mediador lúdico / A pre-surgical therapeutic experience: the use of drawing as mediator

A hospitalização costuma estar impregnada de fantasias que são geradoras de alto nível de ansiedade, em especial para crianças. Assim o processo psicoterápico hospitalar deve propor medidas que possibilitem o desenvolvimento de recursos internos para o enfrentamento de situações geradoras de angústias. O presente artigo tem por objetivo demonstrar a importância da intervenção psicológica por intermédio do desenho como mediador lúdico no contexto de internação frente à situação pré-cirúrgica. Para tal, será apresentado um estudo de caso de uma menina de cinco anos, internada para realizar uma cirurgia de correção ortopédica. A paciente produziu sete desenhos que, no início, expressavam suas angústias frente à cirurgia e, no final, demonstravam sua tentativa de elaboração. Concluiu-se que o desenho é um importante instrumento terapêutico no contexto hospitalar...

Hospitalization is usually steeped in fantasies that generate high levels of anxiety, especially for children. Therefore, the hospital psychotherapeutic process must propose actions to enable them to develop internal resources to cope with situation that causes anxiety. This article aims to demonstrate the importance of psychological intervention through drawings as mediators in the pre-surgical context of orthopedic correction in the hospital. This patient made seven drawings that at first expressed her anguish towards the surgery and at the end showed her attempt to elaborate. We conclude that drawing is an important therapeutic tool in the hospital...