[BCG vaccination coverage in children born after the end of compulsory BCG vaccination and followed in maternal and child health clinics in France: a national survey 2009]. / Couverture vaccinale BCG chez les enfants nés après la suspension de l'obligation vaccinale et suivis dans les PMI de France: enquête nationale 2009.

OBJECTIVES: Compulsory BCG vaccination was replaced in July 2007 by a strong recommendation to vaccinate children at high risk of tuberculosis. We measured BCG vaccination coverage (VC) in children for whom BCG is recommended, who were born after the end of compulsory BCG vaccination and are usually followed at Maternal and Child Health Clinics (MCHC). METHODS: National sampling survey stratified by region and age group. Sample size was calculated in order to perform a separate analysis in Ile-de-France, region which has a specific vaccination policy and the highest tuberculosis incidence in mainland France. Children were selected through 2-stage random sampling in IDF and 3-stage random sampling outside IDF. They were recruited at the MCHC during the consultation where information was collected by the doctor through a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: BCG-VC was 89.8% (81.4-94.7) in IDF and 61.7% (53.8-69.0) outside IDF. In IDF, VC in children who had other criteria than solely residing in IDF was 92.4%. Outside IDF, children were on average vaccinated later than in IDF (i.e.: VC at the age of 3 months in children aged 2-12 months: 84% in IDF, 42% outside IDF). In both zones, children aged 2-12 months were vaccinated earlier compared to those aged >12 months. CONCLUSIONS: VC are high in children followed at MCHC in IDF, but can still be improved. They are insufficient in those followed at MCHC outside IDF where children are vaccinated too late. Efforts aimed at improving the dissemination of BCG vaccination recommendations and a better training of doctors in performing intradermal BCG vaccination could facilitate the implementation of this new BCG vaccination policy.

[Organisational factors associated with the repetition of infections among children in Parisian day-care setting]. / Facteurs organisationnels associés à la répétition des épisodes infectieux des enfants accueillis en crèche à Paris.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzes the organisational factors linked with episodes of infections in children attending child day-care setting in Paris. POPULATION AND METHODS: A sample of children who attended parisian municipal child day-care setting, stratified on the type and the size of the day-care setting, was achieved. This cohort was followed from September 2000 to June 2001. We compared the risk of repeated infections according to the type of day-care setting (family day-care or day-care centre), and for the day-care centre according to the size (< or =60 or >60 places) and the structure of groups (mixing age groups or not). The events studied were the occurrence of at least: 6 episodes of any infection, 2 otitis, 2 gastroenteritis, 2 conjunctivitis or 5 upper respiratory tract infections. RESULTS: Nine hundred and ninety-three children were included in this study. The 878 children attending a day-care centre had a significant higher risk of infections compare to children in family day-care (RR = 2.92[1.58-5.38]) except for gastroenteritis and conjunctivitis. This relationship between the type of day-care setting and the repeated infections was especially shown for children younger than 1 year. The mixing of ages only increased the risk of conjunctivitis (RR = 1.98[1.15-3.42]). No significant relationship between the size of the day care centre and the repetition of every studied infection was found. CONCLUSION: This study strengthens the orientation of the more vulnerable children towards the family day-care centers.

Prolongation of hospital stay and extra costs due to hospital-acquired infection in a neonatal unit.

A case-control study to evaluate the mean extra stay and corresponding cost of neonates acquiring a hospital-acquired infection (HAI) was performed on all patients admitted to a neonatology unit and discharged alive in 1994. Cases were identified from medical records. Controls were matched to cases for birthweight, gestational age, mode of admission to the unit, previous stay in an intensive care unit and presence of a central venous catheter. Costs were taken as those of the extra days attributable to HAI, i.e. the mean difference in the length of stay between cases and controls. Among a cohort of 616 neonates, 34 (5.5%) had one or more HAIs (average = 1.1). The mean extra cost per infected case was 52,192 FF (US$10,440), corresponding to 5.2 extra days in hospital.

Thrombosis of the arterial cannula during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a full-term newborn infant.

The authors report a rare case of cannula thrombosis during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). A full-term newborn infant was successively placed on single-cannula veno-venous extracorporeal lung support and then on veno-arterial ECMO, because of persistent pulmonary hypertension. At 140 hours of ECMO, the infant displayed general cyanosis except in the right arm. Since asymmetric hypoxemia during ECMO may be related either to cannula malposition or to a tip thrombosis, a chest x-ray after contrast injection into the arterial line of the circuit was performed. It showed an opacification of the whole cannula but for the last distal centimeter, and of the vascular bed extending from the right subclavian artery. Cannula thrombosis was suspected and confirmed by removal of the arterial cannula. Demonstration of cannula thrombosis by opacification of the arterial line of the circuit indicates catheter removal.

Is there a role for inhaled nitric oxide in pediatric ARDS?

Despite advances in ventilator management and use of extracorporeal lung support, mortality related to ARDS in pediatric patients has not been reduced over the past 20 years. Progressive respiratory failure, due to evolution of the primary illness or to complications of ventilator therapy, significantly contributes to poor outcome. ARDS is characterized by severe ventilation-perfusion mismatch and by pulmonary hypertension. Because of their side effects which affect systemic hemodynamic status or worsen intrapulmonary shunting, intravenous vasodilator trials have been of limited interest. Nitric oxide (NO) has been recognized as a gas with vasodilator properties. In neonates studies have shown that inhaled NO may have an important role in the therapy of persistent pulmonary hypertension. Inhaled NO in adults with severe ARDS has been shown to reduce pulmonary hypertension without producing systemic vasodilation. This reduction of pulmonary vascular resistances may reduce pulmonary edema formation, decrease vasoconstrictor response to cardiotonic agents, and improve biventricular function. In addition, arterial oxygenation seems to be increased by improved matching of ventilation with perfusion. Improvement of oxygenation with inhaled NO suggests that use of lower tidal volumes and FIO2 may be more successful. Until now, there are no published studies regarding NO administration in ARDS affecting nonneonatal pediatric patients. However, the results obtained in adults and newborns suggest that inhaled NO may be a useful adjuvant therapy of ARDS in children, possibly in association with other therapies. Even in adults it remains unclear whether therapy with inhaled NO can reduce morbidity and mortality. Prospectives and randomized studies are essential to assess the real utility of inhaled NO in ARDS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Population pharmacokinetics of midazolam in neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the pharmacokinetics of midazolam, a water-soluble benzodiazepine with a short half-life, in critically ill neonates. HYPOTHESIS: Midazolam clearance is reduced in neonates compared with clearance in children, and the doses currently in use, which are derived from pediatric studies, are excessive. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This population study was conducted in 187 neonates requiring intravenous sedation for artificial ventilation. The 531 midazolam concentration measurements obtained were analyzed by use of NONMEM and a two-compartment model with four parameters: clearance (CL), central volume (Vc), peripheral volume (Vp), and intercompartmental clearance (Q). The influence of birth weight (range, 700 to 5200 gm), gestational age (range, 26 to 42 weeks), postnatal age (range, 0 to 10 days), and comedications were investigated. RESULTS: CL and Vc (mean +/- SE) were found to be directly proportional to birth weight (CL = 0.070 +/- 0.013 L/kg/hr; VC = 0.591 +/- 0.065 L/kg). The CL was 1.6 times higher in neonates with a gestational age of more than 39 weeks. It was 0.7 times lower in neonates receiving inotropic support. The postnatal age had no apparent effect on midazolam kinetics. The Vp and Q (mean +/- SE; 0.42 +/- 0.11 L and 0.29 +/- 0.08 L/hr, respectively) were not influenced by any of the covariates studied. There was a large interindividual variability for the pharmacokinetic parameters. CONCLUSION: The mean midazolam doses required for critically ill neonates are lower than those required for older infants.

Placebo-controlled trial of midazolam sedation in mechanically ventilated newborn babies.

Although midazolam is used for sedation of mechanically ventilated newborn babies, this treatment has not been evaluated in a randomised trial. We have done a prospective placebo-controlled study of the effects of midazolam on haemodynamic variables and sedation as judged by a five-item behaviour score. 46 newborn babies on mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress syndrome were randomly assigned to receive midazolam (n = 24) or placebo (n = 22) as a continuous infusion. Doses of midazolam were calculated to obtain plasma concentrations between 200 and 1000 ng/mL within 24 h of starting treatment and to maintain these values throughout the study. Haemodynamic and ventilatory variables were noted every hour, as were complications and possible side-effects of treatment. Mean (SD) duration of inclusion was 78.7 (30.9) h. 1 patient in the treatment group and 7 in the placebo group were withdrawn because of inadequate sedation (p < 0.05). Midazolam gave a significantly better sedative effect than placebo, as estimated by the behaviour score (p < 0.05). Heart rate and blood pressure were reduced by treatment but remained within the normal range for gestational age and there was no effect on ventilatory indices. The incidence of complications was similar in the two groups. No midazolam-related side-effects were noted. Continuous infusion of midazolam at doses adapted to gestational age induces effective sedation in newborn babies on mechanical ventilation, with positive effects on haemodynamic variables. The course of the respiratory distress syndrome was not influenced by this treatment. Midazolam was given over only a few days and the limited effects on heart rate and blood pressure that we report should not encourage long-term administration.

Doppler echocardiographic assessment of pulmonary circulation in severe respiratory failure of the neonate: an aid for extracorporeal lung support indications.

Extracorporeal lung support (ECLS) for newborns with acute respiratory failure has achieved increased popularity over the last decade. However, precise criteria for its implementation remain controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the value of Doppler echocardiography (DE) in 31 neonates with PaO2 of < or = 50 mmHg, FIO2 of 1, and optimal ventilation. Treatment included mechanical ventilation, paralysis, volume loading, vasopressors, and tolazoline. Markers indicative of ECLS (failure of maximal medical therapy, assessed by AaDO2 of more than 610 mm Hg beyond 8 hours and/or an oxygenation index (OI = mean airway pressure x FIO2%/postductal PaO2) of more than 40 beyond 4 to 6 hours) were present in 23 (group 1) and absent in eight (group 2). Shunt direction and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) calculated from tricuspid insufficiency velocity were assessed using DE. At the time of admission, sPAP was significantly higher in group 1 (62.1 v 43.7 mm Hg). On day 1, group 1 differed from group 2 in maximum sPAP value (73.2 v 44.4 mm Hg), PaCO2 (56.1 v 40 mm Hg), right-to-left shunting (85% v 25% of the patients), and pulmonary-to-systemic-pressure systolic ratio (sPAP:sSAP) (1.29 v 0.75). Patients with an sPAP:sSAP ratio of more than 1 and patients with high sPAP associated with high PaCO2 on day 1, all later (average, 10 hours later) fulfilled ECLS criteria; this suggests that DE assessment of pulmonary circulation may yield early and predictive markers of impending ECLS indication. Further confirmation of these results would help avoid unnecessary delays in ECLS implementation in newborns with severe respiratory failure.

[Severe poisoning risk linked to intravenous administration of quinine]. / Les risques d'intoxication grave liés à l'administration intraveineuse de quinine.

BACKGROUND: High concentrations of quinine, the drug of choice for severe malaria, are toxic to the cardiovascular system, producing hypotension and abnormal myocardial conduction. CASE REPORTS: Five children, aged 14 months to 13 years, were admitted because of fever that appeared a few days after their return from an area in which malaria was endemic. Examination of a thick blood film showed Plasmodium falciparum. They were given quinine intravenously. Four children developed a seizure that recurred in three of them; the fifth child suffered from headache, buzzing in the ears and vision anomalies. Four children rapidly developed hypotension followed by cardiac arrest. All children had abnormal ECG. Retrospective study of the instructions given for quinine administration showed that they were inexplicit and were responsible for incorrect dilution of the drug. Four of the five children recovered completely. The fifth child developed ventricular tachycardia followed by bradycardia that did not respond to resuscitation. CONCLUSION: Major errors can be made in prescribing intravenous quinine. This type of treatment must be carefully monitored and is only indicated in severe forms of malaria, which our patients were not suffering from.

[Total abnormal pulmonary venous return. Preoperative stabilization by extracorporeal veno-venous circulation]. / Retour veineux pulmonaire anormal total. Stabilisation préopératoire par circulation extra-corporelle veino-veineuse.

BACKGROUND: Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) is a rare congenital cardiac disease. When this includes pulmonary artery hypertension, the infant is severely ill. Survival beyond infancy is rare without surgical correction. CASE REPORT: A girl in whom hydramnios and a short femur were discovered by ultrasonography at the 25th week of gestation was admitted to the intensive care unit a few hours after birth because of respiratory distress. Blood PaO2 was 37 mmHg, PaCO2, 36 mmHg, and pH 7.25. She had tachycardia (190/min) and circulatory insufficiency. Echocardiography showed right ventricular overload, a right-to-left shunt through a patent ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale and tricuspid insufficiency. This refractory hypoxemia was not corrected by conventional respiratory support, high-frequency oscillation plus dobutamine and dopamine followed by noradrenaline infusion. Because of further deterioration, the baby was given extracorporeal lung support; this rapidly improved the respiratory and hemodynamic conditions. Persistent pulmonary artery hypertension led to a second investigation that showed TAPVR She underwent emergency surgery. CONCLUSION: Extracorporeal lung support can stabilize a precarious state in a case of severe congenital cardiac disease, so allowing surgical treatment under satisfactory conditions.

[Anuria after abdominal surgery in 2 newborn infants. Beneficial effect of noradrenaline]. / Anurie après chirurgie abdominale chez deux nouveau-nés. Effet bénéfique de la noradrénaline.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal surgery in neonates may be complicated by acute renal failure that is sometimes due to increased intra-abdominal pressure. Correction of the decreased renal perfusion may be difficult. CASE REPORTS: Case no 1. A girl weighing 3,000 g was operated on at 3 hours of life for congenital omphalocele. Closing the defect induced increased intra-abdominal pressure and decreased systemic pressure. Despite dopamine, dobutamine, followed by furosemide, anuria persisted without manifestations of heart failure. Noradrenaline (0.1 to 0.7 micrograms/kg/min intravenously) given 24 hours after surgery resulted in normalization of systemic pressure and diuresis. Case no 2. A boy was born at gestational week 30, weighing 1,450 g. At 8 days of age, he was suffering from shock that was attributed to perforation of the bowel due to necrotizing enterocolitis. Surgery was complicated by acute circulatory and renal failure that did not respond to dopamine, dobutamine or furosemide. Infusion of noradrenaline, (0.2 to 0.6 micrograms/kg/min intravenously) induced diuresis within 3 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Noradrenaline can be useful in patients with postoperative increased intra-abdominal pressure. It should only be given after correction of hypovolemia, control of myocardial function, and when dopamine remains ineffective.

Emergency liver transplantation for fulminant liver failure in infants and children.

We report our results with orthotopic liver transplantation in children with fulminant liver failure. Thirty-five children with fulminant liver failure were evaluated for liver transplantation. The main causes of liver failure were viral hepatitis (54.2%), drug-induced liver injury (14.2%) and Wilson's disease (11.4%). Children were considered as candidates for liver transplantation only if hepatic encephalopathy was associated with a decrease in the level of factor V to below 25%. Seven children (20%) did not meet this criterion and recovered spontaneously. Six children (17.1%) had contraindications for liver transplantation and died. In three of these six children, contraindications included irreversible brain damage at the time of admission. Twenty-two children (62.8%) met the criteria for liver transplantation and were placed on the emergency transplant list. Three of them died awaiting grafts. Nineteen children underwent liver transplantation; 13 of them (68.4%) are alive without sequelae, after 6 mo to 4 yr of follow-up, at this writing. Four of the children who died after surgery had severe encephalopathy on admission that did not improve after liver transplantation. In conclusion, emergency liver transplantation appears to be an effective treatment for children with fulminant liver failure. Nevertheless, irreversible brain damage developed in 10 patients, and they died before or after surgery. We postulate that many of these deaths could have been avoided if children had been transferred to a liver transplantation facility and had undergone transplantation earlier. We emphasize that children with acute liver failure should be transferred to a center that performs liver transplantation before the development of hepatic encephalopathy.