Multicenter comparative study of conventional mechanical gas ventilation to tidal liquid ventilation in oleic acid injured sheep

We performed a multicenter study to test the hypothesis that tidal liquid ventilation (TLV) would improve cardiopulmonary, lung histomorphological, and inflammatory profiles compared with conventional mechanical gas ventilation (CMV). Sheep were studied using the same volume-controlled, pressure-limited ventilator systems, protocols, and treatment strategies in three independent laboratories. Following baseline measurements, oleic acid lung injury was induced and animals were randomized to 4 hours of CMV or TLV targeted to "best PaO2" and PaCO2 35 to 60 mm Hg. The following were significantly higher (p < 0.01) during TLV than CMV: PaO2, venous oxygen saturation, respiratory compliance, cardiac output, stroke volume, oxygen delivery, ventilatory efficiency index; alveolar area, lung % gas exchange space, and expansion index. The following were lower (p < 0.01) during TLV compared with CMV: inspiratory and expiratory pause pressures, mean airway pressure, minute ventilation, physiologic shunt, plasma lactate, lung interleukin-6, interleukin-8, myeloperoxidase, and composite total injury score. No significant laboratories by treatment group interactions were found. In summary, TLV resulted in improved cardiopulmonary physiology at lower ventilatory requirements with more favorable histological and inflammatory profiles than CMV. As such, TLV offers a feasible ventilatory alternative as a lung protective strategy in this model of acute lung injury.

Lemierre Syndrome: Two Preschool Children with Cerebral Infarcts

We report two children who developed hemiparesis secondary to cerebral infarcts complicating Lemierre syndrome. The first case is a one-year-old patient who presented a left internal jugular vein thrombosis and a left carotid compression due to retropharyngeal cellulitis. The second case is a five-year-old girl who presented a left internal jugular vein and a right carotid artery thrombosis associated with an oropharyngeal cellulitis. Etiologic agents involved were Staphylococus aureus in the first case and Fusobacterium necrophorum in the second case.

These cases call for vigilance among physicians for this rare syndrome, its unusual presentation and its associated severe complications.

Incidence of deep vein thrombosis related to peripherally inserted central catheters in children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) in children and adolescents are being used with increasing frequency. We sought to determine the incidence and characterize risk factors of deep vein thrombosis associated with peripherally inserted central catheters in a pediatric population.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective study involving consecutive patients referred to the radiology department of a tertiary care university-affiliated hospital for insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter. We included patients aged 18 years or less who weighed more than 2.5 kg and had a peripherally inserted central catheter successfully inserted in his or her arm between June 2004 and November 2005. The primary outcome was the occurrence of partial or complete deep vein thrombosis evaluated by clinical examination, ultrasonography and venous angiography.

RESULTS

A total of 214 patients (101 girls, 113 boys) were included in the study. Partial or complete deep vein thrombosis occurred in 20 patients, for an incidence of 93.5 per 1000 patients and 3.85 per 1000 catheter-days. Only 1 of the cases was symptomatic. In the univariable analyses, the only variable significantly associated with deep vein thrombosis was the presence of factor II mutation G20210A (odds ratio 7.08, 95% confidence interval 1.11-45.15, p = 0.04), a genetic mutation that increases the risk of a blood clot and that was present in 5 (2.3%) of the 214 patients.

INTERPRETATION

The incidence of deep vein thrombosis related to peripherally inserted central catheters in our study was lower than the incidence related to centrally inserted venous catheters described in the pediatric literature (11%-50%).

Transfusion strategies for patients in pediatric intensive care units

BACKGROUND

The optimal hemoglobin threshold for erythrocyte transfusions in critically ill children is unknown. We hypothesized that a restrictive transfusion strategy of using packed red cells that were leukocyte-reduced before storage would be as safe as a liberal transfusion strategy, as judged by the outcome of multiple-organ dysfunction.

METHODS

In this noninferiority trial, we enrolled 637 stable, critically ill children who had hemoglobin concentrations below 9.5 g per deciliter within 7 days after admission to an intensive care unit. We randomly assigned 320 patients to a hemoglobin threshold of 7 g per deciliter for red-cell transfusion (restrictive-strategy group) and 317 patients to a threshold of 9.5 g per deciliter (liberal-strategy group).

RESULTS

Hemoglobin concentrations were maintained at a mean (+/-SD) level that was 2.1+/-0.2 g per deciliter lower in the restrictive-strategy group than in the liberal-strategy group (lowest average levels, 8.7+/-0.4 and 10.8+/-0.5 g per deciliter, respectively; P<0.001). Patients in the restrictive-strategy group received 44% fewer transfusions; 174 patients (54%) in that group did not receive any transfusions, as compared with 7 patients (2%) in the liberal-strategy group (P<0.001). New or progressive multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome (the primary outcome) developed in 38 patients in the restrictive-strategy group, as compared with 39 in the liberal-strategy group (12% in both groups) (absolute risk reduction with the restrictive strategy, 0.4%; 95% confidence interval, -4.6 to 5.4). There were 14 deaths in each group within 28 days after randomization. No significant differences were found in other outcomes, including adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

In stable, critically ill children a hemoglobin threshold of 7 g per deciliter for red-cell transfusion can decrease transfusion requirements without increasing adverse outcomes. (Controlled-trials.com number, ISRCTN37246456 [controlled-trials.com].).

Risk factors of acute renal failure in critically ill children: A prospective descriptive epidemiological study

OBJECTIVE

Acute renal failure is a serious condition in critically ill patients, but little literature is available on acute renal failure in critically ill children. The aim of the study was to determine incidence rate, identify risk factors, and describe the clinical outcome of acute renal failure in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

DESIGN

Prospective, descriptive study.

SETTING

A tertiary PICU.

PATIENTS

Patients were 1,047 consecutively admitted children over a 1-yr period.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Acute renal failure was defined as doubling of baseline serum creatinine. A comparison between patients with acute renal failure and without acute renal failure was carried out, and the risk factors playing a significant role in the manifestation of acute renal failure were analyzed. There were 985 cases included in the study, with the incidence rate of acute renal failure in PICU being 4.5%. The most common PICU admission diagnoses in acute renal failure cases were hemolytic uremic syndrome (18.2%), oncologic pathologies (18.2%), and cardiac surgery (11.4%). Significant risk factors for acute renal failure following multivariate analysis were thrombocytopenia (odds ratio, 6.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.5, 16.2), age >12 yrs (odds ratio, 4.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.9, 13), hypoxemia (odds ratio, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.3, 8.0), hypotension (odds ratio, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.2, 7.5), and coagulopathy (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.3, 5.6). The mortality rate was estimated to be higher in patients with acute renal failure compared with patients without acute renal failure (29.6% vs. 2.3%, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although not frequent in the PICU, acute renal failure is associated with a significant increase in mortality. The risk factors of acute renal failure are multiple and are often present before PICU admission. A multiple-center study is planned with the intention to confirm these results.

Acute transfusion reactions in the pediatric intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Acute transfusion reactions (ATRs) are probably underdiagnosed in critically ill children because associated symptoms can frequently be attributed to the patient's underlying disease. This study was undertaken to determine the incidence, type, imputability, and severity of ATRs observed in a tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

All transfusions of labile blood product administered to consecutive patients admitted to our PICU, between February 2002 and February 2004, were prospectively recorded. For each transfusion, the bedside nurse recorded the patient's status before, during, and up to 4 hours after the transfusion, as well as the presence of any new sign or symptom suggesting an ATR. Three independent experts retrospectively reviewed all transfusion event reports and hospital charts. The presence, type, imputability, and severity of ATRs were adjudicated by consensus of two of three experts (Delphi method), with predefined criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 2509 transfusions were administered to 305 patients during the study. Forty transfusion events (1.6%) were confirmed to be ATRs by expert consensus: 24 febrile nonhemolytic, 6 minor allergic, 4 isolated hypotension, 3 bacterial contamination, 1 major allergic (anaphylactic shock), 1 TRALI, and 1 hemolytic reaction. Imputability of ATRs was probable or possible in 35 cases (88%). ATRs led to an immediate vital threat in 15 percent of cases.

CONCLUSION

Improved surveillance of transfusions given to PICU patients and better knowledge of these reactions by health care professionals should improve the safety of transfusions in the PICU.

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.

Systemic capillary leak syndrome presenting as recurrent shock

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) in a child.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

Pediatric intensive care unit.

PATIENT

A 6-yr-old girl was admitted twice to the pediatric intensive care unit, at a 10-month interval, in severe shock with important edema.

RESULTS

The patient presented with acute symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, and syncope in the hour preceding the shock. During both episodes necessary management included aggressive intravenous fluid rehydration, mechanical ventilation, and use of inotropes/vasopressors. Suspicion of a lower limb fasciitis necessitated surgical exploration, but pathology reports were negative on both occasions revealing only subcutaneous tissue edema. The patient recovered within 24 hrs on both episodes. Investigation ruled out cardiogenic shock and septic shock due to bacterial etiology. On the first episode, a nasopharyngeal aspirate was positive for influenza A (H3N2) by both viral immunofluorescence and culture. The presumed diagnosis was toxic shock syndrome associated with influenza virus. On the second episode, all bacterial and virology cultures remained negative. Hypovolemic shock was suspected, but there was no history of dehydration, bleeding, or gastrointestinal losses (persistent vomiting or diarrhea). Noninfectious causes of hypovolemic shock with edema were ruled out, leading us to believe that she suffered from SCLS.

CONCLUSIONS

Although well described in the adult literature, there have been few reports of SCLS in pediatric patients. SCLS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of recurrent hypovolemic shock without identifiable cause. The only therapeutic intervention is to obtain vascular access when initial manifestations occur and give aggressive fluid reanimation.

Determinants of red blood cell transfusions in a pediatric critical care unit: A prospective, descriptive epidemiological study*

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence and to characterize the determinants of red blood cell transfusions in critically ill children.

DESIGN

Prospective, descriptive epidemiologic study.

SETTING

A single-center, multidisciplinary, tertiary care level, university-affiliated, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

PATIENTS

Critically ill children.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Of 1,047 consecutive admissions over a 1-yr period, 985 were retained for study. At least one transfusion was given in 139 cases (14%). Incidence rate of transfusion was 304 transfusions/1,000 cases. Possible determinants of red blood cell transfusions were identified and prospectively monitored during PICU stay until a first transfusion event (transfused cases) or up until the time of death or discharge from PICU (nontransfused cases). Four significant determinants of a first red blood cell transfusion event were retained in the multivariate analysis (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, p): a hemoglobin level <9.5 g/dL during PICU stay (13.26, 8.04-21.88, p < .001), an admission diagnosis of cardiac disease (8.07, 5.14-14.65, p < .001), an admission Pediatric Risk of Mortality score >10 (4.83, 2.33-10.04, p < .001), and the presence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome during the stay (2.06, 1.18-3.57, p = .01).

CONCLUSION

A significant proportion of critically ill children receive at least one red blood cell transfusion during their PICU stay. Presence of anemia, cardiac disease, severe critical illness, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome are the most significant determinants of red blood cell transfusions in PICU.

The syndrome of amniotic fluid embolism: a potential contribution of bradykinin

OBJECTIVE

Amniotic fluid embolism is a potentially fatal complication of pregnancy; although several hypotheses have been formulated, the pathophysiology of this condition is not well known. An exaggerated release of bradykinin, which is activated by products of the amniotic fluid that enter the maternal circulation, could explain the symptoms that are present in amniotic fluid embolism. The objective of this study was to assess whether bradykinin is involved in amniotic fluid embolism.

STUDY DESIGN

The plasma bradykinin-generating capacity was measured serially in a patient who experienced amniotic fluid embolism.

RESULTS

The plasma bradykinin-generating capacity was found to be very low at the time of the initial clinical manifestations, which were characterized by severe hypotension, cardiorespiratory arrest, and coagulopathy.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests a potential role for bradykinin release in the pathophysiology of amniotic fluid embolism.

Cumulative influence of organ dysfunctions and septic state on mortality of critically ill children

The interaction between sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome is poorly defined in children. We analyzed by Cox regression models the cumulative influence of organ dysfunctions, using the pediatric logistic organ dysfunction (PELOD) score, and septic state (systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock) on mortality of critically ill children. We included 593 children (mortality rate: 8.6%) from three pediatric intensive care units; 514 patients had at least a systemic inflammatory response syndrome and 269 had two or more organ dysfunctions. Hazard ratio of death significantly increased with the severity of organ dysfunction, as estimated by the PELOD score, and the worst diagnostic category of septic state. Each increase of one unit in the PELOD score multiplied the hazard ratio by 1.096 (p < 0.0001); hazard ratio of diagnostic category was 9.039 (p = 0.031) for systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis, 18.797 (p = 0.007) for severe sepsis and 32.572 (p < 0.001) for septic shock. Cumulative hazard ratio of death = (hazard ratio of PELOD score) x (hazard ratio of diagnostic category). We conclude that there is a cumulative accrual of the risk of death both with an increasing severity of organ dysfunction and an increasing severity of the diagnostic category of septic state.

Serum procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels as markers of bacterial infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the accuracy of determination of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels for the diagnosis of bacterial infection. The analysis included published studies that evaluated these markers for the diagnosis of bacterial infections in hospitalized patients. PCT level was more sensitive (88% [95% confidence interval [CI], 80%-93%] vs. 75% [95% CI, 62%-84%]) and more specific (81% [95% CI, 67%-90%] vs. 67% [95% CI, 56%-77%]) than CRP level for differentiating bacterial from noninfective causes of inflammation. The Q value for PCT markers was higher (0.82 vs. 0.73). The sensitivity for differentiating bacterial from viral infections was also higher for PCT markers (92% [95% CI, 86%-95%] vs. 86% [95% CI, 65%-95%]); the specificities were comparable (73% [95% CI, 42%-91%] vs. 70% [95% CI, 19%-96%]). The Q value was higher for PCT markers (0.89 vs. 0.83). PCT markers also had a higher positive likelihood ratio and lower negative likelihood ratio than did CRP markers in both groups. On the basis of this analysis, the diagnostic accuracy of PCT markers was higher than that of CRP markers among patients hospitalized for suspected bacterial infections.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in intubated children: comparison of different diagnostic methods

OBJECTIVES

To compare different methods for diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intubated children.

DESIGN

Prospective epidemiologic study.

SETTING

Pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care university hospital.

PATIENTS

All consecutive pediatric intensive care unit patients <18 yrs of age with suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia.

INTERVENTIONS

For all patients, the following diagnostic methods were compared: 1) clinical data using Centers for Disease Control criteria; 2) blind protected bronchoalveolar lavage, evaluating quantitative cultures, bacterial index of >5, Gram stain, and presence of intracellular bacteria; and 3) nonquantitative cultures of endotracheal secretions. The reference standard used was clinical judgment of three independent experts (Delphi method) who retrospectively established by consensus the presence of ventilator-associated pneumonia based on clinical, microbiological, and radiologic data. Concordance between each diagnostic method and the reference standard was evaluated by concordance percentage and kappa score. Validity was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and global value.

RESULTS

A total of 30 patients were included in the study. According to the reference standard, ventilator-associated pneumonia occurred in 10 of 30 patients (33%). Bacterial index of >5 in bronchoalveolar secretions showed the best concordance compared with the reference standard (concordance, 83%; kappa, 0.61). Bacterial index of >5 also showed the best validity (sensitivity, 78%; specificity, 86%; positive predictive value, 70%; negative predictive value, 90%; global value, 90%). Intracellular bacteria and Gram stain from bronchoalveolar secretions were very specific (95% and 81%, respectively) but not sensitive (30% and 50%, respectively). Clinical criteria and endotracheal cultures were very sensitive (100% and 90%, respectively) but poorly specific (15% and 40%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our data show that the most reliable diagnostic method for ventilator-associated pneumonia is a bacterial index of >5, using blind protected bronchoalveolar lavage. Further studies should evaluate the validity of all these methods according to the gold standard (autopsy).

Naloxone for shock

BACKGROUND

There is pre-clinical evidence, involving several animal species, suggesting that opioid peptides play a role in the physiopathology of shock (endotoxic, hypovolemic, cardiogenic, spinal, anaphylactic). Many case reports have suggested that naloxone (an opiate antagonist) might be an effective treatment for shock in humans, but others have not supported such a point of view. This controversy led us to undertake a meta-analysis of the available evidence on the efficacy of naloxone as a treatment measure of shock in humans.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of naloxone in human shock and to estimate the methodological quality of the clinical trials.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Computerized bibliographic search up to December 2002, review of references of all papers found on the subject and contact with primary investigators of eligible studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized controlled trials evaluating naloxone in human shock, regardless of the patient's age (adult, child or neonate).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Three independent reviewers extracted data on study design, intervention, outcome and methodological quality.

MAIN RESULTS

Three independent readers reviewed 80 human publications and selected six clinical trials. Overall agreement on study selection was perfect (concordance: 100%). This meta-analysis includes six studies involving 126 patients with septic, cardiogenic, hemorrhagic or spinal shock. Naloxone therapy was associated with statistically significant hemodynamic improvement (odds ratio 0.24; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.09-0.68). The mean arterial pressure was significantly higher in the naloxone groups than in the placebo groups (weighted mean difference: +9.33 mmHg; 95%CI 7.07-11.59). No heterogeneity was found for this outcome. The death rate was lower in the naloxone group (odds ratio 0.59; 95%CI 0.21-1.67) but this was consistent with the play of chance. A significant heterogeneity for the latter outcome was detected (p<0.05).

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

Naloxone improves blood pressure, especially mean arterial blood pressure. However, the clinical usefulness of naloxone to treat shock remains to be determined, and additional randomized controlled trials are needed to assess its usefulness.

Survey on transfusion practices of pediatric intensivists

OBJECTIVE

To describe the red blood cell transfusion practices of pediatric intensivists.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional self-administered survey.

SETTING

Pediatric intensive care units.

PATIENTS

Academic pediatric intensivists.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Scenario-based survey among English- or French-speaking intensivists from Canada, France, Belgium, or Switzerland, working in tertiary-care pediatric intensive care units. Respondents were asked to report their decisions regarding transfusion practice with respect to four scenarios: cases of bronchiolitis, septic shock, trauma, and the postoperative care of a patient with Fallot's tetrad. The response rate was 71% (163 of 230). The overall baseline hemoglobin transfusion threshold that would have prompted intensivists to transfuse a patient ranged from 7 to 13 g/dL (70-130 g/L) within almost all scenarios. There was a significant difference between scenarios of the average baseline hemoglobin transfusion thresholds (p < .0001). A low Pao2, a high blood lactate concentration, a high Pediatric Risk of Mortality score, active gastric bleeding, emergency surgery, and age (2 wks) were important determinants of red blood cell transfusion, whereas none of the respondents' personal characteristics were. The average volume of packed red blood cells transfused in the four scenarios did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey documented a significant variation in transfusion practice patterns among pediatric critical care practitioners with respect to the threshold hemoglobin concentration for red blood cell transfusion. The volume of packed red blood cells given was not adjusted to the hemoglobin concentration.

Reproducibility of blind protected bronchoalveolar lavage in mechanically ventilated children

Blind protected bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) could be an interesting tool in the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intubated children, but its reproducibility has never been evaluated. This study evaluates the reproducibility, feasibility, and safety of blind protected BAL in mechanically ventilated children. Two blind protected BAL were done, at a 2-hour interval, in 30 patients. The reproducibility of microbiologic and cytologic results was studied. A total of 60 BALs was analyzed. Bacterial growth was present in 26 of 60 BAL (43%). Reproducibility for the presence of bacteria on quantitative cultures was excellent (concordance, 93%; kappa [kappa], 0.86). Concordance for the type of bacteria isolated was 86% and for the number of bacteria was 79%. Reproducibility for the presence of neutrophils containing bacteria was perfect (concordance, 100%; kappa, 1) although only a few BALs had a positive result (8/60). Blind protected BAL was feasible in all patients and all samples were considered adequate for analysis. Complications were mostly benign and transitory except in two cases: one pneumothorax and one significant increase in intracranial pressure. Overall, blind protected BAL is a reproducible test in mechanically ventilated children, is easily feasible, and is usually well tolerated.

The impact of clinically significant upper gastrointestinal bleeding acquired in a pediatric intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

To determine the clinical and economic impact attributable to upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) acquired in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

DESIGN

Prospective case-control-within-cohort study.

SETTING

PICU at a university hospital.

PATIENTS

All consecutive patients over a 1-yr period.

METHODS

All UGIB (hematemesis or blood in gastric tube) were reported. A UGIB was qualified as clinically significant (CS-UGIB) if a panel of reviewers assessed that a complication (decreased hemoglobin concentration, transfusion, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, surgery, or death) was attributed to it. A UGIB was qualified as clinically nonsignificant (NS-UGIB) if none of these complications was attributed to it. The Ø-UGIB group comprised patients without UGIB. Pairing between the three groups was done according to these criteria: death or survival, Pediatric Risk of Mortality Score on admission, respiratory failure, coagulopathy, and age. Data considered for the impact analysis was prospectively monitored during the stay in PICU. Costs were estimated in Canadian dollars (1999) as follows: costs of stay + medical staff + ventilation + red blood cell transfusions.

RESULTS

The cohort included 1006 admissions. Sixteen cases of CS-UGIB were paired to 13 cases of NS-UGIB and 32 cases of Ø-UGIB. Compared with the Ø-UGIB group and the NS-UGIB group, the CS-UGIB group showed a significantly (p < 0.05) higher rate of red blood cell transfusions, duration of ventilation, length of stay in PICU, and a lower hemoglobin level. There was no difference between the NS-UGIB group and the Ø-UGIB group. The cost analysis demonstrated a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the CS-UGIB group (20,062.67 Can dollars/patient per stay) and the other groups (NS-UGIB, 6104.77 Can dollars/patient per stay; Ø-UGIB, 5457.25 Can dollars/patient per stay).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates a significant clinical and economic impact of CS-UGIB in PICU, although no impact was detected for NS-UGIB. Further studies on the benefit of UGIB prophylaxis for critically ill children with risk factors for CS-UGIB are needed.

Hospitalizations for pediatric intoxication in Washington State, 1987-1997

BACKGROUND

Intoxication (or poisoning) that necessitates hospitalization remains an important source of morbidity in children.

OBJECTIVE

To determine changes, during an 11-year period (1987-1997), in the incidence of hospitalization due to intoxication among children in Washington State and circumstances of ingestion, agents used, hospital length of stay, charges, and mortality.

METHODS

A computerized database of all hospital discharges (Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System [CHARS] database) in Washington was used. Cases included all children younger than 19 years with a primary or secondary diagnosis for an intoxication or with an external cause of injury code (E code) for an intoxication from 1987 to 1997.

RESULTS

There were 7322 hospitalizations (45 per 100 000 children per year); the annual rate significantly decreased during the study period. Most patients (75%) were teenagers. Sixty-five percent were female. Pharmaceutical agents were used in 80% of cases. Analgesics were the most commonly used (34%), followed by antidepressants (12%) and psychotropic drugs (8%). Nonpharmaceutical agents were more prevalent in children younger than 12 years than in teenagers. Self-inflicted intoxication was the most frequent cause identified by E codes (47%). Median length of stay was 1 day, and median hospital charges were $2096. Mortality was low (0.2%) and did not change significantly over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute intoxication continues to be an important cause of hospitalization in children. The type of agent involved did not change significantly over time. Teenage girls continue as the highest risk group for suicide attempt from ingestions. Self-inflicted intoxications were associated with higher costs, length of stay, and readmissions. Although preventive measures and development of poison centers have contributed to decrease mortality from acute intoxication in children in the last 50 years, efforts need to be targeted toward suicide prevention, especially among teenage girls.