Severe head injury in early infancy: analysis of causes and possible predictive factors for outcome

Impact of hypocalcemia on mortality in pediatric trauma patients who require transfusion

BACKGROUND

Admission hypocalcemia has been associated with poor outcomes in injured adults. The impact of hypocalcemia on mortality has not been widely studied in pediatric trauma.

METHODS

A pediatric trauma center database was queried retrospectively (2013-2022) for children younger than 18 years who received blood transfusion within 24 hours of injury and had ionized calcium (iCal) level on admission. Children who received massive transfusion (>40 mL/kg) prior to hospital arrival or calcium prior to laboratory testing were excluded. Hypocalcemia was defined by the laboratory lower limit (iCal <1.00). Main outcomes were in-hospital mortality and 24-hour blood product requirements. Logistic regression analysis was performed to adjust for Injury Severity Score (ISS), admission shock index, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, and weight-adjusted total transfusion volume.

RESULTS

In total, 331 children with median (IQR) age of 7 years (2-3 years) and median (IQR) ISS 25 (14-33) were included, 32 (10%) of whom were hypocalcemic on arrival to the hospital. The hypocalcemic cohort had higher ISS (median (IQR) 30(24-36) vs. 22 (13-30)) and lower admission GCS score (median (IQR) 3 (3-12) vs. 8 (3-15)). Age, sex, race, and mechanism were not significantly different between groups. On univariate analysis, hypocalcemia was associated with increased in-hospital (56% vs. 18%; p < 0.001) and 24-hour (28% vs. 5%; p < 0.001) mortality. Children who were hypocalcemic received a median (IQR) of 22 mL/kg (7-38) more in total weight-adjusted 24-hour blood product transfusion following admission compared to the normocalcemic cohort ( p = 0.005). After adjusting for ISS, shock index, GCS score, and total transfusion volume, hypocalcemia remained independently associated with increased 24-hour (odds ratio, 4.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.77-13.77; p = 0.002) and in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 3.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-9.51; p = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

Hypocalcemia is independently associated with mortality and receipt of greater weight-adjusted volumes of blood product transfusion after injury in children. The benefit of timely calcium administration in pediatric trauma needs further exploration.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level III.

Effect of hyperglycemia on all-cause mortality from pediatric brain injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the effect of hyperglycemia on all-cause mortality in pediatric patients with brain injury, based on currently available evidence.

METHODS

We systematically searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases with the keywords "hyperglycemia", "brain injury", and "pediatrics". The retrieved records were screened by title, abstract, and full-text to include original articles assessing the effects of hyperglycemia on pediatric brain injury. The extracted data were assessed by a fixed-effects model. The risk of bias in the eligible studies was evaluated with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Publication bias was visually examined with a funnel plot. Begg and Egger tests, respectively, were used to identify small-study effects. Sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the robustness of the original effect size.

RESULTS

Nine observational studies were identified from 1439 primary hits. A total of 970 pediatric patients, including 304 with hyperglycemia and brain injury, were included for meta-analysis. Hyperglycemia was strongly associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality in pediatric patients (odds ratio = 11.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.88-17.08; I = 0%). The overall quality of eligible studies was low, but the funnel plot indicated no publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperglycemia is significantly associated with high all-cause mortality in pediatric patients with brain injury. However, the relationship should be confirmed by larger-scale observational studies and randomized controlled trials.

Hyperglycemia as a positive predictor of mortality in major trauma

Background:

Hyperglycemia in the acute phase after trauma is a stress response and a metabolic reflection in humans with injury, which could adversely affect outcome in trauma patients. In this study, we attempted to identify if hyperglycemia a reliable predictor for mortality in major trauma patients.

Objectives:

In order to identify if hyperglycemia a reliable predictor for mortality in major trauma, we designed and proformed a prospective observational study in a tertiary hospital.

Method:

We performed a prospective observational study to review the records of 601 patients with major trauma (injury severity scores >15) who visited our hospital’s emergency department from August 2012 to July 2015. Logistic regression was performed to assess the effect of hyperglycemia on mortality.

Result:

Major trauma patients in the hyperglycemia group had low systolic/diastolic blood pressure at triage, low initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, high incidence of hypotension episodes, coagulopathy, acidosis, and anemia. Hyperglycemia was significantly correlated with mortality in major trauma patients in this study (odds ratio: 1.97, 95% confidence interval: 1.04–3.74).

Conclusion:

In major trauma patients with injury severity scores >15, hyperglycemia has a positive correlation with mortality, which could be a predictor of mortality in clinical practice.

Cold-stored whole blood platelet function is preserved in injured children with hemorrhagic shock

BACKGROUND

Recent data demonstrate the safety of uncrossmatched cold-stored whole blood (WB) transfusion in pediatric trauma patients. The hemostatic capabilities of platelets within the cold-stored WB unit have been demonstrated via in vitro studies and animal models. However, platelet function has not been evaluated in pediatric recipients of cold-stored WB transfusions.

METHODS

Injured children, 2 years or older and 10 kg or greater with hemorrhagic shock received up to 30 mL/kg of cold-stored, low titer (<50) anti-A and -B, leukoreduced, group O- WB during their initial resuscitation. Patients were included if (1) they received WB and no conventional platelets, and (2) platelet count and thromboelastography maximum amplitude were measured both before and after transfusion. These data and relevant clinical outcomes (mortality, intensive care unit length of stay [LOS], hospital LOS and ventilator days) were compared to a historical cohort of pediatric trauma patients who received uncrossmatched red blood cells (RBC) and conventional room temperature platelets.

RESULTS

Twenty-two children were included in the study; 14 in the component cohort versus 8 in the WB cohort. Neither posttransfusion platelet count (129 × 109/L vs. 135 × 109/L) nor function (thromboelastography maximum amplitude, 59.5 mm vs. 60.2 mm) differed significantly between children receiving cold-stored platelets within the WB unit versus children who received conventional warm platelets. Median (interquartile range) weight-adjusted platelet transfusion volume in the historical cohort was 4.6 (2.5-7.7) mL/kg vs. 2.4 (1.3-4.0) mL/kg in the WB cohort (p = 0.03). There was no difference between groups in age, race, mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score, vital signs, and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Outcomes, including mortality, intensive care unit LOS, hospital LOS, and ventilator days, were not significantly different between groups.

CONCLUSION

No difference was seen in posttransfusion platelet number or function in severely injured children receiving cold-stored WB platelets as compared to those receiving conventional room temperature-stored platelets. Larger cohorts are required to confirm these findings.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, level IV.

Overresuscitation with plasma is associated with sustained fibrinolysis shutdown and death in pediatric traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

Elevated International Normalized Ratio (INR) is a marker of poor outcome but not necessarily bleeding or clinical coagulopathy in injured children. Conversely, children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) tend to be hypercoagulable based on rapid thromboelastography (rTEG) parameters. Many clinicians continue to utilize INR as a treatment target.

METHODS

Prospective observational study of severely injured children age < 18 with rTEG on arrival and daily thereafter for up to 7 days. Standard rTEG definitions of hyperfibrinolysis (LY30 ≥ 3), fibrinolysis shutdown (SD) (LY30 ≤ 0.8), and normal (LY30 = 0.9-2.9) were applied. The first 24-hour blood product transfusion volumes were documented. Abbreviated Injury Scale score ≥ 3 defined severe TBI. Sustained SD was defined as two consecutive rTEG with SD and no subsequent normalization. Primary outcomes were death and functional disability, based on functional independence measure score assessed at discharge.

RESULTS

One hundred one patients were included: median age, 8 years (interquartile range, 4-12 years); Injury Severity Score, 25 (16-30); 72% blunt mechanism; 47% severe TBI; 16% mortality; 45% discharge disability. Neither total volume nor any single product volume transfused (mL/kg; all p > 0.1) differed between TBI and non-TBI groups. On univariate analysis, transfusion of packed red blood cells (p = 0.016), plasma (p < 0.001), and platelets (p = 0.006) were associated with sustained SD; however, in a regression model that included all products (mL/kg) and controlled for severe TBI (head Abbreviated Injury Scale score ≥ 3), admission INR, polytrauma, and clinical bleeding, only plasma remained an independent predictor of sustained SD (odds ratio, 1.17; p = 0.031). Patients with both severe TBI and plasma transfusion had 100% sustained SD, 75% mortality, and 100% disability in survivors. Admission INR was elevated in TBI patients, but did not correlate with rTEG activated clotting time (p = NS) and was associated with sustained SD (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Plasma transfusion is independently associated with sustained fibrinolysis SD. Severe TBI is also associated with sustained SD; the combined effect of plasma transfusion and severe TBI is associated with extremely poor prognosis. Plasma transfusion should not be targeted to INR thresholds but rather to rTEG activated clotting time and clinical bleeding.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic and epidemiological study, level III.

Prediction of Poor Prognosis After Severe Head Injury in Children Using Logistic Regression

OBJECTIVES

Head trauma is one of the main causes of death in childhood and often leaves severe disability with serious neurological damage. Appropriate treatment must be provided immediately to improve outcomes. This study was performed to identify factors associated with a poor prognosis at an early stage of severe head injury in children.

METHODS

The subjects were registered in the Japan Neurotrauma Data Bank. They were 119 children (mean age, 8 years; male, 67.2%) with severe head injury registered during a period of 4 years (from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2006 and from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine relationships among factors and outcome 6 months after discharge. Logistic regression analysis was performed to develop models for poor prognosis and death.

RESULTS

Outcome was evaluated based on the Glasgow Outcome Scale: 73 children (61.3%) had good recovery, 11 (9.2%) had moderate disability, 8 (6.7%) had severe disability, 4 (3.3%) were in a vegetative state, and 23 (19.3%) had died. Four factors were identified as predictors of a poor prognosis: serum glucose level greater than or equal to 200 mg/dL, Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission less than or equal to 5, presence of mydriasis, and presence of traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Three factors were identified as predictors of death: serum glucose level greater than or equal to 200 mg/dL, Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission less than or equal to 5, and presence of mydriasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Using these predictors, subsequent exacerbation may be predicted just after arrival at the hospital and appropriate treatment can be provided immediately.

Principal component analysis of coagulation assays in severely injured children

BACKGROUND

Trauma-induced coagulopathy is common and associated with poor outcome in injured children. Our aim is to identify patterns of coagulation dysregulation after injury and associate these phenotypes with relevant clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We performed principal components analysis on prospectively collected data from children with the highest-level trauma activation June 2015-June 2016. Parameters included admission international normalized ratio, platelet count and thromboelastograms. Variables were reduced to principal components; principal component scores were generated for each subject and used in logistic regression with outcomes including mortality, disability, venous thromboembolism, and blood transfusion in the first 24 hours.

RESULTS

We included 133 subjects with median interquartile range age =10 (5-13 years), median interquartile range Injury Severity Score =17 (9-25), 73.5% boys, 70.8% blunt trauma. principal component analysis identified 3 significant principal components accounting for 75.0% of overall variance. Principal component 1 reflected clot strength; principal component 2 reflected abnormal fibrinolysis, both hyperfibrinolysis and fibrinolysis shutdown; principal component 3 reflected global clotting factor depletion. High principal component 1 score was associated with increased mortality (odds ratio =1.63) and blood transfusion (odds ratio 1.36). Principal component 2 score was correlated with Injury Severity Score (rho 0.4) and associated with venous thromboembolism (odds ratio 1.84), functional disability (odds ratio 1.66), mortality (odds ratio 2.07) and blood transfusion (odds ratio 2.79). PC3 score was associated with increased mortality (odds ratio 1.92) and blood transfusion (odds ratio 1.25).

CONCLUSION

Principal component analysis detects 3 patterns of coagulation dysregulation using widely available laboratory parameters: (1) abnormalities in clot strength; (2) abnormalities in fibrinolysis, and (3) clotting factor depletion. While all were associated with mortality and transfusion, fibrinolytic dysregulation was associated with injury severity and portends particularly poor outcome including venous thromboembolism and disability.

Trending Fibrinolytic Dysregulation: Fibrinolysis Shutdown in the Days After Injury Is Associated With Poor Outcome in Severely Injured Children

OBJECTIVE

To trend fibrinolysis after injury and determine the influence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and massive transfusion on fibrinolysis status.

BACKGROUND

Admission fibrinolytic derangement is common in injured children and adults, and is associated with poor outcome. No studies examine fibrinolysis days after injury.

METHODS

Prospective study of severely injured children at a level 1 pediatric trauma center. Rapid thromboelastography was obtained on admission and daily for up to 7 days. Standard definitions of hyperfibrinolysis (HF; LY30 ≥3), fibrinolysis shutdown (SD; LY30 ≤0.8), and normal (LY30 = 0.9-2.9) were applied. Antifibrinolytic use was documented. Outcomes were death, disability, and thromboembolic complications. Wilcoxon rank-sum and Fisher exact tests were performed. Exploratory subgroups included massively transfused and severe TBI patients.

RESULTS

In all, 83 patients were analyzed with median (interquartile ranges) age 8 (4-12) and Injury Severity Score 22 (13-34), 73.5% blunt mechanism, 47% severe TBI, 20.5% massively transfused. Outcomes were 14.5% mortality, 43.7% disability, and 9.8% deep vein thrombosis. Remaining in or trending to SD was associated with death (P = 0.007), disability (P = 0.012), and deep vein thrombosis (P = 0.048). Median LY30 was lower on post-trauma day (PTD)1 to PTD4 in patients with poor compared with good outcome; median LY30 was lower on PTD1 to PTD3 in TBI patients compared with non-TBI patients. HF without associated shutdown was not related to poor outcome, but extreme HF (LY30 >30%, n = 3) was lethal. Also, 50% of massively transfused patients in hemorrhagic shock demonstrated SD physiology on admission. All with HF (fc31.2%) corrected after hemostatic resuscitation without tranexamic acid.

CONCLUSIONS

Fibrinolysis shutdown is common postinjury and predicts poor outcomes. Severe TBI is associated with sustained shutdown. Empiric antifibrinolytics for children should be questioned; thromboelastography-directed selective use should be considered for documented HF.

Venous thromboembolism in pediatric trauma patients: Ten-year experience and long-term follow-up in a tertiary care center

BACKGROUND

Pediatric trauma patients are at high risk for development of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Our objective is to describe incidence, risk factors, and timing of development of VTE, anticoagulation complications, and long-term VTE outcomes in a critically injured pediatric population.

PROCEDURE

We did a retrospective review of pediatric (0-17 years) trauma admissions to intensive care unit from 2005 to 2014. Our center employs VTE screening and prevention protocols for high-risk patients based on hypercoagulable history, age, injuries, and medical interventions. We collected demographics, VTE prevention measures, VTE incidence, therapeutic anticoagulant use, and outcomes including postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) and clot resolution. Analysis included Wilcoxon rank-sum, Fisher exact, and logistic regression modeling.

RESULTS

Seven hundred fifty-three subjects were analyzed. No patients on chemical prophylaxis (21/753) developed VTE. Overall incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was 8.9%; pulmonary embolism (PE) was 0%. Time to diagnosis was median (interquartile range [IQR]) 10.5 (6.5-14.5) days, with 63% of clots being symptomatic. Risk factors for VTE development included severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), acute traumatic coagulopathy (defined by elevated admission international normalized ratio), age less than or equal to 3 or age 13 years or more, injury severity, and child abuse mechanism. At a median (IQR) follow-up of 13 (6-19) months, 52.1% had persistent clot and 15.8% had PTS. Therapeutic anticoagulation was not associated with clot resolution or prevention of PTS.

CONCLUSION

TBI therapy is closely linked to the development of DVT. Coagulopathy on admission is associated with hypercoagulability in the postinjury period, suggesting a patient phenotype with systemic coagulation dysregulation. Treatment was not associated with improved VTE outcomes, suggesting that pediatric protocols should emphasize VTE prevention and prophylaxis strategies.

Acute traumatic coagulopathy in a critically injured pediatric population: Definition, trend over time, and outcomes

BACKGROUND

While our understanding of acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC) in adults is advancing, the pediatric literature on ATC is limited. Children have a unique injury profile and physiologic response to trauma; however, the impact of this phenomenon on ATC has not been fully elucidated.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of our trauma registry from 2005 to 2014. Level 1 trauma patients age 0 year to 17 years requiring admission to the intensive care unit were included. Variables included admission vital signs and laboratory studies, product transfusion, injuries, and mortality. Youden index was used to determine optimum cutoff point for admission international normalized ratio (INR) as a predictor of mortality. Logistic regression modeling was used to determine independent predictors of mortality adjusting for hypotension, hypothermia, acidosis, injury severity, hemorrhage, and head injury. χ tests were performed evaluating for association between mortality and 24-hour INR as well as between transfusion and INR correction.

RESULTS

A total of 776 patients were analyzed: 29.2% (n = 227) had an admission INR of 1.3 or greater, and 13.3% (n = 103) had an admission INR of 1.5 or greater. Youden index demonstrated optimum cutoff at INR of 1.3 or greater to distinguish survivors and nonsurvivors. Overall mortality rate was 11.1% (n = 86). Elevated INR was independently associated with mortality (odds ratio, 3.77; p < 0.001) after controlling for other predictors in regression modeling. Death was also associated with elevated INR at 24 hours and worsening INR trend over time. Patients who received plasma were equally likely to normalize their INR compared with those who were not transfused (p = nonsignificant). Findings were consistent across age groups.

CONCLUSION

INR likely serves as a marker of systemic dysregulation rather than a treatment target in ATC. Elevated admission INR, elevated INR at 24 hours, and overall trend in INR strongly predict mortality in a diverse pediatric trauma population; however, product transfusion did not influence the INR trend or clinical outcome. Further research is warranted to evaluate potential upstream mediators of ATC and targets for intervention in pediatric trauma patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic and epidemiologic study, level III.

Viscoelastic hemostatic assays in the management of the pediatric trauma patient

Viscoelastic hemostatic assays (VHA), such as TEG and ROTEM, are whole blood tests that depict functional coagulation both numerically and graphically. The development of rapid VHA technology, which allows for the first data points to result within minutes of test initiation, has increased the utility of these tests in the treatment of trauma patients. Both adult and pediatric centers have integrated VHAs into trauma resuscitation and transfusion protocols. Literature regarding the use of VHAs for injured children is limited. Here, we discuss the mechanics and interpretation of VHAs as well as the use of VHAs in data-driven resuscitation of pediatric trauma patients. Novel research on fibrinolysis states after injury as well as hypercoagulable state diagnosed with VHAs are presented.

Association between Hyperglycaemia with Neurological Outcomes Following Severe Head Trauma

INTRODUCTION

Head Trauma (HT) is a major cause of death, disability and important public health problem. HT is also the main cause of hyperglycaemia that can increase mortality.

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between hyperglycaemia with neurological outcomes following severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a descriptive and correlation study that was carried out at the Imam Khomeini Hospital affiliated with Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IR, during March 2014-March 2015 on patients with severe TBI. Data were collected from the patient records on mortality, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) length of stay, hospital length of stay, admission GCS score, Injury Severity Score (ISS), mechanical ventilation, Ventilation Associated Pneumonia (VAP) and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Random Blood Sugar (RBS) level on admission was recorded. Patients with diabetes mellitus (to minimize the overlap between acute stress hyperglycaemia and diabetic hyperglycaemia) were excluded.

RESULTS

About 34(40%) of patients were admitted with hyperglycaemia (RBS ≥ 200 mg/dl) over the study period. The mortality rate, length of ICU stay, hospital stay, ISS and VAP & ARDS in patients with RBS levels ≥ 200 mg was significantly higher than patients with RBS levels below ≤ 200mg (p<0.05, p<0.001). A significant correlation was found between RBS with GCS arrival, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, ISS, mechanical ventilation and VAP & ARDS (p<0.05, p< 0.001). RBS is a predicate factor for ISS (p <0.05, OR : 1.36), GCS (p <0.001, OR : 1.69), mechanical ventilation (p< 0.05, OR : 1.27), VAP & ARDS (p <0.001, OR : 1.68), length of ICU stay (p <0.001, OR : 1.87) and length of hospital stay (p <0.05, OR : 1.24).

CONCLUSION

Hyperglycaemia after severe TBI (RBS ≥ 200) is associated with poor outcome. It can be a predictive factor for mortality rate, ICU stay, GCS arrival, VAP & RDS, hospital stay and ISS. Management of hyperglycaemia with insulin protocol in cases with value >200mg/dl, is critical in improving the outcome of patients with TBI.

Coagulopathy after severe pediatric trauma

Trauma remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States among children aged 1 to 21 years. The most common cause of lethality in pediatric trauma is traumatic brain injury. Early coagulopathy has been commonly observed after severe trauma and is usually associated with severe hemorrhage and/or traumatic brain injury. In contrast to adult patients, massive bleeding is less common after pediatric trauma. The classical drivers of trauma-induced coagulopathy include hypothermia, acidosis, hemodilution, and consumption of coagulation factors secondary to local activation of the coagulation system after severe traumatic injury. Furthermore, there is also recent evidence for a distinct mechanism of trauma-induced coagulopathy that involves the activation of the anticoagulant protein C pathway. Whether this new mechanism of posttraumatic coagulopathy plays a role in children is still unknown. The goal of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the incidence and potential mechanisms of coagulopathy after pediatric trauma and the role of rapid diagnostic tests for early identification of coagulopathy. Finally, we discuss different options for treating coagulopathy after severe pediatric trauma.

Head injuries in children under 3 years

BACKGROUND

A significant number of children under 3 years sustain a head injury every year. Despite this few studies have provided detailed information about these injuries.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the medical files all children aged 0-3 years who attended a paediatric emergency department for treatment over a 2-year period.

RESULTS

Children aged 0-6 months had the highest rate of moderate head injury. Children under 12 months were at the greatest risk of injury. Falls were the most common cause of injury including falls from caregiver's arms.

CONCLUSIONS

Children under 12 months are at significant risk of head injury, many of these injuries could be prevented by increased parental supervision or improved home safety.

Association of persistent hyperglycemia with outcome of severe traumatic brain injury in pediatric population

PURPOSE

Hyperglycemia is a common secondary insult associated with an increased risk of mortality and poor outcome in traumatic brain injury (TBI), but the effect of hyperglycemia on outcomes of severe TBI in children and adolescents is less apparent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of hyperglycemia with mortality in pediatric patients with severe TBI.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, data of all children and adolescents with severe TBI admitted to Poursina Hospital in Rasht, including age, gender, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) upon admission, mortality rate, hospital length of stay, and serial blood glucose during the first three consecutive ICU days following admission, were reviewed from April 2007 to May 2011. After univariate analysis and adjustment for related covariates, logistic regression model was established to determine the association between persistent hyperglycemia and outcome.

RESULTS

One-hundred and twenty-two children were included with a median admission GCS of 6 (interquartile range (IQR) 5-7) and a median age of 13 years (IQR 7.75-17). Among them, 91 were boys (74.6%) and 31 were girls (26.6%); the overall mortality was 40.2% (n=49). Patients who died had a significantly greater blood glucose levels than survivors for the first 3 days of admission (P=0.003, P<0.001, P=0.001, respectively). Moreover, persistent hyperglycemia during the first 3 days of admission had an adjusted odds ratio of 11.11 for mortality (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Early hyperglycemia is associated with poor outcome, and persistent hyperglycemia is a powerful and independent predictor of mortality in children and adolescents with severe TBI.

Glasgow Coma Scale as a predictor for hemocoagulative disorders after blunt pediatric traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE

Coagulopathy is a complication of traumatic brain injury and its presence after injury has been identified as a risk factor for prognosis. It was our aim to determine whether neurologic findings reflected by Glasgow Coma Scale at initial resuscitation can predict hemocoagulative disorders resulting from traumatic brain injury that may aggravate clinical sequelae and outcome in children.

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of 200 datasets from children with blunt, isolated traumatic brain injury documented in the Trauma Registry of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie was conducted. Inclusion criteria were primary admission, age <14 yrs, and sustained isolated blunt traumatic brain injury.

SETTING

Trauma Registry of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie-affiliated trauma centers in Germany.

PATIENTS

: Two hundred datasets of children (age <14 yrs) with blunt isolated traumatic brain injury were analyzed: children were subdivided into two groups according to Glasgow Coma Scale at the scene (Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 vs. Glasgow Coma Scale >8) and reviewed for coagulation abnormalities upon emergency room admission and outcome.

MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS

Fifty-one percent (n = 102 of 200) of children had Glasgow Coma Scale >8 and 49% (n = 98 of 200) had Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 at the scene. The incidence of coagulopathy at admission was higher in children with Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 compared to children with Glasgow Coma Scale >8: 44% (n = 31 of 71) vs. 14% (n = 11 of 79) (p < .001). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 at scene was associated with coagulopathy at admission (odds ratio 3.378, p = .009) and stepwise regression identified Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 as an independent risk factor for coagulopathy. Mortality in children with Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 at scene was substantially higher with the presence of coagulation abnormalities at admission compared to children in which coagulopathy was absent (51.6%, n = 16 of 31 vs. 5% n = 2 of 40).

CONCLUSIONS

Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 at scene in children with isolated traumatic brain injury is associated with increased risk for coagulopathy and mortality. These results may guide laboratory testing, management, and blood bank resources in acute pediatric trauma care.

Relationship between hyperglycemia and outcome in children with severe traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationship between hyperglycemia and outcome in infants and children after severe traumatic brain injury.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of a prospectively collected Pediatric Neurotrauma Registry.

SETTING AND PATIENTS

Children admitted after severe traumatic brain injury (postresuscitation Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8) were studied (1999-2004). A subset of children (n = 28) were concurrently enrolled in a randomized, controlled clinical trial of early hypothermia for neuroprotection.

INTERVENTIONS

Demographic data, serum glucose concentrations, and outcome assessments were collected.

METHODS AND MAIN RESULTS

Children (n = 57) were treated with a standard traumatic brain injury protocol. Exogenous glucose was withheld for 48 hrs after injury unless hypoglycemia was observed (blood glucose <70 mg/dL). Early (first 48 hrs) and Late (49-168 hrs) time periods were defined and mean blood glucose concentrations were calculated. Additionally, children were categorized based on peak blood glucose concentrations during each time period (normal, blood glucose <150 mg/dL; mild hyperglycemia, blood glucose ≤ 200 mg/dL; severe hyperglycemia, blood glucose >200 mg/dL). In the Late period, an association between elevated mean serum glucose concentration and outcome was observed (133.5 ± 5.6 mg/dL in the unfavorable group vs. 115.4 ± 4.1 mg/dL in favorable group, p = .02). This association continued to be significant after correcting for injury severity, age, and exposure to insulin (p = .03). Similarly, in the Late period, children within the severe hyperglycemia group had decreased incidence of good outcome compared to children within the other glycemic groups (% good outcome: normal, 61.9%; mild hyperglycemia, 73.7%; severe hyperglycemia, 33.3%; p = .05). However, when adjusted for exposure to insulin, this relationship was no longer statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

In children with severe traumatic brain injury, hyperglycemia beyond the initial 48 hrs is associated with poor outcome. This relationship was observed in both our analysis of mean blood glucose concentrations as well as among the patients with episodic severe hyperglycemia. This observation suggests a relationship between hyperglycemia and outcome from traumatic brain injury. However, only a prospective study can answer the important question of whether manipulating serum glucose concentration can improve outcome after traumatic brain injury in children.

Acute hyperglycemia is a reliable outcome predictor in children with severe traumatic brain injury

PURPOSE

Hyperglycemia in the acute phase after trauma could adversely affect outcome in children with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The goal of this study was to identify the relationship between acute spontaneous hyperglycemia and outcome in children with severe TBI at hospital discharge and 6 months later.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of blood glucose levels in children with severe TBI at a Pediatric level I Trauma Center, between January 2000 and December 2005. Hyperglycemia was considered for a cut-off value of 11.1 mmol/l (200 mg/dl). Outcome was measured with Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at hospital discharge and at 6 months. A multiple logistic regression analysis, the Student's t test and the chi (2) test were done.

RESULTS

Hyperglycemia was noted within the first 48 h in 34% of the patients. Mortality (70% vs 14%, p < 10(-5)) was more frequent in hyperglycemic children and bad outcome upon hospital discharge in those who remained hyperglycemic during the first 48 h of hospitalization. GOS after 6 months demonstrated that those normoglycemic children had a better outcome (95%) than those who developed hyperglycemia during the first 48 h (83%, p = 0.01) after trauma.

CONCLUSION

Hyperglycemia could be considered as a marker of brain injury and when present upon admission, could reflect extensive brain damage with frequently associated mortality and bad outcome. The inability to maintain normal blood glucose levels during the first 48 h could be a predictive factor of bad outcome. Avoiding hyperglycemia in the initial phase could be a major issue in children with severe TBI.

Incidence and risk factors for perioperative hyperglycemia in children with traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

Hyperglycemia after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with poor outcome. In this study, we examined the incidence and risk factors for perioperative hyperglycemia in children with TBI.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of children <or=13 yr who underwent urgent or emergent craniotomy for TBI at Harborview Medical Center (level I Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center) between 1994 and 2004 was performed. Preoperative (emergency department to general anesthesia start), intraoperative (during general anesthesia), and immediate postoperative (first 24 h after surgery) glucose values for each patient were retrieved. The incidence of hyperglycemia (glucose >or=200 mg/dL) and hypoglycemia (glucose <60 mg/dL) was determined. Persistent hyperglycemia was defined as hyperglycemia during any 2/3 (preoperative, intraoperative, and immediate postoperative) study periods, whereas transient hyperglycemia was defined as hyperglycemia during any one study period. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of perioperative hyperglycemia. Data are presented as adjusted odds ratio (AOR) (95% CI) and P < 0.05 reflects significance.

RESULTS

At least one serum glucose value was recorded during each study period: preoperative (86 [82%]), intraoperative (94 [89%]), and postoperative (101 [97%]). Sixty-four percent of children had less than one glucose recorded per anesthetic hour. Forty-seven (45%) children had hyperglycemia during at least one study period. Transient hyperglycemia occurred in 29 (28%) and persistent hyperglycemia occurred in 18 (17%) children. Independent predictors of perioperative hyperglycemia were age <4 yr (AOR [95% CI]; 3.5 [1.2-10.6]), Glasgow Coma Scale <or=8 (AOR 95% CI; 7.2 [2.4-21.5]) and the presence of multiple lesions including subdural hematoma (AOR 95% CI; 34.7 [2.3-525.5]). Six children were treated with insulin, and two children had hypoglycemia, unrelated to insulin treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative hyperglycemia was common and intraoperative hypoglycemia was not rare, but more frequent intraoperative glucose sampling may be needed to better determine the incidence of hypo and hyperglycemia during the perioperative period. Age <4 yr, severe TBI and the presence of multiple lesions, including subdural hematoma, were risk factors for perioperative hyperglycemia.

Persistent Hyperglycemia in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: An Independent Predictor of Outcome

In patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), admission hyperglycemia is associated with poor outcome. The effect of persistent hyperglycemia (PH) on outcome in severe TBI, however, remains unknown. We performed a retrospective review of all blunt trauma patients with severe TBI (head Abbreviated Injury Score ≥ 3) admitted to the intensive care unit at a Level I trauma center from January 1998 through December 2005. Admission and daily intensive care unit blood glucose levels up to the end of the first week were measured. PH was defined as an average daily blood glucose ≥ 150 mg/dL on all days for the first week of the hospital stay. TBI patients with and without PH were compared with respect to baseline demographics, injury characteristics, and outcomes. Independent risk factors for mortality were identified using logistic regression analysis. One hundred and five (12.6%) out of 834 severe TBI patients had PH. Patients with PH were older, more severely injured, and had worse head injury compared with patients without PH. After adjusting for significant risk factors, PH was identified as an independent risk factor for mortality (odds ratio (OR): 4.91 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.88–8.56, P < 0.0001]). PH is associated with significantly higher mortality rates in severe TBI patients.