Prognostic Factors of ICU Mortality in Pediatric Oncology Patients With Pulmonary Complications

Prognostic factors and predictive scores for 6-months mortality of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit

Objective

Despite advances in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), a considerable number of pediatric HSCT patients develops post-transplant complications requiring admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical findings, PICU supportive therapy and outcome as well as predictive factors for 6-months survival after discharge of HSCT patients from PICU.

Study design

This retrospective single-center analysis investigated patient characteristics, microbiological findings, reasons for admission and death of 54 cases accounting for 94 admissions to the PICU of the University Children's Hospital Tuebingen from 2002 to 2017. We compared clinical characteristics between children with and without 6-months survival after discharge from PICU following HSCT. Finally, we assessed the potential prognostic value of the oncological Pediatric Risk of Mortality Score (O-PRISM), the Pediatric Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score (pSOFA) and the pRIFLE Criteria for Acute Kidney Injury for 6-months survival using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) and Receiver Operating Characteristic curves.

Results

Respiratory insufficiency, gastroenterological problems and sepsis were the most common reasons for PICU admission. Out of 54 patients, 38 (70%) died during or after their last PICU admission, 30% survived for at least six months. When considering only first PICU admissions, we could not determine prognostic factors for 6-months mortality. In contrast, under consideration of all PICU admissions in the GEE model, ventilation (p=0.03) and dialysis (p=0.007) were prognostic factors for 6-months mortality. Furthermore, pSOFA (p=0.04) and O-PRISM (p=0.02) were independent risk factors for 6-months mortality considering all PICU admissions.

Conclusion

Admission of HSCT patients to PICU is still associated with poor outcome and 69% of patients died within 6 months. Need for respiratory support and dialysis are associated with poor outcome. Prediction of 6-months survival is difficult, especially during a first PICU admission. However, on subsequent PICU admissions pSOFA and O-PRISM scores might be useful to predict mortality. These scores should be prospectively evaluated in further studies to verify whether they can identify pediatric HSCT recipients profiting most from transferal to the PICU.

Beyond Vital Signs: Pediatric Sepsis Screening that Includes Organ Failure Assessment Detects Patients with Worse Outcomes

Pediatric sepsis screening is recommended. The 2005 Goldstein criteria, the basis of our institutional sepsis screening tool (ISST), correlate poorly with clinically diagnosed sepsis. The study objective was to retrospectively evaluate the ISST sensitivity compared with the Pediatric Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (pSOFA). This was a single-center retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome was pSOFA score and ISST sensitivity for severe sepsis. Secondary outcomes included clinical outcome measures. In this severe sepsis cohort (N = 491), pSOFA and ISST sensitivity were 57.6 and 61.1%, respectively. In regression analysis for a positive pSOFA, positive blood culture (odds ratio [OR] 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–4.3, p = 0.025), older age (OR 1.006, 95% CI 1.003–1.009, p < 0.001), and pulmonary infectious source (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.6–6.5, p = 0.001) demonstrated independent association. In regression analysis for a positive ISST, older age (OR 1.003, 95% CI 1–1.006, p = 0.031) and intra-abdominal infectious source (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.8, p = 0.014) demonstrated independent association. A negative ISST was associated with higher intensive care unit (ICU) admission prevalence (p = 0.01) and fewer ICU-free days (p = 0.018). A positive pSOFA score was associated with higher ICU admission prevalence, vasopressor requirement, and vasopressor days as well as fewer ICU, hospital, and mechanical ventilation-free days (all p < 0.001). Exploratory analysis combining the ISST and pSOFA into a hybrid screen demonstrated superior sensitivity (84.3%) and outcome discrimination. The pSOFA demonstrated noninferior sensitivity to a Goldstein-based institutional sepsis screening model. Further, pSOFA was a better discriminator of poor clinical outcomes. An exploratory hybrid screening model shows superior performance but will require prospective study.

Outcome of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Pediatric Patients With Neoplasm: An Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Database Study (2000-2019)

OBJECTIVES

This study update in usage and outcomes of pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients with neoplasm analyzed according to demographics, clinical variables, and complications.

DESIGN

Retrospective database review of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry from the last 2 decades (2000-2019). The data were divided between two decades in order to compare patients' backgrounds and outcomes over time.

SETTING

ECMO centers reporting to Extracorporeal Life Support Organization.

PATIENTS

Patients equal to or younger than 18 years old with International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision and International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes that referred to neoplasms who were managed with ECMO.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Demographics, cancer subtype, clinical variables, and ECMO complications were assessed in relation to the primary study outcome of survival to hospital discharge. Nine-hundred two patients met inclusion criteria; 699 patients were in the latest decade, which is more than three times the number from the previous decade (203 patients). On univariate analysis, compared with the previous decade, in the later decade, ECMO was more frequently applied in patients with pre-ECMO cardiac arrest (31.3% vs 17.1%; p < 0.001), and/or lower oxygenation index (38.0 vs 48.1; p < 0.001). We failed to identify a difference in survival between the 2 decades (42.8% vs 37.9%; p = 0.218). On multivariable analysis, diagnosis of hematologic malignancy, post-cardiopulmonary resuscitation support type, hematopoietic stem cell transplant, and age older than seven were each associated with greater odds of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of ECMO in children with neoplasm has expanded over the latest decade with changes in patient selection. Mortality remains unchanged. Hence, although the clinician still should stay cautious in its application, ECMO can be considered as an option to rescue pediatric oncologic patients in the setting of worsening cardiopulmonary status in the PICU.

Outcomes of Pediatric Oncology Patients Admitted to An Intensive Care Unit in a Resource-limited Setting

BACKGROUND

Improved survival and intensified treatment protocols in pediatric oncology have resulted in an increased need for intensive care. However, in resource-constrained settings, the higher morbidity and mortality of these patients raises sensitive issues around the optimal use of limited critical care resources.

METHODS

Single-center, 10-year retrospective review of pediatric oncology patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

RESULTS

Of the 117 admissions, 70.1% had solid tumors, 61.5% were admitted electively, and 76.1% were admitted for noninfective indications. PICU mortality of oncology patients was 18.8% relative to the PICU mortality of all patients in the same period of 10.5%. In a multivariable analysis, factors shown to be independently associated with PICU mortality were infective indications for admission (relative risk=3.83, confidence interval: 1.16; 12.6, P=0.028) and vasoactive support (relative risk=7.50, confidence interval: 1.72; 32.8, P=0.0074).

CONCLUSION

The increased mortality associated with sepsis, organ dysfunction and need for organ support underscores the need for earlier recognition of and intervention in pediatric oncology patients requiring intensive care. Further prospective studies are needed to identify the most critical areas for improvement in the referral of these children to PICU, to optimize care and improve outcomes.

Airway Emergencies Due to Anterior Mediastinal T-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma Managed With Planned Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Endotracheal Stent: A Case Report and Literature Review

Anterior mediastinal tumors can occasionally cause acute respiratory failure by compressing the trachea and bronchi. In such cases, sedative muscle relaxants during tracheal intubation can cause fatal complete tracheal obstruction. We encountered a 15-year-old male patient with T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) of the anterior mediastinum. For his airway emergency due to the stenosis extended from the lower part of the trachea to the tracheal bifurcation, venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was introduced from the femoral vein under local anesthesia. After a short period of tracheal intubation management, an endotracheal stent (ES) was immediately placed in the lower trachea. We performed a needle biopsy, and he was diagnosed with T-LBL. Following the diagnosis, chemotherapy was introduced. The ES was able to secure sufficient tracheal diameter, and ECMO and ventilation were promptly discontinued. In the case of tracheal stenosis from the lower part of the trachea due to anterior mediastinal tumor, depending on the degree of stenosis, VV ECMO can be considered. Moreover, ES can lead to early weaning from VV ECMO and a ventilator.

The Correlation Between Mechanical Ventilation Duration, Pediatric Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score, and Blood Lactate Level in Children in Pediatric Intensive Care

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate whether the ventilation duration for children undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is correlated with pediatric sequential organ failure (pSOFA) score, white blood cell (WBC) count, blood lactate level, and duration of fever.

METHODS

Retrospectively reviewed that the medical records of patients who received IMV in the PICU of Jingzhou Central Hospital between January 2018 and December 2020. According to the duration of IMV in diagnosis-related groups, these patients were divided into two groups: group A, ventilation duration <96 h, and group B, ventilation duration ≥96 h. Each group's pSOFA scores, WBC counts, blood lactate levels, and durations of fever were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the clinical risk factors of ventilation duration ≥96 h, and the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn.

RESULTS

A total of 42 patients were included, including 23 in group A and 19 in group B. The difference in pSOFA score between group A and group B was statistically significant (P < 0.05), while the differences in blood lactate level, duration of fever, and WBC count between the two groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the influencing factors of mechanical ventilation duration ≥96 h. An ROC curve was drawn with pSOFA score as a test variable and duration of mechanical ventilation ≥96 h as a state variable, revealing that the area under the curve was 0.76 (SE = 0.075, 95% CI: 0.614-0.906, P = 0.005). The sensitivity and specificity were 68.4 and 73.9%, respectively, and the corresponding pSOFA score was 7.5.

CONCLUSION

When the pSOFA score ≥8, the risk of mechanical ventilation duration ≥96 h increases.

Hematologic Dysfunction Criteria in Critically Ill Children: The PODIUM Consensus Conference

CONTEXT

Studies of organ dysfunction in children are limited by a lack of consensus around organ dysfunction criteria.

OBJECTIVES

To derive evidence-informed, consensus-based criteria for hematologic dysfunction in critically ill children.

DATA SOURCES

Data sources included PubMed and Embase from January 1992 to January 2020.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies were included if they evaluated assessment/scoring tools to screen for hematologic dysfunction and assessed outcomes of mortality, functional status, organ-specific outcomes, or other patient-centered outcomes. Studies of adults or premature infants, animal studies, reviews/commentaries, small case series, and non-English language studies with inability to determine eligibility were excluded.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were abstracted from each eligible study into a standard data extraction form along with risk of bias assessment.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine studies were included. The systematic review supports the following criteria for hematologic dysfunction: thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100000 cells/µL in patients without hematologic or oncologic diagnosis, platelet count <30000 cells/µL in patients with hematologic or oncologic diagnoses, or platelet count decreased ≥50% from baseline; or leukocyte count <3000 cells/µL; or hemoglobin concentration between 5 and 7 g/dL (nonsevere) or <5 g/dL (severe).

LIMITATIONS

Most studies evaluated pre-specified thresholds of cytopenias. No studies addressed associations between the etiology or progression of cytopenias overtime with outcomes, and no studies evaluated cellular function.

CONCLUSIONS

Hematologic dysfunction, as defined by cytopenia, is a risk factor for poor outcome in critically ill children, although specific threshold values associated with increased mortality are poorly defined by the current literature.