Nutrition in critically ill children with acute kidney injury on continuous kidney replacement therapy: a 2023 executive summary

OBJECTIVES

Nutrition plays a vital role in the outcome of critical illness in children, particularly those with acute kidney injury. Currently, there are no established guidelines for children with acute kidney injury treated with continuous kidney replacement therapy. Our objective was to create clinical practice points for nutritional assessment and management in critically ill children with acute kidney injury receiving continuous kidney replacement therapy.

METHODS

An electronic search using PubMed and an inclusive academic library search (including MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Embase databases) was conducted to find relevant English-language articles on nutrition therapy for children (<18 y of age) receiving continuous kidney replacement therapy.

RESULTS

The existing literature was reviewed by our work group, comprising pediatric nephrologists and experts in nutrition. The modified Delphi method was then used to develop a total of 45 clinical practice points. The best methods for nutritional assessment are discussed. Indirect calorimetry is the most reliable method of predicting resting energy expenditure in children on continuous kidney replacement therapy. Schofield equations can be used when indirect calorimetry is not available. The non-intentional calories contributed by continuous kidney replacement therapy should also be accounted for during caloric dosing. Protein supplementation should be increased to account for the proteins, peptides, and amino acids lost with continuous kidney replacement therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical practice points are provided on nutrition assessment, determining energy needs, and nutrient intake in children with acute kidney injury and on continuous kidney replacement therapy based on the existing literature and expert opinions of a multidisciplinary panel.

Nutrition in Critically Ill Children with AKI on Continuous RRT: Consensus Recommendations

BACKGROUND

Nutrition plays a vital role in the outcome of critically ill children, particularly those with AKI. Currently, there are no established guidelines for children with AKI treated with continuous RRT (CRRT). A thorough understanding of the metabolic changes and nutritional challenges in AKI and CRRT is required. Our objective was to create clinical practice points for nutritional assessment and management in critically ill children with AKI receiving CRRT.

METHODS

PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched for articles related to the topic. Expertise of the authors and a consensus of the workgroup were additional sources of data in the article. Available articles on nutrition therapy in pediatric patients receiving CRRT through January 2023.

RESULTS

On the basis of the literature review, the current evidence base was examined by a panel of experts in pediatric nephrology and nutrition. The panel used the literature review as well as their expertise to formulate clinical practice points. The modified Delphi method was used to identify and refine clinical practice points.

CONCLUSIONS

Forty-four clinical practice points are provided on nutrition assessment, determining energy needs, and nutrient intake in children with AKI and on CRRT on the basis of the existing literature and expert opinions of a multidisciplinary panel.

Procedural frequency: Results from 18 academic, community and freestanding emergency departments

BACKGROUND

Emergency physicians must maintain procedural skills, but clinical opportunities may be insufficient. We sought to determine how often practicing emergency physicians in academic, community and freestanding emergency departments (EDs) perform 4 procedures: central venous catheterization (CVC), tube thoracostomy, tracheal intubation, and lumbar puncture (LP).

METHODS

This was a retrospective study evaluating emergency physician procedural performance over a 12-month period. We collected data from the electronic records of 18 EDs in one healthcare system. The study EDs included higher and lower volume, academic, community and freestanding, and trauma and non-trauma centers. The main outcome measures were median number of procedures performed. We examined differences in procedural performance by physician years in practice, facility type, and trauma status.

RESULTS

Over 12 months, 182 emergency physicians performed 1582 of 2805 procedures (56%) and supervised (resident, nurse practitioner or physician assistant) an additional 1223 of the procedures they did not perform (43%). Median (interquartile range) physician performance for each procedure was CVC 0 [0, 2], tube thoracostomy 0 [0, 0], tracheal intubation 3 [0.25, 8], and LP 0 [0, 2]. The percentage of emergency physicians who did not perform at least one of each procedure during the 1-year time frame ranged from 25.3% (tracheal intubation) to 76.4% (tube thoracostomy). Physicians who work at high-volume EDs (>50,000 visits per year) performed nearly twice as many tracheal intubations, CVCs, and LPs than those at low-volume EDs or freestanding EDs when normalized per 1000 visits. Years out of training were inversely related to total number of procedures performed. Emergency physicians at trauma centers performed almost 3 times as many tracheal intubations and almost 4 times as many CVCs compared to non-trauma centers.

CONCLUSION

In a large healthcare system, regardless of ED type, emergency physicians infrequently performed the 4 procedures studied. Physicians in high-volume EDs, trauma centers, and recent graduates performed more procedures. Our study adds to a growing body of research that suggests clinical frequency alone may be insufficient for all emergency physicians to maintain competency.