Evaluation of 601 children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (Turk MISC study)

PURPOSE

Due to its link with the 2019 coronavirus, the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MISC) has garnered considerable international interest. The aim of this study, in which MISC patients were evaluated multicenter, and the data of the third period of the Turk-MISC study group, to compare the clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes of MISC patients who did and did not require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

This retrospective multicenter observational study was carried out between June 11, 2021, and January 01, 2022. The demographics, complaints, laboratory results, system involvements, and outcomes of the patients were documented.

RESULTS

A total of 601 patients were enrolled; 157 patients (26.1%) required hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU). Median age was 8 years (interquartile range (IQR) 4.5-11.3 years. The proportion of Kawasaki disease-like features in the ICU group was significantly higher than in the non-ICU group (56.1% vs. 43.2% p = 0.006). The ICU group had considerably lower counts of both lymphocytes and platelets (lymphocyte count 900 vs. 1280 cells × μL, platelet count 153 vs. 212 cells × 103/ μL, all for p< 0.001). C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and ferritin levels were significantly higher in the ICU group (CRP 164 vs. 129 mg/L, procalcitonin 9.2 vs. 2.2 μg/L, ferritin 644 vs. 334 μg/L, all for p< 0.001). Being between ages 5-12 and older than 12 increased the likelihood of hospitalization in the ICU by four [95% confidence intervals (CI)1.971-8.627] and six times (95% CI 2.575-14.654), respectively, compared to being between the ages 0-5. A one-unit increase in log D-dimer (µg/L) and log troponin (ng/L) was also demonstrated to increase the need for intensive care by 1.8 (95% CI 1.079-3.233) and 1.4 times (95% CI 1.133-1.789), respectively.     Conclusion: By comparing this study to our other studies, we found that the median age of MISC patients has been rising. Patients requiring an ICU stay had considerably higher levels of procalcitonin, CRP, and ferritin but significantly lower levels of lymphocyte and thrombocyte. In particular, high levels of procalcitonin in the serum might serve as a valuable laboratory marker for anticipating the need for intensive care.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia were an independent predictor factors in patients with MISC who needed to stay in intensive care unit. • The possibility of the need to stay in the intensive care unit in patients with MISC who had Kawasaki disease-like findings was controversial compared with those who did not.

WHAT IS NEW

• A one-unit increase log D dimer and log troponin was demonstrated to require for intensive care unit by 1.8 and 1.4 times, respectively. • Serum procalcitonin levels had the best performance to predict stay in the intensive care unit stay.

The relationship of abdominal perfusion pressure with mortality in critically ill pediatric patients

PURPOSE

To the best of our knowledge, in the literature, there is no data regarding clinical utility of the abdominal perfusion pressure (APP) in critically ill children. Thus, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the clinical utility of APP in predicting of survival in critically ill children with IAH.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study of patients between 1 month to 18 years who had risk for intra-abdominal hypertension from June 2013 to January 2014.

SETTING

Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at a tertiary university hospital.

PATIENTS

Thirty-five (16 female) PICU patients who had risk for the development of IAH were included. Serial intraabdominal pressure (IAP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) measurements were performed. Abdominal perfusion pressure was calculated using the formula (MAP-IAP).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Overall mortality rate was 49% (n = 17). The mortality rate in patients with IAP mean ≥10 mmHg (n = 27, 77%) was 55% (n = 15), while 53% (n = 16) in patients with IAP max ≥10 mmHg (n = 30, 86%) and 47% (n = 7) in patients with IAP min ≥ 10 mmHg (n = 15, 43%). Overall mean APP was 58 ± 20 mmHg. Logistic regression analysis revealed that decrease in minAPP was associated with increased risk for mortality (Odds ratio for each 1 mmHg decrease in APP was 1.052 [CI 95%, 1.006-1.100], p < 0.05). ROC curve analysis revealed that, in predicting mortality, area under curve for minAPP was 0.765. The optimal cut-off point for APP was obtained as 53 mmHg with the 77.8% sensitivity and 70.6% specificity using the IU method.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings showed that APP seems to be a useful tool in predicting mortality. Interventions to improve APP may be associated with better outcomes in critically ill PICU patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II.

TYPE OF STUDY

Diagnostic.