Pediatr Crit Care Me
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Jul 2009
Intravenous levetiracetam in critically ill children with status epilepticus or acute repetitive seizures.
Intravenous (IV) levetiracetam (LEV) is approved for use in patients older than 16 years and may be useful in critically ill children, although there is little data available regarding pharmacokinetics. We aim to investigate the safety, an appropriate dosing, and efficacy of IV LEV in critically ill children. ⋯ IV LEV was effective in terminating status epilepticus or acute repetitive seizures and well tolerated in critically ill children. Further study is needed to elucidate the role of IV LEV in critically ill children.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Jul 2009
Risk factors for central line-associated bloodstream infection in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit.
To identify risk factors for central line-associated bloodstream infection (BSI) in patients receiving care in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. ⋯ Unscheduled medical admissions, presence of noncardiac comorbidities, extended device utilization, and specific medical therapies are independent risk factors for central line-associated BSI in patients receiving care in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Jul 2009
Neurological injury after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use to aid pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to aid failed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in children is associated with a high incidence of neurologic injury. We sought to identify risk factors for acute neurologic injury in children undergoing ECMO to aid CPR (E-CPR). ⋯ Neurologic injury is a frequent complication in children undergoing E-CPR. Children with cardiac disease, less severe metabolic acidosis before ECMO, and an uncomplicated ECMO course have decreased odds of sustaining neurologic injury. Providing effective CPR and inclusion of brain protective therapies on ECMO should be considered in the future to improve neurologic outcomes for patients undergoing E-CPR.
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Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a significant cause of secondary morbidity and mortality in adult trauma patients. No study has characterized VAP in pediatric trauma patients. We determined the rates of and potential risk factors for VAP in pediatric trauma patients. ⋯ The rate of VAP in pediatric trauma patients is substantially lower than in similar adults. Age older than 10 years, blunt trauma, head injury, and Injury Severity Score >25 may be risk factors. VAP is not associated with increased mortality in pediatric trauma patients.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Jul 2009
Mechanical component failures in 28,171 neonatal and pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation courses from 1987 to 2006.
To provide a descriptive summary of mechanical component failure associated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and to examine patient and ECMO variables that may be associated with mechanical component failure and guide further study. We hypothesized that duration of ECMO, era of ECMO, indication for ECMO, age of patient, and center ECMO volume would be associated with mechanical component failure. ⋯ Mechanical component failure over the course of this study was infrequent during neonatal and pediatric ECMO, and declined across eras as experience with the therapy grew. Increasing duration of ECMO was associated with an increasing probability of mechanical component failure. Indication for ECMO and patient age were also statistically associated with mechanical component failure probability, but ECMO center volume was not.