Pediatr Crit Care Me
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To investigate outcomes among neonates with herpes virus infection reported to the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Registry and analyze factors associated with death before hospital discharge with this virus. Currently, scant data exist regarding extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in neonates with herpes virus infection. ⋯ In this cohort of neonatal patients with overwhelming infections due to herpes simplex virus who were supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, survival was dismal. Patients with disseminated herpes simplex virus infection presenting with septicemia/shock are unlikely to survive, even with aggressive extracorporeal support.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Sep 2010
Effect of dexmedetomidine on pulmonary artery pressure after congenital cardiac surgery: A pilot study.
To characterize the effects of dexmedetomidine on the pulmonary artery pressure in patients after congenital cardiac surgery. ⋯ Administration of dexmedetomidine after congenital cardiac surgery was not associated with any increase in pulmonary artery pressure.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Sep 2010
Reducing catheter-associated bloodstream infections in the pediatric intensive care unit: Business case for quality improvement.
To determine whether catheter-associated bloodstream infections were associated with increased lengths of stay in pediatric intensive care units and hospitals and increased healthcare costs in critically ill children. Previous studies have shown that hospital-acquired bloodstream infections are associated with longer stays in pediatric intensive care units, increased hospital costs, and increased hospital mortality. Catheter-associated bloodstream infections comprise the vast majority of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. ⋯ The potential cost savings from reducing or eliminating catheter-associated bloodstream infections in the pediatric intensive care unit are significant. Elimination of catheter-associated bloodstream infections will directly reduce hospital costs, improve asset utilization, and most importantly, improve clinical care.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Sep 2010
Genetic variability in complement activation modulates the systemic inflammatory response syndrome in children.
To determine the impact of genetic variability in complement activation on early development of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in general pediatric critical care. ⋯ Functional polymorphisms in the complement activation cascade modify the risk for early SIRS/sepsis in general pediatric critical care. The complement factor H Y402H variant allele is protective, whereas the mannose-binding lectin variant polymorphisms increase risk. A genotype that permits vigorous complement activation to an infectious or inflammatory insult may offer protection from development of systemic inflammation.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Sep 2010
Three decades of pediatric intensive care: Who was admitted, what happened in intensive care, and what happened afterward.
To describe the characteristics of children admitted to intensive care in 1982, 1995, and 2005-2006, and their long-term outcome. ⋯ Over the last three decades, the length of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit and the severity of illness have not changed, but there has been a substantial reduction in pediatric intensive care unit mortality. However, the proportion of survivors with moderate or severe disability increased significantly. Some children who would have been allowed to die in 1982 and 1995 were kept alive in 2005-2006, but survived with disability. This trend has important implications for our patients and their families, and for the community as a whole.