Pediatr Crit Care Me
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Apr 2003
Serum procalcitonin in children with suspected sepsis: a comparison with C-reactive protein and neutrophil count.
To investigate the specific characteristics of serum procalcitonin in children with severe infection, to identify relevant factors influencing procalcitonin increase, to assess its prognostic value, and to compare it with C-reactive protein and neutrophil count ⋯ Serum procalcitonin levels show a rapid increase in children with sepsis, even in infants < 12 month old, and they have a better prognostic value than C-reactive protein or neutrophil count.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Apr 2003
Case ReportsDevelopment of bradycardia during sedation with dexmedetomidine in an infant concurrently receiving digoxin.
To describe the development of bradycardia during sedation with dexmedetomidine in a patient concurrently receiving digoxin. ⋯ This case adds to the limited data regarding dexmedetomidine in pediatric critical care and suggests that caution should be used when considering sedation with dexmedetomidine in patients also receiving digoxin.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Apr 2003
Case ReportsTreatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia-induced extreme hypercalcemia with pamidronate and calcitonin.
To describe extreme hypercalcemia as the presenting feature of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in an 8-yr-old girl and the combined use of pamidronate and calcitonin for its treatment. ⋯ Extreme hypercalcemia can be a presenting feature of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but it may not result in life-threatening organ dysfunction. Combined treatment with pamidronate and calcitonin should be considered for treating hypercalcemia that does not respond to conventional therapy with hydration and furosemide.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Jan 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialErythropoietin therapy in children with bronchiolitis and anemia.
Critically ill children with bronchiolitis often require red blood cell transfusions. Anemia normally results in increased circulating erythropoietin concentrations; however, critical illness has been associated with a blunted erythropoietin response. Treatment with erythropoietin decreases the need for red blood cell transfusion in several disease states. We hypothesized that critically ill children with bronchiolitis and anemia would have a circulating erythropoietin deficiency and that treatment with exogenous erythropoietin would increase reticulocyte count and hematocrit and reduce red blood cell transfusion requirements. ⋯ Despite a favorable reticulocyte and circulating erythropoietin response, red blood cell transfusion requirements were not significantly diminished by erythropoietin treatment in children with bronchiolitis and respiratory failure. Erythropoietin cannot be routinely recommended for this patient population.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Jan 2003
Comparative StudySedation monitoring of children by the Bispectral Index in the pediatric intensive care unit.
To compare the Bispectral Index with clinical sedation assessment using the Ramsay score in normal sedated and paralyzed critically ill children. ⋯ The Bispectral Index correlates well with the Ramsay score in the normal sedated child. The Ramsay score and bedside nurse assessment are inadequate for monitoring the depth of sedation in paralyzed children. The Bispectral Index is a useful adjunct in assessing sedation in a paralyzed patient.