Pediatr Crit Care Me
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Feb 2016
Serum Albumin Is an Independent Predictor of Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Children.
Serum albumin is a strong biomarker of disease severity and prognosis in adult patients. In contrast, its value as predictor of outcome in critically ill children has not been established. We aimed to determine whether admission hypoalbuminemia is associated with outcome in a general pediatric population of critically ill patients, taking into account the inflammatory response, disease severity, and nutritional status of the patient. ⋯ Hypoalbuminemia at admission to a PICU is associated with higher 60-day mortality, longer duration of mechanical ventilation, and lower probability of ICU discharge. These associations are independent of the magnitude of inflammatory response, clinical severity, and nutritional status.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Feb 2016
Transvesical Intra-Abdominal Pressure Measurement in Newborn: What Is the Optimal Saline Volume Instillation?
To determine the optimal saline volume bladder instillation to measure intravesical pressure in critically ill newborns weighing less than 4.5 kg, and to establish a reference of intra-abdominal pressure value in this population. ⋯ The optimal saline volume bladder instillation to measure intra-abdominal pressure in newborns weighing less than 4.5 kg was 1 mL/kg. Reference intra-abdominal pressure in this population was found to be 5 mm Hg (2-6 mm Hg).
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Feb 2016
Observational StudySearch of Unknown Fever Focus Using PET in Critically Ill Children With Complicated Underlying Diseases.
PET/CT with F-fluorodeoxyglucose can be used to image cellular metabolism and has been used for evaluating fever of unknown origin in adults. However, there are limited studies about the role of F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in evaluation of fever of unknown origin in critically ill children, especially those presenting with complicated underlying diseases under treatment. Here, we report our preliminary experience using F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in this specific group of patients. ⋯ Our preliminary experience suggests that F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT may be clinically beneficial in evaluating fever of unknown origin in children with complicated underlying diseases mandating intensive support in ICUs if usual investigative methods are unsuccessful. Further large prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.