Pediatr Crit Care Me
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Feb 2013
Do interventions in an ICU affect the predictive ability of pediatric index of mortality and pediatric index of mortality-2 scores in a tertiary care hospital?
Our objective was to evaluate the effect of interventions in the initial period of stabilization (i.e., at 4 hrs) on the predictive ability of Pediatric Index of Mortality and Pediatric Index of Mortality-2 scores and to evaluate their performance in our ICU. ⋯ Interventions in the first 4 hrs did not affect the predictive ability of Pediatric Index of Mortality and Pediatric Index of Mortality-2 scores. The 4-hr scores may be used in place of the 1-hr score, particularly in units where scoring is not possible with in the 1-hr time frame.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Feb 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialTransfusion of cell saver salvaged blood in neonates and infants undergoing open heart surgery significantly reduces RBC and coagulant product transfusions and donor exposures: results of a prospective, randomized, clinical trial.
To evaluate whether transfusion of cell saver salvaged, stored at the bedside for up to 24 hrs, would decrease the number of postoperative allogeneic RBC transfusions and donor exposures, and possibly improve clinical outcomes. ⋯ Cell saver blood can be safely stored at the bedside for immediate transfusion for 24 hrs after collection. Administration of cell saver blood significantly reduces the number of RBC and coagulant product transfusions and donor exposures in the immediate postoperative period. Reduction of blood product transfusions has the potential to reduce transfusion-associated complications and decrease postoperative morbidity. Larger studies are needed to determine whether this transfusion strategy will improve clinical outcomes.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Feb 2013
Population pharmacokinetics of phenobarbital in infants with neonatal encephalopathy treated with therapeutic hypothermia.
Phenobarbital is the first-line treatment for neonatal seizures. Many neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy are treated with therapeutic hypothermia, and about 40% have clinical seizures. Little is known about the pharmacokinetics of phenobarbital in infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy who undergo therapeutic hypothermia. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of therapeutic hypothermia on phenobarbital pharmacokinetics, taking into account maturational changes. ⋯ Therapeutic hypothermia does not influence the clearance of phenobarbital after accounting for weight and age. Standard phenobarbital dosing is appropriate for the initial treatment of seizures in neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy treated with therapeutic hypothermia.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Feb 2013
Are family characteristics associated with attendance at family centered rounds in the PICU?.
The objective of this study was to identify if family characteristics or opinions affected participation in family centered rounds. ⋯ Families feel that participating in family centered rounds improves the care of their children. Those that like attending rounds are more likely to participate in family centered rounds, but family demographic characteristics were not associated with rounds attendance. Future studies are needed to identify barriers to family participation in family centered rounds.