Pediatr Crit Care Me
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Feb 2013
Multicenter StudyDerivation of a clinical prediction rule for pediatric abusive head trauma.
Abusive head trauma is a leading cause of traumatic death and disability during infancy and early childhood. Evidence-based screening tools for abusive head trauma do not exist. Our research objectives were 1) to measure the predictive relationships between abusive head trauma and isolated, discriminating, and reliable clinical variables and 2) to derive a reliable, sensitive, abusive head trauma clinical prediction rule that-if validated-can inform pediatric intensivists' early decisions to launch (or forego) an evaluation for abuse. ⋯ A more completeunderstanding of the specific predictive qualities of isolated, discriminating, and reliable variables could improve screening accuracy. If validated, a reliable, sensitive, abusive head trauma clinical prediction rule could be used by pediatric intensivists to calculate an evidence-based, patient-specific estimate of abuse probability that can inform-not dictate-their early decisions to launch (or forego) an evaluation for abuse.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Feb 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of body position on ventilation distribution in ventilated preterm infants.
Positioning is considered vital to the maintenance of good lung ventilation by optimizing oxygen transport and gas exchange in ventilated premature infants. Previous studies suggest that the prone position is advantageous; however, no data exist on regional ventilation distribution for this age group. ⋯ In contrast to previous studies showing that ventilation is distributed to the nondependent lung in infants and children, this study shows that gravity has little effect on regional ventilation distribution.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Feb 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialDesign and rationale of safe pediatric euglycemia after cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial of tight glycemic control after pediatric cardiac surgery.
To describe the design of a clinical trial testing the hypothesis that children randomized to tight glycemic control with intensive insulin therapy after cardiac surgery will have improved clinical outcomes compared to children randomized to conventional blood glucose management. ⋯ Pediatric cardiac surgery patients may recognize great benefit from tight glycemic control in the postoperative period, particularly with regard to reduction of nosocomial infections. The Safe Pediatric Euglycemia after Cardiac Surgery trial is designed to provide an unbiased answer to the question of whether this therapy is indeed beneficial and to define the associated risks of therapy.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Feb 2013
Variability in anticoagulation management of patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: an international survey.
The objective of this study was to determine current practices of anticoagulation in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. ⋯ Extracorporeal membrane oxy genation anticoagulation management policies vary widely by center. The majority of extracorporeal membrane oxy genation programs employ activated clotting time as the preferred anticoagulation monitoring tool. The coagulation system is also monitored using more specific markers such as antithrombin III, anti-factor Xa, and thromboelastography by a large number of centers. Future research is needed to elucidate optimal anticoagulation management and improve outcomes.