Pediatr Crit Care Me
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Sep 2011
Comparative StudyDifferences in the perceptions of parents and healthcare professionals on pediatric intensive care practices.
To explore similarities and differences in perceptions on pediatric intensive care practices between parents and staff by using data from two studies. ⋯ Compared with the parents' perceptions, nurses and physicians undervalued a substantial number of pediatric intensive care unit care items. This finding may reflect a gap in the understanding of parental experiences as well as incongruity in recognizing the needs of parents.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Sep 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialA trial of methadone tapering schedules in pediatric intensive care unit patients exposed to prolonged sedative infusions.
To compare the efficacy of a low-dose methadone tapering schedule to a high-dose methadone tapering schedule in pediatric intensive care unit patients exposed to infusions of fentanyl, with or without infusions of midazolam, for ≥ 5 days. ⋯ Patients who received infusions of fentanyl for at least 5 days were just as likely to complete a low-dose methadone taper as a high-dose methadone taper. Because of the risks of both withdrawal and oversedation with any fixed methadone schedule, the methadone dose must be adjusted according to each patient's response.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Sep 2011
Children with genetic disorders undergoing open-heart surgery: are they at increased risk for postoperative complications?
Children with congenital heart disease and genetic disorders may be at increased risk for postoperative mortality and morbidity compared with children with congenital heart disease alone. The aim of the present study was to determine differences in postcardiopulmonary bypass outcome between these two groups. ⋯ Infants with congenital heart disease and genetic disorders are not at increased risk for postoperative mortality. However, a genetic disorder is a risk factor for reintubation and renal insufficiency, whereas infants with trisomy 21 have a higher risk of chylothorax and sepsis. Intensive care providers need to be aware of these differences in morbidity to improve management decisions and parental counseling.