Introduction. spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) in weaning from pediatric invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) is an endorsed practice, its positivity is based on clinical parameters; however, its results could be better documented. Objective. To describe the results of the SBT in the IMV weaning process. Population and methods. Retrospective analysis. Patients with ≥48 h in IMV from March 1, 2022 to January 31, 2024. Results. A total of493 SBT were analyzed in 304 patients; 71% (348) were positive, and 87% (302) resulted in successful extubations. The causes of negative SBT were increased work of breathing (70%), respiratory rate (57%), and heart rate (27%). In univariate analysis, respiratory distress as the reason for admission, peak inspiratory pressure before SBT and T-tube use, were predictors of negative SBT. In multivariate analysis, this association persisted for admission for respiratory cause, the higher programmed respiratory rate in IMV, as the T-tube modality. Those with negative SBT stayed more days in IMV (9 [7-12] vs. 7 [4-10]) and in PICU (11 [9-15] vs. 9 [7-12]). Conclusion. Positive SBT predicted successful extubation in a high percentage of cases. Respiratory distress on admission, higher programmed respiratory rate, and a higher proportion of T-tube mode were negative predictors of the test. Negative SBT was associated with more extended stays in IMV and PICU.
Introducción. La prueba de ventilación espontánea (PVE) en el proceso de liberación de la asistencia ventilatoria mecánica invasiva (AVMi) pediátrica es una práctica avalada; su positividad se sustenta en parámetros clínicos. Sin embargo, sus resultados están escasamente documentados. Objetivo. Describir los resultados de la PVE en el proceso de liberación de la AVMi. Población y métodos. Análisis retrospectivo. Pacientes con ≥ 48 h en AVMi del 1 de marzo de 2022 al 31 de enero de 2024. Resultados. Se analizaron 493 PVE en 304 pacientes; el 71 % (348) fueron positivas y el 87 % (302) redundó en extubaciones exitosas. Las causas de las PVE negativas fueron mayor trabajo respiratorio (70 %), frecuencia respiratoria (57 %) y frecuencia cardíaca (27 %). En el análisis univariado, la dificultad respiratoria como motivo de ingreso, la presión inspiratoria máxima previo a la PVE y el uso de tubo en T fueron predictores de PVE negativa. En el análisis multivariado, esta asociación persistió para el ingreso por causa respiratoria, la mayor frecuencia respiratoria programada en la AVM y la modalidad tubo en T. Quienes presentaron PVE negativas permanecieron más días en AVMi [9 (7-12) vs. 7 (4-10)] y en UCIP [11 (9-15) vs. 9 (7-12)]. Conclusión. La PVE positiva predijo la extubación exitosa en un alto porcentaje. La dificultad respiratoria al ingreso, la mayor frecuencia respiratoria programada y la mayor proporción de la modalidad tubo en T fueron predictores negativos para la prueba. La PVE negativa se asoció a mayor estadía en AVMi y UCIP.

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Introduction The physical, cognitive, and psychiatric disorders that occur in patients after leaving the intensive care unit (ICU) are collectively called post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Moreover, PICS-family (PICS-F) refers to the long-term psychological and social disorders that occur in the family. The symptoms of PICS-F can be psychological, and stress is a known cause of these symptoms. The Parental Stressor Scale: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PSS: PICU) was developed to assess stress levels and related factors among the families of patients admitted to the PICU. It has been translated into several languages and was revised in 2021. However, a Japanese version of the revised PSS: PICU (J-R-PSS: PICU) has not yet been developed. This study aimed to develop a J-R-PSS: PICU and to test its acceptability for clinical use. Materials and methods A back-translation method, involving initial translation, review by bilingual experts, and subsequent re-translation to ensure accuracy, was used to develop the J-R-PSS: PICU. Families with patients in the PICU for >48 hours between November and December 2021 and those who were transferred out of the ICU were recruited. Moreover, the study documents with a QR code for a web questionnaire were provided and explained to family members. Stress scores and stressors of family members were collected from web questionnaires using the PSS: PICU as the primary endpoint. Other information about the patients and their families was collected from clinical records and questionnaires. Participants and an expert panel evaluated the clarity of each item, and the expert panel evaluated the relevance of each item. Results Twenty family members who met the inclusion criteria and provided informed consent were included. The J-R-PSS: PICU was developed using a back-translation method. For clarity, all items were clarified after a single modification by an interdisciplinary team. For relevance, all the items had a content validity index at an item level of ≥0.8 and a scale level of 0.94. Alpha coefficients were 0.93 for the overall scale and 0.69-0.97 for its subscales. Conclusion We developed the J-R-PSS: PICU with high content validity and internal consistency using a back-translation method.

BACKGROUND: Since April 2022, the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has caused a notable increase in pediatric COVID-19 cases in Taiwan. During the acute phase of infection, some children required admissions to pediatric intensive care units (PICU). This study aimed to analyze their clinical presentations and outcomes while exploring associated factors.
METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively collected from patients with COVID-19 (aged <18 years) admitted to our PICU from April 2022-March 2023. Early stage is defined as the period without adequate vaccination and treatment guidelines for children from April-June 2022, and the remaining months are referred to as late stage. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared between patients in early and late stages.
RESULTS: We enrolled 78 children with COVID-19, with a median length of stay (LOS) in PICU of 3 days and a 5% mortality rate. Patients admitted during the early stage had lower vaccination rates (7% vs. 50%), higher pediatric logistic organ dysfunction scores (2 vs. 0.1), and longer LOS in the PICU (6 vs. 2 days) than those admitted during the late stage. Multivariate analysis identified admission during the early stage as a risk factor for prolonged LOS (>7 days) in the PICU (odds ratio: 3.65, p = 0.047).
CONCLUSIONS: Without available vaccinations and suitable treatment guidelines, children with COVID-19 tended to have more severe illness and prolonged LOS in the PICU. These observations highlight the importance of vaccinations and familiarity of medical providers with adequate management of this newly-emerging infectious disease.

Introduction: The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in children continues to increase nationally, including patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. Survival of pediatric patients with MRSA sepsis has not improved over the last 20 years. We sought to review our institutional experience and outcomes of ECMO support among children with MRSA infection.Methods: Children aged 0-19 years who received ECMO support from October 2014 to June 2021 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with laboratory confirmed MRSA infections were identified.Results: Out of 88 unique pediatric patients requiring ECMO support, eight patients had documented MRSA infections. The duration of mechanical ventilation prior to ECMO initiation was an average of seven days (range 0.7 to 21.8 days). The median ECMO duration was 648.1 h (range 15.5 to 1580.5 h). Five patients were successfully decannulated; however, only two patients survived to discharge. The two surviving patients were both cannulated via VV-ECMO. Mechanical ventilation prior to ECMO was 4.5 and 21.8 days in these cases with run durations of 18.9 and 29.9 days, respectively.Conclusions: Our institutional survival of patients with MRSA on ECMO is lower than what has been reported in recent database studies, but notably, 62.5% were successfully decannulated. While both surviving patients were supported with VV-ECMO, there was no other clear trend in factors that contributed to survival. MRSA continues to be a source of significant morbidity and mortality among pediatric patients. On-going investigation of outcomes and factors contributing to survival in patients with MRSA infection on ECMO is warranted.

UNASSIGNED: Fluids are often administered for various purposes, such as resuscitation, replacement, maintenance, nutrition, or drug infusion. However, its use is not without risks. Critically ill patients are highly susceptible to fluid accumulation (FA), which is associated with poor outcomes, including organ dysfunction, prolonged mechanical ventilation, extended hospital stays, and increased mortality. This study aimed to assess the association between FA and poor outcomes in critically ill children.
UNASSIGNED: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to May 2024. Relevant publications were searched using the following terms: child, children, infant, infants, pediatric, pediatrics, critically ill children, critical illness, critical care, intensive care, pediatric intensive care, pediatric intensive care unit, fluid balance, fluid overload, fluid accumulation, fluid therapy, edema, respiratory failure, respiratory insufficiency, pulmonary edema, mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic instability, shock, sepsis, acute renal failure, acute kidney failure, acute kidney injury, renal replacement therapy, dialysis, mortality. Paediatric studies were considered eligible if they assessed the effect of FA on the outcomes of interest. The main outcome was all-cause mortality. Pooled analyses were performed by using random-effects models. This review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023432879).
UNASSIGNED: A total of 120 studies (44,682 children) were included. Thirty-five FA definitions were identified. In general, FA was significantly associated with increased mortality (odds ratio [OR] 4.36; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.53-5.38), acute kidney injury (OR 1.98; 95% CI 1.60-2.44), prolonged mechanical ventilation (weighted mean difference [WMD] 38.1 h, 95% CI 19.35-56.84), and longer stay in the intensive care unit (WMD 2.29 days; 95% CI 1.19-3.38). The percentage of FA was lower in survivors when compared to non-survivors (WMD -4.95 [95% CI, -6.03 to -3.87]). When considering only studies that controlled for potential confounding variables, the pooled analysis revealed 6% increased odds of mortality associated with each 1% increase in the percentage of FA (adjusted OR = 1.06 [95% CI, 1.04-1.09).
UNASSIGNED: FA is significantly associated with poorer outcomes in critically ill children. Thus, clinicians should closely monitor fluid balance, especially when new-onset or worsening organ dysfunction occurs in oedematous patients, indicating potential FA syndrome. Future research should explore interventions like restrictive fluid therapy or de-resuscitation methods. Meanwhile, preventive measures should be prioritized to mitigate FA until further evidence is available.
UNASSIGNED: None.

UNASSIGNED: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an extracorporeal treatment method that removes large molecular weight substances from plasma. In our study, we aimed to retrospectively examine the indications and procedural methods of the patients who had undergone TPE, and the complications that occurred during the procedure.
UNASSIGNED: Forty-one patients who were monitored in thePICU of Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital and had indications for TPE between 2017 and 2021 were included in the study. Laboratory parameters were checked before and after the TPE procedure. In addition to these, patients\' diagnosis, weight, type of procedure and type of device, where the procedure was performed, duration of the procedure, amount of blood and plasma processed, complications, number of procedures, and death during the procedure or independent of the procedure were evaluated.
UNASSIGNED: The median age was 93.0 (14.0-167.0) months. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) was the most common TPE indication with nine patients. The most common complication related to TPE was fever (11 patients), while no complication was observed in 18 patients.When laboratory results were evaluated according to American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) categories, a significant improvement was observed in the values of platelet, AST, ALT, LDH, urea, and creatinine in ASFA1 after TPE. No significant improvement was observed in ASFA2 (p > 0.05). In ASFA3, a significant improvement was observed in INR, AST, ALT, LDH, total bilirubin, creatinine, pH, and lactate values after TPE (p < 0.05). Five patients died from ASFA1, one from ASFA2, and three patients from ASFA3.
UNASSIGNED: Since significant adjustments are observed in clinical and laboratory values in sepsis-MOF, which is in the ASFA3 category, we believe that it should be evaluated in the ASFA2 or ASFA1 category in the early treatment of these diseases. In addition, we think that MIS-C cases, which have not been in any category according to ASFA, should be included in the ASFA2 or ASFA3 category, considering our TPE results.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of different Acute Gastrointestinal Injury (AGI) grading trajectories and examine their impact on prognosis in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a large children\'s hospital in China. The children admitted to the PICU were included. AGI grade was assessed every other day during the initial nine days following PICU admission.
RESULTS: A total of 642 children were included, of which 364 children (56.7%) exhibited varying degrees of gastrointestinal dysfunction (AGI grade ≥ 2). Based on the patterns of AGI grading over time, six groups were identified: low-stable group, low-fluctuating group, medium-decreasing group, medium-increasing group, high-decreasing group, high-persistent group. The high-persistent group accounted for approximately 90% of all recorded deaths. Compared to low-stable group, both the medium-increasing and high-persistent groups exhibited positive correlations with length of stay in PICU (PICU LOS) and length of stay (LOS). Compared to low-stable group, the five groups exhibited a negative correlation with the percentage of energy received by enteral nutrition (EN), as well as the protein received by EN.
CONCLUSIONS: This study identified six distinct trajectory groups of AGI grade in critically ill children. The pattern of AGI grade trajectories over time were associated with EN delivery proportions and clinical outcomes.

UNASSIGNED: Rare and ultra-rare genetic conditions significantly contribute to infant morbidity and mortality, often presenting with atypical features and genetic heterogeneity that complicate management. Rapid genome sequencing (RGS) offers a timely and cost-effective approach to diagnosis, aiding in early clinical management and reducing unnecessary interventions. This pilot study represents the inaugural use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) as a diagnostic instrument for critically ill neonatal and pediatric ICU patients in a Turkish hospital setting.
UNASSIGNED: Ten infants were enrolled based on predefined inclusion criteria, and trio RGS was performed. The mean age of the participants was 124 days, with congenital abnormalities being the most common indication for testing. Three patients had consanguineous parents. The mean turnaround time from enrollment to delivery of results was 169 h, with a diagnostic yield of 50%.
UNASSIGNED: Three patients received a definitive molecular diagnosis, impacting their clinical management. Two patients benefited from the exclusion of Mendelian conditions, leading to alternative diagnoses.
UNASSIGNED: This study demonstrates the feasibility and results of RGS in Turkish hospital settings, emphasizing the importance of timely genetic diagnosis in reducing the diagnostic odyssey for families and improving patient care. Further research is needed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and applicability of RGS in the Turkish healthcare system for children with diseases of uncertain etiology.

UNASSIGNED: This study was aimed at determining the extubation failure (EF) rate in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and assessing the etiology, associated risk factors, and outcomes.
UNASSIGNED: We conducted a retrospective study on 335 pediatric patients admitted to King Abdulaziz University Hospital between 2018 and 2020, ranging in age from 1 month to 14 years, who required invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) for >24 h. Extubation readiness was determined by the attending pediatric intensive care physician, according to the patients\' clinical status and extubation readiness criteria.
UNASSIGNED: In the cohort of 335 patients, 42 experienced issues during extubation (failure rate, 12.5%). Cardiovascular disease (42.9%) was the main primary admission condition in patients with EF. Younger age (median, interquartile range [IQR]: 4, 1.38-36 months) was strongly associated with EF compared with successful extubation (median, IQR: 12, 2-48; p = 0.036), and with a high predicted mortality rate (10.9%; p < 0.001) and Pediatric Risk of Mortality III (PRISM) score (13; p < 0.001). Furthermore, prolonged ICU stay (25.5 days; p < 0.001) and longer MV requirements (4 days; p < 0.001) before extubation in patients with EF were associated with a high mortality rate (∼12%; p < 0.001). Interestingly, dexamethasone administration before extubation significantly alleviated EF risk (28.3%; p < 0.001).
UNASSIGNED: A higher EF rate in younger patients may potentially be associated with longer ICU stays, prolonged MV requirements before extubation, and the primary diagnostic condition. Dexamethasone effectively alleviated EF incidence. Further research with a rigorous evidence-based study design is necessary to substantiate the factors identified as predictors of EF and to develop strategies to avoid EF.
UNASSIGNED: تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى تحديد معدل فشل نزع الأنبوب في وحدة العناية المركزة للأطفال والتأكيد على المسببات وعوامل الخطر المرتبطة بها والنتيجة.
UNASSIGNED: أجرينا دراسة بأثر رجعي على 335 مريضا من الأطفال الذين تم إدخالهم إلى مستشفى جامعة الملك عبد العزيز في الفترة من 2018 إلى 2020، وتتراوح أعمارهم بين شهر واحد و14 عاما، ويحتاجون إلى تهوية ميكانيكية غزوية لمدة تزيد عن 24 ساعة. تم تحديد جاهزية نزع الأنبوب للمرضى من قبل طبيب العناية المركزة للأطفال المعالج بناء على الحالة السريرية ومعايير الاستعداد لنزع الأنبوب.
UNASSIGNED: ومن بين مجموعة مكونة من 335 مريضا، واجه 42 فردا مشكلات أثناء عملية نزع الأنبوب، وبلغت ذروتها بمعدل فشل قدره 12.5%. كانت أمراض القلب والأوعية الدموية (42.9٪) هي حالة القبول الأولية الملحوظة إلى حد كبير لدى مرضى فشل نزع الأنبوب. كان المرضى الأصغر سنا مرتبطين بشكل كبير بحدوث فشل نزع الأنبوب مقارنة بالمرضى الذين تم نزع أنبوبهم بنجاح مع ارتفاع معدل الوفيات المتوقع ودرجة معيار خطر وفيات الأطفال 3. علاوة على ذلك، لوحظت فترات الإقامة الطويلة في وحدة العناية المركزة ومتطلبات أطول للتهوية الميكانيكية قبل نزع الأنبوب لدى مرضى فشل نزع الأنبوب المرتبطين بمعدل وفيات مرتفع. ومن المثير للاهتمام أن إعطاء الديكساميثازون قبل عملية نزع الأنبوب خفف بشكل كبير من خطر فشل نزع الأنبوب لدى المرضى.
UNASSIGNED: توضح دراستنا ارتفاع معدل فشل نزع الأنبوب لدى المرضى الأصغر سنا الذين يحتمل أن يكونوا مرتبطين بإقامات أطول في وحدة العناية المركزة، ومتطلبات طويلة الأمد للتهوية الميكانيكية قبل نزع الأنبوب، وحالة التشخيص الأولية. وقد لوحظ أن الديكساميثازون فعال في التخفيف من حدوث فشل نزع الأنبوب. هناك حاجة إلى مزيد من البحث الذي يتضمن تصميم دراسة أكثر جوهرية قائمة على الأدلة لإثبات العوامل المذكورة كمنبئات لفشل نزع الأنبوب ووضع استراتيجيات للحد منه.