UMEM Educational Pearls

 

Guedji R et al.  Do All Children Who Present With a Complex Febrile Seizure Need a Lumbar Puncture?  Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2017; 70 (1):52-62.

 

Heinonen S, Silvennoinen H, Lehtinen  et al. Early oseltamivir treatment of influenza in children 1-3 years of age: A randomized controlled trial. Clin Infect Dis. 2010;51(8):87-94.

Marchese et al.  Reduced Radiation in children presenting to the ED with Suspected Ventricular Shunt Complication.  Pediatrics. 2017; 139 (5).

Methods involved reviewing regional Poison Control Center data from 1999 thruh 2013, during which 1431 calls regarding exposures of children less than or equal to age 19 or exposed to a veterinary medication. 

While the authors concluded that most exposures did not result in major adverse outcomes, 14.1% of exposures resulted in at least minor health effects.

A broader range of more highly toxic medications are increasingly being prescribed for animals, including anti-neoplastic drugs such as cyclophosphamide and chlorambucil.

Treatment of chronic health conditions and pets,  such as osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, or anxiety is also increasingly common.

 

 

Tomasi S, Roberts KJ, Stull J, Spiller HA, McKenzie LB. Pediatric Exposures to Veterinary Pharmaceuticals. Pediatrics. 2017;139(3)

This was a retrospective review of children aged 0-17 with blunt trauma requiring trauma team activation who had a chest xray preformed.  483 eligible children were included, all of whom were admitted to the hospital.  108 children had their thoracic injury detected on chest xray, 110 on chest CT and 76 on abdominal CT.  Pneumothorax, pulmonary contusion and multiple rib fractures were the most commonly found thoracic injuries.  All children also had other injuries.

Weerdenburg et al.  Predicting Thoracic Injury in Children with Multi-trauma.  Pediatric Emergency Care.  Epub ahead of print.  2017.

This is the first study looking at ziprasidone in the pediatric emergency department population.  This was a retrospective observational study of children 5-18 years old who were treated with IM ziprasidone.  40 patients received IM ziprasidone in a tertiary care pediatric emergency department between 2007-2015.  2/3 of the patients had ADHD and 1/3 had autism spectrum disorder.  Other diagnosis included post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and intellectual disabilities.

68% of patients responded to the initial dose.  The initial dose was 0.19 +/- 0.1 mg/kg in the responder group and 0.13 +/- 0.06 mg/kg in the non-responder group.  Single doses ranged from 2.5 mg to 20 mg total.

No patients had respiratory depression.  Two patients had potential extra-pyramidal symptoms, but one was prior to ziprasidone administration and the other patient had baseline facial twitching with no documentation if there was a change after ziprasidone administration.

Nguyen T, Stanton J and Foster R.  Intramuscular Ziprasidone Dosing for Acute Agitation in the Pediatric Emergency Department: An observational Study.  Journal of Pharmacy Practice 1-4.  2017.

The FDA recently announced restrictions on the use of Tramadol and Codeine in children and breastfeeding mothers due to possible harm in infants.  Essentially, codeine will now be contraindicated for the treatment of cough and/or pain, and tramadol contraindicated to treat pain for children under age 12 years. Tramadol will be also be contraindicated in children younger than 18 years for treatment of pain after tonssillectomy/ adenoidectomy. 

 

These medicines carry serious risks, including slowed or difficulty breathing and death. These medicines also should be limited in some older children.

 

Additional warnings apply for children 12 to 18 years who are obese, have severe lung disease, or sleep apnea as they may increase the risk of serious breathing problems. 

 

Please be aware of these new restrictions to protect the health and safety of our patients.

 

A summary statement from the American Hospital Association (AHA) is posted below.

A summary statement from the American Hospital Association (AHA) is posted below.

 

This was a retrospective study of 1991 children younger than 2 years that presented between 2000-2010 who were diagnosed with bronchiolitis.  Primary care records were reviewed 1 year after their visit to the ED to see if the patient had a primary care diagnosis of asthma. 

Of the initial study population, 817 patients had received a diagnosis of asthma at 1 year.

Since these patients were only followed up at 1 year, the amount of children who were later diagnosed with asthma may be underestimated.

Waseem et al.  Factors Predicting Asthma in children with Acute Bronchiolitis.  Pediatric Emergency Care.  March 2017.  Epub ahead of print.

This was a retrospective study of 2700 infants < 3 months old who were evaluated for urinary tract infections (UTI).  The UTI prevalence in this group was 7.8%.  A UTI was defined as at least 50,000 colony forming units/mL from a catheterized specimen.  Test characteristics looked at white blood cell and leukocyte esterase cut-offs, dichotomized into specific gravities: dilute (<1.015) and concentrated (>/=1.015).

For respiratory distress and hypoxia: Infants have a lower FRC and can desaturate very quickly!

Supplemental O₂ should be delivered via face mask or nasal cannula or other devices such as high flow nasal cannula or nasopharyngeal CPAP, even if O₂ saturation levels appear normal with peripheral monitoring devices

For improved circulation: utilize peripheral IO early

Peripheral IV or IO access can be used for fluid resuscitation, inotrope infusion, and antibiotic delivery when central access is not readily available or obtainable

Initial therapeutic resuscitative end points: hypotension and poor capillary refill may portend imminent cardiovascular collapse!

• Capillary refill of < or = 2s
• Normalization of heart rate for age
• Normalization of blood pressure for age
• Lack of difference between central and peripheral pulses
• Warm extremities
• Urine output >1mL/kg/hr
• Normal level of consciousness

Antibiotics and source control: Early and aggressive source control is key, just as in adults!

• In up to 75% of pediatric sepsis cases, the underlying pathogen(s) remain unknown,
• A child’s immune system is incompletely formed, and they are markedly more susceptible to viruses and encapsulated bacteria
• Empiric antibiotics should be administered within 1 hour
• Blood cultures prior to antibiotics is preferred, but should not delay starting antibiotics
• Tailor antimicrobials to epidemic and endemic ecologies and consider resistant organisms
• Clindamycin and anti-toxin therapies for toxic shock syndromes with refractory hypotension
• C. diff. colitis should be treated with enteral antibiotics if possible, with vancomycin preferred in severe cases

Fluid resuscitation: Support the pump, and fill, but don’t overload the tank!

• Bolus 20 mL/kg fluid (isotonic crystalloid) IV/IO over 5-20min or faster if needed
• Repeat 20 mL/kg bolus of fluid (up to 60 mL/kg) until clinical symptoms improve or patient develops respiratory distress/rales/ hepatomegaly
• Titrate to reversing hypotension, increasing urine output, and attaining normal capillary refill, peripheral pulses, and level of consciousness
• If hepatomegaly or rales are present, consider early inotropic support and carefully titrated fluids
• Use diuretics to reverse fluid overload when shock has resolved, and if unsuccessful then CVVH or intermittent dialysis to prevent >10% total body weight fluid overload
• In non-hypotensive children with severe hemolytic anemia (i.e. severe malaria or sickle cell crisis) blood transfusion is considered superior to crystalloids
• Consider adrenal insufficiency in refractory shock and give hydrocortisone accordingly

Inotropes and vasopressors: not just Levo for all!

• Normotensive shock (impaired perfusion but normal blood pressure): Dopamine 2-20 mcg/kg/min IV/IO, titrate to desired effect; if continued poor perfusion, consider dobutamine infusion 2-20 mcg/kg/min IV/IO, titrate to desired effect (may cause hypotension, tachycardia)
• Warm shock (warm extremities, flash capillary refill): Norepinephrine 0.1-2 mcg/kg/min IV/IO infusion, titrate to desired effect
• Cold shock (cool extremities, delayed capillary refill): Epinephrine 0.1-1 mcg/kg/min IV/IO infusion, titrate to desired effect

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

Consider ECMO for refractory pediatric septic shock with respiratory failure – in kids, survival is improved dramatically – consider it early!

Blood products

• In hemodynamically unstable children in shock on pressors, hgb levels of ≥10 g/dL are targeted
• In stable critically ill children, a lower hgb target of ≥7.0 g/dL is recommended
• Similar platelet transfusion targets in children as in adults
• Consider plasma therapies in children to correct sepsis-induced thrombotic disorders
• IV immunoglobulin may also be considered

Mechanical ventilation

• If mechanical ventilation is required, then cardiovascular instability during intubation may be less likely after appropriate cardiovascular resuscitation
• Use lung-protective strategies during mechanical ventilation
• Sedation/analgesia is recommended in critically ill mechanically ventilated kids with sepsis

Glycemic control

• Watch for hypoglycemia (neonates < 45 mg/dL, infants/children < 60 mg/dL)
• Control hyperglycemia using similar targets as in adults < or = 180 mg/dL

Randolph AG & McCulloh RJ. Pediatric sepsis: important considerations for diagnosing and managing severe infections in infants, children, and adolescents. Virulence. 2014: 1;5(1):179-89. doi: 10.4161/viru.27045.

Wheeler DS, Wong HR, Zingarelli B. Pediatric Sepsis - Part I: "Children are not small adults!" Open Inflamm J. 2011: 7;4:4-15. doi: 10.2174/1875041901104010004.

Who- Mostly seen in children, but sometimes in immunocompromised adults

What- Peri-ungal infection of the fingerpad with pus-filled blister with erythematous base

Cause- May result from thumb or finger sucking. Staph and strep are the most common bugs, but it can be caused by MRSA.

DDx- herpetic whitlow, paronychia/felon, friction blister, insect bite

Treatment-

1. De-roof the blister

2. Send drainage for culture

3. Treat for staph and strep- no indication to treat for MRSA initially unless strong suspicion

4. 10 day course of antibiotics recommended

For additional information and image: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/718695_3

 

Diagnosis: Pathologic fracture with a unicameral bone cyst

Unicameral bone cysts are benign lesions that mainly affect children and adolescents.  On xray the cyst is noted to be a mildly expansile, lytic, thin walled lesion without periosteal reaction.  The most common sites are the proximal humerus and femur.  These lesions can resolve spontaneously, but there is a risk of pathologic fracture.  If fracture is detected, then the fracture site should be treated as any other fracture in the area.  These lesions can also be found incidentally in which case they should be referred to orthopedics for outpatient follow up.

Kadhim, M, Thacker M, Kadhim A and Holmes L.  Treatment of unicameral bone cyst: systemic review and meta analysis.  J Child Orthop.  2014 Mar; 8(2): 171-191.

Mascard E, Gomez-Brouchet A, Lambot K.  Bone cysts: Unicameral and aneurysmal bone cyst.  Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2015 Feb; 101.

 

Nail bed injuries occur in 15-24% of children with fingertip injuries.

In 1997, medical adhesive was first used to secure the avulsed nail plate back to the nail bed instead of suturing back into place.  By 2008, there were small studies looking at the utility of using medical adhesive to close the laceration of the nail bed.  The studies were small, but there was a tendency towards shorter repair times and no difference between pain, cosmetic outcome or function.

A total of 6 articles were included in this review – 2 using histoacryl and 4 using demabond.

Edwards, S, Parkinson L.  Is Fixing Pediatric Nail Bed Injuries with Medical Adhesives as Effective as Suturing?  A Review of the Literature.  Pediatric Emergency Care.  2016.

Tschudy MM, Arcara KM. The Harriet Lane Handbook 19th edition. Elsevier Mosby; 2012

80 children between 4 months and 6 years of age with fever > 101 degress F and watery stools (> 3 episodes) were evaluated for hydration status using urine samples.  The urine was collected either by catheterization or clean catch, depending on age.  All urine cultures were negative.

Nibhanipudi KV.  A Study to determine the Incidence of Urinary Tract Infections in Infants and Children Ages 4 months to 6 Years with Febrile Diarrhea.  Glob Pediatr Health. 2016. Published online Sept 12, 2016.

This was a small double-blind, prospective randomized controlled trial of 120 children with fluid-refractory septic shock in a PICU in Brazil. The primary outcome was to compare the effects of dopamine or epinephrine in severe sepsis on 28-day mortality; secondary outcomes were the rate of healthcare–associated infection, the need for other vasoactive drugs, and the multiple organ dysfunction score. Dopamine was associated with death (OR, 6.5; 95% CI, 1.1–37.8; p = 0.037) and healthcare–associated infection (odds ratio, 67.7; 95% CI, 5.0–910.8; p = 0.001). The use of epinephrine was associated with a survival odds ratio of 6.49. Further multicenter trials or single-center studeis are necessary to verify the reproducibiltiy of these results.

Ramaswamy KN, Singhi S, Jayashree M, Bansal A, Nallasamy K. Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Dopamine and Epinephrine in Pediatric Fluid-Refractory Hypotensive Septic Shock.Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2016 Nov;17(11):e502-e512.

 

Kannikeswaran et al.  Optimal dosing of intravenous ketamine for procedural sedation in children in the ED – a randomized control trial.  American Journal of Emergency Medicine 24 (2016) 1347-1353.

1) Bradley et al. The Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in infants and children older than 3 months of age: Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin. Infect. Dis. 53:617-630 (2011)

2) Miller, S. How I treat acute chest syndrome in children with sickle cell disease. Blood 117:5297-5305 (2011)

3) Neumayr L, et al. Mycoplasma disease and acute chest syndrome in sickle cell disease. Pediatrics 1212:87-95 (2003)

This was a prospective randomized double blinded study in 8 pediatric emergency departments. Patients were at least 6 months old and younger than 11 years. To be included they had to have at least 3 episodes of vomiting or diarrhea in the previous 12 hours and a Gorelick score of at least 4. 100 children were included. Serum bicarbonate was measured at 0 and 4 hours and dehydration scores were reassessed. There was a change of bicarbonate of 1.6 mEq/L for plasma-lyte A (PLA) and no change for sodium chloride. There as an improvement in the dehydration score at 2 hours for the PLA group, but the dehydration scores were not statistically significant between the 2 groups at the 4 hours mark.

Allen et al. A randomized trial of Plasma-Lyte A and 0.9% sodium chloride in acute pediatric gastroenteritis. BMC Pediatrics 2016 16:117.