Frontiers in pediatrics
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Frontiers in pediatrics · Jan 2014
ReviewExisting data analysis in pediatric critical care research.
Our objectives were to review and categorize the existing data sources that are important to pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM) investigators and the types of questions that have been or could be studied with each data source. We conducted a narrative review of the medical literature, categorized the data sources available to PCCM investigators, and created an online data source registry. We found that many data sources are available for research in PCCM. ⋯ Linkage of data sources can expand the types of questions that a data source can be used to study. Careful matching of the scientific question to the best available data source or linked data sources is necessary. In addition, rigorous application of the best available analysis techniques and reporting consistent with observational research standards will maximize the quality of research using existing data in PCCM.
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Frontiers in pediatrics · Jan 2014
ReviewFocal necrosis and disturbed myelination in the white matter of newborn infants: a tale of too much or too little oxygen.
White matter disease in preterm infants comes along with focal destructions or with diffuse myelination disturbance. Recent experimental work with transgenic mice paves the way for a unifying molecular model for both types of brain injury, placing oxygen sensing by oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) at the center stage. ⋯ These recent experimental findings on oxygen sensing and myelination are awaiting integration into a clinical framework. Gene regulation in response to hyperoxia or hypoxia, rather than oxidative stress, may be an important mechanism underlying neonatal white matter disease.
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Frontiers in pediatrics · Jan 2014
Epidemiology of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome in singapore: risk factors and predictive respiratory indices for mortality.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) represents the most severe form of acute lung injury. The aim of our study is to describe the epidemiology of pediatric ARDS in Singapore and compare the outcomes of ARDS using the following respiratory indices: PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P/F ratio), SpO2/FiO2 ratio (S/F ratio), oxygenation index (OI), and oxygen saturation index (OSI). ⋯ Risk factors for mortality included having an underlying comorbidity, multiorgan dysfunction, a low PF ratio, and high OI at 24 h of ARDS. Abnormal SpO2-based measurements were reliable markers of poor outcomes in pediatric ARDS.
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Frontiers in pediatrics · Jan 2014
Impact of ventilatory modes on the breathing variability in mechanically ventilated infants.
Reduction of breathing variability is associated with adverse outcome. During mechanical ventilation, the variability of ventilatory pressure is dependent on the ventilatory mode. During neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA), the support is proportional to electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi), which reflects the respiratory center output. The variability of EAdi is, therefore, translated into a similar variability in pressures. Contrastingly, conventional ventilatory modes deliver less variable pressures. The impact of the mode on the patient's own respiratory drive is less clear. This study aims to compare the impact of NAVA, pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV), and pressure support ventilation (PSV) on the respiratory drive patterns in infants. We hypothesized that on NAVA, EAdi variability resembles most of the endogenous respiratory drive pattern seen in a control group. ⋯ Mechanical ventilation impacts the breathing variability in infants. NAVA produces EAdi pattern resembling most that of control infants. NRR can be used to characterize respiratory variability in infants. Larger prospective studies are necessary to understand the differential impact of the ventilatory modes on the cardio-respiratory variability and to study their impact on clinical outcomes.
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Frontiers in pediatrics · Jan 2014
A prospective assessment of the effect of aminophylline therapy on urine output and inflammation in critically ill children.
Aminophylline, an established bronchodilator, is also purported to be an effective diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent. However, the data to support these contentions are scant. We conducted a prospective, open-label, single arm, single center study to assess the hypothesis that aminophylline increases urine output and decreases inflammation in critically ill children. ⋯ Although no definitive conclusions can be drawn from this study, aminophylline may be a useful diuretic and effective anti-inflammatory medication in critically ill children. Given the incidence of side effects, the small sample size and the uncontrolled study design, further study is needed to inform the appropriate use of aminophylline in these children.