Pediatric Shock

Millions of children die of shock due to various etiologies each year. Shock is a state of circulatory dysfunction where the metabolic demands of the tissue cannot be met by the circulation. Several different etiologies from hypovolemia to severe infection can result in shock. This review focuses on the definition of different types of shock seen in children and summarizes treatment strategies for the acute care practitioner based on pertinent recent literature. Early recognition and timely intervention are critical for successful treatment of pediatric shock. A strong index of suspicion by the treating clinician and early fluid resuscitation followed by ongoing assessment and timely transfer to a higher level of care can make the difference between life and death for the child who presents in shock

Pediatric Shock

Millions of children die of shock due to various etiologies each year. Shock is a state of circulatory dysfunction where the metabolic demands of the tissue cannot be met by the circulation. Several different etiologies from hypovolemia to severe infection can result in shock. This review focuses on the definition of different types of shock seen in children and summarizes treatment strategies for the acute care practitioner based on pertinent recent literature. Early recognition and timely intervention are critical for successful treatment of pediatric shock. A strong index of suspicion by the treating clinician and early fluid resuscitation followed by ongoing assessment and timely transfer to a higher level of care can make the difference between life and death for the child who presents in shock

Fatal paraphenylenediamine poisoning due to black henna

Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is an oxidative chemical allergen that can cause hypersensitivity reactions. PPD intoxication could cause severe systemic adverse effects like acute renal failure, rhabdomyolysis and multiple organ failure. In this text we present a 9 year-old female patient who developed multiple organ failure and cardiac arrhythmia as a result of extensive application of PPD added to henna to the skin. Plasma exchange (PE) and continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) were started. The patient died on day 4 after developing ventricular fibrillation that was resistant to antiarrhythmic treatment and defibrillation. In summary, the most commonly seen clinical signs in PPD intoxication are cervical, upper respiratory and muscle edema, intravascular hemolysis, rhabdomyolysis, severe cardiac arrhythmias and acute renal failure. These symptoms would be suggestive of PPD poisoning

Electrocardiographic changes in children with diabetic ketoacidosis and ketosis

Aim: We aimed to study electrocardiographic changes in children with diabetic ketoacidosis and ketosis and to evaluate the relation of the changes with serum electrolyte levels and ketosis

Seizures associated with poisoning in children: tricyclic antidepressant intoxication

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of seizure due to poisoning

Electrocardiographic changes in children with diabetic ketoacidosis and ketosis

Aim: We aimed to study electrocardiographic changes in children with diabetic ketoacidosis and ketosis and to evaluate the relation of the changes with serum electrolyte levels and ketosis

Lidocaine treatment in pediatric convulsive status epilepticus

Backgound: Convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) may end fatally or leave serious sequelae. CSE treatment, invariably an emergency case, is based upon i.v. benzodiazepines as well as phenytoin, barbiturates or both. The present paper reports efficiency of lidocaine in CSE

Metabolic disturbances following the use of inadequate solutions for hemofiltration in acute renal failure

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has become an important supportive therapy for critically ill children with acute renal failure. In Turkey, commercially available diafiltration and replacement fluids cannot be found on the market. Instead, peritoneal dialysis fluids for dialysis and normal saline as replacement fluid are used. The first objective of this study was to examine metabolic complications due to CRRT treatments. The second objective was to determine demographic characteristics and outcomes of patients who receive CRRT. We did a retrospective chart review of all pediatric patients treated with CRRT between February and December 2004. Thirteen patients received CRRT; seven survived (53.8%). All patients were treated with continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration. Median patient age was 71.8 +/- 78.8 (1.5-180) months. Hyperglycemia occurred in 76.9%. (n=10), and metabolic acidosis occurred in 53.8% (n=7) of patients. Median age was younger (48.8 vs.106.2 months), median urea level (106.2 vs. 71 mg/dl) and percent fluid overload (FO) (17.2% vs. 7.6%, respectively) were higher, and CRRT initiation time was longer (8.6 vs 5.6 days) in nonsurvivors vs. survivors for all patients, although these were not statistically significant. CRRT was stopped in all survivors, and four nonsurvivors (67%) were on renal replacement therapy at the time of death. Hyperglycemia and metabolic acidosis were frequently seen in CRRT patients when commercially available diafiltration fluids were not available. Using peritoneal dialysis fluid as dialysate is not a preferable solution. Early initiation of CRRT offered survival benefits to critically ill pediatric patients. Mortality was associated with the primary disease diagnosis