Neuromuscular blockade in clinical practice in paediatric anaesthesia: retrospective cohort trial in a tertiary paediatric anaesthesia centre

Background. Neuromuscular blockade is associated with improved airway conditions for intubation and superior conditions for surgical interventions (predominantly important in laparoscopic surgery). Residual neuromuscular blockade in the postoperative period is, according to recently published data, associated with a negative impact on perioperative morbidity and mortality. Aim. Te aim of the study was to describe daily practice in clinical paediatric anaesthesia in a tertiary children’s hospital. Methods. Data from anaesthesiology records during the period 1.1.2016 to 31.12.2016 were retrospectively screened. Primary outcomes included the rate of surgery cases with neuromuscular blockade, the incidence of cases with perioperative neuromuscular blockade monitoring and the incidence of neuromuscular pharmacologic block reversal. Secondary outcomes were myorelaxant usage according to the age of patients and duration of surgery. Results. Overall 8046 paediatric patients underwent general anaesthesia in the study period. Muscle relaxants were administered in 1650 cases (20.5%). Te most frequently administered muscle relaxant was mivacurium (48.2 %, n=795), followed by cis-atracurium (36.4 %, n=601), suxamethonium (10.3 %, n=170) and rocuronium (7.0 %, n=115). Neuromuscular blockade monitoring was used only in 2.5% (n=41) of cases. Active neuromuscular blockade reversal was administered in 5.8% (n=95) of cases. Conclusion. Neuromuscular blockade in paediatric anaesthesia was less frequent compared to adults. Te low rate of neuromuscular blockade monitoring in combination with the low rate of active block reversal can be considered dangerous due to the relatively high risk of potential residual postoperative blockade, that can negatively influence clinical outcome

Incidence of emergence delirium in the pediatric PACU: Prospective observational trial

Emergence delirium (ED) is a postoperative complication in pediatric anesthesia characterized by perception and psychomotor disorder and has a negative impact on morbidity in the form of maladaptive behavior, which can last weeks after anesthesia. Patients with developed ED present with psychomotor anxiety, agitation, and are at higher risk of unintentional extraction of an intravenous cannula, self-harm and nausea and vomiting. The described incidence of ED varies between 25-80%, with a higher prevalence among children younger than 6 years of age. We aimed to determine the incidence of ED in pediatric patients (>1 month) after general anesthesia in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), using Paediatric Anaesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) score, Watcha score and Richmond agitation and sedation scale (RASS). The incidence of ED was the highest in the PAED score with cutoff >= 10 points (89.0%, n = 1088). When using PAED score >12 points, ED incidence was 19.3% (n = 236). The lowest incidence was described by Watcha and RASS scores, 18.8% (n = 230) vs. 18.1% (n = 221), respectively. The threshold for PAED >= 10 points seems to give false-positive results, whereas the threshold >12 points is more accurate. RASS scale, although intended primarily for estimation of the depth of sedation, seems to have a good predictive value for ED.Web of Science910art. no. 159

Malignant Hyperthermia in PICU—From Diagnosis to Treatment in the Light of Up-to-Date Knowledge

Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) is a rare, hereditary, life-threatening disease triggered by volatile anesthetics and succinylcholine. Rarely, MH can occur after non-pharmacological triggers too. MH was detected more often in children and young adults, which makes this topic very important for every pediatric specialist, both anesthesiologists and intensivists. MH crisis is a life-threatening severe hypermetabolic whole-body reaction. Triggers of MH are used in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) as well, volatile anesthetics in difficult sedation, status asthmaticus or epilepticus, and succinylcholine still sometimes in airway management. Recrudescence or delayed onset of MH crisis hours after anesthesia was previously described. MH can also be a cause of rhabdomyolysis and hyperpyrexia in the PICU. In addition, patients with neuromuscular diseases are often admitted to PICU and they might be at risk for MH. The most typical symptoms of MH are hypercapnia, tachycardia, hyperthermia, and muscle rigidity. Thinking of the MH as the possible cause of deterioration of a patient’s clinical condition is the key to early diagnosis and treatment. The sooner the correct treatment is commenced, the better patient´s outcome. This narrative review article aims to summarize current knowledge and guidelines about recognition, treatment, and further management of MH in PICU

Critically Ill Pediatric Patient and SARS-CoV-2 Infection

In December 2019 SARS-CoV-2 initiated a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, which is still ongoing in 2022. Although adult elderly patients with chronic preexisting diseases had been identified as the most vulnerable group, COVID-19 has also had a significant impact on pediatric intensive care. Early in 2020, a new disease presentation, multisystemic inflammatory syndrome, was described in children. Despite the vaccination that is available for all age categories, due to its selection process, new viral mutations and highly variable vaccination rate, COVID-19 remains a significant clinical challenge in adult and pediatric intensive care in 2022

Nutrition in Pediatric Intensive Care: A Narrative Review

Nutrition support in pediatric intensive care is an integral part of a complex approach to treating critically ill children. Smaller energy reserves with higher metabolic demands (a higher basal metabolism rate) compared to adults makes children more vulnerable to starvation. The nutrition supportive therapy should be initiated immediately after intensive care admission and initial vital sign stabilization. In absence of contraindications (unresolving/decompensated shock, gut ischemia, critical gut stenosis, etc.), the preferred type of enteral nutrition is oral or via a gastric tube. In the acute phase of critical illness, due to gluconeogenesis and muscle breakdown with proteolysis, the need for high protein delivery should be emphasized. After patient condition stabilization, the acute phase with predominant catabolism converts to the anabolic phase and intensive rehabilitation, where high energy demands are the keystone of a positive outcome

Central Venous Catheter Cannulation in Pediatric Anesthesia and Intensive Care: A Prospective Observational Trial

Currently, ultrasound-guided central venous catheter (CVC) insertion is recommended in pediatric patients. However, the clinical practice may vary. The primary aim of this study was the overall success rate and the first attempt success rate in ultrasound-guided CVC insertion versus anatomic-based CVC insertion in pediatric patients. The secondary aim was the incidence of associated complications and the procedural time. The physician could freely choose the cannulation method and venous approach. Data were collected for 10 months. Overall, 179 patients were assessed for eligibility and 107 patients were included. In almost half of the patients (48.6%), the percutaneous puncture was performed by real-time ultrasound navigation. In 51.4% of the patients, the puncture was performed by the landmark method. The overall success rate was 100% (n = 52) in the real-time ultrasound navigation group, 96.4% (n = 53) in the landmark insertion group, (p = 0.496). The first percutaneous puncture success rate was 57.7% (n = 30) in the real-time ultrasound navigation group and 45.5% (n = 25) in the landmark insertion group, (p = 0.460). The data show a higher overall success rate and the first success rate in the US-guided CVC insertion group, but the difference was not statistically significant

Airway Management in Pediatric Patients: Cuff-Solved Problem?

Traditionally, uncuffed tubes were used in pediatric patients under 8 years in pursuit of reducing the risk of postextubation stridor. Although computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging studies confirmed that the subglottic area remains the narrowest part of pediatric airway, the use of uncuffed tubes failed to reduce the risk of subglottic swelling. Properly used cuffed tubes (correct size and correct cuff management) are currently recommended as the first option in emergency, anesthesiology and intensive care in all pediatric patients. Clinical practice particularly in the intensive care area remains variable. This review aims to analyze the current recommendation for airway management in children in emergency, anesthesiology and intensive care settings

COVID-19-Associated Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome (PIMS-TS) in Intensive Care: A Retrospective Cohort Trial (PIMS-TS INT)

Paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 (PIMS-TS) is a new disease in children and adolescents that occurs after often asymptomatic or mild COVID-19. It can be manifested by different clinical symptomatology and varying severity of disease based on multisystemic inflammation. The aim of this retrospective cohort trial was to describe the initial clinical presentation, diagnostics, therapy and clinical outcome of paediatric patients with a diagnosis of PIMS-TS admitted to one of the 3 PICUs. All paediatric patients who were admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) during the study period were enrolled in the study. A total of 180 patients were analysed. The most common symptoms upon admission were fever (81.6%, n = 147), rash (70.6%, n = 127), conjunctivitis (68.9%, n = 124) and abdominal pain (51.1%, n = 92). Acute respiratory failure occurred in 21.1% of patients (n = 38). Vasopressor support was used in 20.6% (n = 37) of cases. Overall, 96.7% of patients (n = 174) initially tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Almost all patients received antibiotics during in-hospital stays. No patient died during the hospital stay or after 28 days of follow-up. Initial clinical presentation and organ system involvement of PIMS-TS including laboratory manifestations and treatment were identified in this trial. Early identification of PIMS-TS manifestation is essential for early treatment and proper management of patients