Adequate nutrition can improve the outcome of premature infants

Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de PediatriaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de PediatriaSciEL

Glutamine supplementation: is it beneficial to critically ill children?

Although there have been several randomized trials, conducted with critically ill adults, reporting the benefits of glutamine supplementation, there is scarce information on the role of glutamine in the treatment outcome of critically ill children. Our objective was to evaluate existing studies on the effect of glutamine supplementation, aiming at verifying the clinical benefits of such supplementation for critically ill children. A computerized search was conducted to select prospective, randomized, clinical trials of critically ill children, published between 1992 and 2003. Studies were included if, besides presenting the characteristics already mentioned, they evaluated the effects of parenteral and the enteral glutamine supplementing vs. those of standard care. The variables on clinical outcomes were: time to achieve full enteral nutrition, hospital length of stay, complication rates, and mortality. Three bibliographic databases were searched: Medline, LILACS and Cochrane Library. Search terms included: glutamine, critically ill, trauma, sepsis, burned, injured, bone marrow transplantation, intensive care, and mechanic ventilation. Initial screening resulted in 33 original articles; of these potentially eligible articles, only 7 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Length of hospital stay, mortality rate, and hospital costs were not different for patients receiving glutamine-supplemented nutrition, when compared to those receiving non-supplemented diet. Glutamine was associated with reduction in the time necessary to achieve full enteral feeding and parenteral nutrition. There is no evidence to support the routine use of either parenteral or enteral glutamine supplement when treating critically ill children. The small number of patients, heterogeneity with respect to the studied groups, routes of administration, and confounding effects of concomitant diseases, all limit the inferences we can make from the results.Embora haja vários estudos clínicos randômicos avaliando os benefícios da suplementação de glutamina em pacientes adultos, há pouca informação em pacientes pediátricos, particularmente naqueles com doenças graves. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar criticamente os estudos sobre suplementação de glutamina, para verificar os possíveis benefícios clínicos desta suplementação em crianças gravemente doentes. Levou-se a cabo uma pesquisa dos estudos publicados entre 1992 e 2003, do tipo prospectivo, randômico e controlado, conduzidos em pacientes pediátricos gravemente doentes, divididos em dois grupos: o dos que receberam suplementos de glutamina por via enteral ou parenteral, e o dos que receberam placebo. As variáveis de desfecho foram: tempo para atingir oferta plena de dieta enteral, tempo de hospitalização, complicações e mortalidade. Foram utilizadas as bases de dados Medline, LILACS e Cochrane, com as palavras-chave: glutamine, critically ill, trauma, sepsis, burned, injured, bone marrow transplantation, intensive care, mechanical ventilation. Dos 33 estudos inicialmente identificados, 7 preencheram os critérios de inclusão. A análise dos resultados mostrou que nos pacientes suplementados com glutamina, houve melhor aceitação por via enteral e redução do tempo de nutrição parenteral em recém-nascidos, não havendo efeito sobre o tempo de internação, custos hospitalares e mortalidade. Os estudos controlados na faixa etária pediátrica, não permitem que se adote o uso rotineiro da glutamina em crianças gravemente enfermas. O número reduzido de pacientes e a heterogeneidade quanto ao grupo etário, doenças e via de administração são fatores que limitam a interpretação dos resultados.Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual Unidade de Terapia IntensivaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Unidade de Terapia IntensivaUNIFESP, EPM, Unidade de Terapia IntensivaSciEL

Refeeding Syndrome in a Critically Ill Child

Objective: To report a case of a child interned in an ICU of a University Hospital who developed refeeding syndrome, and to review the specific literature pertinent to this area.Case Report: An eight year-old, previously healthy, male patient was admitted for necrotizing pneumonia. On admission the child had a z-score of weight for height of 0.38 and height for age of -0.74. Following 60 days' hospital admission he had lost 27.5% of initial weight. Enteral tube feeding, with an energy intake equivalent to the basal metabolic rate plus 20% for stress, was initiated and gradually increased during the stabilization phase. After receiving 2000 kcal/day for 5 days, hypophosphatemia was detected in association with an increase in hepatic enzymes and hyperglycemia. No concomitant worsening of the white blood count or evidence of inflammatory activity was present. These alterations were accompanied by an increase in pulse rate and body temperature, thereby leading to a diagnosis of refeeding syndrome. Energy intake decreased to 1520 kcal/day, resulting in a marked improvement of the laboratorial parameters in less than a week.Conclusions: Refeeding syndrome is a potentially dangerous complication of increased caloric administration in critically ill pediatric patients. Early recognition and appropriate adjustment of nutritional support is important to avoid the serious consequences which may ensue if this condition is left untreated

MALNUTRITION IS A MARKER of MORTALITY in CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN WITH HYPERGLYCEMIA

Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Epidemiologia da paralisia cerebral

Introduction: there is a great interest in finding a cerebral palsy determinant ethiologic factor, that way, it could be possible to realize a profilatic approach for this injury. On literature, many risk factors are accused and some authors suggest that is a multifatorial disease. It was also searched about possible protector factors, life expectancy and the most commum causes of death, focusing on finding ways to prevent complications and to improve life quality. Methods and material: sistematic literature reviow based in 40 articles found in Bireme, Lilacs and Pubmed sites, beside two recente edition books. Results: the most mencioned risk factors were perinatal hypoxia, prematurity and mathernal intrauterine infeccion. Other factors are multiple births, choriomnionitis and thrombophilia. The use of corticosteroids on antenatal period was mencioned as a protector factor. Some authors also suggest a pre-eclampsia and magnesium sulfate administration, however a controversy still remains about this. The principal cause of death pointed were respiratory diseases, like pneumonia. Other causes are intestinal obstruction (f. e. volvo), pedestrian and motor accidents and drowning. Conclusion: it doesn´t exist a determinant factor to cerebral palsy. The hypoxia/ischemia perinatal have a large contribution comparing others factors, but it depend on the intensity and the period that occurs. There aren´t enough studies about protective factors to prove a true efficacy. The mainly causes of death are the repiratory diseases. It´s possible to reduce drowing and pedestrian accidents incidence based on orientation and rehabilitation.Introdução: existe grande interesse em encontrar um fator etiológico determinante para a paralisia cerebral, pois seria possível realizar uma abordagem profilática para a doença. Na literatura são acusados diversos fatores de risco, e muitos autores sugerem que seja uma doença multifatorial.Também se pesquisou sobre possíveis fatores protetores, expectativa de vida e principais causas de morte, visando encontrar possíveis formas de prevenção de acidentes ou de melhora de qualidade de vida. Materiais e métodos: revisão sistemática da literatura, baseada em 40 artigos encontrados nos sites da Bireme, Lilacs e Pubmed, além de dois livros de edição recente. Resultados: os fatores de risco mais citados foram hipóxia perinatal, prematuridade e infecção materna intra-uterina. Outros fatores apontados são gestação múltipla, corioamnionite e trombofilia. O uso de corticóide no período antenatal foi referido como fator protetor. Alguns autores também referem pré-eclâmpsia e a administração de sulfato de magnésio, entretanto, ainda há controvérsias.As principais causas de morte apontadas foram as respiratórias, principalmente as pneumonias. Outras causas são obstrução intestinal (como volvo), afogamentos e atropelamentos. Conclusão: não existe um fator determinante específico para a paralisia cerebral (PC). A hipóxia e a isquemia perinatal têm maior contribuição que outros fatores, mas dependem da intensidade e do período em que ocorrem. Os trabalhos sobre fatores protetores são insuficientes para confirmar sua real eficácia. A principal causa de morte são as doenças respiratórias. É possível reduzir a incidência de afogamentos e atropelamentos por meio de orientação e reabilitação

Efectos del peso extremadamente bajo al nacimiento sobre la familia: revisión bibliográfica

Objective: The present study is a literature review to identify the effects of a very low birth weight newborn on family. This is an important instrument to clarify epidemiological issues and to suggest the directions for health policy efforts.Method: A three-step review was carried out using databases of journals indexed for Medline/Lilacs/Scielo/Cochrane published between 1966 and 2005 using specific criteria of inclusion. The first step selected 12 articles from 2,889 when searching for the keyword very low birth weight infant; the second step used the crossing of keyword premature infant with other pertinent keywords and terms resulting in 191 articles generating 7 more articles matching the criteria of inclusion. The third step was to analyze the references of articles in steps 1 and 2 (12 + 7 = 19), selecting 3 additional ones totalizing 22 selected articles.Result: Evidences in literature state that the families of very low birth weight newborns suffer potential negative effects on their operational dynamics, which is associated to the clinical seriousness, the age and the neuropsycomotor development of such children. It seems that the mother is the most affected member due to the situation imposed to the family, and the one who needs psychosocial support more frequently.Conclusion: The number of existing studies is still insufficient to clarify whether the effects on the family considering all their aspects are preponderantly positive or negative.Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Pediat, Disciplina Nutrol, BR-04040032 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Pediat, Disciplina Nutrol, BR-04040032 Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Evolution of the nutritional support pattern in Pediatric Intensive Care

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate patterns of usage and monitoring of nutritional support in a Pediatric ICU of a teaching hospital and the role of an education program in nutritional support given throughout the resident physician training. DESIGN: in a historical cohort study, records from children who received nutritional support during the year 1992 were analyzed. Thereafter a continuing education program in Nutritional Support was conveyed to the residents. In a second phase of the study, the same parameters were reevaluated in children who received nutritional support throughout the year 1995. SETTING: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Department of Pediatrics, Escola Paulista de Medicina. PATIENTES: all the children who were given nutritional support during a period of five days or more. Based on this criteria 37 children were selected for the first phase of this study, and 35 for the second one. INTERVENTION: the education program included theoretical lectures about basic themes of nutritional support and journal article reading sessions. It was given to successive groups of residents on a weekly schedule. MEASUREMENTS: Daily records of fluid, protein, caloric and micronutrient supply, nutritional assessment and metabolic monitoring. RESULTS: In the first phase of the study, an exclusively parenteral route was utilized for 80.5%, and a digestive route 19.5% of the time period. Nutritional assessment was performed on 3 children; no patient had the nutritional goals set. The nitrogen to nonprotein calories ratio and the vitamin supply were inadequate, whilst the supply of trace elements was adequate except for zinc. Nutritional monitoring was performed on almost all patients but without uniformity. In the second phase, the exclusive parenteral route was used for 69.7% and the digestive route for 30.3% of the time period; no significant increase in the use of the digestive route was detected. The nonprotein calories to nitrogen ratio and micronutrient supply were adequate. The frequency of nutritional assessment increased, but deficiency in nutritional monitoring and infrequent enteral feeding were still detected. CONCLUSION: There were deficiencies in the implementation of nutritional support, which were partially corrected in the second phase of the study by the training of the residents. Reinforcement of the education program, which should be applied to the whole medical staff, and the organization of a multidisciplinary team in charge of coordinating the provision of nutritional support are suggested.OBJETIVOS: avaliar o padrão terapêutico e de monitoração de suporte nutricional em uma UTI Pediátrica de um hospital escola, e o papel de um programa de educação continuada em suporte nutricional ministrado aos residentes. DESENHO: em estudo de coorte histórico foram inicialmente estudadas crianças internadas durante o ano de 1992 que receberam suporte nutricional. Seguiu-se a esta avaliação um programa de educação continuada nesta área, administrado para os residentes da unidade. Em uma segunda faze do estudo os mesmo parâmetros foram reavaliados nas crianças que receberam suporte nutricional durante o ano de 1995. LOCAL: UTI Pediátrica do Hospital São Paulo - Departamento de Pediatria da Escola Paulista de Medicina. PARTICIPANTES: Todas as crianças que receberam suporte nutricional por um tempo igual ou superior a 5 dias perfazendo um total de 37 crianças na primeira fase e 35 crianças na segunda fase do estudo. INTERVENÇÃO: Curso de educação continuada, ministrado semanalmente e constituído por aulas teóricas e leitura de artigos de revista sobre suporte nutricional. MENSURAÇÃO: Foram analisados os registro diários de oferta hídrica, protéico-energética e de micronutrientes, de avaliação nutricional e de monitoração de suporte nutricional no decorrer da terapêutica. RESULTADOS: na primeira etapa do estudo via parenteral exclusiva foi utilizada em 80,5% do tempo e a via digestiva em 19,5%. A avaliação nutricional prévia foi feita em 3 pacientes (8,1%). A relação nitrogênio: calorias não protéicas e a oferta de vitaminas foram inadequadas e a oferta de oligoelementos por via parenteral foi adequada, exceção feita ao zinco. A monitoração nutricional foi efetuada na maior parte dos pacientes, embora de modo não uniforme. Na segunda fase, a via parenteral exclusiva foi utilizada em 69,7% e a via digestiva em 30,3%, não se observando diferenças significantes entre as duas fases. Avaliação nutricional previa foi feita em 13 pacientes (37,1%), A relação nitrogênio: calorias não protéicas e a oferta de micronutrientes foram adequadas mas permaneceram as deficiências de monitoração nutricional e metabólica e o uso pouco freqüente da nutrição enteral. CONCLUSÕES: o suporte nutricional apresentou falhas na implementação que foram parcialmente corrigidas na segunda etapa do estudo. Sugere-se a reformulação do programa de educação continuada, a sua extensão à totalidade do corpo clínico e a criação de uma equipe multidisciplinar encarregada de coordenar o fornecimento de suporte nutricional.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Department of PediatricsUNIFESP, EPM, Department of PediatricsSciEL

Cardiovascular risk in children and adolescents with end stage renal disease

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate cardiovascular involvement in children and adolescents with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and to characterize the main risk factors associated with this outcome. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 69 children and adolescents at renal transplantation and 33 healthy individuals matched by age and gender. The study outcomes were left ventricular mass z-score (LVMZ) and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT). The potential risk factors considered were age, gender, CKD etiology, use of oral vitamin D and calcium-based phosphate binders, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index z-score, time since diagnosis, dialysis duration, serum levels of ionic calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, fibroblast growth factor (FGF 23), uric acid, homocysteine, cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein (CRP), vitamin D and hemoglobin. RESULTS: In the multivariate analysis, the factors associated with LVMZ were dialysis duration, age, systolic blood pressure, serum hemoglobin and HDL cholesterol levels. Regarding CIMT, in the multivariate analysis, systolic blood pressure was the only factor associated with the outcome. CONCLUSION: Children exhibited important cardiovascular involvement at the time of the renal transplantation. Both of the studied outcomes were independently associated with systolic blood pressure. For this reason, controlling blood pressure seems to be the main therapy to minimize cardiovascular involvement in children with ESRD