Ana Vivanco-Allende

Non-invasive ventilation in pediatric status asthmaticus: A prospective observational study†‡

Non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) has been shown to be effective in different causes of respiratory failure in both adult and pediatric patients. However, its role in status asthmaticus (SA) remains unclear. We designed a prospective study to assess the feasibility of NIV in children with SA.

Recomendaciones CODEPEH 2014: detección precoz de la hipoacusia diferida, diagnóstico audiológico y adaptación audioprotésica y atención temprana

The latest scientific literature considers early diagnosis of deafness as the key element to define the educational and inclusive prognosis of the deaf child, because it allows taking advantage of the critical period of development (0-4 years). Highly significant differences exist between deaf people who have been stimulated early and those who have received late or improper intervention. Early identification of late-onset disorders requires special attention and knowledge on the part of every childcare professional. Programs and additional actions beyond neonatal screening should be designed and planed to ensure that every child with a significant hearing loss is detected early. For this purpose, the CODEPEH would like to highlight the need for continuous monitoring of childrens auditory health. Consequently, CODEPEH has drafted the recommendations included in the present document.

Diagnóstico etiológico de la sordera infantil: recomendaciones de la CODEPEH

Important progress in the fields of molecular genetics (principally) and diagnostic imaging, together with the lack of a consensus protocol for guiding the diagnostic process after confirming deafness by neonatal screening, have led to this new work document drafted by the Spanish Commission for the Early Detection of Child Deafness (Spanish acronym: CODEPEH). This 2015 Recommendations Document, which is based on the most recent scientific evidence, provides guidance to professionals to support them in making decisions regarding aetiological diagnosis. Such diagnosis should be performed without delay and without impeding early intervention. Early identification of the causes of deafness offers many advantages: it prevents unnecessary trouble for the families, reduces health system expenses caused by performing different tests, and provides prognostic information that may guide therapeutic actions.

Helmet-delivered heliox-CPAP in severe upper airway obstruction caused by PHACES syndrome

We present the case of a 4‐month‐old girl with PHACES syndrome and severe upper respiratory airway obstruction secondary to multiple subglottic and tracheal hemangiomas effectively treated with heliox‐CPAP delivered by helmet (HH‐CPAP). Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011; 46:306–308.

Helmet Versus Nasal-Prong CPAP in Infants With Acute Bronchiolitis

BACKGROUND: Nasal prongs are frequently used to deliver noninvasive CPAP in bronchiolitis, especially in the youngest children. A helmet interface is an alternative that might be comparable to nasal prongs. We sought to compare these interfaces. METHODS: We performed a prospective, randomized, crossover, single-center study in an 8-bed multidisciplinary pediatric ICU in a university hospital. Infants age <3 months who were consecutively admitted to the pediatric ICU during a bronchiolitis epidemic season and fulfilled inclusion criteria were recruited. Subjects were randomly allocated to receive CPAP via a helmet or nasal prongs for 60 min. The subjects were then placed on the other CPAP system for another 60-min period (helmet then nasal prongs [H-NP] or nasal prongs then helmet [NP-H]). Measurements were taken at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. Failure was defined as the need for further respiratory support. RESULTS: Sixteen subjects were included, with 9 in the H-NP group and 7 in the NP-H group. CPAP significantly reduced respiratory distress, showing no differences between the H-NP and NP-H groups in terms of improving the Modified Woods Clinical Asthma Score from 4.8 ± 1 to 3 ± 0.9 and 2.7 ± 1.7 points at 60 min and 120 min in the H-NP group, respectively, and from 4.2 ± 0.9 to 2.8 ± 0.9 and to 2.9 ± 0.9 at 60 min and 120 min, respectively, in the NP-H group. Sedatives were used in only 3 subjects (2 in the NP-H group, P = .77). The failure rate was similar in both groups (3 of 9 subjects vs 3 of 7 subjects, P = .70). No significant differences were seen for heart rate, breathing frequency, FIO2, or transcutaneous oxygen saturation response. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CPAP delivered by nasal prongs and CPAP delivered by helmet are similar in terms of efficacy in young infants with acute bronchiolitis.

C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and interleukin-6 kinetics in pediatric postoperative patients ☆

HIGHLIGHTSPostoperative Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome leads to an elevation in biomarkers in the absence of infection.Procalcitonin and interleukin‐6 maximal peak values occur quicker than C‐reactive protein maximal peak.The largest elevation of biomarkers occurs after dirty surgery and abdominal surgery.Procalcitonin showed no significant increase after ClS and ClCoS.Procalcitonin seems to be a useful tool to guide diagnosis of nosocomial sepsis after surgery.

Diagnóstico y tratamiento de la otitis media secretora infantil: recomendaciones CODEPEH

The incidence and the prevalence rates of otitis media with effusion (OME) are high. However, there is evidence that only a minority of professionals follow the recommendations provided in clinical practice guidelines. For the purpose of improving diagnosis and treatment of OME in children to prevent and/or reduce its impact on childrens development, the Commission for the Early Detection of Deafness (CODEPEH) has deeply reviewed the scientific literature on this field and has drafted a document of recommendations for a correct clinical reaction to of OME, including diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment methodology. Among others, medication, in particular antibiotics and corticoids, should not be prescribed and 3 months of watchful waiting should be the first adopted measure. If OME persists, an ENT doctor should assess the possibility of sugical treatment. The impact of OME in cases of children with a comorbidity is higher, so it requires immediate reaction, without watchful waiting.

Recomendaciones CODEPEH 2014 para la detección precoz de la hipoacusia diferida

The latest scientific literature considers early diagnosis of deafness as key element to define the educational prognosis and inclusion of the deaf child, as advantage can be taken in the critical period of development (0-4 years). Highly significant differences exist between those deaf persons who have been stimulated early and those who have received late or inappropriate intervention. Early identification of late-onset disorders requires special attention and knowledge of all childcare professionals. Programs and additional actions beyond neonatal screening should be designed and planned in order to ensure that every child with a significant hearing loss is detected early. For this purpose, the Committee for the Early Detection of Deafness (CODEPEH) would like to highlight the need for continuous monitoring on the hearing health of children. And, for this reason, CODEPEH drafts the recommendations included in the present document.

Asociación de valores elevados de péptido natriurético auricular y copeptina con riesgo de mortalidad

OBJECTIVE To determine whether high levels of mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), copeptin, and procalcitonin (PCT) plasma concentrations are associated with increased mortality risk. METHODS Prospective observational study including 254 critically ill children. MR-proANP, copeptin and PCT were compared between children with high (Group A; n=33) and low (Group B; n=221) mortality risk, and between patients with failure of more than 1 organ (Group 1; n=71) and less than 2 (Group 2; n=183). RESULTS Median (range) of MR-proANP, copeptin, and PCT levels in group A vs B were, respectively: 209.4 (30.5-1415.8) vs. 75.0 (14.6-867.2) pmol/L (P<.001); 104.4 (7.4-460.9) vs. 26.6 (0.00-613.1) pmol/L (P<.001), and 7.8 (0.3-552.0) vs. 0.3 (0.02-107.0) ng/mL (P<.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for the differentiation of group A and B was 0.764 (95% CI: 0.674-0.854) for MR-proANP; 0.735 (0.642-0.827) for copeptin, and 0.842 (0.744-0.941) for PCT, with no statistical differences. The AUCs for the differentiation of group 1 and 2 were: 0.837 (0.784-0.891) for MR-proANP, 0.735 (0.666-0.804) for copeptin, and 0.804 (0.715-0.892) for PCT, with statistical differences between MR-proANP and copeptin, P=.01. CONCLUSIONS High levels of MR-proANP, copeptin and PCT were associated with increased mortality risk scores. MR-proANP showed a higher association than copeptin with number of organs in failure.

Síndrome de Grisel como secuela de una mastoiditis aguda complicada

Grisels syndrome is a rare complication of ENT area infections. It consists of a non-traumatic atlantoaxial subluxation after an infectious process. Its characteristic symptom is persistent torticollis despite a resolved infection. The knowledge of this condition helps early diagnosis and treatment. We therefore present the case of a patient with Grisels syndrome as a sequela of an acute mastoiditis complicated by a Bezolds abscess.