Chun Yu Chen

Clinical spectrum of rhabdomyolysis presented to pediatric emergency department

BackgroundRhabdomyolysis is a potentially life-threatening syndrome that can develop from a variety of causes. The aim of the work is to analyze the clinical spectrum and to evaluate the prevalence of various etiologies in children, who present to the emergency department (ED) with rhabdomyolysis.MethodsDuring a 6-year study period, we retrospectively analyzed the medical charts of patients, aged 18 years or younger, with a definite diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis and serum creatinine phosphokinase (CK) levels greater than 1000IU/L. We analyzed the clinical spectrum and evaluated the potential risk factors of acute renal failure (ARF).ResultsThirty-seven patients (mean age = 10.2 ± 5.5 years), including 26 males and 11 females, were enrolled in the study. Two of the most common presented symptoms in these 37 patients were muscle pain and muscle weakness (83.8% and 73%, respectively). Dark urine was reported in only 5.4% of the patients. The leading cause of rhabdomyolysis in the 0- to 9-year age group was presumed infection, and the leading cause in the 10- to 18-year age group was trauma and exercise. The incidence of ARF associated with rhabdomyolysis was 8.1 % and no child needed for renal replacement therapy (RRT). We did not identify any reliable predictors of ARF or need for RRT.ConclusionsThe classic triad of symptoms of rhabdomyolysis includes myalgia, weakness and dark urine are not always presented in children. The cause of rhabdomyolysis in younger age is different from that of teenager group. However, the prognosis of rhabdomyolysis was good with appropriate management.

Serum Procalcitonin and Procalcitonin Clearance as a Prognostic Biomarker in Patients with Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

We evaluated the tendency of the plasma concentration and procalcitonin (PCT) clearance (PCTc) to act as biomarkers of prognosis in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. From 2011 to 2013, we prospectively analyzed patients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The serum PCT was evaluated at the time of sepsis diagnosis and again after 48 h (day 3) and 96 h (day 5). PCTc after 48 h (PCTc-day 3) and 96 h (PCTc-day 5) was also calculated to evaluate the prognostic value for survival in patients with sepsis. A total of 48 patients were included. Overall mortality was 16.7% (8 patients). PCTc was higher in survivors than in nonsurvivors, with significant differences on day 3 and day 5 (p = 0.033; p = 0.002, resp.); however, serum PCT levels on day 1, day 3, and day 5 were not significant prognostic factors for survival. The prognosis of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock may be associated with PCTc. Dynamic changes of PCT reflected as PCTc at 48 h (day 3) and 96 h (day 5) after admission to the ICU may serve as a predictor of survival in critically ill patients with severe sepsis.

Epidemiology of pediatric critically-ill patients presenting to the pediatric emergency department.

This study aimed to analyze the epidemiologic patterns of pediatric critically-ill patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) and the etiologies of intensive care unit (ICU) admission of different age groups.This retrospective study of all children aged less than 18 years presenting with critical illnesses to the ED was conducted in a tertiary medical center in Taiwan from 2003 to 2007. All patients transferred to the ICU from the ED were included without distinction. Demographic data of critically-ill children admitted to the ED and ICU were analyzed. Etiologies of the ICU admissions were analyzed by various age groups.There were 2978 critically-ill children admitted to the ICU from the ED. In 120 pediatric patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, cases with pulseless electrical activity or ventricular fibrillation had higher successful CPR rates than patients with asystole (both p<0.05). In patients admitted to ICUs, complications from the perinatal period, respiratory system diseases, accidental injuries and poisoning were the predominant etiologies respectively in young children (42.5%), school-aged children (38.5%), and adolescents (47.9%). Moreover, the most common of which was respiratory distress syndrome in neonates followed by bacterial pneumonia and status epilepticus.Epidemiologic analysis may provide primary clinicians to identify significant differences in admission rates based on different etiologies of various age groups.

Different urinalysis appearances in children with simple and perforated appendicitis

PURPOSE This study aimed to determine whether routine urinalysis may serve as a tool in discriminating between acute appendicitis and perforated appendicitis in children. BASIC PROCEDURES We prospectively collected 357 patients with clinically suspected acute appendicitis. Urinalysis was performed in patients with clinically suspected acute appendicitis before surgical intervention. Routine urinalysis is composed of 2 examinations: chemical tests for abnormal chemical constituents and microscopic tests for abnormal insoluble constituents. Receiver operating characteristic curves for urine white blood cell (WBC) counts and urine red blood cell (RBC) counts in distinguishing between patients with simple appendicitis and patients with perforated appendicitis were also analyzed. MAIN FINDINGS Urine ketone bodies, leukocyte esterase, specific gravity, pH, WBC, and RBC counts were all significant parameters among patients with normal appendices, simple appendicitis, and perforated appendicitis (all P < .05). Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, positive urine ketone bodies and nitrate were significant parameters in predicting perforated appendicitis (P = .002 and P = .008, respectively). According to the results of receiver operating characteristic curves, the appropriate cutoff values were 2.0/high-power field for urine RBC counts and 4.0/high-power field for urine WBC counts in predicting perforated appendicitis in children. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS Routine urinalysis may serve to aid in discriminating between simple and perforated appendicitis. Clinically, we believe that these urine parameters may aid primary emergency physicians with decision making in patients with clinically suspected appendicitis.

Clinical assessment of children with first-attack seizures admitted to the ED

PURPOSE This study aims to evaluate clinical values and determine the function of a pediatric observation unit (POU) as an alternative to inpatient unit admission for children with newly onset seizures. BASIC PROCEDURES Pediatric patients who were sent to the emergency department (ED) with new-onset seizure were retrospectively analyzed in a 6-year study period. All patients were divided into 3 groups: POU-discharged, unplanned inpatient admission, and required admission. Basic demographics, clinical course, biologic data, and radiologic findings were analyzed among the 3 groups. MAIN FINDINGS From the 910 children admitted to the ED with first attack of seizure, 405 (44.5%; mean age, 2.86 ± 2.64 years) were admitted to the POU. Of them, 184 (45.4%) were later discharged. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, patients with febrile seizure, those without elevated serum C-reactive protein level, and those who did not require first-line anticonvulsants in the ED were associated with an increased trend of POU discharge. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS The POU may be an alternative to immediate admission in selected cases of first seizures. Related information such as age, use of anticonvulsants in the ED, serum C-reactive protein value, and clinical diagnosis of febrile seizure are important factors for determining whether pediatric patients with first seizure attack should be admitted or discharged.

Predictors of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support for Children with Acute Myocarditis

The clinical presentation of acute myocarditis in children may range from asymptomatic to sudden cardiac arrest. This study analyzed the clinical spectrum of acute myocarditis in children to identify factors that could aid primary care physicians to predict the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) earlier and consult the pediatric cardiologist promptly. Between October 2011 and September 2016, we retrospectively analyzed 60 patients aged 18 years or younger who were admitted to our pediatric emergency department with a definite diagnosis of acute myocarditis. Data on demographics, presentation, laboratory tests, electrocardiogram and echocardiography findings, treatment modalities, complications, and long-term outcomes were obtained. During the study period, 60 patients (32 male, 28 female; mean age, 8.8 ± 6.32 years) were diagnosed with acute myocarditis. Fever, cough, and chest pain were the most common symptoms (68.3%, 56.7%, and 53.3%, resp.). Arrhythmia and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 60%, vomiting, weakness, and seizure were more common in the ECMO group than in the non-ECMO group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Female sex, vomiting, weakness, seizure, arrhythmia, and echocardiography showing LVEF < 60% may predict the need for ECMO. Initial serum troponin-I cutoff values greater than 14.21 ng/mL may also indicate the need for ECMO support for children with acute myocarditis.

Tympanic temperature versus temporal temperature in patients with pyrexia and chills

AbstractAccurate body temperature (BT) measurement is critical for immediate and correct estimation of core BT; measurement of changes in BT can provide physicians the initial information for selecting appropriate diagnostic approach and may prevent unnecessary diagnostic investigation. This study aimed to assess differences in tympanic and temporal temperatures among patients with fever in different conditions, especially in those with and without chills. This prospective study included patients from the emergency department between 2011 and 2012. All temperature measurements were obtained using tympanic thermometers and infrared skin thermometers. Differences in tympanic and temporal temperatures were analyzed according to 6 age groups, 5 ambient temperature groups, and 6 tympanic and temporal temperature subgroups. General linear model analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were used to estimate the differences in mean tympanic and temporal temperatures. Of the 710 patients enrolled, 246 had tympanic temperature more than 38.0°C, including 46 with chills (18.7%). Fourteen patients (3.0%) had chills and tympanic temperature less than 38°C. In the tympanic temperature subgroup of 39.0 to less than 39.5°C, approximately one-third of the patients had chills (32.3%). In the tympanic temperature subgroup of 38.0 to less than 39.0°C, the tympanic temperature was 0.4°C higher than the temporal temperature in patients without chills and 0.9°C higher in patients with chills. In the tympanic temperature subgroup of 39.0°C or more, tympanic temperature was 0.7°C higher than temporal temperature in patients without chills and 0.8°C higher in patients with chills. Temporal thermometer is more reliable in the age group of less than 1 year and 18 to less than 65 years. When the patients show tympanic temperature range of 38.0 to less than 39.0°C, 0.4°C should be added for patients without chills and 0.9°C for patients with chills to obtain core temperature. However, in patients with tympanic temperature of 39.0°C or more, 0.7°C to 0.8°C should be added, regardless of the presence of chills.