Nilzete Liberato Bresolin

Acute renal failure following massive attack by Africanized bee stings

Abstract. Bee venom is a complex substance, which acts in several tissues. Although severe allergic reactions have occurred after one or more stings, several deaths have been reported without allergic manifestations, emphasizing the toxic effects of massive poisoning. A number of about 500 stings have been considered necessary to cause death by direct toxicity, but as few as 30–50 stings have proved fatal in children. Among the major toxic effects are hemolytic anemia, acute renal failure (ARF), and shock. ARF may be due to a common toxic-ischemic mechanism with hypovolemic or anaphylactic shock, pigment tubulopathy (myoglobinuria and hemoglobinuria), or acute tubular necrosis (ATN) from a direct kidney toxicity of the venom. We present a case of rhabdomyolysis and hemolysis with consequent ARF which developed after about 800 bee stings. The patient recovered completely after peritoneal dialysis.

A case report and review of hypokalemic paralysis secondary to renal tubular acidosis

A 5-year-old girl with distal renal tubular acidosis (RTA) and hypokalemic muscle paralysis is reported. RTA is a known cause of hypokalemia, but in spite of the presence of persistent hypokalemia muscular paralysis is uncommon, rarely described in children, and the onset of paralysis may initially be misinterpreted particularly if the patient is attended by a physician who is not a pediatric nephrologist. Therefore parents must be informed about this possibility. Still, as the clinical appearance of hypokalemic paralysis is quite similar to familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis, and because the emergent and prophylactic treatment of the two disorders are quite different, we discuss the diagnostic evaluation and the treatment for both of them.

Problems With Optimal Energy and Protein Delivery in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

BACKGROUND Optimal nutrition therapy (NT) delivery is associated with improved outcomes in critically ill children. However, avoidable barriers impede delivery of optimal energy and protein in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This study aims to describe the gap between energy and protein prescription and actual intake. METHODS Single-center prospective cohort study, including consecutive children (age: 1 month to 15 years) admitted to the PICU in southern Brazil. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and NT details were recorded. RESULTS We enrolled 130 patients: 37% female; median (interquartile range) age, 29.43 months (4.03, 100.63); PICU length of stay, 6 days (4, 13). Median predicted energy expenditure by Schofield equation and prescribed and actual energy intake were 47.13 kcal/kg/d (38.60, 55.38), 31.94 kcal/kg/d (13.99, 51.90), and 25.06 kcal/kg/d (10.21, 46.92), respectively. On average, actual energy intake was 47% of the predicted energy expenditure, and 68% of patients were underfed. Actual protein intake was 49% of the estimated requirement. NT was interrupted in 64% of patients. CONCLUSIONS There were significant gaps among the predicted requirement, prescription, and actual delivery of energy and protein in the PICU. Suboptimal prescription and multiple feeding interruptions resulted in underfeeding.

Enteral Protein Supplementation in Critically Ill Children: A Randomized Controlled Pilot and Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND Loss of muscle mass in critically ill children can negatively impact outcomes. The aims of this study were to conduct a pilot randomized control trial (RCT) to examine the difference in protein delivery and nitrogen balance in critically ill children with enteral protein supplementation vs controls. We also aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and tolerance of the pilot trial. METHODS This is a 3-arm RCT in critically ill children eligible for enteral nutrition (EN) therapy. Patients were randomized to 1 of the 3 groups: (1) control (routine EN), (2) polymeric protein module added to EN to reach protein goal by day 4, or (3) oligomeric protein supplementation. Demographics, clinical characteristics, nutrition status, and daily nutrition intake variables were recorded. Protein delivery, nitrogen balance, feasibility variables, and rate of adverse events were the outcomes. RESULTS After screening 286 consecutive patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit over 11 months, we enrolled and randomized 25 patients. Twenty-two patients (88% of the enrolled) completed the study procedures. Significantly higher protein prescription and actual protein intake within the first 5 days was achieved in the intervention groups, compared with the control group. Nitrogen balance was obtained in 15 patients. There was no significant difference between the groups for the rate of adverse effects and clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION In our pilot trial, protein supplementation was safe and well tolerated. Our preliminary results suggest that a larger RCT is potentially feasible, with some modifications of the entry criteria. Trial enrollment was low, likely due to restrictive entry criteria.