Yongjie Miao

Neurodevelopmental outcome after cardiac surgery utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass in children

Introduction: Modulating the stress response and perioperative factors can have a paramount impact on the neurodevelopmental outcome of infants who undergo cardiac surgery utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass. Materials and Methods: In this single center prospective follow-up study, we evaluated the impact of three different anesthetic techniques on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of 19 children who previously underwent congenital cardiac surgery within their 1 st year of life. Cases were done from May 2011 to December 2013. Children were assessed using the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales (5 th edition). Multiple regression analysis was used to test different parental and perioperative factors that could significantly predict the different neurodevelopmental outcomes in the entire cohort of patients. Results: When comparing the three groups regarding the major cognitive scores, a high-dose fentanyl (HDF) patients scored significantly higher than the low-dose fentanyl (LDF) + dexmedetomidine (DEX) (LDF + DEX) group in the quantitative reasoning scores (106 ± 22 vs. 82 ± 15 P = 0.046). The bispectral index (BIS) value at the end of surgery for the -LDF group was significantly higher than that in LDF + DEX group (P = 0.011). For the entire cohort, a strong correlation was seen between the standard verbal intelligence quotient (IQ) score and the baseline adrenocorticotropic hormone level, the interleukin-6 level at the end of surgery and the BIS value at the end of the procedure with an R 2 value of 0.67 and P < 0.04. There was an inverse correlation between the cardiac Intensive Care Unit length of stay and the full-scale IQ score (R = 0.4675 and P 0.027). Conclusions: Patients in the HDF group demonstrated overall higher neurodevelopmental scores, although it did not reach statistical significance except in fluid reasoning scores. Our results may point to a possible correlation between blunting the stress response and improvement of the neurodevelopmental outcome.

Plethysmography variability index response to isovolemic hemodilution in children prior to surgery for congenital heart disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of pleth variability index (PVI) to phlebotomy in anesthetized children prior to surgery for congenital heart disease. After induction of general anesthesia and prior to surgical incision, approximately 10 mL/kg of blood was removed from 40 mechanically ventilated children over a 5-10 min period. The PVI was continuously monitored. Additionally, the volume of crystalloid required to ensure hemodynamic and near infrared spectroscopy stability was recorded. There was no difference between the pre-phlebotomy PVI (13% ± 6.2) and the post-phlebotomy PVI (16.4% ± 9.6) (P = 0.55). Patients who had a starting PVI ≤14% had a significant increase in PVI after phlebotomy from 9.1% ± 3 to 14.3% ± 7.2 (P = 0.0014). Although, patients with a pre-phlebotomy PVI of >14% required more crystalloid replacement (11 ± 9.4 mL/kg) than those with a PVI ≤14% (5.3 ± 4.7 mL/kg), this was not significant (P = 0.06). In patients who received less crystalloid replacement during phlebotomy, PVI did show a significant increase. Additionally, the data suggests that patients with a pre-phlebotomy PVI >14% required greater fluid replacement than those with a PVI < 14%. Further research is needed to better delineate the utility of PVI in this unique group of patients.

Perception scores of siblings and parents of children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome

OBJECTIVES Siblings of children with chronic medical conditions endorse a lower quality of life compared to age-matched peers. Caregiver and sibling-self report of adjustment are often discordant. Congenital heart disease significantly affects family life. To date, there have been no studies addressing the functioning of siblings of children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, one of the most severe forms of congenital heart disease. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of hypoplastic left heart syndrome on siblings quality of life as well as the caregivers perception of this effect. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study using a web-based survey distributed via various listservs targeted towards families of children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Employed the Sibling Perception Questionnaire, designed to assess sibling and caregiver perceptions of adjustment to chronic illness. A Negative Adjustment Composite Score was calculated for each respondent, with higher values representing more negative adjustment. RESULTS Thirty-five caregivers responded. Majority of caregivers were female (74%), white (86%) and college educated (54%). Thirty-two siblings participated, ranging in age from 7 to 30 years of age (12.5 ± 6.3). Most children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (73%) had undergone the third stage of palliation. Forty-two caregiver-sibling pairs were examined. Caregiver Negative Adjustment Composite Scores were significantly higher than sibling scores, with caregivers reporting more adjustment problems (2.4 ± 0.4) than siblings (2.3 ± 0.3, P < .05). Sibling age was correlated with worse caregiver and sibling scores (r 0.35, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Caregivers of children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome perceive their siblings as struggling more than the children self-report. Siblings tend to report worse adjustment as they get older. These data suggest that programs should include support for the entire family through all ages to optimize quality of life.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis Incidence, Characteristics, and Outcomes in Neonatal Down Syndrome Patients

Introduction Neonates with Down syndrome (nDS) have multiple medical issues that may place them at an increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The goal of this study was to determine the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of nDS patients that developed NEC. Methods Data from the Pediatric Health Information Systems database on all nDS were reviewed. Demographics, medical conditions, development of NEC, and mortality were recorded. Patients were divided into nDS patients who developed NEC (nDS‐NEC) versus nDS patients who did not develop NEC (nDS‐nNEC). Results Incidence of NEC in nDS patients was 6.6% (381/5,737). Baseline demographic data indicated nDS‐NEC patients were more likely to be born earlier, have a diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, Ebsteins anomaly, or a left‐sided obstructive lesion versus nDS‐nNEC patients. The odds ratio for death in the nDS‐NEC patients was 2.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.8‐3.3) versus the nDS‐NEC patients. Conclusion The incidence of NEC in nDS patients requiring admission to a childrens hospital after birth is much higher than that reported for term infants. Baseline characteristics differ in nDS patients that may place them at a higher risk for NEC. nDS‐NEC patients have an increased morbidity and a significantly higher mortality compared with the nDS‐nNEC patients.