Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the utility of lactate, central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO₂), and the difference in venous and arterial CO₂ partial pressures (delta pCO₂) levels and their relationship with the prognosis of critically ill children with circulatory failure in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Subjects and Methods: Thirty children with circulatory failure who were admitted to the PICU of a tertiary university hospital between January 15 and November 1, 2020, were evaluated in this prospective observational study. Lactate levels, ScVO₂, and delta pCO₂ levels were evaluated on admission and at hours 4, 12, and 24 (T0, T4, T12, T24) in the PICU. Results: The mortality of the children with circulatory failure was 30% (n = 9). Arterial and venous lactate levels were highly correlated at T0, T4, T12, T24 (P < 0.001; P < 0.001; P < 0.001; P < 0.001, respectively). Nonsurvivors had always higher arterial lactate levels (T0, T4, T12, T24) (P = 0.019, P = 0.007, P = 0.002, P = 0.0003, respectively) and higher delta pCO₂ at T0 (P = 0.039) when compared with survivors. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that T0 arterial lactate levels (area under the curve [AUC] 0.788, P = 0.019), T24 arterial lactate (AUC 0.918, P < 0,001), and T0 delta pCO₂ levels (AUC 0,741, P = 0.039) and were predictive of mortality. Conclusions: Lactate remains the most important marker of microcirculatory dysfunction in critically ill children with circulatory failure. Delta pCO₂ may be an additional marker of microcirculatory dysfunction in critically ill children.

Background: Status epilepticus (SE) is the most common neurologic emergency in the pediatric age group often serious and life-threatening. Although newer drugs were used, morbidity and mortality are still high. This study was done to compare the efficacy of levetiracetam with the existing second-line drug fosphenytoin in the treatment of SE. Subjects and Methods: This was a prospective, randomized parallel group trial from Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Care Institute. One hundred children were recruited according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 50 in fosphenytoin group and 50 in levetiracetam group. Two groups were compared with respect to clinical cessation of seizures, recurrence, adverse event, and outcome. Results: Male-to-female ratio was 1.45:1. Seizure were controlled in 37 (74%) in fosphenytoin group and 28 (56%) in levetiracetam group) (P = 0.059). The mean time for cessation of seizures was 11.16 ± 3.58 min in fosphenytoin group as compared to was 12.78 ± 3.07 min in levetiracetam group (P = 0.059) The seizure recurrence in first 24 h (18 [36%] vs. 12 [24%]) (P = 0.643) and development of shock (14 [28%] vs. 11 [22%]) (P = 0.488) was comparable in two groups. Overall mortality was 10 (20%) in fosphenytoin group as compared to 7 (14%) levetiracetam group (P = 0.281). Conclusions: Efficacy of intravenous levetiracetam is comparable to fosphenytoin as a second-line medication in the management of convulsive SE in children.

Background: Advances in neonatal and pediatric intensive care have increased the number of children who survive with disabilities. The management of the tracheostomized child is a complex and demanding assignment as they have higher rates of complications. Ideally, the decannulation process should proceed once the child no longer requires mechanical ventilation and the underlying pathology has resolved or been reversed. This study highlights our experience in managing pediatric tracheostomy decannulation at a tertiary care center. Subjects and Methods: This was a single-center, prospective study conducted at the tertiary care pediatric hospital for a period of 1 year. Children with tracheostomy in situ who got admitted for laryngotracheobronchoscopy and decannulation were included. Results: Indication of tracheostomy was broadly divided into reasons causing upper airway obstruction and those requiring prolonged intubation. It showed that 82% were due to prolonged intubation, in which 85.3% were due to neurological reasons. The success rate for decannulation was 97%. Age of child, duration of intubation, posttracheostomy period, and type of tracheostomy tube had no significant correlation with outcome of tracheostomy decannulation. Conclusions: Resolution of primary indication for tracheostomy is required before planning of tracheotomy decannulation. Bronchoscopic airway evaluation and decannulation trial in operation theater is needed for successful decannulation. There was no impact of age, duration of intubation, posttracheostomy period, and type of tracheostomy tube on the outcome of tracheostomy decannulation.

Background: Sedation management is a crucial element of pediatric critical care medicine, aiming at reducing children's anxiety, distress, and oxygen demand. Prolonged administration of sedatives may result in drug tolerance and physical dependency. Abrupt discontinuation of these drugs in children may cause withdrawal symptoms. Our study aims to evaluate the choice and adequacy of sedation in ventilated children using the University of Michigan Sedation Scale score. Subjects and Methods: All the children aged between 1 and 12 years who were subjected to invasive ventilation during the time period October 2019 to June 2021 in the tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) were included in the study. Results: Of the 35 children enrolled in the study, most of them spend the majority of their time in adequate sedation which accounts for around 87.1% of the total time of ventilation. Fentanyl and midazolam were the most frequently used drug combination. Oversedation and undersedation accounted for 7.9% and 5% of total ventilation hours, respectively. Out of 35 children, 10 (28%) developed iatrogenic withdrawal symptoms and 4 (11%) developed severe withdrawal symptoms. Conclusions: Fentanyl and midazolam were the most frequently used drug combination for attaining adequate sedation in our PICU. Irrespective of adequate sedation, no increase in the incidence of iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome, undersedation, or oversedation was noted in our study population.

The incidence of massive intravascular hemolysis causing pancreatitis is 25%; however, it is an often missed entity. Proinflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines during hemolysis along with heme-induced neutrophil activation, chemoattraction, and disturbance in microcirculation are suggested as causative factors. We describe a case of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in a child which was latent through his childhood, triggering a hemolytic episode induced by Leptospira infection. In a patient with acute hemolysis, presenting with severe epigastric pain, one should therefore be aware of the possibility of the occurrence of pancreatitis.

The occurrence of necrotizing fasciitis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been reported with malignancies during granulocytopenic episodes from chemotherapy. Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum in children with leukemia is very rare. Only one case has been reported in the literature till now. A 10-year-old male presented with acute abdomen and was diagnosed with perforation peritonitis due to a perforated Meckel diverticulum receiving chemotherapy for relapse of B-cell ALL. In addition, the patient was a known case of celiac disease. Intraoperatively, due to the hemodynamic instability and thrombocytopenia, it was decided to perform a resection of the ileum bearing the pathology with a double-barrel ileostomy. He developed necrotizing fasciitis of the anterior abdominal wall due to Group A streptococci and overwhelming Gram-positive sepsis. The patient was managed comprehensively with multiple platelets concentrates, fasciotomy of the abdominal wall, and multiple debridements under the cover of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Histopathology of the resected Meckel's diverticulum showed ectopic gastric mucosa. Two months later, split-thickness skin grafting was performed. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical management may prevent mortality associated with both the delayed presentation of bowel perforation and necrotizing fasciitis in ALL patients.