Plasma Antioxidant Potential at Admission is Associated with Length of ICU Stay in Child with Sepsis: A Pilot Study.

Objective: To assess the relationship between biomarkers of oxidative stress (OS) and the length of stay in intensive care units (LSICU) in septic children.

Methods: Clinical parameters and biomarkers of OS were measured in 16 children admitted for sepsis in an intensive care unit. The associations between biomarkers of OS and the LSICU were assessed by linear correlation.

[Limitation of Vital Support in a Chilean Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: 2004-2014].

Objective: Describe the frequency and characteristics of PICU patients who undergo a process of withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment (LTSV), between 2004 y 2014.

Patients And Method: A retrospective, observational descriptive study, using two documents for quality assessment in the PICU of Hospital Roberto del Río: 1) daily individual patient tracking log and 2) daily record of quality indicators, including LTSV, both updated daily at the morning visit. All PICU patients with an ethical dilemma during their PICU stay in which a LTSV was proposed were included.

Oxidative stress biomarkers in pediatric sepsis: a prospective observational pilot study.

Objectives: Oxidative stress is known to participate in the progression of sepsis. Definite data regarding the behavior of oxidative stress biomarkers in pediatric sepsis is still lacking. This study hypothesized that oxidative stress occurs in pediatric sepsis and that the magnitude of the redox derangement is associated with worse clinical progression.

Potential effectiveness of copper surfaces in reducing health care-associated infection rates in a pediatric intensive and intermediate care unit: A nonrandomized controlled trial.

Background: Studies have consistently shown that copper alloyed surfaces decrease the burden of microorganisms in health care environments. This study assessed whether copper alloy surfaces decreased hospital-associated infections in pediatric intensive and intermediate care units.

Methods: Admitted infants were assigned sequentially to a room furnished with or without a limited number of copper alloyed surfaces.

Copper surfaces are associated with significantly lower concentrations of bacteria on selected surfaces within a pediatric intensive care unit.

Background: Health care-associated infections result in significant patient morbidity and mortality. Although cleaning can remove pathogens present on hospital surfaces, those surfaces may be inadequately cleaned or recontaminated within minutes. Because of copper's inherent and continuous antimicrobial properties, copper surfaces offer a solution to complement cleaning.

Mechanical ventilation in pediatric intensive care units during the season for acute lower respiratory infection: a multicenter study.

Objective: To describe the characteristics and outcomes of mechanical ventilation in pediatric intensive care units during the season of acute lower respiratory infections.

Design: Prospective cohort of infants and children receiving mechanical ventilation for at least 12 hrs.

Setting: Sixty medical-surgical pediatric intensive care units.

Oxidative stress as a novel target in pediatric sepsis management.

Sepsis with secondary multisystem organ dysfunction syndrome is the leading cause of death in the pediatric intensive care unit. Increased reactive oxygen species may influence circulating and endothelial cells, contributing to inflammatory tissue injury and explaining the tissue hypoxia paradigm based on microvascular dysfunction. An impaired mitochondrial cellular oxygen utilization, rather than inadequate oxygen delivery, was claimed to play a more important role in the development of multisystem organ dysfunction syndrome.

Clinical practice parameters for hemodynamic support of pediatric and neonatal septic shock: 2007 update from the American College of Critical Care Medicine.

Background: The Institute of Medicine calls for the use of clinical guidelines and practice parameters to promote "best practices" and to improve patient outcomes.

Objective: 2007 update of the 2002 American College of Critical Care Medicine Clinical Guidelines for Hemodynamic Support of Neonates and Children with Septic Shock.

Participants: Society of Critical Care Medicine members with special interest in neonatal and pediatric septic shock were identified from general solicitation at the Society of Critical Care Medicine Educational and Scientific Symposia (2001-2006).