Sarcopenia in critically ill children: A bedside assessment using point-of-care ultrasound and anthropometry.

Background & Aims: Due to the lack of validated methods of muscle assessment, sarcopenia is not well described in critically ill children. The main objectives of this study were to assess muscle wasting using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and anthropometry, as well as its association with nutrition delivery in PICU.

Methods: This was a single-center, prospective cohort study, including consecutive children admitted to the PICU.

Hypophosphatemia in critically ill pediatric patients receiving enteral and oral nutrition.

Background: Hypophosphatemia(HP) is related to several comorbidities in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of HP in severely ill pediatric patients receiving oral and/or enteral nutrition. The secondary objectives were to investigate the association between HP and the inflammatory state, PICU length of stay, severity, mortality, nutrition status, and protein, energy, calcium, vitamin D, and phosphate intake.

Protein intake deficiency in critically ill children with respiratory insufficiency: A call to action?

Background & Aims: Adequate energy-protein intake is associated with improved clinical outcomes in critically ill children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time of enteral nutrition (EN) onset and the energy-protein intake in critically ill pediatric patients admitted with respiratory insufficiency.

Methods: A single-center prospective cohort study, including children and adolescents, aged from 1 month to 14 years.