Septic shock patients admitted to the intensive care unit with higher SOFA score tend to have higher incidence of abdominal compartment syndrome - a preliminary analysis.

Background: Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is relatively frequent in critical patients. According to the most recent consensus of the World Society of Abdominal Compartment Society (WSACS), there are no predictive factors for IAH diagnosis. Risk factors are the only motivators to date for early IAH diagnosis.

Clinical warning signs for intra-abdominal hypertension in septic shock patients.

Background: The latest World Society of the Abdominal Compartment (WSACS) guideline published in 2013 states that risk factors are the most reliable predictors for the diagnosis of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and the bottom line to guide propaedeutic and clinical practice. The objective of this study is to search for clinical, laboratory, and ventilator-associated factors in order to warn medical staff for prompt IAH diagnosis in septic shock patients beyond risk factors simply.

Methods: This is a prospective, observational study, involving all admitted intensive care unit septic shock patients of a single teaching hospital between April and October 2016.

Association between congenital heart defects and severe infections in children with Down syndrome.

Introduction: There is a high prevalence of congenital heart disease (CHD) in Down syndrome (DS) patients. Children with DS and CHD also present greater susceptibility to pulmonary infections than those without CHD.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence and types of CHD and their association with severe infections in children with DS in southern Brazil seen in a reference outpatient clinic.