Aims: Varicella is now a vaccine-preventable disease but is generally considered benign, making it a low priority for a funded universal immunisation scheme. We aimed to increase the knowledge of the severity, morbidity and mortality caused by varicella, by a review of cases requiring paediatric intensive care in New Zealand where vaccine is available but not funded.
Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of children admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) over a 10-year period (July 2001-July 2011) identified from the PICU database with a primary or secondary code for varicella.
Results: Thirty-four cases were identified and 26 cases were included. Of the 26 cases, 84.6% were Maori or Pacific Island ethnicity, 54% had no preceding medical condition and 23% were immunocompromised. Main PICU admission reasons were neurologic (38.5%), secondary bacterial sepsis or shock (26.9%), respiratory (15.4%), disseminated varicella (11.5%), or other causes (7.7%). Fifty per cent of children required inotropic support and 81% invasive ventilation. Four children died (15%), three of whom were immunocompromised. A further eight children (31%) had ongoing disability at hospital discharge.
Conclusion: Varicella, or its secondary complications, requiring paediatric intensive care, carries high mortality, particularly for immunocompromised patients, and long-term morbidities, mostly affecting previously healthy children.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpc.12473 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Lateral decubitus: its influence on hemodynamic and respiratory function during retroperitoneal robotic assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (R-RALP) in children.
J Robot Surg
January 2025
Department of Pediatric Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, AP-HP Centre, Université Paris Cité, 149, Rue de Sèvres 75015, Paris, France.
Retroperitoneal robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (R-RALP) is the commonest urologic procedure performed in children, entailing retroperitoneal CO2 insufflation and lateral decubitus, whose effects on cardiopulmonary variables are poorly known. We, therefore, studied hemodynamic and respiratory changes due to CO2 insufflation and lateral decubitus in children undergoing R-RALP and their effects on regional tissue oxygenation. Between 1/2021 and 7/2024, children affected by ureteropelvic joint obstruction (UPJO) underwent a pyeloplasty by R-RALP at Necker Enfants Malades Hospital (Paris, France), using a standardized surgical technique and a lung-protecting anesthetic protocol aimed to prevent hypercarbia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCerebellar hemorrhage in neonates: pattern analysis by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Pediatr Radiol
January 2025
Department of Radiology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Republic of Korea.
Background: Cerebellar hemorrhage in neonates is increasingly being identified but is still underdiagnosed. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the optimal imaging modality for cerebellar hemorrhage evaluation, ultrasonography (US) is commonly used for screening. Characterizing the patterns and distribution of cerebellar hemorrhage lesions can help facilitate its detection by aiding to focus on prevailing type of cerebellar hemorrhage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEfficacy of Transversus Thoracic Plane Block for Pain Management in Cardiac Surgeries.
Curr Pain Headache Rep
January 2025
Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA.
Purpose Of Review: Effective pain management in cardiac surgery presents as a continuous challenge related to the intensity of postoperative pain and reliance on opioid therapy. The dependance of opioid-based therapies is concerning, as these therapies carry risk future addiction and potential severe side effects. The transversus thoracic plane block (TTPB) has emerged as a promising regional anesthesia technique that blocks the anterior branches of the intercostal nerves in the chest wall, potentially providing improved analgesia for cardiac surgery patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTransthoracic Echocardiography for Central Venous Catheter Tip Positioning in Children: An Observational Study Using Transesophageal Echocardiography as Reference Method.
Paediatr Anaesth
January 2025
Department of Anesthesiology, Center of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Background: Children who need to have major surgery or are critically ill often require the insertion of a central venous catheter (CVC). To avoid serious complications, it is important to correctly position the CVC tip at the junction of the distal superior vena cava and the right atrium (cavoatrial junction). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) can be used to confirm the correct position of the CVC tip.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvaluation of the effect of therapeutic plasma exchange on serum cytokine levels in pediatric intensive care unit.
Ther Apher Dial
January 2025
Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Health Science University, Umraniye Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Introduction: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is crucial for saving lives when used appropriately. This study aimed to assess TPE's impact on tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) protein and IL-6 levels in critically ill pediatric patients.
Methods: Conducted between May 2022 and December 2022, the study observed pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients undergoing TPE, recording demographics, lab results, TWEAK, and IL-6 levels pre- and post-procedure.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!