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Objective: Esmolol is an exceptionally effective cardio-selective β (1)-receptor blocking agent that demonstrates a swift onset and a brief duration of action. Our goal in this research was to delve into the utilization of esmolol, a potent intravenous beta blocker agent, among pediatric patients in the intensive care unit who possess various medical conditions. Method: Our research conducted over a span of two years between December 2020 and 2022, took place at the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The demographics, primary diagnoses, intensive care admission diagnoses, blood pressure levels, indications for starting esmolol, echocardiographic imaging findings of patients using esmolol infusion, esmolol doses, duration of use, reason for discontinuation, need for mechanical ventilation, use of inotropes, and pediatric risk of mortality score IV scores of patients using esmolol infusion were recorded in the data set. Results: The lowest starting dose of esmolol infusion (n=37) was determined as 25 mcg/kg/min and the highest dose as 250 mcg/kg/min. The median age of the deceased patients was significantly high. Additionally, the esmolol infusion doses of the surviving patients were higher. In the surviving patients, the median esmolol dose was found to be significantly higher, while the median age was significantly lower. Conclusion: The use of esmolol through intravenous infusion in PICUs requires careful consideration and monitoring of the patient’s hemodynamic and clinical parameters. Our experience has shown that esmolol can effectively regulate heart rate at low dosages.

Introduction: Nasogastric tube (NGT) placement is a common procedure in pediatric intensive care and requires accurate verification to avoid complications. Traditional methods such as auscultation and radiography pose limitations such as unreliability and radiation exposure. The aim of this study was to confirm the placement of NGT using bedside ultrasonography (USG). Methods: A prospective study was conducted in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) using bedside USG to confirm NGT positioning. The study included 46 patients, with procedures ranging from November 2023 to January 2024. Placement confirmation techniques included USG visualization and the air bolus method when necessary. Results: All 68 NGT insertions were successfully visualized using USG. The median age of patients was 18 months, with the most common admissions being pneumonia and septic shock. An air bolus was used in 13.2% of the cases to indirectly confirm placement. Conclusion: Bedside USG is an effective and safe alternative for confirming NGT placement in the PICU, minimizing the risk of radiation, and leveraging the benefits of immediate and accurate bedside assessment. This method can replace radiography as the new standard for NGT placement confirmation.

BackgroundThe aim of this study is the evaluation of a closed-loop oxygen control system in pediatric patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).MethodsCross-over, multicenter, randomized, single-blind clinical trial. Patients between the ages of 1 month and 18 years who were undergoing IMV therapy for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) were assigned at random to either begin with a 2-hour period of closed-loop oxygen control or manual oxygen titrations. By using closed-loop oxygen control, the patients' SpO2 levels were maintained within a predetermined target range by the automated adjustment of the FiO2. During the manual oxygen titration phase of the trial, healthcare professionals at the bedside made manual changes to the FiO2, while maintaining the same target range for SpO2. Following either period, the patient transitioned to the alternative therapy. The outcomes were the percentage of time spent in predefined SpO2 ranges ±2% (primary), FiO2, total oxygen use, and the number of manual adjustments.FindingsThe median age of included 33 patients was 17 (13–55.5) months. In contrast to manual oxygen titrations, patients spent a greater proportion of time within a predefined optimal SpO2 range when the closed-loop oxygen controller was enabled (95.7% [IQR 92.1–100%] vs. 65.6% [IQR 41.6–82.5%]), mean difference 33.4% [95%–CI 24.5–42%]; P < 0.001). Median FiO2 was lower (32.1% [IQR 23.9–54.1%] vs. 40.6% [IQR 31.1–62.8%]; P < 0.001) similar to total oxygen use (19.8 L/h [IQR 4.6–64.8] vs. 39.4 L/h [IQR 16.8–79]; P < 0.001); however, median SpO2/FiO2 was higher (329.4 [IQR 180–411.1] vs. 246.7 [IQR 151.1–320.5]; P < 0.001) with closed–loop oxygen control. With closed–loop oxygen control, the median number of manual adjustments reduced (0.0 [IQR 0.0–0.0] vs. 1 [IQR 0.0–2.2]; P < 0.001).ConclusionClosed-loop oxygen control enhances oxygen therapy in pediatric patients undergoing IMV for AHRF, potentially leading to more efficient utilization of oxygen. This technology also decreases the necessity for manual adjustments, which could reduce the workloads of healthcare providers.Clinical Trial RegistrationThis research has been submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05714527).

BackgroundIn pediatric intensive care units, extubation failure following invasive mechanical ventilation poses significant health risks. Determining readiness for extubation in children can minimize associated morbidity and mortality. This study investigates the potential role of renal near-infrared spectroscopy (RrSO2) in predicting extubation failure in pediatric patients.MethodsA total of 84 patients aged between 1 month and 18 years, mechanically ventilated for at least 24 h, were included in this prospective study. RrSO2 levels were measured using near-infrared spectroscopy before and during an extubation readiness test (ERT). The primary outcome measure was extubation failure, defined as a need for reintubation within 48 h.ResultsOf the 84 patients, 71 (84.6%) were successfully extubated, while 13 (15.4%) failed extubation. RrSO2 was found to be lower in the failed extubation group, also decrease in RrSO2 values during ERT was significantly greater in patients with extubation failure. ROC analysis indicated a decrease in ΔRrSO2 of more than 6.15% from baseline as a significant predictor of extubation failure, with a sensitivity of 0.984 and a specificity of 0.889.ConclusionMonitoring changes in RrSO2 values may serve as a helpful tool to predict extubation failure in pediatric patients. Further multi-center research is warranted to improve the generalizability and reliability of these findings.