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To evaluate associations between sodium bicarbonate use and outcomes during pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest (p-IHCA).Prespecified secondary analysis of a prospective, multicenter cluster randomized interventional trial.Eighteen participating ICUs of the ICU-RESUScitation Project (NCT02837497).Children less than or equal to 18 years old and greater than or equal to 37 weeks post conceptual age who received chest compressions of any duration from October 2016 to March 2021.None.Child and event characteristics, prearrest laboratory values (2-6 hr prior to p-IHCA), pre- and intraarrest hemodynamics, and outcomes were collected. In a propensity score weighted cohort, the relationships between sodium bicarbonate use and outcomes were assessed. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to hospital discharge with favorable neurologic outcome. Of 1,100 index cardiopulmonary resuscitation events, median age was 0.63 years (interquartile range, 0.19-3.81 yr); 528 (48.0%) received sodium bicarbonate; 773 (70.3%) achieved ROSC; 642 (58.4%) survived to hospital discharge; and 596 (54.2%) survived to hospital discharge with favorable neurologic outcome. Among the weighted cohort, sodium bicarbonate use was associated with lower survival to hospital discharge rate (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.7; 95% CI, 0.54-0.92; p = 0.01) and lower survival to hospital discharge with favorable neurologic outcome rate (aOR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.53-0.91; p = 0.007). Sodium bicarbonate use was not associated with ROSC (aOR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.62-1.34; p = 0.621).In this propensity weighted multicenter cohort study of p-IHCA, sodium bicarbonate use was common and associated with lower rates of survival to hospital discharge.

Use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a tool to aid in neuroprognostication after cardiac arrest (CA) has been described, yet details of specific indications, timing, and sequences are unknown. We aim to define the current practices in use of brain MRI in prognostication after pediatric CA.A survey was distributed to pediatric institutions participating in three international studies. Survey questions related to center demographics, clinical practice patterns of MRI after CA, neuroimaging resources, and details regarding MRI decision support.Response rate was 31% (44 of 143). Thirty-four percent (15 of 44) of centers have a clinical pathway informing the use of MRI after CA. Fifty percent (22 of 44) of respondents reported that an MRI is obtained in nearly all patients with CA, and 32% (14 of 44) obtain an MRI in those who do not return to baseline neurological status. Poor neurological examination was reported as the most common factor (91% [40 of 44]) determining the timing of the MRI. Conventional sequences (T1, T2, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, and diffusion-weighted imaging/apparent diffusion coefficient) are routinely used at greater than 97% of centers. Use of advanced imaging techniques (magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging, and functional MRI) were reported by less than half of centers.Conventional brain MRI is a common practice for prognostication after CA. Advanced imaging techniques are used infrequently. The lack of standardized clinical pathways and variability in reported practices support a need for higher-quality evidence regarding the indications, timing, and acquisition protocols of clinical MRI studies.

The global burden of neurological disorders is substantial and increasing, especially in low-resource settings. The current increased global interest in brain health and its impact on population wellbeing and economic growth, highlighted in the World Health Organization’s new Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and other Neurological Disorders 2022–2031, presents an opportunity to rethink the delivery of neurological services. In this Perspective, we highlight the global burden of neurological disorders and propose pragmatic solutions to enhance neurological health, with an emphasis on building global synergies and fostering a ‘neurological revolution’ across four key pillars — surveillance, prevention, acute care and rehabilitation — termed the neurological quadrangle. Innovative strategies for achieving this transformation include the recognition and promotion of holistic, spiritual and planetary health. These strategies can be deployed through co-design and co-implementation to create equitable and inclusive access to services for the promotion, protection and recovery of neurological health in all human populations across the life course.

Children with traumatic arrests represent almost one third of annual pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs). However, traumatic arrests are often excluded from study populations because survival posttraumatic arrest is thought to be negligible. We hypothesized that children treated and transported by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel after traumatic OHCA would have lower survival compared with children treated after medical OHCA.We performed a secondary, observational study of children younger than 18 years treated and transported by 78 EMS agencies in southwestern Pennsylvania after OHCA from 2010 to 2014. Etiology was determined as trauma or medical by EMS services. We analyzed patient, cardiac arrest, and resuscitation characteristics and ascertained vital status using the National Death Index. We used multivariable logistic regression to test the association of etiology with mortality after covariate adjustment.Forty eight of 209 children (23%) had traumatic OHCA. Children with trauma were older than those with medical OHCA (13.2 [3.8-15.9] vs 0.5 [0.2-2.4] years, P0.001). Prehospital return of spontaneous circulation frequency for trauma versus medical etiology was similar (90% vs 87%, P = 0.84). Patients with trauma had higher mortality (69% vs 45% P = 0.004).More than 8 of 10 children with EMS treated and transported OHCA achieved return of spontaneous circulation. Despite lower survival rates than medical OHCA patients, almost one third of children with a traumatic etiology survived throughout the study period. Future research programs warrant inclusion of children with traumatic OHCA to improve outcomes.

OBJECTIVES Survivors of the PICU face long-term morbidities across health domains. In this study, we detail active PICU follow-up programs (PFUPs) and identify perceptions and barriers about development and maintenance of PFUPs. METHODS A web link to an adaptive survey was distributed through organizational listservs. Descriptive statistics characterized the sample and details of existing PFUPs. Likert responses regarding benefits and barriers were summarized. RESULTS One hundred eleven respondents represented 60 institutions located in the United States (n = 55), Canada (n = 3), Australia (n = 1), and the United Kingdom (n = 1). Details for 17 active programs were provided. Five programs included broad PICU populations, while the majority were neurocritical care (53%) focused. Despite strong agreement on the need to assess and treat morbidity across multiple health domains, 29% were physician only programs, and considerable variation existed in services provided by programs across settings. More than 80% of all respondents agreed PFUPs provide direct benefits and are essential to advancing knowledge on long-term PICU outcomes. Respondents identified “lack of support” as the most important barrier, particularly funding for providers and staff, and lack of clinical space, though successful programs overcome this challenge using a variety of funding resources. CONCLUSIONS Few systematic multidisciplinary PFUPs exist despite strong agreement about importance of this care and direct benefit to patients and families. We recommend stakeholders use our description of successful programs as a framework to develop multidisciplinary models to elevate continuity across inpatient and outpatient settings, improve patient care, and foster collaboration to advance knowledge.

This proceedings article presents actionable research targets on the basis of the presentations and discussions at the 2nd Curing Coma National Institutes of Health (NIH) symposium held from May 3 to May 5, 2021. Here, we summarize the background, research priorities, panel discussions, and deliverables discussed during the symposium across six major domains related to disorders of consciousness. The six domains include (1) Biology of Coma, (2) Coma Database, (3) Neuroprognostication, (4) Care of Comatose Patients, (5) Early Clinical Trials, and (6) Long-term Recovery. Following the 1st Curing Coma NIH virtual symposium held on September 9 to September 10, 2020, six workgroups, each consisting of field experts in respective domains, were formed and tasked with identifying gaps and developing key priorities and deliverables to advance the mission of the Curing Coma Campaign. The highly interactive and inspiring presentations and panel discussions during the 3-day virtual NIH symposium identified several action items for the Curing Coma Campaign mission, which we summarize in this article.

OBJECTIVE: Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21) and Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) are putative neuroprotective cold stress hormones (CSHs) provoked by cold exposure that may be age-dependent. We sought to characterize serum FGF21 and GDF-15 levels in pediatric cardiac arrest (CA) patients and their association with use of therapeutic hypothermia (TH). METHODS: Secondary analysis of serum samples from clinical trials. We measured FGF21 and GDF-15 levels in pediatric patients post-CA and compared levels to both pediatric intensive care (PICU) and healthy controls. Post-CA, we compared normothermia (NT) vs TH (33°C for 72h) treated cohorts at

Arterial diastolic blood pressure (DBP) greater than 25 mm Hg in infants and greater than 30 mm Hg in children greater than 1 year old during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was associated with survival to hospital discharge in one prospective study. We sought to validate these potential hemodynamic targets in a larger multicenter cohort.Prospective observational study.Eighteen PICUs in the ICU-RESUScitation prospective trial from October 2016 to March 2020.Children less than or equal to 18 years old with CPR greater than 30 seconds and invasive blood pressure (BP) monitoring during CPR.None.Invasive BP waveform data and Utstein-style CPR data were collected, including prearrest patient characteristics, intra-arrest interventions, and outcomes. Primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge, and secondary outcomes were return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to hospital discharge with favorable neurologic outcome. Multivariable Poisson regression models with robust error estimates evaluated the association of DBP greater than 25 mm Hg in infants and greater than 30 mm Hg in older children with these outcomes. Among 1,129 children with inhospital cardiac arrests, 413 had evaluable DBP data. Overall, 85.5% of the patients attained thresholds of mean DBP greater than or equal to 25 mm Hg in infants and greater than or equal to 30 mm Hg in older children. Initial return of circulation occurred in 91.5% and 25% by placement on extracorporeal membrane oxygenator. Survival to hospital discharge occurred in 58.6%, and survival with favorable neurologic outcome in 55.4% (i.e. 94.6% of survivors had favorable neurologic outcomes). Mean DBP greater than 25 mm Hg for infants and greater than 30 mm Hg for older children was significantly associated with survival to discharge (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 1.32; 1.01-1.74; p = 0.03) and ROSC (aRR, 1.49; 1.12-1.97; p = 0.002) but did not reach significance for survival to hospital discharge with favorable neurologic outcome (aRR, 1.30; 0.98-1.72; p = 0.051).These validation data demonstrate that achieving mean DBP during CPR greater than 25 mm Hg for infants and greater than 30 mm Hg for older children is associated with higher rates of survival to hospital discharge, providing potential targets for DBP during CPR.

Purpose of review The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has overwhelmed the global community, negatively impacting patient health and research efforts; associated neurological manifestations are a significant cause of morbidity. This review outlines the worldwide epidemiology of neurologic manifestations of different SARS-CoV-2 clinical pediatric phenotypes, including acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and postacute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). We discuss strategies to develop adaptive global research platforms for future investigation into emerging pediatric neurologic conditions. Recent findings Multicenter, multinational studies show that neurological manifestations of acute COVID-19, such as smell/taste disorders, headache, and stroke, are common in hospitalized adults (82%) and children (22%), associated with increased mortality in adults. Neurological manifestations of MIS-C are reported in up to 20% of children, including headache, irritability, and encephalopathy. Data on PASC are emerging and include fatigue, cognitive changes, and headache. Reports of neurological manifestations in each phenotype are limited by lack of pediatric-informed case definitions, common data elements, and resources. Summary Coordinated, well resourced, multinational investigation into SARS-CoV-2-related neurological manifestations in children is critical to rapid identification of global and region-specific risk factors, and developing treatment and mitigation strategies for the current pandemic and future health neurologic emergencies.

Background and objectivesOne year after the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we aimed to summarize the frequency of neurologic manifestations reported in patients with COVID-19 and to investigate the association of these manifestations with disease severity and mortality.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Medline, Cochrane library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and EMBASE for studies from December 31, 2019, to December 15, 2020, enrolling consecutive patients with COVID-19 presenting with neurologic manifestations. Risk of bias was examined with the Joanna Briggs Institute scale. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed, and pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for neurologic manifestations. Odds ratio (ORs) and 95% CIs were calculated to determine the association of neurologic manifestations with disease severity and mortality. Presence of heterogeneity was assessed with I2, meta-regression, and subgroup analyses. Statistical analyses were conducted in R version 3.6.2.ResultsOf 2,455 citations, 350 studies were included in this review, providing data on 145,721 patients with COVID-19, 89% of whom were hospitalized. Forty-one neurologic manifestations (24 symptoms and 17 diagnoses) were identified. Pooled prevalence of the most common neurologic symptoms included fatigue (32%), myalgia (20%), taste impairment (21%), smell impairment (19%), and headache (13%). A low risk of bias was observed in 85% of studies; studies with higher risk of bias yielded higher prevalence estimates. Stroke was the most common neurologic diagnosis (pooled prevalence 2%). In patients with COVID-19 ≥60 years of age, the pooled prevalence of acute confusion/delirium was 34%, and the presence of any neurologic manifestations in this age group was associated with mortality (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.11–2.91).DiscussionUp to one-third of patients with COVID-19 analyzed in this review experienced at least 1 neurologic manifestation. One in 50 patients experienced stroke. In those >60 years of age, more than one-third had acute confusion/delirium; the presence of neurologic manifestations in this group was associated with nearly a doubling of mortality. Results must be interpreted with the limitations of observational studies and associated bias in mind.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO CRD42020181867.

Most children are surviving critical illness in highly resourced pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). However, in research studies, many of these children survive with multi-domain health sequelae that has the potential to affect development over many years, termed post-intensive care syndrome-pediatrics (PICS-p). Clinically, there are no recommendations for the assessment and follow-up of children with critical illness as exists for the premature neonatal and congenital heart disease populations. In research studies, primary and secondary outcomes are largely assessed at or prior to hospital discharge, disregarding post-hospital outcomes important to PICU stakeholders. Incorporating longer term outcomes into clinical and research programs, however, can no longer be overlooked. Barriers to outcomes assessments are varied and generalized vs. individualized, but some PICU centers are discovering how to overcome them and are providing this service to families—sometimes specific populations—in need. Research programs and funders are increasingly recognizing the value and need to assess long-term outcomes post-PICU. Finally, we should seek the strong backing of the PICU community and families to insist that long-term outcomes become our new clinical standard of care. PICUs should consider development of a multicenter, multinational collaborative to assess clinical outcomes and optimize care delivery and patient and family outcomes. The aim of this review is to present the potential considerations of implementing long-term clinical follow-up following pediatric critical illness.

Electrographic seizures are frequent and associated with worse outcomes following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Despite this, the use of continuous electroencephalogram (cEEG) remains low. Our study describes cEEG usage and treatment dosing antiseizure medications (ASMs) in an international pediatric TBI population, hypothesizing that children monitored with cEEG have an increased rate of treatment ASMs because of electrographic seizure detection, compared with children who are not monitored with cEEG. This subanalysis of the TBI cohort of the international PANGEA study included children, 7 days to 17 years of age, with acute neurological insults admitted to pediatric intensive care units. We analyzed demographics, injury severity, and therapies including prophylactic or treatment ASMs. We evaluated the relationships between cEEG use, seizure frequency, and receipt of treatment ASMs. $$\chi^{2}$$ or Fisher’s exact test was used to analyze categorical variables, and the Kruskal–Wallis or Mann–Whitney U-test was used for continuous variables. Multivariable analysis for treatment ASM use was performed using logistic regression. One hundred-twenty-three of 174 patients with TBI were included. Twenty-seven patients (21.9%) underwent cEEG at any point during pediatric intensive care unit admission. Preexisting seizure disorder (18.2% vs. 2.3%, p = 0.014) and neuromuscular blockade use (52.4% vs. 24.1%, p = 0.011) were more frequently observed in the group monitored on cEEG when compared with those that were not. Presenting median Glasgow Coma Scale score was worse in the cEEG group (7 vs. 9, p = 0.044). There was no significant difference in age, use of intracranial pressure monitoring, or hyperosmolar therapy between the cEEG monitored and nonmonitored groups. Patients who were monitored on cEEG were more likely to receive a treatment dose ASM than those without cEEG monitoring (66.7% vs. 28.1%, p = 0.0002). When compared with those without treatment ASM, the treatment ASM group had more electrographic seizures on their first electroencephalogram following injury (51.6% vs. 4%, p = 0.0001) and more clinical seizures (55.8% vs. 0%, p

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic resulted in adaptations to pediatric resuscitation systems of care. The objective of this study was to determine the temporal association between the pandemic and pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) process of care metrics, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) quality, and patient outcomes.DesignMulticenter retrospective analysis of a dataset comprising observations of IHCA outcomes pre pandemic (March 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020) versus pandemic (March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021).SettingData source was the ICU-RESUScitation Project ("ICU-RESUS;" NCT028374497), a prospective, multicenter, cluster randomized interventional trial.PatientsChildren (≤ 18 yr) who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation while admitted to the ICU and were enrolled in ICU-RESUS.InterventionsNone.Measurements and main resultsAmong 429 IHCAs meeting inclusion criteria, occurrence during the pandemic period was associated with higher frequency of hypotension as the immediate cause of arrest. Cardiac arrest physiology, cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality metrics, and postarrest physiologic and quality of care metrics were similar between the two periods. Survival with favorable neurologic outcome (Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category score 1-3 or unchanged from baseline) occurred in 102 of 195 subjects (52%) during the pandemic compared with 140 of 234 (60%) pre pandemic ( p = 0.12). Among survivors, occurrence of IHCA during the pandemic period was associated with a greater increase in Functional Status Scale (FSS) (i.e., worsening) from baseline (1 [0-3] vs 0 [0-2]; p = 0.01). After adjustment for confounders, IHCA survival during the pandemic period was associated with a greater increase in FSS from baseline (+1.19 [95% CI, 0.35-2.04] FSS points; p = 0.006) and higher odds of a new FSS-defined morbidity (adjusted odds ratio, 1.88 [95% CI, 1.03-3.46]; p = 0.04).ConclusionsUsing the ICU-RESUS dataset, we found that relative to the year prior, pediatric IHCA during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with greater worsening of functional status and higher odds of new functional morbidity among survivors.

To evaluate associations between calcium administration and outcomes among children with in-hospital cardiac arrest and among specific subgroups in which calcium use is hypothesized to provide clinical benefit.This is a secondary analysis of observational data collected prospectively as part of the ICU-RESUScitation project. Children 37 weeks post-conceptual age to 18 years who received chest compressions in one of 18 intensive care units from October 2016-March 2021 were eligible. Data included child and event characteristics, pre-arrest laboratory values, pre- and intra-arrest haemodynamics, and outcomes. Outcomes included sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival to hospital discharge, and survival to hospital discharge with favourable neurologic outcome. A propensity score weighted cohort was used to evaluate associations between calcium use and outcomes. Subgroups included neonates, and children with hyperkalaemia, sepsis, renal insufficiency, cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, and calcium-avid cardiac diagnoses.Of 1,100 in-hospital cardiac arrests, median age was 0.63 years (IQR 0.19, 3.81); 450 (41%) received calcium. Among the weighted cohort, calcium use was not associated with sustained ROSC (aOR, 0.87; CI95 0.61-1.24; p=0.445), but was associated with lower rates of both survival to hospital discharge (aOR, 0.68; CI95 0.52-0.89; p=0.005) and survival with favourable neurologic outcome at hospital discharge (aOR, 0.75; CI95 0.57-0.98; p=0.038). Among subgroups, calcium use was associated with lower rates of survival to hospital discharge in children with sepsis and renal insufficiency.Calcium use was common during paediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest and associated with worse outcomes at hospital discharge.

Families and clinicians have limited validated tools available to assist in estimating long-term outcomes early after pediatric cardiac arrest. Blood-based brain-specific biomarkers may be helpful tools to aid in outcome assessment.To analyze the association of blood-based brain injury biomarker concentrations with outcomes 1 year after pediatric cardiac arrest.The Personalizing Outcomes After Child Cardiac Arrest multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted in pediatric intensive care units at 14 academic referral centers in the US between May 16, 2017, and August 19, 2020, with the primary investigators blinded to 1-year outcomes. The study included 120 children aged 48 hours to 17 years who were resuscitated after cardiac arrest, had pre-cardiac arrest Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category scores of 1 to 3 points, and were admitted to an intensive care unit after cardiac arrest.Cardiac arrest.The primary outcome was an unfavorable outcome (death or survival with a Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, third edition, score of70 points) at 1 year after cardiac arrest. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal esterase L1 (UCH-L1), neurofilament light (NfL), and tau concentrations were measured in blood samples from days 1 to 3 after cardiac arrest. Multivariate logistic regression and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) analyses were performed to examine the association of each biomarker with outcomes on days 1 to 3.Among 120 children with primary outcome data available, the median (IQR) age was 1.0 (0-8.5) year; 71 children (59.2%) were male. A total of 5 children (4.2%) were Asian, 19 (15.8%) were Black, 81 (67.5%) were White, and 15 (12.5%) were of unknown race; among 110 children with data on ethnicity, 11 (10.0%) were Hispanic, and 99 (90.0%) were non-Hispanic. Overall, 70 children (58.3%) had a favorable outcome, and 50 children (41.7%) had an unfavorable outcome, including 43 deaths. On days 1 to 3 after cardiac arrest, concentrations of all 4 measured biomarkers were higher in children with an unfavorable vs a favorable outcome at 1 year. After covariate adjustment, NfL concentrations on day 1 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.91; 95% CI, 1.82-19.19), day 2 (aOR, 11.88; 95% CI, 3.82-36.92), and day 3 (aOR, 10.22; 95% CI, 3.14-33.33); UCH-L1 concentrations on day 2 (aOR, 11.27; 95% CI, 3.00-42.36) and day 3 (aOR, 7.56; 95% CI, 2.11-27.09); GFAP concentrations on day 2 (aOR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.19-4.48) and day 3 (aOR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.19-4.03); and tau concentrations on day 1 (aOR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.14-5.25), day 2 (aOR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.31-3.97), and day 3 (aOR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.16-3.57) were associated with an unfavorable outcome. The AUROC models were significantly higher with vs without the addition of NfL on day 2 (AUROC, 0.932 [95% CI, 0.877-0.987] vs 0.871 [95% CI, 0.793-0.949]; P = .02) and day 3 (AUROC, 0.921 [95% CI, 0.857-0.986] vs 0.870 [95% CI, 0.786-0.953]; P = .03).In this cohort study, blood-based brain injury biomarkers, especially NfL, were associated with an unfavorable outcome at 1 year after pediatric cardiac arrest. Additional evaluation of the accuracy of the association between biomarkers and neurodevelopmental outcomes beyond 1 year is needed.

OBJECTIVES Families identify overall health as a key outcome after pediatric critical illness. We conducted a planned secondary analysis of a scoping review to determine the methods, populations, and instruments used to evaluate overall health outcomes for both children and their families after critical illness. DESIGN Planned Secondary Analysis of a Scoping Review. SETTING We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Registry databases from 1970 to 2017 to identify studies which measured postdischarge overall health of children who survived critical illness and their families. SUBJECTS Articles reporting overall health outcomes after pediatric critical illness. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Among the 407 articles which measured outcomes following pediatric critical illness, 161 (40%) measured overall health. The overall health domain was most commonly measured in traumatic brain injury (44%) and the general PICU populations (16%). In total, there were 39 unique measures used to evaluate overall health. Across all subjects, seven measures accounted for 89% of instruments, with the Glasgow Outcome Scale (47%) and the Pediatric Overall Performance Category (17%) being most commonly used. Excluding studies targeting survivors of traumatic brain injury, Pediatric Overall Performance Category, Glasgow Outcome Scale, and the General Health Questionnaire were the most commonly used instruments. Patients were followed for a median 10.5 months (interquartile range, 4.5-21 mo). CONCLUSIONS Overall health was commonly assessed post-PICU discharge, especially in the traumatic brain injury population, using a heterogenous array of measures. Evaluation and consensus are imperative to identify the most appropriate method to measure overall health with the goal of improving care efficacy and facilitating recovery across populations of critically ill children.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected mortality and morbidity across all ages, including children. It is now known that neurological manifestations of COVID-19, ranging from headaches to stroke, may involve the central and/or peripheral nervous system at any age. Neurologic involvement is also noted in the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, a pediatric condition that occurs weeks after infection with the causative virus of COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Knowledge about mechanisms of neurologic disease is scarce but rapidly growing. COVID-19 neurologic manifestations may have particularly adverse impacts on the developing brain. Emerging data suggest a cohort of patients with COVID-19 will have longitudinal illness affecting their cognitive, physical, and emotional health, but little is known about the long-term impact on affected children and their families. Pediatric collaboratives have begun to provide important initial information on neuroimaging manifestations and the incidence of ischemic stroke in children with COVID 19. The Global Consortium Study of Neurologic Dysfunction in COVID-19-Pediatrics, a multinational collaborative, is working to improve understanding of the epidemiology, mechanisms of neurological manifestations, and the long-term implications of COVID-19 in children and their families.

Pediatric neurocritical care survivorship is frequently accompanied by functional impairments. Lack of prognostic biomarkers is a barrier to early identification and management of impairment. We explored the association between blood biomarkers and functional impairment in children with acute acquired brain injury. This study is a secondary analysis of a randomized control trial evaluating early versus usual care rehabilitation in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Forty-four children (17 [39%] female, median age 11 [interquartile range 6–13] years) with acute acquired brain injury admitted to the PICU were studied. A single center obtained serum samples on admission days 0, 1, 3, 5, and the day closest to hospital discharge. Biomarkers relevant to brain injury (neuron specific enolase [NSE], S100b), inflammation (interleukin [IL-6], C-reactive protein), and regeneration (brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF], vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) were collected. Biomarkers were analyzed using a Luminex® bioassay. Functional status scale (FSS) scores were abstracted from the medical record. New functional impairment was defined as a (worse) FSS score at hospital discharge compared to pre-PICU (baseline). Individual biomarker fluorescence index (FI) values for each sample collection day were correlated with new functional impairment using Spearman rank correlation coefficient (ρ). Trends in repeated measures of biomarker FI over time were explored graphically, and the association between repeated measures of biomarker FI and new functional impairment was analyzed using covariate adjusted linear mixed-effect models. Functional impairment was inversely correlated with markers of regeneration and plasticity including BDNF at day 3 (ρ = − 0.404, p = .015), day 5 (ρ = − 0.549, p = 0.005) and hospital discharge (ρ = − 0.420, p = 0.026) and VEGF at day 1 (ρ = − 0.282, p = 0.008) and hospital discharge (ρ = − 0.378, p = 0.047), such that lower levels of both markers at each time point were associated with greater impairment. Similarly, repeated measures of BDNF and VEGF were inversely correlated with new functional impairment (B = − 0.001, p = 0.001 and B = − 0.001, p = 0.003, respectively). NSE, a biomarker of acute brain injury, showed a positive correlation between day 0 levels and new functional impairment (ρ = 0.320, p = 0.044). Blood-based biomarkers of regeneration and plasticity may hold prognostic utility for functional impairment among pediatric patients with neurocritical illness and warrant further investigation.

Targeted temperature management (TTM) is an important treatment modality in pediatric neurocritical care. There are different types of devices available to deliver this therapy, but limited pediatric data exist. This quality improvement study evaluates the use of a surface cooling device that uses gel-adhesive pads for TTM in critically ill pediatric patients. An institutional TTM protocol to use the gel-adhesive pad system was developed with three different temperature goals: normothermia (goal temperature 37°C), mild hypothermia (goal temperature 35°C with rewarming duration of 12 hours to normothermia), and moderate hypothermia (goal temperature 33°C with rewarming duration of 24 hours to normothermia). Protocol and device implementation required several different educational sessions for all members of the critical care team. An exploratory analysis was performed for 19 patients with complete clinical and device temperature data. The most common protocol used was normothermia (73.6%). By protocol, time to goal temperature was 58 minutes (22.0–112.8) for normothermia, 46.5 minutes (44.3–48.8) for mild hypothermia, and 93 minutes (46.5–406.5) for moderate hypothermia. Patients remained within ±0.5°C temperature goal 99% (96.0–99.3) of the time in the normothermia protocol, 99.5% (99–100) in mild hypothermia, and 93% (80–100) for the moderate hypothermia protocol. Shivering was the most common adverse event (35%). Our results show that use of the gel-adhesive pad system for pediatric TTM is feasible, efficacious with regard to achieving both a short time to target temperature and maintaining temperature goal, and, in this limited sample, was free from major adverse events. We also defined several technical aspects of device use in pediatric patients that should be considered in future trial design and/or clinical use. Further studies are needed to determine if this device is superior to other cooling devices for temperature management in the pediatric population.

Objective Social health is an important component of recovery following critical illness as modeled in the pediatric Post-Intensive Care Syndrome framework. We conducted a scoping review of studies measuring social outcomes (measurable components of social health) following pediatric critical illness and propose a conceptual framework of the social outcomes measured in these studies. Data sources PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Registry Study selection We identified studies evaluating social outcomes in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) survivors or their families from 1970–2017 as part of a broader scoping review of outcomes after pediatric critical illness. Data extraction We identified articles by dual review and dual-extracted study characteristics, instruments, and instrument validation and administration information. For instruments used in studies evaluating a social outcome, we collected instrument content and described it using qualitative methods adapted to a scoping review. Data synthesis Of 407 articles identified in the scoping review, 223 (55%) evaluated a social outcome. The majority were conducted in North America and the United Kingdom, with wide variation in methodology and population. Among these studies, 38 unique instruments were used to evaluate a social outcome. Specific social outcomes measured included individual (independence, attachment, empathy, social behaviors, social cognition, and social interest), environmental (community perceptions and environment), and network (activities and relationships) characteristics, together with school and family outcomes. While many instruments assessed more than one social outcome, no instrument evaluated all areas of social outcome. Conclusions The full range of social outcomes reported following pediatric critical illness were not captured by any single instrument. The lack of a comprehensive instrument focused on social outcomes may contribute to under-appreciation of the importance of social outcomes and their under-representation in PICU outcomes research. A more comprehensive evaluation of social outcomes will improve understanding of overall recovery following pediatric critical illness.

To describe health-related quality of life (HRQL) and functional outcomes in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and to determine risk factors associated with poor outcome defined as death or severe reduction in HRQL at 28 days or ICU discharge.Prospective multisite cohort-outcome study conducted between 2019 and 2020.Eight academic PICUs in the United States.Children with ARDS based on standard criteria.Patient characteristics and illness severity were collected during PICU admission. Parent proxy-report measurements were obtained at baseline, day 28/ICU discharge, month 3, and month 9, utilizing Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and Functional Status Scale (FSS). A composite outcome evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis was death or severe reduction in HRQL (25% reduction in the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory at day 28/ICU discharge.This study enrolled 122 patients with a median age of 3 years (interquartile range, 1-12 yr). Common etiologies of ARDS included pneumonia ( n = 63; 52%) and sepsis ( n = 27; 22%). At day 28/ICU discharge, half (50/95; 53%) of surviving patients with follow-up data reported a greater than 10% decrease in HRQL from baseline, and approximately one-third of participants ( n = 19/61; 31%) reported a greater than 10% decrease in HRQL at 9 months. Trends in FSS were similar. Of 104 patients with data, 47 patients (45%) died or reported a severe decrease of greater than 25% in HRQL at day 28/ICU discharge. Older age was associated with an increased risk of death or severe reduction in HRQL (odds ratio, 1.08; CI, 1.01-1.16).Children with ARDS are at risk for deterioration in HRQL and FSS that persists up to 9 months after ARDS. Almost half of children with ARDS experience a poor outcome including death or severe reduction in HRQL at day 28/ICU discharge.

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and associated mortality of well-defined neurologic diagnoses among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we prospectively followed hospitalized severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–positive patients and recorded new neurologic disorders and hospital outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a prospective, multicenter, observational study of consecutive hospitalized adults in the New York City metropolitan area with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The prevalence of new neurologic disorders (as diagnosed by a neurologist) was recorded and in-hospital mortality and discharge disposition were compared between patients with COVID-19 with and without neurologic disorders.ResultsOf 4,491 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized during the study timeframe, 606 (13.5%) developed a new neurologic disorder in a median of 2 days from COVID-19 symptom onset. The most common diagnoses were toxic/metabolic encephalopathy (6.8%), seizure (1.6%), stroke (1.9%), and hypoxic/ischemic injury (1.4%). No patient had meningitis/encephalitis or myelopathy/myelitis referable to SARS-CoV-2 infection and 18/18 CSF specimens were reverse transcriptase PCR negative for SARS-CoV-2. Patients with neurologic disorders were more often older, male, white, hypertensive, diabetic, intubated, and had higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores (all p < 0.05). After adjusting for age, sex, SOFA scores, intubation, history, medical complications, medications, and comfort care status, patients with COVID-19 with neurologic disorders had increased risk of in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17–1.62, p < 0.001) and decreased likelihood of discharge home (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.63–0.85, p < 0.001).ConclusionsNeurologic disorders were detected in 13.5% of patients with COVID-19 and were associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality and decreased likelihood of discharge home. Many observed neurologic disorders may be sequelae of severe systemic illness.

AIM: The mathematical method used to calculate chest compression (CC) rate during cardiopulmonary resuscitation varies in the literature and across device manufacturers. The objective of this study was to determine the variability in calculated CC rates by applying four published methods to the same dataset. METHODS: This study was a secondary investigation of the first 200 pediatric cardiac arrest events with invasive arterial line waveform data in the ICU-RESUScitation Project (NCT02837497). Instantaneous CC rates were calculated during periods of uninterrupted CCs. The defined minimum interruption length affects rate calculation (e.g., if an interruption is defined as a break in CCs ≥ 2 seconds, the lowest possible calculated rate is 30 CCs/min). Average rates were calculated by four methods: 1) rate with an interruption defined as ≥ 1 second; 2) interruption ≥ 2 seconds; 3) interruption ≥ 3 seconds; 4) method #3 excluding top and bottom quartiles of calculated rates. American Heart Association Guideline-compliant rate was defined as 100–120 CCs/min. A clinically important change was defined as ± 5 CCs/min. The percentage of events and epochs (30 second periods) that changed Guideline-compliant status was calculated. RESULTS: Across calculation methods, mean CC rates (118.7 – 119.5/min) were similar. Comparing all methods, 14 events (7%) and 114 epochs (6%) changed Guideline-compliant status. CONCLUSION: Using four published methods for calculating CC rate, average rates were similar, but 7% of events changed Guideline-compliant status. These data suggest that a uniform calculation method (interruption ≥ 1 second) should be adopted to decrease variability in resuscitation science.

Background Lidocaine and amiodarone are both included in the pediatric cardiac arrest guidelines as treatments of shock-refractory ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, although there is limited evidence to support this recommendation. Methods In this cohort study from the Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation registry, we included pediatric patients (≤18 years) with an in-hospital cardiac arrest between 2000 and 2018, who presented with an initial or subsequent shockable rhythm (ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia). Patients receiving amiodarone were matched to patients receiving lidocaine based on a propensity score, calculated from multiple patient, event, and hospital characteristics. Results A total of 365 patients were available for the analysis, of which 180 (49%) patients were matched on the propensity score. The median age in the raw cohort was 6 (quartiles, 0.5–14) years, 164 (45%) patients were female, and 238 (65%) patients received an antiarrhythmic for an initial shockable rhythm. In the matched cohort, there were no statistically significant differences between patients receiving lidocaine compared to amiodarone in return of spontaneous circulation (RR, 0.99 [95%CI, 0.82–1.19]; p = 0.88), survival to 24 h (RR, 1.02 [95%CI, 0.76–1.38]; p = 0.88), survival to hospital discharge (RR, 1.01 [95%CI, 0.63–1.63]; p = 0.96), and favorable neurological outcome (RR, 0.65 [95%CI, 0.35–1.21]; p = 0.17). The results remained consistent in multiple sensitivity analyses. Conclusions In children with cardiac arrest receiving antiarrhythmics for a shockable rhythm, there was no significant difference in clinical outcomes between those receiving lidocaine compared to amiodarone.

Critical illness resulting in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission is a profoundly stressful experience for a child and their family. Increasing evidence for emotional and behavioral sequelae post-PICU emphasizes a need to provide better support for families throughout this period of care and recovery. The aim of this qualitative investigation was to identify salient and modifiable aspects of a critical care experience that can be addressed to better support families of critically ill children. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 caregivers of children who survived a PICU admission. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim; themes were identified via thematic analysis. Caregivers were enrolled using convenience sampling from seven tertiary care PICUs in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network. Themes from caregiver interviews were identified within two overarching categories containing three themes each. Advice for future PICU families: (1) Be intentional about caring for your own well-being, (2) speak up, ask questions, and challenge decisions you’re not comfortable with, and (3) continue to engage with your child. Characteristics of a satisfactory PICU experience: (1) A caregiver–provider relationship of mutual trust established through clear communication and respectful collaboration, (2) hospital environments that provide physical and social supports to maintain humanity in healthcare, and (3) preparing families for care transitions. Targeted, interdisciplinary approaches to partner with families during critical care may improve their PICU experience and contribute to improved long-term outcomes for PICU survivors.

To analyze whether brain connectivity sequences including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) identify vulnerable brain regions and networks associated with neurologic outcome after pediatric cardiac arrest.Children aged 2 d-17 y with cardiac arrest were enrolled in one of 2 parent studies at a single center. Clinically indicated brain MRI with DTI and rsfMRI and performed within 2 weeks after arrest were analyzed. Tract-wise fractional anisotropy (FA) and axial, radial, and mean diffusivity assessed DTI, and functional connectivity strength (FCS) assessed rsfMRI between outcome groups. Unfavorable neurologic outcome was defined as Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category score 4-6 or change 1 between 6 months after arrest vs baseline.Among children with DTI (n = 28), 57% had unfavorable outcome. Mean, radial, axial diffusivity and FA of varying direction of magnitude in the limbic tracts, including the right cingulum parolfactory, left cingulum parahippocampal, corpus callosum forceps major, and corpus callosum forceps minor tracts, were associated with unfavorable neurologic outcome (p 0.05). Among children with rsfMRI (n = 12), 67% had unfavorable outcome. Decreased FCS in the ventromedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, insula, precentral gyrus, anterior cingulate, and inferior parietal lobule were correlated regionally with unfavorable neurologic outcome (p 0.05 Family-Wise Error corrected).Decreased multimodal connectivity measures of paralimbic tracts were associated with unfavorable neurologic outcome after pediatric cardiac arrest. Longitudinal analysis correlating brain connectivity sequences with long term neuropsychological outcomes to identify the impact of pediatric cardiac arrest in vulnerable brain networks over time appears warranted.

Objectives This article described parents' experience and identifies outcomes important to parents following their child's critical illness. Methods Semistructured interviews with 22 female and 4 male parents representing 26 critically ill children with predominately neurologic and respiratory diagnoses. Most children were younger than 5 years at discharge with a median (interquartile range) of 2 (2.0–3.0) years from discharge to interview. Results Many children returned home with life-altering physical and cognitive disabilities requiring months to years of rehabilitation. Parents remembered feeling unprepared and facing an intense, chaotic time when the child first returned home. They described how they suddenly had to center their daily activities around the child's needs amidst competing needs of siblings and partners, and in some cases, the medicalization of the home. They recounted negotiating adjustments almost daily with insurance agencies, medical doctors and therapists, employers, the child, and other family members to keep the family functioning. In the long term, families developed a new norm, choosing to focus on what the child could still do rather than what they could not. Even if the child returned to baseline, parents remembered the adjustments made to keep the child alive and the family functioning. Conclusion Heightened awareness of family experiences after pediatric critical illness will allow health care providers to improve family preparedness for the transition from hospital to home.

Our objective was to characterize the frequency, early impact, and risk factors for neurological manifestations in hospitalized children with acute severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).Multicenter, cross-sectional study of neurological manifestations in children aged18 years hospitalized with positive SARS-CoV-2 test or clinical diagnosis of a SARS-CoV-2-related condition between January 2020 and April 2021. Multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors for neurological manifestations was performed.Of 1493 children, 1278 (86%) were diagnosed with acute SARS-CoV-2 and 215 (14%) with MIS-C. Overall, 44% of the cohort (40% acute SARS-CoV-2 and 66% MIS-C) had at least one neurological manifestation. The most common neurological findings in children with acute SARS-CoV-2 and MIS-C diagnosis were headache (16% and 47%) and acute encephalopathy (15% and 22%), both P 0.05. Children with neurological manifestations were more likely to require intensive care unit (ICU) care (51% vs 22%), P 0.001. In multivariable logistic regression, children with neurological manifestations were older (odds ratio [OR] 1.1 and 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07 to 1.13) and more likely to have MIS-C versus acute SARS-CoV-2 (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.45 to 3.24), pre-existing neurological and metabolic conditions (OR 3.48, 95% CI 2.37 to 5.15; and OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.66, respectively), and pharyngeal (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.64) or abdominal pain (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.00); all P 0.05.In this multicenter study, 44% of children hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2-related conditions experienced neurological manifestations, which were associated with ICU admission and pre-existing neurological condition. Posthospital assessment for, and support of, functional impairment and neuroprotective strategies are vitally needed.

Evaluate the accuracy of brain-based blood biomarkers neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100b and electroencephalography (EEG) features alone and in combination with prognosticate 6-month mortality after pediatric cardiac arrest. We hypothesized that the combination of blood brain-based biomarkers and EEG features would have superior classification accuracy of outcome versus either alone.Children (n = 58) aged between 1 week and 17 years admitted to the ICU following cardiac arrest at a tertiary care children's hopital were eligible for this secondary study. Blood NSE and S100b were measured closest to 24 hours after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). EEGs closest to 24 hours (median 11, interquartile range [IQR] 6 to 16 h) post-ROSC were evaluated by two epileptologists. EEG grade was informed by background frequency, amplitude, and continuity. Sleep spindles were present or absent. Mortality was assessed at six months post-ROSC. Area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) was performed for individual and combined brain-based biomarkers and EEG features.Children were aged 2.6 (IQR 0.6 to 10.4) years, and 25 (43%) died. Children who died had increased blood NSE (49.7 [28.0 to 63.1] vs 18.2 [9.8 to 31.8] ng/mL) and S100b (0.118 [0.036 to 0.296] vs 0.012 [0.003 to 0.021] ng/mL) and poor (discontinuous or isoelectric) EEG grade (76% vs 33%) more frequently than survivors (P 0.05). AUC for NSE to predict mortality was 0.789, and was 0.841 when combined with EEG grade and spindles. S100b AUC for mortality was 0.856 and was optimal alone.In this exploratory study, the combination of brain-based biomarkers and EEG features may provide more accurate prognostication than either test alone after pediatric cardiac arrest.

Background: Current AHA guidelines for the delivery of chest compressions (CC) for infants and children are largely consensus based, and recommended depths of 1.5 inches or 1/3 anterior-posterior chest diameter (APD). It is unclear whether these have equal potential for injury. Objectives: We sought to examine and compare injury characteristics of CC delivered at 1.5 inches or 1/3 APD in an infant-sized model of asphyxial OHCA. Methods: Thirty-six juvenile swine weighing 10.6kg +/- 0.84 (approximating the 50 th percentile for a 12-month-old) were anesthetized, paralyzed, intubated, and mechanically ventilated (FiO2 21%). APD was measured and by two investigators via a sliding T-square. After instrumentation, the endotracheal tube was manually occluded to induce asphyxia, and occlusion was maintained for 9 minutes. Animals with an organized rhythm after 8 minutes 45 seconds of asphyxia received a single, 3-second transthoracic shock to induce ventricular fibrillation. At 9 minutes, each was then randomized to receive CC with a depth of 1.5 inches (Group 1) or 1/3 APD (Group 2), both with a rate of 100 per minute. ALS drugs were administered after 13 minutes, followed by initial defibrillation attempt at 14 minutes. Resuscitation continued until return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or 20 minutes of failed resuscitation. Survivors were sacrificed with KCl after 20 minutes of observation. Veterinary staff blinded to group assignment conducted necropsies to assess lung injury, rib fracture, hemothorax, airway bleeding, great vessel dissection, and heart/liver/spleen contusion. Characteristics were compared via Chi-Squared test or Mann-Whitney U-test using an alpha = 0.05. Results: Group 1 had n=18 and Group 2 had n=18 animals. Mean (SD) APD overall was 5.58 (0.22) inches, yielding a mean 1/3 APD depth of 1.86 inches. APD did not differ between groups. ROSC rates did not differ between groups (Group 1: 66.7% vs Group 2: 83.33%; p = 0.248. No injury characteristics differed significantly between groups. Airway bleeding rates were noteworthy though not different between groups (Group 1: 18.8% vs Group 2: 42.1%; p = 0.219). Conclusions: In a swine model of infant OHCA and resuscitation, both CC depth strategies had similar injury characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for depth of chest compressions in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are based on sparse evidence. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the performance of the two most widely recommended chest compression depth levels for pediatric CPR (1.5 inches and 1/3 the anterior-posterior diameter-APd) in a controlled swine model of asphyxial cardiac arrest. METHODS: We executed a 2-group, randomized laboratory study with an adaptive design allowing early termination for overwhelming injury or benefit. Forty mixed-breed domestic swine (mean weight = 26kg) were sedated, anesthetized and paralyzed along with endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Asphyxial cardiac arrest was induced with fentanyl overdose. Animals were untreated for 9 minutes followed by mechanical CPR with a target depth of 1.5 inches or 1/3 the APd. Advanced life support drugs were administered IV after 4 minutes of basic resuscitation followed by defibrillation at 14 minutes. The primary outcomes were return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), hemodynamics and CPR-related injury severity. RESULTS: Enrollment in the 1/3 APd group was stopped early due to overwhelming differences in injury. Twenty-three animals were assigned to the 1.5 inch group and 15 assigned to the 1/3 APd group, per an adaptive group design. The 1/3 APd group had increased frequency of rib fracture (6.7 vs 1.7, p

PURPOSE: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) has been identified as one of the core outcomes most important to assess following pediatric critical care, yet there are no data on the use of HRQL in pediatric critical care research. We aimed to determine the HRQL instruments most commonly used to assess children surviving critical care and describe study methodology, patient populations, and instrument characteristics to identify areas of deficiency and guide investigators conducting HRQL research. METHODS: We queried PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Cochrane Registry for studies evaluating pediatric critical care survivors published 1970-2017. We used dual review for article selection and data extraction. RESULTS: Of 60,349 citations, 66 articles met inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were observational (89.4%) and assessed HRQL at one post-discharge time-point (86.4%), and only 10.6% of studies included a baseline assessment. Time to the first follow-up assessment ranged from 1 month to 10 years post-hospitalization (median 3 years, IQR 0.5-6). For 26 prospective studies, the median follow-up time was 0.5 years [IQR 0.25-1]. Parent/guardian proxy-reporting was used in 83.3% of studies. Fifteen HRQL instruments were employed, with four used in >5% of articles: the Health Utility Index (n=22 articles), the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (n=17), the Child Health Questionnaire (n=16), and the 36-Item Short Form Survey (n=9). CONCLUSION: HRQL assessment in pediatric critical care research has been centered around four instruments, though existing literature is limited by minimal longitudinal follow-up and infrequent assessment of baseline HRQL.

s: Few feasibility, safety, and efficacy data exist regarding ICU-based rehabilitative services for children. We hypothesized that early protocolized assessment and therapy would be feasible and safe versus usual care in pediatric neurocritical care patients.Randomized controlled trial.Three tertiary care PICUs in the United States.Fifty-eight children between the ages of 3-17 years with new traumatic or nontraumatic brain insult and expected ICU admission greater than 48 hours.Early protocolized (consultation of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy within 72 hr ICU admission, n = 26) or usual care (consultation per treating team, n = 32).Primary outcomes were consultation timing, treatment type, and frequency of deferrals and safety events. Secondary outcomes included patient and family functional and quality of life outcomes at 6 months. Comparing early protocolized (n = 26) and usual care groups (n = 32), physical therapy was consulted during the hospital admission in 26 of 26 versus 28 of 32 subjects (p = 0.062) on day 2.4 ± 0.8 versus 7.7 ± 4.8 (p = 0.001); occupational therapy in 26 of 26 versus 23 of 32 (p = 0.003), on day 2.3 ± 0.6 versus 6.9 ± 4.8 (p = 0.001); and speech and language therapy in 26 of 26 versus 17 of 32 (p = 0.011) on day 2.3 ± 0.7 versus 13.0 ± 10.8 (p = 0.026). More children in the early protocolized group had consults and treatments occur in the ICU versus ward for all three services (all p0.001). Eleven sessions were discontinued early: nine during physical therapy and two during occupational therapy, none impacting patient outcome. There were no group differences in functional or quality of life outcomes.A protocol for early personalized rehabilitation by physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy in pediatric neurocritical care patients could be safely implemented and led to more ICU-based treatment sessions, accelerating the temporal profile and changing composition of interventions versus usual care, but not altering the total dose of rehabilitation.