Background and Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors predicting Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) mortality and the outcomes in cancer patients admitted to PICU. Methods. We conducted a retrospective study in 48 consecutive cancer patients admitted to the PICU between January 1, 2015 and January 1, 2018. A total of 48 patients (21 males and 27 females) were enrolled in this study. Results. The median age was 77 (33,5-149) months. The median duration of PICU stay was 5 (2-9) days. Patients were classified according to their stage of disease. Ten (20.8%) patients were in the remission group, 9 (18.8%) patients were in the induction period and 29 (60.5%) patients were in the progressive diseasegruops. Thirtynine patients (81.2%) had hematological malignancies, 6 (12.5%) had extracranial solid tumors and 3 (6.3%) had intracranial solid tumors. Thirty-seven patients died and the mortality rate was found to be 77.1%. mortality rates were 11%, 88% and 93% for patients in remission,during induction period and in the progressive disease group, respectively (p < 0.01).The most frequent reasons of PICU admission were respiratory failure in 29 (60.4%), sepsis in 12 (25%), circulatory collaps in 2 (4.2%), and other reasons in 5 patients (10.4%). The median PRISM III among survivors was significantly lower than non-survivors (13.1 ± 6.4; vs. 20.7 ± 5.2; p < 0.001). At a cut-off value of 13, the sensitivity of the PRISM III was 94.4% and the specificity was 58.3% (AUC: 0.821). OSDwas present in 41 (85%) patients, 82% of them died (34/41). The presence of MOF, the use of mechanical ventilation and inotrop support were significantly related with mortality. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that male gender [odds ratio (OR)=5.588, P= 0.041, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.070-29.191], presence of organ system dysfunction[OR=12.143, P= 0.008, 95%CI 1.947- 75.736], need for mechanical ventilation[OR=34.000, P= 0.001, 95%CI 5.272-219.262], IS [OR=8.5, P= 0.001, 95%CI 1.318-54.817]were the predictors ofhigh mortality in pediatric cancer patients. PRISM III score ≥ 13 was a predictive criteria of PICU mortality. Conclusion. We conclude that the key to improving survival rates is to pick up on this group of patients as soon as possible.We, believe that cancer patients could be saved by earlier evaluation and intervention by the PICU team when they have a less severe disease.
Sepsis is one of the causes of pre-treatment morbidity and mortality in the pediatric age group. In the present study, we investigated the place of the immature granulocyte percentage, (IG) immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF), and immature platelet fraction (IPF) in the diagnosis of sepsis.Complete blood count, C-reactive protein, (CRP) procalcitonin (PCT) and blood cultures were measured in 125 critical patients who were followed-up in the intensive care unit with the suspicion of sepsis and 65 healthy children between 2017 and 2019. In addition to the complete blood counts and routine parameters, IG, IRF, and IPF were examined in the patients.When the critical patient group and the healthy control group were compared, it was found that the total number of leukocytes (white blood cells), neutrophil count, platelet count, CRP, PCT, IG, IRF, and IPF values were higher at statistically significant levels. When septic and non-septic patients were compared, it was found that the CRP, PCT,IGP, and IPF were higher at statistically significant levels in the septic patients.It was concluded that CRP, PCT, IG, and IPF were significant in determining sepsis and that PCT was the most sensitive and specific biomarker in these parameters. We believe that these parameters may be suitable for practical use in determining sepsis because they give faster results and suggest the diagnosis of sepsis.
Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the thiamine pyrophosphate deficiency and effects on critical illness hyperglycemia in pediatric intensive care. Materials-Methods: 126 critically ill children included to the study which applied to Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Age, sex, diagnosis and presence of malnutrition in admission to ICU; Pediatric risk of Mortality III (PRISM III) and Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction (PELOD) scores; mechanical ventilation and length of stay in ICU was evaluated. Blood glucose, thiamine pyrophosphate, cortisol, insulin, C-peptide, HbA1c level, serum lactate in blood gas were analyzed at the time of application. Results: The patients grouped based on blood glucose levels, the group whose glucose level in blood is more than 150 mg/dl (n:75); PRISM and PELOD scores were high, mechanical ventilation and length of stay in intensive care were longer, thiamine pyrophosphate levels were lower (p<0.001, p=0.005, p=0.008, p<0.001, p<0.01). In case of blood glucose >150 mg/dl (n:51) and thiamine pyrophosphate <180 nmol/l is together; mortality increases 3.342-fold and the case was statistically significant (p=0.014). The group whose glucose level in blood is more than 150 mg/dl respectively, insulin, c-peptide and cortisol levels found high and the findings were statistically significant (p<0.001, p=0.005, p=0.040). Conclusion: Stress hyperglycemia is a common situation seen in critically ill patients as a cause of worse clinical outcomes. Identification of stress hyperglycemia due to thiamine deficiency is difficult but it will shed light on the treatment of critically ill children.
Introduction: Hyponatremia is accepted as an independent risk factor in pediatric intensive care units. Many comorbidities such as infectious diseases, central nervous system problems and incorrect replacement solutions are blamed in the pathogenesis of hyponatremia. In this study, we aimed to investigate the etiology and prognosis of hyponatremia in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 342 pediatric patients hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit of Kayseri City Hospital. Patients with a serum sodium level below 135 mEq/L were considered hyponatremia. Critical hyponatremia was defined as serum sodium less than 125 mEq/L. Data on length of hospital stay, mortality and comorbidities were analyzed. Results: The data of 342 pediatric patients were evaluated. The male/female ratio was 192/150 (56.1% vs. 43.9%). The mean age of the patients was 41.78 months (±57.7) (min-max 1-212). Twenty-five patients had serum sodium below 125 mEq/L, which could be defined as critical hyponatremia. The mean sodium was 131 (±3.3) mEq/L (min-max: 109-134). The levels of serum creatinine significantly differs before and after treatment (p<0.001). The mean resolution time of hyponatremia was 2.1 days (±1.29) (min-max: 1-12) Serum sodium was 125 mEq/L and below in a total of 23 patients. The mortality rate was 23% in all patients at the end of their follow-up. Conclusions: Hyponatremia is a common problem in pediatric intensive care unit. Especially severe hyponatremia can be related with increased mortality. Close monitoring of sodium is needed in especially trauma patients and central pathologies as well as bronchopneumonia patients.