scholarly journals The Role of Antifungals in Pediatric Critical Care Invasive Fungal Infections

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashlesha Kaushik ◽  
Helen Kest

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) have seen considerable increase in pediatric intensive care units over the past several decades. IFIs are predominantly caused by Candida species, and candidemia is the third most common cause of healthcare-associated bloodstream infections (BSIs) in children. IFIs are opportunistic infections that affect pediatric patients in critical care resulting in significant morbidity and mortality especially in those with a compromised immune system. IFIs are the leading cause of death in children with comorbidities such as immunosuppression, and pediatric ICU admission has been shown to be an independent risk factor for mortality. Management of IFI and fungal sepsis is broad and encompasses several key components that include prompt initiation of therapy and rapid source identification and control. This study reviews important antifungals in the pediatric critical care setting including the pharmacologic properties, antifungal spectrum, adverse effects, and clinical uses of agents belonging to the four major classes of antifungals—the polyenes, azoles, echinocandins, and pyrimidine analogue flucytosine. The polyenes and azoles are the most often used classes of antifungals. The echinocandins are a relatively newer class of antifungal agents that offer excellent Candida activity and are currently recommended as the first-line therapy for invasive candidiasis.

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. CMPed.S8028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael H. Wilke

Introduction Invasive fungal infection in pediatric intensive care units (PICU) is a rising challenge. Candida species are the most common microorganisms in these infections. Due to growing resistance against fluconazole, echinocandins are being used for the appropriate therapy. However, the recent IDSA guidelines recommend them only in cases where fluconazole or Amphotericin B cause treatment failure or are contraindicated. In a literature review, the importance of invasive fungal infections in PICU settings and the role of anidulafungin shall be examined. Materials and Methods Articles were retrieved form PubMed covering the years 2000–2012. Various search terms were used. Then the articles were clustered in different types like ‘review,’ ‘pharmacokinetics,’ ‘case reports’ and others. Results From 67 search results, 14 articles were selected. Of these, 7 were related to anidulafungin, while 7 were related to echinocandins or fungal infections in the PICU. Anidulafungin was examined in 4 PK/PD studies where a good safety profile was found. No serious adverse events occurred. The articles reporting risk factors show that central venous catheters, receipt of antibiotics, receipt of parenteral nutrition, and neutropenia are the most important independent risk factors for invasive fungal infections in PICU. Three reviews of antifungal agents show that echinocandins may be useful due to their safety profile; micafungin is the best examined one and further trials are needed. Discussion The published literature on invasive fungal infections in PICU settings has grown over the years. There are only a few articles, however, which are directly related to the use of anidulafungin in this setting. A most recent publication showed good PK/PD dynamics and a good safety profile for anidulafungin. So far, no RCT in the area of invasive candidiasis in infants and neonates has been published. A review of currently registered trials at ClinicalTrials.gov has shown one more trial related to PK/PD and two trials that investigate the use of anidulafungin or anidulafungin in combination with Voriconazole in pediatrics. Conclusion The small body of existing literature on anidulafungin in infants shows success in treatment, no drug-related adverse events, and good pharmacodynamics. A dosing of 0.75 mg/kg/day or 1.5 mg/kg/day is as effective as 50 mg/day or 100 mg/day in adults. More trials on the use in clinical reality of PICU or NICU should follow.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 180-185
Author(s):  
Zümrüt Şahbudak Bal ◽  
Muhterem Duyu ◽  
Fulya Kamit ◽  
Pınar Yazıcı ◽  
Ayşe Berna Anıl ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nahom Worku Teshager ◽  
Ashenafi Tazebew Amare ◽  
koku Tamirat

Abstract Background Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) tremendously improves the success of saving patients having potentially life-threatening illness. An accurate estimate of lives saved through pediatric critical care intervention is important to evaluate the quality of the health care system. Data on pediatric critical care in developing countries remain scarce yet is much needed to improve clinical practices and outcomes. This study aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of mortality in the pediatric intensive care unit in the study setting.Method An institution based prospective cohort study was conducted from February 2018 to July 2019. We collected data by interview, chart and registration book review. Life table was used to estimate the cumulative survival of patients and Log rank test was used to compare survival curves between different categories of the explanatory variables. Survival trend over the follow up time was described using the Kaplan Meier graph. Bivariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model were used to identify predictors.Result Based on the 10 th version of international classifications of disease (ICD) of WHO, neurologic disorders (22.7%) infectious disease (18.8%) and environmental hazards (11.8%) account for the top three diagnoses. The median observation time was 3 days with IQR of 1 to 6 days. Of the total of 313 participants, 102 (32.6%) died during the follow-up time. This gives the incidence of mortality of 6.9 deaths per 100 person day observation. Caregivers’ occupation of government-employed (AHR=0.35, 95%CI: 0.14, 0.89), weekend admission (AHR=1.63, 95%CI: 1.02, 2.62), critical illness (AHR=1.79, 95%CI: 1.13, 2.85) Mechanical ventilation AHR=2.36,95%CI: 1.39, 4.01)and PIM2 score (AHR=1.53, 95%CI: 1.36, 1.72) were predictors of mortality in the pediatric ICU.Conclusion Neurologic disorder was the leading causes of admission followed by infectious diseases, and environmental hazards. Rate of mortality was high and admission over weekends, caregivers' occupation, mechanical ventilation, critical illness diagnosis, and higher PIM2 scores were found to be significant and independent predictors of mortality at the PICU. This suggests that ICU medical equipment, diagnostics, and interventions should be available up to the standard. Intensivist and full staffing around the clock has to be available in the PICU.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nahom Worku Teshager ◽  
Ashenafi Tazebew Amare ◽  
koku Tamirat

Abstract Background Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) tremendously improves the success of saving patients having potentially life-threatening illness. An accurate estimate of lives saved through pediatric critical care intervention is important to evaluate the quality of the health care system. Data on pediatric critical care in developing countries remain scarce yet is much needed to improve clinical practices and outcomes. This study aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of mortality in the pediatric intensive care unit in the study setting.Method An institution based prospective cohort study was conducted from February 2018 to July 2019. We collected data by interview, chart and registration book review. Life table was used to estimate the cumulative survival of patients and Log rank test was used to compare survival curves between different categories of the explanatory variables. Survival trend over the follow up time was described using the Kaplan Meier graph. Bivariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model were used to identify predictors.Result Based on the 10 th version of international classifications of disease (ICD) of WHO, neurologic disorders (22.7%) infectious disease (18.8%) and environmental hazards (11.8%) account for the top three diagnoses. The median observation time was 3 days with IQR of 1 to 6 days. Of the total of 313 participants, 102 (32.6%) died during the follow-up time. This gives the incidence of mortality of 6.9 deaths per 100 person day observation. Caregivers’ occupation of government-employed (AHR=0.35, 95%CI: 0.14, 0.89), weekend admission (AHR=1.63, 95%CI: 1.02, 2.62), critical illness (AHR=1.79, 95%CI: 1.13, 2.85) Mechanical ventilation AHR=2.36,95%CI: 1.39, 4.01)and PIM2 score (AHR=1.53, 95%CI: 1.36, 1.72) were predictors of mortality in the pediatric ICU.Conclusion Neurologic disorder was the leading causes of admission followed by infectious diseases, and environmental hazards. Rate of mortality was high and admission over weekends, caregivers' occupation, mechanical ventilation, critical illness diagnosis, and higher PIM2 scores were found to be significant and independent predictors of mortality at the PICU. This suggests that ICU medical equipment, diagnostics, and interventions should be available up to the standard. Intensivist and full staffing around the clock has to be available in the PICU.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 166-175 ◽  
Author(s):  

Pediatric critical care medicine has matured dramatically during the past two decades. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of life-threatening processes and the technologic capacity to monitor and treat pediatric patients suffering from them have advanced rapidly during this period. Along with the scientific and technical advances has been the evolution of the pediatric intensive care unt (PICU), where the special needs of critically ill or injured children can be met by pediatric specialists. In 1985, the American Board of Pediatrics recognized the new subspecialty of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine and established criteria for subspecialty certification. The American Boards of Medicine, Surgery, and Anesthesiology gave similar recognition to the subspecialty. In 1990, the Residency Review Committee of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education completed its first accreditation of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Training Programs. In view of these developments, the Pediatric Section of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Critical Care Medicine and Committee on Hospital Care believe that existing published1 guidelines should now be revised for the pediatric intensive care unit. This policy represents the consensus of the three above-mentioned groups who believe the recommendations that follow are current, necessary, and attainable in 1993. The guidelines are not intended as a statement of the ideal or ultimate requirements for PICUs. We expect standards for PICUs to rise as critical care medicine continues to develop and appropriately trained providers become more readily available. In view of these developments, the Pediatric Section of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Critical Care Medicine and Committee on Hospital Care believe that existing published1 guidelines should now be revised for the pediatric intensive care unit.


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