Meropenem-induced thrombocytopenia: a paediatric case

Meropenem is a broad-spectrum carbapenem widely used to treat both Gram-positive and negative bacterial infections, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing microbes. We describe the occurrence of thrombocytopenia and hypersensitivity in a boy receiving intravenous meropenem for intra-abdominal sepsis secondary to perforated appendicitis. The patient developed a pruritic maculopapular rash with occasional petechiae, associated with severe thrombocytopenia, after 7 days of meropenem administration. Investigations for other causes of thrombocytopenia, including possible line sepsis, were unfruitful, and the thrombocytopenia did not resolve until cessation of meropenem. Drug-induced reactions should be considered in children receiving meropenem who present with a rash and thrombocytopenia.

A240 HOME PARENTERAL NUTRITION IN OLDER VERSUS YOUNGER PATIENTS: CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTCOMES

Background There is a demographic shift toward older patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN) but there is little data on their clinical characteristics and outcomes versus younger HPN patients. Aims The objective of this study was to determine if there are any differences between older (> 60 years) and younger (18–59 years) HPN patients in regard to HPN indications, prescriptions and outcomes over the first 2 years receiving HPN. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from HPN adult patients entered in the password protected web-based Canadian HPN Registry. New HPN patients enrolled between 2003 and 2017 and receiving HPN for 2 years were selected from 8 participating programs across Canada. Data included demographics, anthropometrics, PN prescriptions, line sepsis events, survival and quality of life based on the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS). Results 402 patients met the inclusion criteria: 184 patients were 60 years old or above (older group) and 219 patients were between 18 and 59 years old (younger group). Around 64% of both groups were female. There were no significant differences in the main indications for HPN, body mass index (BMI), and PN prescriptions at baseline. At 2-years, younger patients received more calories from PN than older patients (27.88 vs 19.56 Kcal/kg respectively, p <0.001) but BMI remained comparable between groups. There were less line sepsis in the older group versus the younger group (20% vs 36%, p=0.0023) but 78% of younger patients remained alive versus 69 % in the older group (p=0.0401). In those alive, the proportion of patients remaining on HPN was comparable (older group: 77%; younger; group 81%, p=0.4709) and the proportion of patients with a reasonable quality of life (KPS > 60) was similar (older group: 58%; younger group: 63%, p=0.2156). Conclusions Older HPN patients have similar clinical characteristics as younger patients but with reduced line sepsis events and higher 2-year mortality. Funding Agencies Ontario Medical Supply, Takeda, Fresenius Kabi and Baxter Inc

The association of perinatal and clinical factors with outcomes in infants with gastroschisis—a retrospective multicenter study in Finland

The aim of the present study was to assess the prognostic factors for the outcome of gastroschisis in Finland. A retrospective multicenter study of gastroschisis patients born between 1993 and 2015 in four Finnish university hospitals was undertaken, collecting perinatal, surgical, and clinical data of neonates for uni- and multifactorial modeling analysis. The aim of the present study was to identify risk factors for mortality and the composite adverse outcome (death and/or short bowel syndrome or hospital stay > 60 days). Of the 154 infants with gastroschisis, the overall survival rate was 90.9%. In Cox regression analysis, independent risk factors for mortality included liver herniation, pulmonary hypoplasia, relaparotomy for perforation or necrosis, abdominal compartment syndrome, and central line sepsis. Furthermore, a logistic regression analysis identified central line sepsis, abdominal compartment syndrome, complex gastroschisis, and a younger gestational age as independent predictors of the composite adverse outcome.Conclusion: The risk of death is increased in newborns with gastroschisis who have liver herniation, pulmonary hypoplasia, abdominal compartment syndrome, relaparotomy for perforation or necrosis, or central line–associated sepsis. Special care should be taken to minimize the risk of central line sepsis in the clinical setting. What is known:• Gastroschisis is a relatively rare congenital anomaly of the abdominal wall and its incidence is increasing.• Complex gastroschisis has been reported to increase risk of mortality and complications.What is new:• Central line sepsis was found to be independently associated with mortality in gastroschisis patients.• Liver herniation was also significantly associated with mortality.

The Association between Obesity and Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients

BACKGROUND: Obesity rates are increasing worldwide, particularly in North America. The impact of obesity on the outcome of critically ill patients is unclear.METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study of consecutive patients admitted to a tertiary critical care unit in Canada between January 10, 2008 and March 31, 2009 was conducted. Exclusion criteria were age <18 years, admission <24 h, planned cardiac surgery, pregnancy, significant ascites, unclosed surgical abdomen and brain death on admission. Height, weight and abdominal circumference were measured at the time of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Coprimary end points were ICU mortality and a composite of ICU mortality, reintubation, ventilator-associated pneumonia, line sepsis and ICU readmission. Subjects were stratified as obese or nonobese, using two separate metrics: body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2and a novel measurement of 75th percentile for waist-to-height ratio (WHR).RESULTS: Among 449 subjects with a BMI ≥18.5 kg/m2, both BMI and WHR were available for comparative analysis in 348 (77.5%). Neither measure of obesity was associated with the primary end points. BMI ≥30 kg/m2was associated with a lower odds of six-month mortality than the BMI <30 kg/m2group (adjusted OR 0.59 [95% CI 0.36 to 0.97]; P=0.04) but longer intubation times (adjusted RR 1.56 [95% CI 1.17 to 2.07]; P=0.003) and longer ICU length of stay (adjusted RR 1.67 [95% CI 1.21 to 2.31]; P=0.002). Conversely, measurement of 75th percentile for WHR was associated only with decreased ICU readmission (OR 0.23 [95% CI 0.07 to 0.79]; P=0.02).CONCLUSIONS: Obesity was not necessarily associated with worse outcomes in critically ill patients.