RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence and factors associated with constipation in critically ill children. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a prospective observational study that included children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit for more than 3 days. Constipation was defined as more than 3 days without a bowel movement. Relationships between constipation and demographic data; clinical severity score; use of mechanical ventilation, use of vasoconstrictors, sedatives, and muscle relaxants; nutritional data; electrolyte disturbances; and clinical course were analyzed. RESULTS: Constipation developed in 46.7% of the 150 patients studied (mean age, 34.3 ± 7.1 months). It was most common in postoperative, older, and higher-body-weight patients, and in those with fecal continence (P < .01). Compared with patients without constipation, patients with constipation had higher severity scores and more frequently received midazolam, fentanyl, muscle relaxants, and inotropic support (P < .05). Patients with constipation also started nutrition later and with a lower volume of nutrition (P < .01). There were no between-group differences in mortality or length of pediatric intensive care unit stay. In multivariate analysis, independent factors associated with constipation were body weight (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03-1.13), Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 score (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.09), admission after surgery (OR, 7.64; 95% CI, 2.56-22.81), and treatment with vasoconstrictors (OR, 10.28; 95% CI, 3.53-29.93). CONCLUSION: Constipation is common in critically ill children. Body weight, Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 clinical severity score, admission after surgery, and the need for vasoconstrictor therapy are major independent risk factors associated with constipation.
Assuntos
Constipação Intestinal/etiologia , Peso Corporal , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Estado Terminal , Eletrólitos , Feminino , Hospitalização , Humanos , Hipnóticos e Sedativos/efeitos adversos , Lactente , Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica , Masculino , Relaxantes Musculares Centrais/efeitos adversos , Estudos Prospectivos , Análise de Regressão , Respiração Artificial/efeitos adversos , Fatores de Risco , Vasoconstritores/efeitos adversosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare a standard diet and a protein-enriched diet in critically ill children. STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective randomized controlled trial in critically ill children, all patients received enteral nutrition exclusively and were randomly assigned to a standard diet or a protein-enriched diet (1.1 g protein/100 mL of feeding formula). Blood and urine tests, nitrogen balance assessment, and energy expenditure testing by indirect calorimetry were performed before the beginning of the nutrition regimen and at 24 hours, 72 hours, and 5 days after initiation. Demographic data and pediatric mortality risk scores were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-one children were randomized, and 41 completed the study. Of these, 21 patients received standard formula and 20 received a protein-enriched formula. There were no between-group differences in terms age, sex, diagnosis, or mortality risk scores. There was a greater positive trend in levels of prealbumin, transferrin, retinol-binding protein, and total protein in the protein-enriched diet group. These differences were significant only for retinol-binding protein. The positive nitrogen balance trend was also higher in the protein-enriched diet group; however, this difference did not reach statistical significance. No adverse effects or hyperproteinemia were detected in the protein-enriched diet group. CONCLUSIONS: The standard diet provides insufficient protein delivery to critically ill children. Enteral protein supplementation is safe and can improve some biochemical parameters of protein metabolism.