Pearls • Serum creatinine is a crude assessment of filtration, influenced by several factors other than glomerular function, including gender, age, muscle mass, dilution, concentration relative to steady state, lack…
Pearls • Development of the definitive human kidney or metanephros begins at 5 weeks’ gestation and is complete by 34 to 36 weeks’ gestation, with an average of 1 million…
Pearls • Abnormalities in acid-base balance should be anticipated in all critically ill children due to their underlying disease or intensive care unit therapy and should be monitored closely. •…
Pearls • Multiple imaging modalities are available for evaluation of the brain, head, neck, and spine of the critically ill child. The most appropriate modality depends on consideration of patient…
Pearls • Hypotonic maintenance intravenous (IV) fluids are associated with mild to moderate hyponatremia in postoperative patients. Anesthesia, stress, and inflammatory mediators may contribute. Electrolyte monitoring in patients at risk…
Pearls • Cardiac arrest in pediatric patients is predominantly due to asphyxia. This is in contrast to adults, for whom, despite an increase in asphyxial cardiac arrest related to the…
Pearls • The classic triad of fever, neck stiffness, and a change in mental status is present in less than 50% of pediatric meningitis cases. • Streptococcus species (particularly viridans…
Pearls • Increased survival from pediatric critical illness has been accompanied by an increase in both short- and long-term morbidities for children undergoing active neurocognitive development. • The harms of…
Pearls • Childhood stroke includes arterial ischemic stroke, cerebral sinus venous thrombosis, and intracranial hemorrhage. • Diagnosis of acute stroke in childhood is often delayed owing to failure to detect…
Pearls • Hydrocephalus is a common brain disease characterized by a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain, causing elevated intracranial pressure. Untreated hydrocephalus can be a medical emergency, requiring…
