Both PSB and BAL are reliable to diagnose bacterial nosocomial pneumonia. Because CFU-BAL and IC-BAL seemed more resistant to the effects of antibiotics, we recommend BAL rather than PSB if the patient is already receiving antibiotics.

In this study, trends in serum bicarbonate and lactate somewhat characterized the recovery of children with septic shock. Based on our data, it is unclear how other markers may have been used to modify therapy.

BackgroundAccurate assessment of renal function is crucial in intensive care to guide therapy. Both acute kidney injury and augmented renal clearance (ARC) may compromise outcome. Common formulas to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are unreliable in critically ill adults.1 A comparison of a gold standard technique to assess GFR with these formula-based estimations has never been reported in pediatric intensive care (PICU) patients. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of measuring plasma iohexol clearance (CLIOHEX) for GFR assessment in critically ill children and to compare CLIOHEX with estimated GFR using the modified Schwartz formula (eGFRSchwartz).MethodsA prospective, interventional study was conducted at the PICU of the Ghent University Hospital, Belgium. Critically ill children without chronic kidney disease were included. After injection of a weight-dependent bolus of iohexol, serial blood samples (n=6) were taken over a 6-hours interval. CLIOHEX was compared to eGFRSchwartz. Correlation between both methods was assessed by a Pearson´s correlation coefficient (r).Bland-Altman plots were evaluated to assess bias and limits of agreement (LOA). ARC was defined as a GFR exceeding normal values for age plus two standard deviations.Results40 patients, median age 16 months (range 15 days -13,6 years), 72,5% males, were included. No adverse effects related to iohexol were observed. Median CLIOHEX was 121 ml/min/1.73m2 (range: 43–221 ml/min/1.73m2). ARC was present in 20 patients based on CLIOHEX. Median eGFRSchwartz was 81 ml/min/1.73m2 (range: 31–131 ml/min/1.73m2). Only 1 patient was identified with ARC by eGFRSchwartz. eGFRSchwartz was systematically lower than CLIOHEX. There was a good correlation between CLIOHEX and eGFRSchwartz (r = 0,69; p< 0,01). Bias was 34 ml/min/1.73m2 with LOA (-24,5; 93 ml/min/1.73m2)ConclusionCLIOHEX was safely used to measure true GFR in critically ill children. eGFRSchwartz systematically underestimates GFR, especially in patients with ARC and seems not reliable in this patient population.ReferenceBaptista JP, Neves M, Rodrigues L, Teixeira L, Pinho J, Pimentel J ( 2014) Accuracy of the estimation of glomerular filtration rate within a population of critically ill patients. J Nephrol. 27:403–410.Disclosure(s)Nothing to disclose