Pearls • The stress response is a universal, stereotypical, and integrated neurogenic, endocrine, inflammatory, and metabolic systems response with multiple feed-forward and feed-backward modulation signaling designed to maximize host survival….
Pearls • The goal of precision medicine in the context of critical care is for treatment strategies to be developed that take into account the variability seen between individuals. •…
Pearls • Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for children with end-stage renal disease; children have high priority in the deceased donor allocation policy. • Upon arrival in the…
Pearls • Modern respiratory care requires a major institutional commitment in resource allocation for state-of the-art management of the pediatric patient requiring mechanical ventilation. • A comprehensive and unified approach…
Pearls • Much of the practice of brain-directed critical care in children is empiric, but studies in traumatic brain injury show that protocol-directed care with multidisciplinary teams in the intensive…
Pearls • In humans, general central nervous system anatomy is established by birth. However, the brain undergoes substantial postnatal development, including changes in synaptic density and dendritic arborization, maturation of…
Pearls • A seizure is a paroxysmal central nervous system disorder resulting from excessive hypersynchronous discharge of cortical neurons. • Status epilepticus is a common pediatric neurologic emergency that requires…
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…
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 • 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…
