As one of the important causes of death in critically ill patients，septic shock has always been the focus of research in the field of critical care medicine.Correct and rational use of vasoactive drug is an important treatment for septic shock.The hemodynamic changes of septic shock in children and adults are different，which lead to the different use of vasoactive drugs.This review summarized the similarities and differences of the application of vasoactive drugs between children and adults with septic shock，thus could provide a reference for clinical practice.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension（PAH）is a clinical syndrome characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance and elevated pulmonary arterial pressure，which subsequently leads to right heart failure and even death.PAH is caused by a variety of etiologic and pathogenic mechanisms，including congenital and acquired.Epigenetics is the study of the altered expression and function of genes that produce heritable phenotypes without changes in DNA sequence，and it bridges the relationship between environment and heredity.There is growing evidence that epigenetic modifications，including DNA methylation，histone modifications，and non-coding RNA，play important roles in the development of PAH.This review focused on the mechanisms and progress of epigenetic involvement in the development of PAH.

Severe acute poisoning can lead to respiratory and circulatory failure which can endanger the lives of patients，conventional treatment is limited,and the prognosis is poor.In recent years，extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has developed rapidly，which opens up a new way of treatment for acute poisoning.This paper reviewed the application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in various types of acute poisoning，in order to improve the awareness of clinical doctors on the application of this method and improve the success rate of treatment.

Objective:To investigate respiratory virus infection in children with septic shock in pediatric care units (PICU) in China and its influence on clinical outcomes.Methods:The clinical data of children with septic shock in children′s PICU from January 2018 to December 2019 in 10 Chinese hospitals were retrospectively collected. They were divided into the pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 groups according to the onset of disease, and the characteristics and composition of respiratory virus in the 2 groups were compared. Matching age, malignant underlying diseases, bacteria, fungi and other viruses, a new database was generated using 1∶1 propensity score matching method. The children were divided into the respiratory virus group and non-respiratory virus group according to the presence or absence of respiratory virus infection; their clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment were compared by t-test, rank sum test and Chi-square test. The correlation between respiratory virus infection and the clinical outcomes was analyzed by logistic regression. Results:A total of 1 247 children with septic shock were included in the study, of them 748 were male; the age was 37 (11, 105) months. In the pre-and post-COVID-19 groups, there were 530 and 717 cases of septic shock, respectively; the positive rate of respiratory virus was 14.9% (79 cases) and 9.8% (70 cases); the seasonal distribution of septic shock was 28.9% (153/530) and 25.9% (185/717) in autumn, and 30.3% (161/530) and 28.3% (203/717) in winter, respectively, and the corresponding positive rates of respiratory viruses were 19.6% (30/153) and 15.7% (29/185) in autumn, and 21.1% (34/161) and 15.3% (31/203) in winter, respectively. The positive rates of influenza virus and adenovirus in the post-COVID-19 group were lower than those in the pre-COVID-19 group (2.1% (15/717) vs. 7.5% (40/530), and 0.7% (5/717) vs. 3.2% (17/530), χ2=21.51 and 11.08, respectively; all P<0.05). Rhinovirus virus were higher than those in the pre-Covid-19 group (1.7% (12/717) vs. 0.2% (1/530), χ2=6.51, P=0.011). After propensity score matching, there were 147 cases in both the respiratory virus group and the non-respiratory virus group. Rate of respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress, rate of disseminated coagulation dysfunction, and immunoglobulin usage of the respiratory virus group were higher than those of non-respiratory virus group (77.6% (114/147) vs. 59.2% (87/147), 17.7% (26/147) vs. 4.1% (6/147), 15.6% (25/147) vs. 4.1% (7/147), and 35.4% (52/147) vs. 21.4% (32/147); χ2=11.07, 14.02, 11.06 and 6.67, all P<0.05); and PICU hospitalization of the former was longer than that of the later (7 (3, 16) vs. 3 (1, 7)d, Z=5.01, P<0.001). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of respiratory viral infection was associated with respiratory failure, disseminated coagulation dysfunction, the use of mechanical ventilation, and the use of immunoglobulin and anti-respiratory viral drugs ( OR=2.42, 0.22, 0.25, 0.56 and 1.12, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The composition of respiratory virus infection in children with septic shock is different between pre and post-COVID-19. Respiratory viral infection is associated with organ dysfunction in children with septic shock. Decreasing respiratory viral infection through respiratory protection may improve the clinical outcome of these children.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features, pathogen composition, and prognosis of septic shock in pediatric intensive care units (PICU) in China.Methods:A multicenter retrospective cohort study. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of children with septic shock from 10 hospitals in China between January 2018 and December 2021. The clinical features, pathogen composition, and outcomes were collected. Patients were categorized into malignant tumor and non-malignant tumor groups, as well as survival and mortality groups. T test, Mann Whitney U test or Chi square test were used respectively for comparing clinical characteristics and prognosis between 2 groups. Multiple Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for mortality. Results:A total of 1 247 children with septic shock were included, with 748 males (59.9%) and the age of 3.1 (0.9, 8.8) years. The in-patient mortality rate was 23.2% (289 cases). The overall pathogen positive rate was 68.2% (851 cases), with 1 229 pathogens identified. Bacterial accounted for 61.4% (754 strains) and virus for 24.8% (305 strains). Among all bacterium, Gram negative bacteria constituted 64.2% (484 strains), with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter being the most common; Gram positive bacteria comprised 35.8% (270 strains), primarily Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species. Influenza virus (86 strains (28.2%)), Epstein-Barr virus (53 strains (17.4%)), and respiratory syncytial virus (46 strains (17.1%)) were the top three viruses. Children with malignant tumors were older and had higher pediatric risk of mortality (PRISM) Ⅲ score, paediatric sequential organ failure assessment (pSOFA) score (7.9 (4.3, 11.8) vs. 2.3 (0.8, 7.5) years old, 22 (16, 26) vs. 16 (10, 24) points, 10 (5, 14) vs. 8 (4, 12) points, Z=11.32, 0.87, 4.00, all P<0.05), and higher pathogen positive rate, and in-hospital mortality (77.7% (240/309) vs. 65.1% (611/938), 29.7% (92/309) vs. 21.0% (197/938), χ2=16.84, 10.04, both P<0.05) compared to the non-tumor group. In the death group, the score of PRISM Ⅲ, pSOFA (16 (22, 29) vs. 14 (10, 20) points, 8 (12, 15) vs. 6 (3, 9) points, Z=4.92, 11.88, both P<0.05) were all higher, and presence of neoplastic disease, positive rate of pathogen and proportion of invasive mechanical ventilation in death group were also all higher than those in survival group (29.7% (87/289) vs. 23.2% (222/958), 77.8% (225/289) vs. 65.4% (626/958), 73.7% (213/289) vs. 50.6% (485/958), χ2=5.72, 16.03, 49.98, all P<0.05). Multiple Logistic regression showed that PRISM Ⅲ, pSOFA, and malignant tumor were the independent risk factors for mortality ( OR=1.04, 1.09, 0.67, 95% CI 1.01-1.05, 1.04-1.12, 0.47-0.94, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Bacterial infection are predominant in pediatric septic shock, but viral infection are also significant. Children with malignancies are more severe and resource consumptive. The overall mortality rate for pediatric septic shock remains high, and mortality are associated with malignant tumor, PRISM Ⅲ and pSOFA scores.

Fluid overload is frequently found in critically ill patients with pediatric heart failure.Volume management is one of the important therapeutic measures for pediatric patients with heart failure, the aim of which is to achieve the best individual volume homeostasis.Assessment of volume status is the premise and foundation of volume management.The comprehensive evaluation and effective management of volume status leave clinical doctors a great challenge.In order to provide guidance and evidence for clinicians, this review elucidated the methods for assessment and management of volume status for pediatric patients with heart failure.

Hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and even glucose metabolism crisis and cerebral edema are common complications in critically ill children with glucose metabolism disorders.In clinical practice, blood glucose monitoring should be strengthened.When glucose is abnormal, it should be treated in time to control it within the normal range and reduce complications.This review elucidated and discussed the diagnosis of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, blood glucose monitoring, glycemic target and treatment scheme for abnormal glucose metabolism in critically ill children to provide suggestions for blood glucose management in pediatric intensive care unit.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics, treatment and prognosis of pediatric severe sepsis in PICU in Shandong Province from 2018 to 2021, in order to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of severe sepsis in children.Methods:A multicenter retrospective observational study was conducted at PICUs from 19 hospitals in Shandong Province.Patients aged>28 days and ≤18 years, diagnosed with severe sepsis or septic shock who admitted to these PICUs during January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2021 were enrolled.Results:(1)From 2018 to 2021, the total number of hospitalized children and the number of children with severe sepsis admitted to the PICU showed an overall downward trend, with the most significant decrease in 2020.(2)During the study period, among the hospitalized children in PICU, the prevalence rate of children with severe sepsis fluctuated from 1.95% to 2.37%, and the median age fluctuated from 1.29 to 2.00 years old, more males than females.(3)Median pediatric sequential organ failure assessment score fluctuated between 5 and 6 at 24 hours after admission.(4)The most common primary infection site was the respiratory system, followed by the digestive system.(5)Since 2020, the propotion of children receiving fluid resuscitation, blood purification, mechanical ventilation, and glucocorticoid therapy has decreased significantly.(6)The median length of PICU stay was 9.22 to 11.51 days.(7)The median PICU costs decreased significantly from 41 075 yuan in 2018 to 30 972 yuan in 2021.(8)In-hospital mortality showed an overall decreased trend, reaching a maximum of 17.61% in 2019 and a minimum of 12.77% in 2020.Conclusion:From 2018 to 2021, there was no significant change in the incidence of pediatric severe sepsis in PICUs in Shandong province while the overall in-hospital mortality rate and the PICU costs showed a reduced trend.

Clq/tumor necrosis factor related proteins(CTRPs)are a newly discovered superfamily of proteins with wide tissue distribution and diverse biological functions, which are involved in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, vascular endothelial cell function and inflammatory response.There are few studies on the relationship between CTRP family and sepsis, and a few studies have shown that some CTRP family members are involved in the occurrence and development of sepsis.This review introduced the role of CTRP family in sepsis and related mechanism.

Objective:To analyze the difference of clinical characteristics and outcomes of infants with moderate and severe pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome(PARDS)diagnosed according to baseline oxygenation index(OI) in pediatric intensive care unit(PICU).Methods:Second analysis of the data collected from the "Efficacy of pulmonary surfactant (PS) in the treatment of children with moderate and severe ARDS" program.Retrospectively compare of the differences in clinical data such as general condition, underlying diseases, OI, mechanical ventilation, PS administration and outcomes among infants with moderate and severe PARDS divided by baseline OI who admitted to PICUs at 14 participating tertiary hospitals from 2016 to December 2021.Results:Among the 101 cases, 55 cases (54.5%) were moderate and 46 cases (45.5%) were severe PARDS.The proportion of male in the severe group (50.0% vs.72.7%, P=0.019) and the pediatric critical illness score(PCIS)[72 (68, 78) vs.76 (70, 80), P=0.019] were significantly lower than those in the moderate group, while there was no significant difference regarding age, body weight, etiology of PARDS and underlying diseases.The utilization rate of high-frequency ventilator in the severe group was significantly higher than that in the moderate group (34.8% vs.10.9%, P=0.004), but there was no significant difference in PS use, fluid load and pulmonary complications.The 24 h OI improvement (0.26±0.33 vs.0.04±0.34, P=0.001) and the 72 h OI improvement[0.34 (-0.04, 0.62) vs.0.15 (-0.14, 0.42), P=0.029)]in the severe group were significantly better than those in the moderate group, but there was no significant difference regarding mortality, length of hospital stay and intubation duration after diagnosis of PARDS between the two groups. Conclusion:In moderate and severe(divided by baseline OI) PARDS infants with invasive mechanical ventilation, children in severe group have better oxygenation improvement in the early stage after PARDS identified and are more likely to receive high frequency ventilation compared to those in moderate group.Baseline OI can not sensitively distinguish the outcomes and is not an ideal index for PARDS grading of this kind of patient.