Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 30, 2025
Isolation and Quantification of Botulinum Neurotoxin From Complex Matrices Using the BoTest Matrix Assays
Published on: March 3, 2014
Botulism in the Pediatric Intensive Care Units in the United States: Interrogating a National Database
Cynthia Howes1, Kerith Hiatt1, Katherine Turlington2
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
Abstract:
Botulism in children can have severe complications necessitating intensive care. The current literature lacks data of children with botulism requiring critical care. We aim to describe the outcomes of pediatric botulism in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Retrospective cohort data from Virtual Pediatric Systems (VPS, LLC, Los Angeles, California), from 2009 to 2016 including all PICU admissions among children with botulism, were analyzed. Characteristics and outcomes were compared with similar studies. A total of 380 children were identified over 8 years. Our cohort had the shortest length of stay (median 4.6 days), the smallest percent requiring mechanical ventilation (40%), and the highest median age (120 days) amongst comparable studies. Length of mechanical ventilation and PICU stay has decreased among children with botulism. Advances in PICU care may have contributed to these improved outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....