Journal of Obesity & Eating Disorders

Obesity in pediatric critical illness

INTERNATIONAL OBESITY, BARIATRIC AND METABOLIC SURGERY SUMMIT AND EXPO
August 23-24, 2017 | Toronto, Canada

Michael J Hobson

Riley Hospital for Children, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Obes Eat Disord

DOI: 10.21767/2471-8203-C1-003

Abstract

With the ongoing rise in obesity, clinicians will increasingly care for more obese children struck with critical illness. Clinical management in these patients often become complicated, as obesity adversely impacts numerous organ systems. First, routine bedside care and medical procedures are impaired by the effect of obesity. Second, the critically ill obese child has a unique pulmonary physiology that has implications for their care, including difficulties with airway management and mechanical ventilation. From a cardiovascular standpoint, the obesity cardiomyopathy affects the hemodynamic management of these patients in the pediatric ICU. Next, the nutritional support and pharmacologic management, including medication dosing, are additional areas of challenge and controversy with regard to the care of these children. These children are also at higher risk for ICU-associated complications, including healthcare acquired infections and venous thromboembolic disease. Lastly, specific pediatric diseases are significantly impacted by obesity; this includes trauma, burn injuries, asthma, and pediatric cancer. Clinicians should recognize obese children as a unique patient population that merit special attention.