Failure In Pediatric Patients Research Articles

Sacral Alar-Iliac (SAI) screw diameter is not associated with pelvic fixation failure for neuromuscular scoliosis patients.

Determine if Sacral Alar-Iliac (SAI) screw diameter is associated with pelvic fixation failure in pediatric patients with neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) treated with posterior spinal fusion (PSF). NMS patients from a single institution who underwent PSF with bilateral SAI screw fixation from 2010 to 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical parameters, SAI screw sizes, and radiographic outcomes were analyzed. Patients with greater or less than two SAI screws, > 21 years old, or with < 2 years of radiographic follow-up were excluded. 142 patients had 284 SAI screws placed. Mean(± SD) age was 13.6 ± 2.7 years. Preoperative curve magnitude averaged 84.3 ± 29.1°. Mean patient weight was 36.4 ± 14.1kg and BMI was 18 ± 5.1. Radiographic follow-up averaged 4.6 ± 2.0 years. Most screws (234/284,82.4%) were < 8.5 mm and 7.5 mm screws were most frequently used (158/248,55.6%). Mean screw diameter was 7.4 ± 0.7 mm. Patients with greater age, weight, and BMI trended towards larger screws. Three patients had five screw complications (1 screw fracture and 4 set screw dislodgments). One screw fracture (1/284,0.4%;7.5 mm diameter) and contralateral set screw dislodgement occurred in a patient at 14 months but was not revised. One patient who had bilateral set screws dislodge 3 months after PSF underwent revision. The remaining patient was asymptomatic and was observed. Screw diameter was not associated with risk of postoperative complications (p = 0.245). SAI screw fracture is rare after PSF in pediatric patients with NMS. Contrary to pelvic fixation in adults, smaller diameter SAI screws, which may be optimal in patients with smaller anatomy, were not associated with increased risk of screw failure. III.

P0947 A switch to infliximab may be more effective than ustekinumab following adalimumab pharmacodynamic failure in pediatric patients with Crohn’s disease

Abstract Background Loss of response (LOR) to first biologic agent is not uncommon. One of the most challenging mechanisms of LOR is pharmacodynamic LOR (inflammatory activity in the presence of adequate trough concentrations, TC). We aimed to explore the outcomes of pediatric patients with Crohn’s disease following adalimumab pharmacodynamic failure. Methods We conducted a retrospective longitudinal cohort study in 6 Israeli pediatric centers. Data of patients who experienced adalimumab LOR (as first biologic agent) with adequate TC (&amp;gt;7.5 mcg/ml) and switched to either infliximab or ustekinumab were retrieved. Results The cohort included 67 patients (66% males, mean age at diagnosis 12.2±2.8, B2 or B3 phenotype 16%, perianal disease 24%), with median duration on adalimumab of 17 (IQR 8-24) months and follow-up of 13 months (IQR 7-29) on the subsequent therapy. Median adalimumab TC before switching was 11.4 (IQR 8.5-16 mcg/ml). For the overall cohort, corticosteroid-free clinical remission and response were achieved in 43% and 67%, respectively. Of 36 follow-up colonoscopies, 25% achieved endoscopic remission. Most patients (84%) received intensified regimen after switching. Nine patients (13%) underwent surgical resection during follow-up. The two treatment groups (infliximab (n=32) and ustekinumab (n=35)) were comparable for all basic, demographic and disease severity parameters at the time of switching. The median follow-up period of both groups was similar, 12 (6-24) months. The infliximab group demonstrated better outcomes over ustekinumab at the end of follow-up in terms of clinical response (97% vs. 57%; p&amp;lt;0.001), corticosteroid-free clinical remission (56% vs. 31%; p=0.04), endoscopic response (83% vs. 28%; p=0.002), fecal calprotectin&amp;lt;250 (60% vs. 27%; p=0.03), drug sustainability (91% vs. 31%; p&amp;lt;0.001) and surgical rate (3% vs. 23%; p=0.02, 1 infliximab, 8 ustekinumab). Month 3 PCDAI was significantly lower [8.7 (IQR 0-17.5) vs. 21 (IQR 9-35); p&amp;lt;0.01), CRP remission was higher (60% vs. 23%; p=0.01) and median albumin concentration was higher [4.3 (IQR 39-4.5) vs. 3.8 (IQR 3.4-4); p=0.005] in the infliximab group. Conclusion Pediatric patients with Crohn’s disease following adalimumab pharmacodynamic failure with TL&amp;gt;7.5mcg/mL demonstrated moderate response to subsequent therapy. A switch in-class to infliximab may be more effective than a switch out of class to ustekinumab.

Risk Factors for Shunt Failure in Pediatric Patients with Hydrocephalus: A Systematic Literature Review

Background: Hydrocephalus in pediatric patients is a severe neurological condition requiring timely and effective treatment to prevent life-threatening complications. Shunt placement is the primary intervention to manage cerebrospinal fluid buildup, but shunt failure remains a persistent and critical challenge in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors influencing shunt success and explore infection prevention strategies to enhance treatment outcomes for pediatric patients. Methods: Using a systematic review of relevant literature accessed through PubMed, we analyzed studies selected based on strict inclusion criteria, including research type and publication year. Key findings from this analysis underscore several critical aspects: risk factors for shunt failure, the efficacy of innovative technologies, and infection prevention strategies. Results: Advanced devices like the Sophy valve and El-Shafei shunt system demonstrate promising potential in improving treatment outcomes, particularly in adult patients. However, their applicability in pediatric cases requires further exploration. Infection prevention strategies are vital to reducing complications, with approaches such as postoperative antibiotics and the use of antibiotic-impregnated cerebrospinal fluid shunt catheters proving effective in lowering postoperative infection rates. A cost-benefit analysis further highlights the economic viability of AISC utilization in standard practice. A comprehensive understanding of shunt failure risk factors and infection control measures is essential for optimizing pediatric hydrocephalus treatment. While new technologies and preventive strategies show significant promise, additional research comparing these innovations with conventional methods is necessary to fully establish their safety and efficacy. Conclusion: This study provides a foundation for advancing more effective, efficient, and economically viable treatment approaches for pediatric hydrocephalus patients.

Mixed T-Cell Chimerism Following Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Non-Malignant Disorders Is Common, Facilitates Anti-Viral Immunity, and Is Not Associated with Graft Failure in Pediatric Patients.

Myeloid chimerism better reflects donor stem cell engraftment than whole-blood chimerism in assessing graft function following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT). We describe our experience with 130 patients aged younger than 18 years, treated with allogeneic HCT using bone marrow or PBSC from HLA-matched donors for non-malignant diseases, whose pre-transplant conditioning therapy included alemtuzumab and who were monitored with lineage-specific chimerism after transplant. At 6 years post-transplant, overall survival (OS) was 91.1% and event-free survival (EFS) was 81.5%, with no grade III-IV acute GvHD or chronic GVHD observed. Recipient T-cells did not contribute to graft loss. Mixed T-cell chimerism (MC) did not affect EFS, and there was no connection between T-cell chimerism and myeloid chimerism in patients with MC or graft loss. MC significantly correlated with virus infection; more children with MC were CMV seropositive than those with complete chimerism (CC). Additionally, MC was more common in patients with CMV viramia post-transplant. CD8 T-cell reconstitution was affected by viral reactivation, including CMV, with CD8 T-cell counts higher in the MC group than in the CC group. Mixed T-cell chimerism is due to autologous, virus-specific, predominantly CD8, T-cell expansion, and is protective and not deleterious to the recipient.

False alarms and the burden of shunt failure in pediatric patients with hydrocephalus: a longitudinal study.

This study aimed to investigate the burden of CSF shunt failure and false alarms on pediatric patients with hydrocephalus, their caregivers, and the healthcare system. This retrospective longitudinal study examined pediatric patients who underwent CSF shunt procedures at Auckland City Hospital from January 2014 to December 2019. The study included patients aged 18 years or younger living within the hospital's catchment area. Clinical encounters were recorded from the date of their first shunt insertion until November 1, 2023. Data collected included patient demographics, hospital admissions, acute and elective shunt-related imaging, clinic visits, surgery times, and symptom characteristics. Shunt-related admissions were categorized as either shunt failures or false alarms. The cohort comprised 73 patients with follow-up periods ranging from 4 to 18 years. By the 1st year, 71% had been rehospitalized for shunt-related concerns, with 59% experiencing at least 1 false alarm and 38% experiencing at least 1 shunt failure. By the 4th year, 88% of patients had been rehospitalized for shunt-related concerns, 42% had experienced at least 3 false alarms, 60% had at least 1 shunt failure, and 25% had at least 3 shunt failures. The average accumulated hospital stay was 1 month for shunt failures and 2 weeks for false alarms, compared with 22 days for all other admissions. Frequent clinic interactions from multiple specialties highlighted the complex care needs of these patients. The timing of shunt failure or false alarm, but not symptom duration, significantly predicted their overall frequency. This study details the chronic burden and complex care requirements for pediatric patients with CSF shunts. Shunt-related concerns significantly and disproportionately contribute to the patients' total hospital interactions. The findings highlight the immediate clinical need for novel technologies to enable long-term and accurate detection of shunt failure to optimize patient care. Future efforts should focus on improving shunt systems to lower failure rates.

Cost-Effectiveness of Intensive Blood Pressure Control in Youth With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Intensive blood pressure (BP) control in youth with chronic kidney disease (CKD) slows progression, delaying the need for kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Most youth with CKD have hypertension and BP control is difficult to achieve outside of controlled experimental settings. Implementing effective BP control strategies in this population may be cost-saving despite requiring additional resources. Our objective was to determine the economic and clinical impact of intensive versus usual care for BP management in youth with CKD in a microeconomic model. We developed a decision tree from the US payer perspective to estimate the total costs and clinical effect of an intensified BP intervention over 5 years, modeled after the ESCAPE trial (Effect of Strict Blood Pressure Control and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme [ACE] Inhibition on Progression of Chronic Renal Failure in Pediatric Patients) protocol. We compared this intervention to usual care in a hypothetical population of youth with mild-to-moderate CKD. Probabilities were informed by published literature; cost estimates were informed by publicly available data. Our outcomes were the net discounted cost of an intensive BP intervention, number needed to treat with the intervention to prevent 1 KRT episode, and incremental cost per KRT episode avoided. An intensive BP intervention, with a goal of an average 24-hour mean arterial pressure <50th percentile, improved outcomes with net cost savings of $9440 per participant over 5 years compared with usual care. To prevent 1 episode of KRT over 5 years, 13 participants need to receive intensive BP intervention. Routine use of the ESCAPE protocol for intensive BP control in youth with CKD could save overall costs for the payer and improve clinical outcomes.

Acquired ineffective erythropoiesis in pediatric ECMO patients: Higher than anticipated serum EPO levels and lower than anticipated reticulocytes counts were associated with mortality.

ECMO plays a crucial role in treating severe respiratory and cardiac failure in pediatric patients. However, its impact on the regulation of erythropoietin (EPO) and erythropoiesis remains poorly understood. Factors such as improved oxygenation, inflammation, and hemodilution associated with ECMO treatment may influence EPO production and erythropoiesis. This study aimed to examine the effects of ECMO on EPO regulation and erythropoiesis in pediatric patients. This retrospective study serially quantified EPO serum levels, measured markers of erythropoiesis, and tabulated clinical outcomes of pediatric ECMO patients. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to identify associations between biomarkers and clinical care parameters. Preliminary findings suggest a disconnection between elevated EPO levels and reduced markers of erythropoiesis or iron metabolism, indicating ineffective erythropoiesis. Patients receiving more than 10mL/kg/day of RBC transfusions had higher reticulocyte counts. Non-survivors had sustained elevations of EPO serum levels but reduced erythropoietic activity. In ECMO-treated pediatric patients, ineffective erythropoiesis is a significant concern and may be associated with higher mortality rates. Understanding the mechanisms behind this pathology could better inform clinical approaches and optimize management strategies. Further research is imperative to uncover the factors resulting in ineffective erythropoiesis in these patients and to develop targeted interventions.

Graft Failure in Pediatric Patients After Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone, Hamstring Tendon, or Quadriceps Tendon Autograft ACLR: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reinjury risk is high in young athletes, with graft failure rates as high as 23%. The optimal autograft choice to minimize reinjury risk in this population is unclear. To compare graft failure rates between bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB), hamstring tendon (HT), and quadriceps tendon (QT) autografts in patients aged ≤18 years with a minimum follow-up (FU) of 24 months. Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. A systematic review of the literature between database inception and March 2022 encompassed PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, and Web of Science Core Collection databases. Studies on autograft ACL reconstruction (ACLR) using HT, QT, or BPTB autograft in patients ≤18 years old with a minimum FU of 2 years were included. Graft failure rates were pooled and estimated using random-effects models via the inverse variance method and logit transformations. Meta-analyses were used to estimate failure rates and pairwise comparisons were conducted by autograft type when appropriate. A total of 24 studies comprising 2299 patients (HT: n = 1237, 44.8% female, 59.1-month mean FU; BPTB: n = 913, 67.3% female, 79.9-month mean FU; QT: n = 149, 36.4% female, 35.3-month mean FU) were included. HT exhibited the highest failure rate at 11.8% (95% CI, 9.0%-15.4%); failure rates for BPTB and QT were 7.9% (95% CI, 6.2%-10.0%) and 2.7% (95% CI, 1.0%-7.5%), respectively. HT had a significantly higher failure rate than both BPTB (Q = 5.01; P = .025) and QT (Q = 7.70; P = .006); BPTB had a significantly higher failure rate than QT (Q = 4.01; P = .045). Male patients were less likely than their female counterparts to experience graft failure after HT ACLR (odds ratio, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.25-0.95). While the HT remains a common choice for ACLR, the current aggregate data indicate that BPTB and QT demonstrated significantly lower failure rates than HT ACLR in adolescent athletes ≤18 years old. The QT demonstrated the lowest failure rate in adolescents but also the lowest proportion of patients represented due to a paucity of published QT data, indicating a need for future studies with larger sample sizes that include QT autografts, reduced risk of bias, and consistent reporting on skeletal maturity and surgical technique to better determine the ideal autograft for active athletic populations ≤18 years old.

Risk factors for chloral hydrate sedation failure in pediatric patients: a retrospective analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for chloral hydrate sedation failure and complications in a tertiary children's hospital in South Korea. A retrospective analysis of pediatric procedural sedation with chloral hydrate between January 1, 2021, and March 30, 2022, was performed. The collected data included patient characteristics, sedation history, and procedure. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for procedural sedation failure and complications. A total of 6,691 procedural sedation were included in the analysis; sedation failure following chloral hydrate (50 mg/kg) occurred in 1,457 patients (21.8%) and was associated with a higher rate of overall complications compared to those with successful sedation (17.5% [225/1457] vs. 6.2% [322/5234]; P < 0.001, odds ratio: 3.236). In the multivariable regression analysis, the following factors were associated with increased risk of sedation failure: general ward or intensive care unit inpatient (compared with outpatient); congenital syndrome; oxygen dependency; history of sedation failure or complications with chloral hydrate; procedure more than 60 min; and magnetic resonance imaging, radiotherapy, or procedures with painful or intense stimuli (all P values < 0.05). Factors contributing to the complications included general ward inpatient, congenital syndromes, congenital heart disease, preterm birth, oxygen dependency, history of complications with chloral hydrate, and current sedation failure with chloral hydrate (all P values < 0.05). To achieve successful sedation with chloral hydrate, the patient's sedation history, risk factors, and the type and duration of the procedure should be considered.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt complication in pediatric hydrocephalus: risk factor analysis from a single institution

Introduction: Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery is a commonly performed neurosurgical procedure. Complications due to shunt failure are associated with high morbidity and mortality. There is an absence of research in Indonesia that focuses on demographic factors related to complications from ventriculoperitoneal shunts. We report an analysis of risk factors for shunt failure in pediatric patients from a single institution Method: A retrospective analytical study with prospective data was designed. Pediatric patients with hydrocephalus were performed ventriculoperitoneal shunt in 5 years (January 2018 - December 2023). All of risk factors such as age, comorbidity, etiologies, types of shunts, CSF analysis were followed up. Result: 448 pediatric patients underwent VP shunts, and 175 of them had complications. The age group &lt;12 months, with 98 patients, noticed the highest number of complications of VP shunt. The logistic regression test showed that age, surgery duration, protein, CSF cells, and birth weight all had p-values &lt;0.05. The number of CSF cells has the largest OR value (OR = 136,800) (95% CI 27.185 – 688.391). The Kaplan Meier survival test showed that the age group (p 0.008, OR 0.580 and 95% CI 0.387 – 0.868). Conclusion: Patients under the age of six months had the highest incidence of VP shunt complications. Cell number, CSF protein, surgery duration, age, and birth weight all influence the risk of VP shunt complications in pediatric patients.

Home Mechanical Ventilation in Children: Complications and Benefits—A Two-Year Experience at a Referral Children's Hospital

Background: The rising prevalence of chronic respiratory failure in pediatric patients necessitates a detailed evaluation of home mechanical ventilation (HMV). Objectives: This study assesses the advantages of HMV devices, focusing on cases from Imam Hussein Children's Hospital. Methods: This research involved 20 children who required long-term ventilation and were admitted to both general and intensive care units at Imam Hussein Children's Hospital in Isfahan. Before discharge, a team of HMV experts trained the parents on the proper use of the ventilation devices. Post-discharge, the educational needs of the parents were assessed continuously, with regular home visits conducted by a nurse and a representative from the ventilator supplier. Results: Approximately 73% of the children demonstrated therapeutic effectiveness following HMV implementation. About 35% of parents observed no adverse effects in their children. The average cost savings from reduced ICU rehospitalizations was significant at 347.59%, and there was a 65.09% reduction in the costs associated with general ward hospitalizations. Conclusions: The adoption of HMV has led to improved health outcomes, substantial reductions in medical expenses, and shorter hospital stays. It is advisable to plan for broader implementation of HMV in children who require long-term ventilation.

Application of the Rox Index as a Predictor of Respiratory Failure in Pediatric Patients Receiving High-Flow Oxygen Therapy Support at the Roberto Gilbert Elizalde Hospital

Background: High-flow oxygen therapy is an ideal treatment for managing respiratory failure. It avoids orotracheal intubation; however, some patients are refractory to this treatment. The ROX Index aims to detect early failure in high-flow oxygen therapy; nevertheless, its use has been poorly studied in pediatrics. Objective: To evaluate the applicability of the ROX Index as a tool to determine the failure of high-flow oxygen therapy in pediatric patients admitted to the Roberto Gilbert Hospital. Methodology: Observational, prospective, longitudinal cohort study with a descriptive approach including 209 patients between 1 month and 17 years old who required high-flow oxygen therapy within the first 24 hours. ROX Index measurements were taken at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours with follow-up to determine the outcome. Result: A total of 209 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were obtained; 27 (12.9%) required endotracheal intubation (ETI), and 182 (87%) received high-flow oxygen therapy (HFNC). A higher frequency of younger infants was observed among patients who required ETI, with a median age of 12 months. A significant difference in the ROX index was found from two hours onwards with cutoff points on the AUROC curve above 0.5. Conclusion: It was determined that the ROX Index can be used as a complementary tool to strengthen decision-making in pediatrics.

Pediatric renal transplantation: a single center experience.

The rising prevalence of global end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a significant health concern, especially among children. Although renal replacement therapy is available, children with ESRD are at an increased risk of mortality. Kidney transplantation is the preferred modality of treatment and surpasses renal replacement therapy in terms of survival. However, pediatric renal transplantation could prove difficult due to factors like smaller recipients and donor-recipient mismatches leading to higher complications. A retrospective single-group case series study was conducted on children with ESRD who were planned to undergo kidney transplantation from living donors between 2015 and 2021. The data was collected from two centers in the city of Sulaymaniyah. The study comprised a predominantly male patient population, with a total of 39 individuals (n = 39) and 13 female patients. The donors were mostly males between 25-40 years old. The majority of participants were 15-18 years old. In majority of the patients Thymoglobulin was the immunosuppressive agent used in induction. The most common etiology for renal failure was reflux nephropathy and artery anastomosis was performed to the external iliac artery in the majority of patients. Only 9 patients had complications following the transplantation and 3 patients had an episode of acute rejection. Renal transplantation is the preferred treatment of renal failure in pediatric patients in the city of Sulaymaniyah. The most common etiology for pediatric renal failure was reflux nephropathy which was different from the findings of North American Pediatric Renal Trials and Collaborative Studies.

Management of pediatric liver failure with therapeutic plasma exchange and continuous renal replacement therapy: A retrospective observational study.

Liver failure represents a critical medical condition, marked by the rapid decline of hepatic functions. Emerging therapies, notably therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF), have demonstrated potential in mitigating these conditions through their roles in detoxification and hepatic support. The utility of these treatments, whether applied individually or in tandem, constitutes a significant area of research concerning the management of liver failure in pediatric patients. This study aims to evaluate the role and efficacy of TPE or TPE combined with CVVHDF in the treatment of liver failure among children. This retrospective study was conducted in a LTICU by reviewing the medical history of pediatric patients aged 1 month to 18 years. Patients were admitted between January 1, 2021 and December 1, 2023 due to acute liver failure or acute-chronic liver failure. The study evaluated those who received TPE or continuous renal replacement therapy combined with TPE. In statistical analyses, a P-value of <.05 was considered statistically significant. The study involved 24 patients with liver failure, comprising 13 males and 11 females. Sixteen patients (66.6%) received only TPE, while 8 patients (33.4%) were treated with TPE and CVVHDF. For patients treated only with TPE, the median INR reduced from 3.1 to 1.26, alanine aminotransferase from 1255 to 148, and aspartate aminotransferase from 2189 to 62. Similar significant reductions were observed in the TPE and CVVHDF group: INR from 3.9 to 1.26, alanine aminotransferase from 1749 to 1148, and aspartate aminotransferase from 1489 to 62. These changes were statistically significant with P-values of .01 for each parameter in both groups. Overall, 14 patients survived without requiring a liver transplant, while 4 patients underwent liver transplantation. Our study on pediatric liver failure treatment shows that both standalone TPE and its combination with CVVHDF are effective, especially as a bridge to transplantation. With 58% transplant-free survival, these therapies demonstrate significant clinical improvements. Future multicentric studies are needed for broader validation of these findings in liver failure management.

Diphenhydramine and Migraine Treatment Failure in Pediatric Patients Receiving Prochlorperazine.

The objectives are to determine whether diphenhydramine coadministered with prochlorperazine versus prochlorperazine only is associated with a difference in the risk of migraine treatment failure, as measured by the need for additional therapy, hospitalization rates, and 72-hour return rates, and to compare extrapyramidal adverse effects between groups. Retrospective cohort of patients aged 7 to 18 years treated in the emergency department for migraines using prochlorperazine with or without diphenhydramine between 2013 and 2019. Patients were included if they had International Classification of Diseases, Ninth or Tenth Revision, codes for migraine or unspecified headache and were treated with prochlorperazine as part of their initial migraine therapy. Data collected included demographics, medications administered, pain scores, neuroimaging, disposition, return visits, and documentation of extrapyramidal adverse effects. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between diphenhydramine coadministration and each of the outcomes. A total of 1683 patients were included. Overall, 13% required additional therapy with a 16.7% admission rate and a 72-hour return rate of 5.3%. There was no association between initial treatment with diphenhydramine and the odds of additional therapy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.74 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.53-1.03]), admission rates (aOR, 1.22 [95% CI, 0.89-1.67]), or return visit rates (aOR, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.55-1.51]). Extrapyramidal adverse effects occurred in 2.4% of patients in the prochlorperazine group and 0% in the prochlorperazine with diphenhydramine group. There was no association between diphenhydramine coadministration and the need for additional therapy, 72-hour return visit rates or admission rates. Extrapyramidal effects did not occur in patients treated with diphenhydramine.

Surgical technique: proximal extension of instrumentation using sublaminar bands for salvage of postoperative proximal junctional failure in pediatric patients.

Proximal junctional failure is a complication that can occur following posterior spine surgery with instrumentation. The ability to surgically revise this complication is important for the spine surgeon, yet there is little literature on the topic, especially for pediatric patients. The technique we describe involves proximal extension of the existing instrumentation using paired levels of sublaminar bands that allows for a smooth transition of forces at the junction of instrumented and non-instrumented regions of the spine. The results of this technique have been promising with a case series demonstrating improved radiographic and clinical outcomes for eight children at a minimum of 1year follow-up. This a reliable, effective, and safe technique for salvage of PJF in children that uses posterior osteotomies and proximal extension of the instrumentation using sublaminar bands, resulting in gradual load sharing correction to restore sagittal balance.

Percutaneous Secundum Atrial Septal Defect Closure: Failure Rate and Procedural Predictors

Background: Percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure is one of therapeutic options for patients with a suitable ASD anatomy, however in developing countries, the exact figure and procedural characteristics remain unknown. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the failure rate and procedural predictors of the percutaneous ASD closure.Materials and methods: A retrospective study using a database of all patients undergoing percutaneous ASD closure was conducted between March 2010 to November 2023. Patients who developed a pulmonary hypertensive crisis during the procedure were excluded. Procedural and echocardiographic parameter were measured and analyzed.Results: A total of 112 samples were included in this study, 74.1% were female and 55.36% were pediatric patients. The failure rate was 12.5% (n=14) with diameter index was higher in the failed group. Unpaired T-test revealed that ASD size was one of the predictor failure in pediatric patients (mean diameter: 24.7±6.46 mm vs. 16.36±5.94 mm, p=0.001). There were no statistically significant variations in rim diameters, while compared with all patients with appropriate rims (rim ≥7mm), the failure rate was higher in patients with two rims measuring between 5.9 and 6.9 mm and rims less than 5 mm. Two patients presented with device embolization and required surgical device removal.Conclusion: The failure rate of percutaneous ASD closure was 12.5%. A larger ASD increases the risk of failure of percutaneous closure in pediatric patients. Furthermore, patient with 5-6.9 mm on two or more rims as well as those with rim less than 5 mm, have a higher failure rate.Keywords: secundum atrial septal defect, percutaneous closure, failure rate

Frequency and prognosis of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis in children.

Peritonitis is the leading cause of peritoneal dialysis (PD) discontinuation. However, few data concern risk factors of peritonitis development and catheter removal caused by treatment failure in pediatric patients. This single-center, retrospective study analyzed data from pediatric patients who underwent chronic PD between March 2002 and June 2022. The incidence rates of peritonitis by the person-year method were calculated, and they were stratified by patient age groups. Risk factors for peritonitis development and catheter removal were also analyzed by multivariate analysis using logistic regression model. Ninety patients were enrolled, and 62 peritonitis episodes were observed in 41 (46%) patients. The incidence rate of peritonitis was 0.21 episodes per patient-year, which was the highest in children aged under 2years old (0.26 episodes per patient-year). Moreover, 44 (71%) cases were successfully cured by antibiotics alone, although 17 (27%) cases required catheter removal, and 4 (6%) cases transitioned to chronic hemodialysis because of peritoneal dysfunction. One patient died. The risk factor for peritonitis development and catheter removal caused by treatment failure was PD insertion at under 2years old (odds ratio = 2.5; P = 0.04) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (odds ratio = 11.0; P = 0.04) in the multivariate analysis. P. aeruginosa was also a risk factor for difficulty in re-initiating PD (P = 0.004). The incidence rate of peritonitis was the highest in children under 2years old. P. aeruginosa peritonitis is a risk factor for catheter removal and peritoneal dysfunction.

Development of a clinical prediction tool for extubation failure in pediatric cardiac intensive care unit.

Extubation failure in pediatric patients with congenital or acquired heart diseases increases morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to develop a clinical risk score for predicting extubation failure to guide proper clinical decision-making and management. We conducted a retrospective study. This clinical prediction score was developed using data from the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU) of the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, from July 2016 to May 2022. Extubation failure was defined as the requirement for re-intubation within 48 h after extubation. Multivariable logistic regression was used for modeling. The score was evaluated in terms of discrimination and calibration. A total of 352 extubation events from 270 patients were documented. Among these, 40 events (11.36%) were extubation failure. Factors associated with extubation failure included history of pneumonia (OR: 4.14, 95% CI: 1.83-9.37, p = 0.001), history of re-intubation (OR: 5.99, 95% CI: 2.12-16.98, p = 0.001), and high saturation in physiologic cyanosis (OR: 5.94, 95% CI: 1.87-18.84, p = 0.003). These three factors were utilized to develop the risk score. The score showed acceptable discrimination with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.69-0.86), and good calibration. The derived Pediatric CMU Extubation Failure Prediction Score (Ped-CMU ExFPS) could satisfactorily predict extubation failure in pediatric cardiac patients. Employing this score could promote proper personalized care. We suggest conducting further external validation studies before considering implementation in practice.

Impact of Virtual Reality Simulation on New Nurses' Assessment of Pediatric Respiratory Distress.

Children often experience respiratory illnesses requiring bedside nurses skilled in recognizing respiratory decompensation. Historically, recognizing respiratory distress has relied on teaching during direct patient care. Virtual reality simulation may accelerate such recognition among novice nurses. To determine whether a virtual reality curriculum improved new nurses' recognition of respiratory distress and impending respiratory failure in pediatric patients based on assessment of physical examination findings and appropriate escalation of care. New nurses (n = 168) were randomly assigned to complete either an immersive virtual reality curriculum on recognition of respiratory distress (intervention) or the usual orientation curriculum (control). Group differences and changes from 3 months to 6 months after the intervention were examined. Nurses in the intervention group were significantly more likely to correctly recognize impending respiratory failure at both 3 months (23.4% vs 3.0%, P < .001) and 6 months (31.9% vs 2.6%, P < .001), identify respiratory distress without impending respiratory failure at 3 months (57.8% vs 29.6%, P = .002) and 6 months (57.9% vs 17.8%, P < .001), and recognize patients' altered mental status at 3 months (51.4% vs 18.2%, P < .001) and 6 months (46.8% vs 18.4%, P = .006). Implementation of a virtual reality-based training curriculum was associated with improved recognition of pediatric respiratory distress, impending respiratory failure, and altered mental status at 3 and 6 months compared with standard training approaches. Virtual reality may offer a new approach to nurse orientation to enhance training in pediatrics-specific assessment skills.