Group Of Pediatric Patients Research Articles

Reliability of pediatric ventricular function analysis by short-axis \u201csingle-cycle-stack-advance\u201d single-shot compressed-sensing cines in minimal breath-hold time

ObjectivesCardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) cine imaging by compressed sensing (CS) is promising for patients unable to tolerate long breath-holding. However, the need for a steady-state free-precession (SSFP) preparation cardiac cycle for each slice extends the breath-hold duration (e.g. for 10 slices, 20 cardiac cycles) to an impractical length. We investigated a method reducing breath-hold duration by half and assessed its reliability for biventricular volume analysis in a pediatric population.MethodsFifty-five consecutive pediatric patients (median age 12 years, range 7–17) referred for assessment of congenital heart disease or cardiomyopathy were included. Conventional multiple breath-hold SSFP short-axis (SAX) stack cines served as the reference. Real-time CS SSFP cines were applied without the steady-state preparation cycle preceding each SAX cine slice, accepting the limitation of omitting late diastole. The total acquisition time was 1 RR interval/slice. Volumetric analysis was performed for conventional and “single-cycle-stack-advance” (SCSA) cine stacks.ResultsBland–Altman analyses [bias (limits of agreement)] showed good agreement in left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume (EDV) [3.6 mL (− 5.8, 12.9)], LV end-systolic volume (ESV) [1.3 mL (− 6.0, 8.6)], LV ejection fraction (EF) [0.1% (− 4.9, 5.1)], right ventricular (RV) EDV [3.5 mL (− 3.34, 10.0)], RV ESV [− 0.23 mL (− 7.4, 6.9)], and RV EF [1.70%, (− 3.7, 7.1)] with a trend toward underestimating LV and RV EDVs with the SCSA method. Image quality was comparable for both methods (p = 0.37).ConclusionsLV and RV volumetric parameters agreed well between the SCSA and the conventional sequences. The SCSA method halves the breath-hold duration of the commercially available CS sequence and is a reliable alternative for volumetric analysis in a pediatric population.Key Points• Compressed sensing is a promising accelerated cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging technique.• We omitted the steady-state preparation cardiac cycle preceding each cine slice in compressed sensing and achieved an acquisition speed of 1 RR interval/slice.• This modification called “single-cycle-stack-advance” enabled the acquisition of an entire short-axis cine stack in a single short breath hold.• When tested in a pediatric patient group, the left and right ventricular volumetric parameters agreed well between the “single-cycle-stack-advance” and the conventional sequences.

48 Chronic kidney disease prevalence and glomerular filtration rate trends in children with type 1 diabetes

Abstract Primary Subject area Nephrology Background Children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) secondary to diabetic ketoacidosis, as well as chronic kidney disease (CKD) from diabetic nephropathy. Objectives The primary objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of abnormalities in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in children with T1D. As a secondary objective, we sought to explore the relationship between clinical characteristics and trends in eGFR. Design/Methods This ambispective cohort study involved children aged 18 years or younger with T1D (n = 420), followed in the diabetes clinic at British Columbia Children’s Hospital (BCCH), the tertiary pediatric hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Data was collected from the BCCH paper and electronic health records. CKD was defined as eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Being at risk of CKD was defined as having a mildly decreased eGFR (60 to < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2) and/or hyperfiltration (eGFR ≥140 mL/min/1.73 m2). eGFR was calculated using the modified Schwartz formula (36.5 x height in cm / serum creatinine in umol/L). Linear regression analysis was used to describe the relationship between eGFR and duration of T1D. Results Of the 420 participants, 225 (54%) were male, with a median age at T1D diagnosis of 6.1 years and T1D duration of 4.8 years (range < 1.0-15.0 years). One-hundred and eighty-six (44%) children were hospitalized for DKA, of which 89 (48%) developed AKI. No participants had an eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and 317 (76%) had normal renal function. Fifty-one participants (12%) had an eGFR < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2, and 52 (12%) demonstrated hyperfiltration. When analyzed as a cohort cross-sectionally based on duration of T1D, there was a significant linear decline in eGFR of 1.4 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year (95% CI -1.95, -0.87 mL/min/1.73 m2). Conclusion In a large group of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes, 24% were at risk for chronic kidney disease based on a mildly decreased GFR and/or hyperfiltration. The pattern of eGFR decline over time is concerning and relevant, as this cohort is at risk for CKD secondary to diabetic kidney disease. Strategies are needed to improve the follow-up and management of early CKD in children with type 1 diabetes to maintain their renal function into adulthood, and more studies are needed to quantify further change in eGFR in the young adult population.

An initial evaluation of the safety of a disposable oscillating positive expiratory pressure device in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a short-term pilot study

BackgroundHandheld oscillating positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) devices have been a mainstay of treatment for patients with hypersecretory conditions such as cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) since the 1970s. Current devices are reusable and require regular cleaning and disinfection to prevent harbouring potentially pathogenic organisms. Adherence to cleaning regimens for respiratory devices is often poor and in response to this, a prototype disposable OPEP device—the ‘UL-OPEP’ (University of Limerick—Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure device)—was developed to mitigate the risk of contamination by pathogens. The device was previously evaluated successfully in a group of paediatric CF patients. The aim of the current study was to initially evaluate the safety of the prototype in patients with COPD over a period of 1 month to ensure no adverse events, negative impacts on lung function, exercise tolerance, or quality of life. Data on user experience of the device were also collected during post-study follow-up.MethodsA sample of 50 volunteer participants were recruited from pulmonary rehabilitation clinics within the local hospital network. The patients were clinically stable, productive, and not current or previous users of OPEP devices. Participants were invited to use a prototype disposable OPEP device daily for a period of 1 month. Pre- and post-study lung function was assessed with standard spirometry, and exercise tolerance with the 6-min-walk-test (6MWT). Quality of life was assessed using the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and user experience of the prototype device evaluated using a post-study questionnaire.Results24 Participants completed the study: 9 were female. Overall median age was 67.5 years, range 53–85 years. Lung function, 6-min walk test, and SGRQ scores showed no significant change post-study. User feedback was positive overall.ConclusionsThe results indicate that the UL-OPEP is safe to use in patients with COPD. No adverse events were recorded during the study or in the follow-up period of 2 weeks. The device did not negatively impact patients’ lung function, exercise tolerance, or quality of life during short term use (1 month), and usability feedback received was generally positive. Larger, longer duration studies will be required to evaluate efficacy.Registration The study was approved as a Clinical Investigation by the Irish Health Products Regulatory Authority (CRN-2209025-CI0085).

Burden of Pneumococcal Meningitis and Bacteremia, Serotype Distribution and Antibiotic Resistance in Healthy Children After Conjugated Pneumococcal Vaccine Implementation: Single Center Experience

In Turkey, the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV7) was included in the childhood national immunization programme in April 2008 and was replaced by the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV13) in April 2011. In this retrospective, single-center study, it was aimed to determine the serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates of pediatric patients with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) after the introduction of PVC7 and PVC13. Fifty pediatric patients diagnosed with meningitis and sepsis/bacteremia between October 2009 and October 2019 were included in the study. The pediatric patient group consisted of previously healthy patients diagnosed with meningitis and sepsis/bacteremia with S.pneumoniae isolated in their blood or cerebrospinal fluids. Patients with pneumonia-associated bacteremia and empyema were not included in the study. Serotyping of the isolates was performed by Quellung reaction using specific antisera (Statens Serum Institute, Denmark) and antibiotic (penicillin and ceftriaxone) susceptibility was determined by antibiotic gradient method based on Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) criteria. Of the children, 29 (58%) were boys and 21 (42%) were girls. The median age of the patients was 19 months (1 month-18 year). When the children under the age of five were evaluated, it was found that 30 (79%) patients were diagnosed with occult bacteremia/sepsis and 8 (21%) with meningitis. The overall annual incidence rate of IPD among the healthy children aged <5 years decreased significantly from 9.35/100000 to 0.83/100000 (p< 0.001). Serotype identification was determined for 44 of 50 pneumococcal isolates . However, since six patients with underlying disease were not included in the evaluation, the remaining 38 isolates were found to be one of the serotypes included in PCV7 and PCV13 at a rate of 28.9% (n= 11) and 44.7% (n= 17), respectively. While the rate of PCV13 serotypes seen in the PCV7 period was 81.8%, this rate decreased to 29.6% within eight years after PCV13 administration. The rate of non-vaccine serotypes was determined as 54.5% in PCV7 period and 70.3% in PCV13 period. The rate of non-vaccine serotypes in patients under 5 years was 60% in the period of PCV7 and 75% in the period of PCV13. The proportion of non-vaccine serotypes has increased over time. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p> 0.05). The most common serotypes detected in isolates were 19F, 23F, 7F, 31 and 24B. According to the minimum inhibitory concentration values of the isolates recovered from patients with meningitis, penicillin and ceftriaxone resistance rates were found as 43.9% and 9.8%, respectively. In conclusion, our study showed that there was a 91.1% decrease in the incidence of IPD in healthy children aged under five years after the implementation of PCV7 and PCV13. It was determined that while the rate of serotypes in vaccine content decreased, there was an increase in non-vaccine serotypes. In addition no significant change was observed in antibiotic resistance rates over the years.

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy presenting as a heart rhythm disorders in children

Abstract Introduction Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is an inherited muscle dystrophy often accompanied by cardiac abnormalities in the form of supraventricular arrhythmias, conduction defects, sinus node dysfunction. Cardiac phenotype typically arises years after skeletal muscle presentations, though, can be severe and life-threatening. The disease usually manifests during the third decade of life with elbow joint contractions and progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. Objective To present our clinical experience of diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias in children with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy Materials and methods We enrolled 5 patients with different forms of EDMD (X-linked and autosomal dominant) linked to the mutations in EMD and LMNA genes, presented with early onset of cardiac abnormalities and no leading skeletal muscle phenotype. The predominant forms of cardiac pathology were atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation and conduction disturbances that progress over time. Clinical examination included physical examination, 12-lead electrocardiography, Holter ECG monitoring (HM), transthoracic echocardiography, neurological examination and biochemical and hormone tests. Also we performed CMR, electrophysiological study (EPS), treadmill test of some patients. One patient underwent an endomyocardial biopsy to exclude inflammatory heart disease. Target sequencing was performed using a panel of 108 or 172 genes Results We observed five patients with EDMD and cardiac debut during first-second decades of life: 3 with 1st subtype (variants in EMD gene) and 2 with 2nd subtype (variants in LMNA gene). All patients were males. The mean age of cardiac manifestation was 13,2±3,11 (from 9 to 16 y.o.). The mean follow-up period was 7,4±2,6 years. All patients presented with sinus node dysfunction and four out of five with AV conduction abnormalities. The leading arrhythmic phenotypes included various types of supraventricular arrhythmias: multifocal atrial tachycardia (AT) (n=4), premature atrial captures (PACs) (n=4), atrial flutter, (AF) (n=3), atrial fibrillation (AFib) (n=3) and AV nodal recurrent tachycardia (AVRNT). Heart rhythm disorders were the first manifestation in all three patients with 1st EDMD subtype. Radiofrequency ablation was performed in 2 patients, one of them received permanent pacemaker implantation. Conclusions In conclusion, while being the rare cases, heart rhythm disorders can represent the first and for a long time, the only clinical symptom of EDMD even in the pediatric group of patients. Therefore, thorough laboratory and neurological screening along with genetic studies, are of importance in each pediatric patient presenting with complex heart rhythm disorders of primary supraventricular origin to exclude EDMD or other neuromuscular disorders. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Adolescents Have Twice the Revision Rate of Young Adults After ACL Reconstruction With Hamstring Tendon Autograft: A Study From the Swedish National Knee Ligament Registry.

Background:Previous studies have identified young age as a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) revision. However, few studies have looked separately at pediatric patients and adolescents with regard to outcomes after ACL reconstruction.Purpose:To determine whether patient age at ACL reconstruction affects the risk of undergoing revision surgery in young patients.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:This study was based on data from the Swedish National Knee Ligament Registry. Patients aged 5 to 35 years who underwent a primary ACL reconstruction with a hamstring tendon autograft between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2015, were included. The cohort was stratified into different age groups of pediatric patients, adolescents, and young adults to estimate patients with open, recently closed, and closed epiphyses, respectively. The primary endpoint was ACL revision. A multivariable Cox regression model was used to assess the ACL revision rate. The results were expressed as hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs.Results:A total of 36,274 ACL reconstructions were registered during the study period. Of these, 2848 patients were included in the study: 47 pediatric patients (mean age, 13.6 years; range, 9-15 years), 522 adolescents (mean age, 17.4; range, 14-19 years), and 2279 young adults (mean age, 27.0; range, 20-35 years). A total of 31 patients (1.1%) underwent ACL revision within 2 years (0 pediatric patients, 9 adolescents [1.7%], and 22 young adults [1.0%]) and a total of 53 patients (2.6%) underwent ACL revision within 5 years (2 pediatric patients [6.9%], 15 adolescents [3.9%], and 36 young adults [2.2%]). The adolescent age group had a 1.91 times higher rate of ACL revision compared with the young adults (HR = 1.91 [95% CI, 1.13-3.21]; P = .015). There were no differences in revision rates between the pediatric age group and the young adults (HR = 2.93 [95% CI, 0.88-9.79]; P = .081).Conclusion:Adolescents had almost twice the rate of revision ACL reconstruction compared with young adults.

Combination Immunotherapy Use and Withdrawal in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease-A Review of the Evidence.

Evidence-based guidelines have been developed outlining the concomitant use of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF) agents and immunomodulators including azathioprine (AZA) and methotrexate (MTX) in both adult and pediatric populations. However, there exists a paucity of data guiding evidence-based strategies for their withdrawal in pediatric patients in sustained remission. This narrative review focuses on the available pediatric evidence on this question in the context of what is known from the larger body of evidence available from adult studies. The objective is to provide clarity and practical guidance around who, what, when, and how to step down pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from combination immunotherapy. Outcomes following withdrawal of either of the two most commonly used anti-TNF therapies [infliximab (IFX) or adalimumab (ADA)], or immunomodulator therapies, from a combination regimen are examined. Essentially, a judicious approach must be taken to identify a significant minority of patients who would benefit from treatment rationalization. We conclude that step-down to anti-TNF (rather than immunomodulator) monotherapy after at least 6 months of sustained clinical remission is a viable option for a select group of pediatric patients. This group includes those with good indicators of mucosal healing, low or undetectable anti-TNF trough levels, lack of predictors for severe disease, and no prior escalation of anti-TNF therapy. Transmural healing and specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing are some of the emerging targets and tools that may help facilitate improved outcomes in this process. We also propose a simplified evidence-based schema that may assist in this decision-making process. Further pediatric clinical studies are required to develop the evidence base for decision-making in this area.

The Identification and Genetic Characterization of Parechovirus Infection Among Pediatric Patients With Wide Clinical Spectrum in Chongqing, China.

Human parechoviruses (HPeVs) are important causes of infection in children. However, without a comprehensive and persistent surveillance, the epidemiology and clinical features of HPeV infection remain ambiguous. We performed a hospital-based surveillance study among three groups of pediatric patients with acute respiratory infection (Group 1), acute diarrhea (Group 2), and hand, foot and mouth disease (Group 3) in Chongqing, China, from 2009 to 2015. Among 10,212 tested patients, 707 (6.92%) were positive for HPeV, with the positive rates differing significantly among three groups (Group 1, 3.43%; Group 2, 14.94%; Group 3, 3.55%; P < 0.001). The co-infection with other pathogens was detected in 75.2% (531/707) of HPeV-positive patients. Significant negative interaction between HPeV and Parainfluenza virus (PIV) (P = 0.046, OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.34–0.98) and positive interactions between HPeV and Enterovirus (EV) (P = 0.015, OR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.23–4.73) were identified. Among 707 HPeV-positive patients, 592 (83.73%) were successfully sequenced, and 10 genotypes were identified, with HPeV1 (n = 396), HPeV4 (n = 86), and HPeV3 (n = 46) as the most frequently seen. The proportion of genotypes differed among three groups (P < 0.001), with HPeV1 and HPeV4 overrepresented in Group 2 and HPeV6 overrepresented in Group 3. The spatial patterns of HPeV genotypes disclosed more close clustering of the currently sequenced strains than those from other countries/regions, although they were indeed mixed. Three main genotypes (HPeV1, HPeV3, and HPeV4) had shown distinct seasonal peaks, highlighting a bi-annual cycle of all HpeV and two genotypes (HPeV 1 and HPeV 4) with peaks in odd-numbered years and with peaks in even-numbered years HPeV3. Significantly higher HPeV1 viral loads were associated with severe diarrhea in Group 2 (P = 0.044), while associated with HPeV single infection than HPeV-EV coinfection among HFMD patients (P = 0.001). It’s concluded that HPeV infection was correlated with wide clinical spectrum in pediatric patients with a high variety of genotypes determined. Still no clinical significance can be confirmed, which warranted more molecular surveillance in the future.

In Patients with Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity and Hinman's Syndrome: Would Intravesical Botox Injections Decrease the Incidence of Symptomatic Urinary Tract Infections.

PurposeTo study the effect of intravesical Botox injection on the incidence of recurrent symptomatic UTI in neurogenic bladder patients with detrusor overactivity.Patients and MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study for patients who received Botox intravesical injection. We included patients with neurogenic bladder with detrusor overactivity and symptomatic recurrent UTI. We compared the number of symptomatic UTIs at six months pre- and post-intravesical Botox injection. Patient files were reviewed for diagnosis, vesico-uretric reflux, hydronephrosis, urodynamic findings pre- and post-injection, and dose of Botox used. Patients were followed for the number of symptomatic UTIs post-Botox injection.ResultsThere were 93 patients diagnosed with neurogenic detrusor overactivity and symptomatic recurrent UTI. Patients were categorized into three categories: Group 1 – adults, Group 2 – pediatrics, Group 3 – non-neurogenic neurogenic bladder (Hinman’s syndrome). Spina bifida was diagnosed in 22 adults (Group 1) and 32 pediatric patients (Group 2). After receiving Botox injection, 75% of all patients (70) had a significant decrease in number of symptomatic UTIs. Urodynamic tests post-injection showed an improvement in bladder capacity, compliance, and detrusor pressure versus baseline in all three groups. Correlation analysis showed significant correlation between decreased symptomatic UTI post-Botox injection and detrusor pressure post-injection as well as bladder compliance; p-value=0.01 and p=0.021, respectively.ConclusionIntravesical Botox injection may decrease incidence of symptomatic UTI in neurogenic detrusor overactivity. This effect seemed to be related to better bladder management.

Pediyatrik Pilonidal Sinüs Hastalığında Klasik Açık Cerrahi Tekniğine Göre Deri Dokusunda Kayıp Olmaksızın Ters 'ᗡ' Tekniği

Aim: Although the pilonidal sinus disease is commonly treated with surgical methods, search for optimal surgical procedures and minimally invasive methods continues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inverted 'ᗡ' technique which provides a tension-free closure with minimal tissue loss, by comparing with the classical open surgery technique. Material and Methods: Sixty-five patients, 37 (56.9%) male and 28 (43.1%) female, with a mean age of 15.85±1.82 years, admitted between January 2014 and October 2020 and underwent inverted 'ᗡ' surgery and classical midline open surgery were retrospectively evaluated. Results: As an early postoperative complication, bleeding was observed in 2 (7.4%) patients in inverted 'ᗡ' group and 3 (11.1%) patients had wound infection. The same complications were 4 (10.5%) and 4 (10.5%) in classical group, respectively. The time to return to full activities was statistically different between two groups (10.36±0.43 versus 11.30±0.93 days, p&amp;lt;0.001). During the follow-up period, 1 (3.7%) recurrence in the inverted 'ᗡ' group and 9 (23.7%) recurrences in the classical group were statistically significant (p=0.037). Conclusion: The present technique aims to remove the pathological tissue that causes sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease by the subcutaneous surgical work area under the flap created through the 'ᗡ' incision and to close it without tension, away from the midline without tissue loss. We believe that the operation involving the 'ᗡ' incision and primary suture method should be considered as the first choice in the pediatric patient group because of being a simple and effective surgical technique for sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease treatment.

Comparison of emergency department utilization trends between the COVID-19 pandemic and control period.

Infectious disease pandemics has a great impact on the use of medical facilities. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the use of emergency medical facilities in the Republic of Korea. This single-center, retrospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital located in Incheon Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea. We set the pandemic period as February 19, 2020 to April 18, 2020, and the control period was set to the same period in 2018 and 2019. All consecutive patients who visited the emergency department (ED) during the study period were included. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to age (pediatric patients, younger adult patients and older adult patients). The total number, demographics, clinical data, and diagnostic codes of ED patients were analyzed. The total number of ED patients in the pandemic period was lower than that in the control period, which was particularly pronounced for pediatric patients. The proportion of patients who used the 119 ambulances increased in all 3 groups (P = .002, P < .001, and P = .001), whereas the proportion of patients who visited on foot was decreased (P = .006, P < .001, and P = .027). In terms of diagnostic codes, a significant decrease was observed in the proportion of certain infectious or parasitic diseases (A00-B99), and respiratory diseases (J00-J99) in the pediatric and younger adult patient groups (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the number of ED patients; however, the proportion of patients using ambulances increased. In particular, the proportion of patients with diagnostic codes for infectious and respiratory diseases significantly decreased during the pandemic period.

Characteristics of immune and inflammatory responses among different age groups of pediatric patients with COVID-19 in China

BackgroundSevere cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among pediatric patients are more common in children less than 1 year of age. Our aim is to address the underlying role of immunity and inflammation conditions among different age groups of pediatric patients.MethodsWe recruited pediatric patients confirmed of moderate COVID-19 symptoms, admitted to Wuhan Children's Hospital from January 28th to April 1st in 2020. Patients were divided into four age groups (≤ 1, 1–6, 7–10, and 11–15 years). Demographic information, clinical characteristics, laboratory results of lymphocyte subsets test, immune and inflammation related markers were all evaluated.ResultsAnalysis included 217/241 (90.0%) of patients with moderate clinical stage disease. Average recovery time of children more than 6 years old was significantly shorter than of children younger than 6 years (P = 0.001). Reduced neutrophils and increased lymphocytes were significantly most observed among patients under 1 year old (P < 0.01). CD19+ B cells were the only significantly elevated immune cells, especially among patients under 1 year old (cell proportion: n = 12, 30.0%, P < 0.001; cell count: n = 13, 32.5%, P < 0.001). While, low levels of immune related makers, such as immunoglobulin (Ig) G (P < 0.001), IgA (P < 0.001), IgM (P < 0.001) and serum complement C3c (P < 0.001), were also mostly found among patients under 1 year old, together with elevated levels of inflammation related markers, such as tumor necrosis factor γ (P = 0.007), interleukin (IL)-10 (P = 0.011), IL-6 (P = 0.008), lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.001), and procalcitonin (P = 0.007).ConclusionThe higher rate of severe cases and long course of COVID-19 among children under 1 year old may be due to the lower production of antibodies and serum complements of in this age group.

Randomized crossover trial to compare driving pressures in a closed-loop and a conventional mechanical ventilation mode in pediatric patients.

In mechanically ventilated patients, driving pressure (ΔP) represents the dynamic stress applied to the respiratory system and is related to ICU mortality. An evolution of the Adaptive Support Ventilation algorithm (ASV® 1.1) minimizes inspiratory pressure in addition to minimizing the work of breathing. We hypothesized that ASV 1.1 would result in lower ΔP than the ΔP measured in APV-CMV (controlled mandatory ventilation with adaptive pressure ventilation) mode with physician-tailored settings. The aim of this randomized crossover trial was therefore to compare ΔP in ASV 1.1 with ΔP in physician-tailored APV-CMV mode. Pediatric patients admitted to the PICU with heterogeneous-lung disease were enrolled if they were ventilated invasively with no detectable respiratory effort, hemodynamic instability, or significant airway leak around the endotracheal tube. We compared two 60-minperiods of ventilation in APV-CMV and ASV 1.1, which were determined by randomization and separated by 30-minwashout periods. Settings were adjusted to reach the same minute ventilation in both modes. ΔP was calculated as the difference between plateau pressure and total PEEP measured using end-inspiratory and end-expiratory occlusions, respectively. There were 26 patients enrolled with a median age of 16 (9-25 [IQR]) months. The median ΔP for these patients was 10.4 (8.5-12.1 [IQR]) and 12.4 (10.5-15.3 [IQR]) cmH2O in the ASV 1.1 and APV-CMV periods, respectively (p < .001). The median tidal volume (VT) selected by the ASV 1.1 algorithm was 6.4 (5.1-7.3 [IQR]) ml/kg and RR was 41 (33 50 [IQR]) b/min, whereas the median of the same values for the APV-CMV period was 7.9 (6.8-8.3 [IQR]) ml/kg and 31 (26-41[IQR]) b/min, respectively. In both ASV 1.1 and APV-CMV modes, the highest ΔP was used to ventilate those patients with restrictive lung conditions at baseline. In this randomized crossover trial, ΔP in ASV 1.1 was lower compared to ΔP in physician-tailored APV-CMV mode in pediatric patients with different lung conditions. The use of ASV 1.1 may therefore result in continued, safe ventilation in a heterogeneous pediatric patient group.

USE OF VACUUM MATTRESSES CAN REDUCE THE ABSORBED DOSE DURING PEDIATRIC CT.

To evaluate and compare the absorbed dose and image quality when applying a commercially produced fixation device (group A) and a vaccum mattress fixation device to pediatric patients (group B). We compared the absorbed dose and image noise between the groups at the phantom and clinical study. For phantom study, the measurement absorbed dose for a real time skin dosimeter was 3.0mGy at the group A and 1.9mGy at the group B (p<0.05). For clinical study, computed tomography dose index product, dose-length and effective radiation dose were significantly lower with the group B compared to the group A, (3.4mGy, 27.0mGy-cm, and 2.2mSv vs 4.4mGy, and 36.7mGy-cm, and 3.0mSv), p<0.05 for all comparisons. Compared to the commercially produced fixation device, the vaccum mattress fixation device composed of a less absorptive material enabled a reduction in the absorbed dose while maintaining the image quality during pediatric CT examinations.

Real-world data on MTX tolerance with regimens used in children versus adults.

Methotrexate (MTX) is one of the most commonly used disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs which can cause gastrointestinal side effects. MTX intolerance is defined as gastrointestinal and behavioral symptoms occurring before and after MTX administration. This study aims to evaluate and compare the frequency of methotrexate intolerance in adult and pediatric patients. Patients with a rheumatic disease who used oral or parenteral methotrexate for at least 3months were included in the study. Methotrexate intolerance was assessed using the Methotrexate Intolerance Severity Score (MISS) questionnaire and visual analog scale (VAS). In the pediatric patient group, the MISS questionnaire and VAS assessment were applied to both patients and families. A total of 200 patients, 100 of whom were children, were enrolled in the study. The mean age for children and adults were 11.9 (± 3.7) and 52.0 (± 10.9). The prevalence of MTX intolerance was higher in the pediatric group, 64.0 and 10.0% (p < 0.001), respectively. Compared with oral administration, the patients receiving parenteral MTX had a higher proportion of MTX intolerance (p < 0.001). Younger age was the independent risk factor for MTX intolerance. There was a strong correlation between MISS and VAS scores between the evaluations of the patient and the family (p < 0.01, r = 0.95/p < 0.01, r = 0.94). Methotrexate intolerance was higher in childhood. All patients using MTX should be monitored and questioned for signs of intolerance.

Inclusion of Infants and Neonates in Pediatric Orphan Product Approvals.

The Orphan Drug Act (ODA) of 1983 was enacted to provide financial incentives to drug sponsors to develop therapies for rare diseases. Although this act increased the number of orphan products approved, there are still a limited number of products available for the pediatric population because orphan drug products are exempt from the Pediatric Research Equity Act. The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the pediatric orphan drug studies submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the period of 2007-2018 and (ii) to examine whether orphan drug products were fully labeled with a pediatric indication in infants and neonates. Out of the 468 indications evaluated, 171 (37%) were FDA-labeled for use in the pediatric population. Labeling for the 12 to <18years age group was most common (98%). Fifty-two percent of FDA-labeled pediatric indications included the newborn to <2years of age group. In this newborn to <2years age group, the indication was labeled without pivotal clinical trials in 43% of the programs. Of the 60 new indications not labeled down to birth, 50% were found to have an age of onset and diagnosis that occurs earlier than the age approved for use of the product for that indication. In summary, although the ODA has been successful in improving pediatric access to medications for rare diseases, our analysis identified the incomplete labeling for pediatric patients under 2years of age. Strategies to include the birth to <2years old group of pediatric patients in orphan drug development programs should be explored.

Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness in Children and Adolescents.

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a recently defined diagnostic syndrome characterized by chronic symptoms of dizziness, unsteadiness, and/or non-spinning vertigo. Although PPPD has been studied in adults, reports in the pediatric population are few. The goal of this study was to describe the presentation and treatment of PPPD in a group of pediatric patients. Retrospective chart review. Tertiary referral center. ≤21 years old, who met Bárány Society consensus criteria for a diagnosis of PPPD and were followed for ≥6 months or until symptom resolution. Patient demographics, comorbidities, symptom chronicity, and response to treatment(s). Of the 53 patients identified, 44 (83.0%) were women. Mean age at the time of initial evaluation was 14.6 years old. Common diagnoses in addition to PPPD included benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (64.2%), vestibular migraine (56.6%), and anxiety (28.3%). A high proportion of patients (43.4%) reported initially missing school or work due to their symptoms. Eighteen patients (34.0%) reported symptom resolution ranging from 2 to 48 months after diagnosis (median 9 mo). Of these patients, 15 of 18 attended physical therapy (PT), 11 of 18 attended cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or biofeedback therapy, and 10 of 18 took selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications, and 7 of 18 (40%) did a combination of all three therapies. PPPD can impact patients at a young age, and prolonged symptoms present a significant burden to children and adolescents, many of whom are unable to attend school. Treatments such as PT, CBT, and SSRI medication may be effective.

Early Deaths after Arterial Ischemic Stroke in Pediatric Patients: Incidence and Risk Factors.

In developed countries, cerebrovascular diseases are among the 10 most common causes of death in both the pediatric and adult population. The prevalence of fatal outcomes following arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in various groups of pediatric patients ranges from 1% to almost 32%. However, a constant improvement in stroke mortality among children has been observed. The extent of the decline differs among studies (from nearly tenfold to twofold decline), as it depends on the study population. While a portion of this variability might be explained by factors such as health care access, population age, diseases related to ethnicity, and different etiologies of stroke in studied populations, the understanding of such differences is still insufficient. Risk factors for death in the early stages of the disease are poorly understood and are usually based on the clinical presentations of relatively small groups of pediatric patients. Familiarity with these factors may be of significant importance for prognosis, but also for the early selection of patients requiring careful supervision. The present study aimed to analyze and discuss the current literature data on the incidence of early death and risk factors for early death in children suffering from stroke.

Bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy for cardiac denervation in pediatric population: Does Kuntz nerve cauterization have an impact on success?

Cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) is an effective procedure for the treatment of inherited channelopathies. Left CSD has traditionally been recommended as neuromodulation to prevent arrhythmia episodes; however, it is thought that bilateral sympathectomy in combination with Kuntz ablation may have additional effects effective due to the anatomical variability of preganglionic sympathetic fibers. The aim of the study was to share our single-center clinical experience with bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy for cardiac denervation in different groups of pediatric patients with malignant arrhythmias. Fourteen patients (seven with CPVT, five with LQTS, one with resistant ventricular tachycardia as a sequela of myocarditis, and one with cardiomyopathy and atrial tachycardia) underwent bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy for cardiac denervation. In all patients, arrhythmia episodes persisted despite medical therapy, and patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator received appropriate therapies. The rate of appropriate therapies was 3.25 per year (1-5 per year) in the year before sympathectomy. No major complications related to the procedure were observed in any of the patients. The QTc interval of LQTS patients decreased from 506.2 ± 16.9 ms before the procedure to 476 ± 28.8 ms after the procedure. The mean duration of follow-up after the procedure was 23.3 months (11-47 months). Only two patients received single episodes of therapy 12 and 22 months after CSD, and one patient had arrhythmic events due to noncompliance to medical therapy. Due to the anatomical variability of preganglionic fibers bilateral CSD with Kuntz nerve ablation effective treatment and is a safe option.

Clinicopathological study of liver diseases in paediatric age group

Context: Liver disorders occupy a noteworthy proportion amongst the aetiologies for childhood morbidities and mortalities. They have characteristic histological features whose timely reporting can abet the further management and overall prognosis of the conditions. Aims: 1. To study the clinicopathological features of liver diseases in paediatric patients. 2. To analyse the histological presentation of various liver conditions in paediatric patients. 3. To assess the pattern of distribution of the conditions in different age groups of paediatric patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective and prospective observational study of liver specimens of children, satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criterias, sent to Pathology department, BVDUMC, Pune over a span of 48 months. Statistical Analysis used: SPSS (Statistical Package for social sciences) version 24.0 software. Results: Total 34 cases were studied of which 31 were liver biopsies and 03 were resections. Most common age group was between one month to two years. Male to female ratio was 1.6:1. Most common clinical feature was icterus, LFT was deranged in 79.41% cases. Most common histopathology amongst non neoplastic cases was cholestasis and amongst neoplasms was Hepatoblastoma. Histopathology and radiology impression correlated in 94.12% cases. Bile duct proliferation, presence of intracanalicular bile plugs, portal tract fibrosis, presence of extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) and intracellular bile stasis all were statistically significant (p of Intracanalicular as well as intracellular bile stasis were statistically significant (p Conclusions: Thus, in children presenting with jaundice, hepatomegaly or other clinical presentations of underlying liver disease, liver biopsy can aid in understanding the underlying pathology in order to reach a definitive diagnosis and thus aid in proper management of patients in liver diseases. Keywords: Liver disease, Pediatric, Clinicopathological study, Surgical pat