Pediatric Protocols Research Articles

Developing a Protocol for Quantitative Analysis of Liquid Swallowing in Children.

Objective measures in videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSSs) can quantify swallow biomechanics. There are a wide array of validated measures studied in infants, children, and adults. There is a need for a pediatric VFSS protocol that consists of a small number of vital, time efficient, and clinically relevant measures. In this study, we aimed to establish a standard protocol for quantitative VFSS analysis in children. Protocol development began with a systematic literature review, which identified 22 quantitative and eight descriptive measures available in the literature. A pediatric VFSS database of 553 children was collected using a standardized VFSS protocol. Studies were evaluated using the 30 previously reported measures covering displacement and timing parameters as well as penetration-aspiration and residue. Measures were tested for rater reliability and internal consistency. Measures meeting acceptable values for protocol inclusion were included in the final protocol (Cronbach's alpha > .53). Interrater and intrarater reliability of 17 measures met acceptable reliability levels. During internal consistency testing, we removed six further measures based on Cronbach's alpha levels indicating that two or more measures were equivalent in measuring the same aspect of swallow biomechanics in children. A VFSS protocol of reliable, valid, and obtainable objective quantitative (n = 6) and descriptive measures (n = 3) with separate protocols for young infants (≤ 9 months) and older children was established. A standardized quantitative VFSS protocol for children has been developed to suit two age groups (≤ 9 and > 9 months old). Consistent VFSS administration and reporting support assessment over time and across disease groups. Future research should focus on how this information can be used by clinicians to produce individualized treatment plans for children with swallowing impairment.

Desensitization to drugs in children

Better knowledge and understanding about drug desensitization is required in the pediatric population, since there is little literature available about it and the most pediatric desensitization protocols have been adapted from adult instructions.Aiming to soften this issue and foster the future studies, this article presents a recent review about mechanisms of desensitization, diagnostic tools, and up to date management of drug hypersensitivity reactions in children. Bringing up an overview of pediatric hypersensitivity reactions to chemotherapy, biologic agents, antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and vaccines.

Measurable Residual Disease Detection in B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: The Children's Oncology Group (COG) Method.

Measurable (minimal) residual disease (MRD) in B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), as assessed by flow cytometry, is an established prognostic factor used to adjust treatment in most pediatric therapeutic protocols. MRD in B-ALL has been standardized by the Children's Oncology Group in North America and more recently in a multicenter Foundation for the National Institutes of Health-funded study. This article outlines the reagents, instrument setup, and analysis protocols required for the reproducible detection of residual leukemic cells in patients following induction therapy for B-ALL. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Staining and flow cytometry for B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) measurable residual disease detection Support Protocol: Specimen collection, handling, storage, and shipping Basic Protocol 2: Analysis and interpretation of data for B-ALL measurable residual disease detection Basic Protocol 3: Analysis of samples lacking sufficient CD19+ events.

Getting Ready for Wound Certification: Promoting Skin Health and Preventing Injuries.

Getting Ready for Wound Certification: Promoting Skin Health and Preventing Injuries.

Cardiometabolic Risk in Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Report from the Children's Oncology Group.

Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for cardiovascular disease. We assessed the burden of potentially modifiable cardiometabolic risk factors (CRF) among survivors compared with population-matched controls. Survivors previously enrolled on Pediatric Oncology Group protocols 9404, 9425, 9426, 9754, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 95-01 from 1996 to 2001 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, or osteosarcoma were prospectively assessed for the prevalence of CRFs and compared with an age, sex, and race/ethnicity-matched 2013 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) population. We estimated future predicted cardiovascular risk based on general population (e.g., Framingham) and Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) models. Compared with NHANES (n = 584), survivors [n = 164; 44.5% female, median age 28 years (range, 16-38 years); median 17.4 years (range, 13-22 years) since cancer diagnosis; median doxorubicin dose 300 mg/m2; 30.5% chest radiation] had similar rates of obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, but more prehypertension/hypertension (38.4% vs. 30.1%, P = 0.044). Survivors had fewer metabolic syndrome features compared with NHANES (≥2 features: 26.7% vs. 55.9%; P < 0.001). Survivors were more physically active and smoked tobacco less (both P < 0.0001). Therefore, general population cardiovascular risk scores were lower for survivors versus NHANES. However, with CCSS models, 30.5% of survivors were at moderate risk of ischemic heart disease, and >95% at moderate/high risk for heart failure, with a 9% to 12% predicted incidence of these conditions by age 50 years. Childhood cancer survivors exhibited similar or better cardiometabolic and lifestyle profiles compared with NHANES, but nonetheless are at risk for future clinically significant cardiovascular disease. Further strategies supporting optimal CRF control are warranted in survivors. See related commentary by Mulrooney, p. 515.

Evaluation of changes in physician behavior after introduction of pediatric syncope approach protocol in the emergency department

ObjectivesSyncope is a common presenting symptom in the pediatric emergency department (PED). The etiology of pediatric syncope is generally benign. However, differentiating cardiac and other serious causes from benign causes of syncope are crucial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change of physicians' behavior after introduction of an institutional protocol designed to act as a guide in the assessment and management of syncope patients in the PED. MethodsThis was a retrospective study, conducted at the PED of our University Children's Hospital. A “pediatric syncope approach protocol” was introduced on March 1, 2019 for quality improvement purposes. Documented information in the medical records, laboratory investigations and the patients' final diagnoses during the six-month periods before and after the protocol introduction were compared. Results268 patients were included in the study (131 pre-protocol, 137 post-protocol patients). When compared with the pre-protocol group, there was a significant improvement in the documentation of syncope characteristics (prodromal findings, predisposing factors, association with exercise), cardiac, neurological and electrocardiographic (ECG) warning signs and ordering of cardiac markers in the post-protocol group. ConclusionsThe introduction of the syncope approach protocol in PED has enabled an evidence-based and systematic evaluation and management of syncope patients, and reduced the rates of low-yield investigations. Sustained implementation of this protocol can have long-term benefits in the care of children with syncope at the emergency department.

Epidemiology and treatment of sepsis at a public pediatric emergency department.

ABSTRACTObjective To describe the clinical characteristics and treatment of children with sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock at a pediatric emergency department of a public hospital.Methods A retrospective, observational study. The medical records of patients included in the hospital Pediatric Sepsis Protocol and patients with discharge ICD-10 A41.9 (sepsis, unspecified), R57 (shock) and A39 (meningococcal meningitis) were evaluated.Results A total of 399 patients were included. The prevalence of sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock at the emergency room were 0.41%, 0.14% and 0.014%, respectively. The median age was 21.5 months for sepsis, 12 months for severe sepsis, and 20.5 months for septic shock. Sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock were more often associated with respiratory diseases. The Respiratory Syncytial Virus was the most common agent. The median time to antibiotic and fluid administration was 3 hours in patients with sepsis and severe sepsis. In patients with septic shock, the median times to administer antibiotics, fluid and vasoactive drugs were 2 hours, 2.5 hours and 6 hours, respectively. The median length of hospital stay for patients with sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock were 3 days, 4 days and 1 day, respectively. The overall mortality was 2%.Conclusion Sepsis had a low prevalence. Early diagnosis and recognition are a challenge for the emergency care pediatrician, the first place of admission.

Evaluation of a pediatric pre-chemotherapy rapid hydration protocol: A quality assurance project.

Intravenous hydration may be utilized to prevent nephrotoxicity and facilitate drug elimination in patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy. Prolonged hydration protocols may lead to delayed initiation and completion of therapy, lengthening hospital admissions. Rapid hydration protocols have been implemented to reduce the time required for patients to meet parameters for chemotherapy administration. This study aims to evaluate a rapid hydration protocol implemented at the Alberta Children's Hospital (ACH). Starting January 2018 through May 2018, data was prospectively collected for pediatric oncology acute care and ambulatory patients at ACH receiving methotrexate (MTX), cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, or ifosfamide. The primary outcome was the time to achieve pre-determined urine parameters prior to chemotherapy administration. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of cycles that achieved urine parameters and the efficacy of each rapid hydration step. A total of 22 cycles were included, 13 for MTX and 9 for non-MTX chemotherapy. Median time to meet all urine parameters was 120 min (range 30-600 min). Two cycles (15%) failed rapid hydration in the MTX group, while no cycles required further hydration in the non-MTX group. Adverse events potentially attributable to hydration were mild and did not require intervention. The ACH rapid hydration protocol resulted in reduced time to meet target urine parameters. The results of this quality assurance review support the continued use of rapid hydration prior to chemotherapy administration.

Venous Thromboembolic Events in Adolescent and Young Adult Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Acute venous thromboembolisms (VTEs) are serious complications that occur during acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) chemotherapy. The data elucidating risk factors for developing VTEs are limited in adolescent and young adult patients being treated per pediatric ALL protocols. In a cohort of 66 patients, 14 (21%) experienced VTEs. The majority of VTEs occurred during induction chemotherapy after the first dose of asparaginase, and in the upper extremities. Five-year relapse-free and overall survival were not impacted by VTEs. Contrary to VTEs in adults, hypoalbuminemia and increased body mass index were not associated with an elevated risk of VTE.

Pediatric defibrillation shocks alone do not cause heart damage in a porcine model

AimAutomated external defibrillators (AEDs) use various shock protocols with different characteristics when deployed in pediatric mode. The aim of this study is to assess and compare the safety and efficacy of different AED pediatric protocols using novel experimental approaches. MethodsTwo defibrillation protocols (A and B) were assessed across two studies: Protocol A: escalating (50–75–90 J) defibrillation waveform with higher voltage, shorter duration and equal phase durations. Protocol B; non-escalating (50–50–50 J) defibrillation waveform with lower voltage, longer duration and unequal phase durations.Experiment 1: Isolated shock damage was assessed following shocks to 12 anesthetized pigs. Animals were randomized into two groups, receiving three shocks from Protocol A (50–75–90 J) or B (50–50–50 J). Cardiac function, cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and histopathology were analyzed. Experiment 2: Defibrillation safety and efficacy were assessed through shock success, ROSC, ST-segment deviation and contractility following 16 randomized shocks from protocol A or B delivered to 10 anesthetized pigs in VF. ResultsExperiment 1: No clinically meaningful difference in cTnI, CPK, ST-segment deviation, ejection fraction or histopathological damage was observed following defibrillation with either protocol. No difference was observed between protocols at any timepoint. Experiment 2: all defibrillation types demonstrated shock success and ROSC ≥ 97.5%. Post-ROSC contractility was similar between protocols. ConclusionsThere is no evidence that administration of clinically relevant shock sequences, without experimental confounders, result in significant myocardial damage in this model of pediatric resuscitation. Typical variations in AED pediatric mode settings do not affect defibrillation safety and efficacy.

Verification of Usefulness of Pediatric Head Trauma Imaging Protocol Combining Computerized Tomography, Observation Unit, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

This prospective observational study conducted in our hospital between October 2016 and September 2019 included 1946 patients aged 0 to 15 years with head trauma, of whom 1137 were analyzed. Computed tomography scan rate and imaging examination (CT or MRI) rate of our protocol were investigated. Sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated. We also compared our protocol and other clinical decision rules with respect to CT scan rate, sensitivity, and NPV in the same cohort and outcomes. The CT scan rate of our protocol was 7.9%, and the imaging examination rate, including MRI, was 12.2%. When the outcome was set to intracranial injury, the sensitivity and NPV of our protocol were each 100%. The CT scan rates in each cohort were 14.5% for PECARN (8.1% for our protocol), 34.7% for CATCH (23.2% for ours), and 13.6% for CHALICE (7.9% for ours). The sensitivity and NPV in each cohort were 100% and 100% for PECARN (92.3% and 100% for ours), 64.7% and 92.6% for CATCH (100% and 100% for ours), and 83.9% and 99.5% for CHALICE (100% and 100% for ours), respectively. The protocol we created by combining CT, observation unit, and MRI was considered to be useful for practice in pediatric head injury cases.

Pediatric tracheostomy tube decannulation with or without polysomnography: A PRO-CON debate.

Determining the timing for decannulation in children with a tracheostomy is a complex process, as the appropriate timing varies based on the initial indication for the tracheostomy tube as well as individual patient characteristics. The original condition for which a tracheostomy was created may improve over time with decannulation being a very important long-term goal for many families and multidisciplinary teams. However, decannulation is an inherently risky procedure associated with morbidity and mortality. Therefore, careful planning is required to ensure the safety of the procedure. Although routine airway endoscopy is an important component of decannulation protocols, guidelines are less prescriptive regarding the definition of a complete endoscopic airway evaluation and the routine use of polysomnography. This review will summarize the important PRO and CON arguments of integrating polysomnography into pediatric decannulation protocols.

Management of severe inaugural diabetic ketoacidosis in paediatric intensive care: retrospective comparison of two protocols.

The two paediatric DKA-management protocols differing in terms of fluid-volume, glucose, and sodium intakes had comparable effects on clinical and laboratory-test changes within 24h. Major drops in glycaemia and osmolality were common with both protocols. No patients had residual neurological impairments. •Cerebral oedema is the most severe complication of diabteic ketoacidosis in children.The risk of cerebral oedema is dependant on both patient related and treatment-related factors. •The optimal protocol for managing severe inaugural diabetic ketoacidosis in children remains unclear, and few studies have targeted this specific population. •Two management protocols that complied with ISPAD guidelines but differed regarding the amounts of fluids, glucose, and sodium administered produced similar outcomes in children with severe inaugural diabetic ketoacidosis. •Cerebral oedema was rare with both protocols and caused no lasting impairments.

Surgical Ovary Masses in Children: A Single Center Experience of 11 Years

Objective: The majority of childhood ovarian masses are benign. However, malignant tumors encountered in adulthood may also be seen in childhood. There is still no ovarian tumor management protocol for children. We shared our experiences with ovarian mass cases operated in our clinic. Material and Methods: Patients aged 0-18 years and had surgery in our hospital between 2010 and 2020 due to ovarian masses were included in the study. The ages of the patients, the maximum diameter and structure of the mass on ultrasonography (USG) and other imaging modalities, symptoms on presentation, tumor markers, operation data, and histopathology results were recorded. The patients were divided into three groups in relation with tumor histopathology, and the demographic data were compared among groups. Results: In 11-year period, 107 surgical operations were performed on 106 patients due to ovarian masses. The ages of the patients were between 2 days and 17 years, with a mean age of 13.4±14.1 years. Of the masses, 9 (8.4%) were malignant (3 (2.8%) borderline), 44 (41.1%) were benign, and 54 (50.5) were non-neoplastic. Histopathology results of 53 surgical operations performed for neoplastic ovarian masses were germ cell tumor in 31 (29%), epithelial tumor in 19 (17.8%), sex cord stromal tumor in 2 (1.9%), and leiomyoma 1 (0.9%) patient. Conclusion: Adult protocols should be used when necessary in rare childhood ovarian malignant tumors, and large multi-center patient series should be constituted in order to establish pediatric protocols related to the subject. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary in childhood ovarian masses.

PROPOSTA DE PROTOCOLO DE ATENDIMENTO PARA CONSULTAS PEDIÁTRICAS

INTRODUCTION: Routine attendance in pediatrics requires knowledge on several protocols and guidelines for each age group to guarantee proper development in childhood. No unified protocol is extant in Brazilian literature for all recommendations. OBJECTIVE: Current paper tries to organize a pediatric attendance protocol to facilitate a pediatric visit to the doctor from the first day of life of the child up to the fifteenth year of the adolescent, and present it on a single chart. METHODS: Current study is based on a bibliographic survey in PubMed and MEDLINE databases with articles published during the last ten years, based on the guidelines of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatrics and other international and national societies. Protocol starts with guidelines on the number and intervals of visits, neonatal screening tests, usage of vitamin D and ferrous sulfate, recommendations for diets and mouth hygiene and the time in which dentist, ophthalmological, audiological evaluations should start, coupled to follow-up and prevention of cardiovascular and enteroparasite diseases, when and which complementary tests should be done in routine visits, evaluation of physical and neuropsychomotor development, including scores for the diagnosis of autism and depression, and immunization calendar. RESULTS: The protocol includes a chart unifying all guidelines by month and date, all the necessary care aspects for the daily use in outpatient attendance and in the consulting room. CONCLUSION: Pediatric attendance protocol will make easy routine visits to the doctor, preventing mistakes and guaranteeing children’s best development.

Treatment strategy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adolescent and young adults

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adolescents and young adults (AYA) is a relatively new concept that refers to patients aged 15-39 years with unique pathophysiology and requiring specific clinical care. Many clinical studies have revealed that treatment with the pediatric protocol has better disease-free and overall survival than the adult protocol for AYA-ALL. AYA-ALL survival was significantly improved from 30% with the adult regimen to 60-70% with the pediatric regimen. Two types of strategies are available to adapt pediatric regimens to AYA-ALL, a pediatric-inspired and a fully pediatric regimen. Determining the recommended strategy from these two strategies is difficult at this time. New knowledge of AYA-ALL-specific genetic characteristics provides new strategies for targetable ALL, especially Ph-like ALL. New immunotherapy has been approved for refractory and recurrent ALL; however, treatment results of AYA-ALL were improved by introducing the first line of immunotherapy in BCP-ALL, which may have a poor prognosis such as residual MRD. Pediatric and adult hematologists must work together to improve the prognosis of AYA-ALL.

Impact of Virtual Reality Technology on Pain and Anxiety in Pediatric Burn Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction:Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to lessen pain and anxiety experienced by pediatric patients undergoing burn wound care procedures. Population-specific variables require novel technological application and thus, a systematic review among studies on its impact is warranted.Objective:The objective of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of VR on pain in children with burn injuries undergoing wound care procedures.Methods:A systematic literature review was performed using PubMed and CINAHL databases from January 2010 to July 2021 with the keywords “pediatric,” “burn,” “virtual reality,” and “pain.” We included experimental studies of between- and within-subjects designs in which pediatric patients’ exposure to virtual reality technology during burn wound care functioned as the intervention of interest. Two researchers independently performed the literature search, made judgements of inclusion/exclusion based on agreed-upon criteria, abstracted data, and assessed quality of evidence using a standardized appraisal tool. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the VR on burning procedural pain in pediatric population. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was used as an index of combined effect size, and a random effect model was used for meta-analysis.Results:Ten articles published between January 2010 and July 2021 passed the selection criteria: six randomized controlled trials and four randomized repeated-measures studies. Consistent results among the studies provided support for VR as effective in reducing pain and potentially pain related anxiety in children undergoing burn wound care through preprocedural preparation (n = 2) and procedural intervention (n = 8). VR effects on pain intensity ratings were moderate to large (SMD=0.60, 95%CI=0.28–0.93, p=0.0037 with no significant heterogeneity of VR intervention effects between studies. Only one study reported direct influence of VR intervention on pre-procedural situational anxiety with a moderate effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.575, 95%CI = 0.11–1.04).Conclusion:Children’s exposure to VR during burn care procedures was associated with lower levels of pain and pain related anxiety. Moderate to large effect sizes support the integration of VR into traditional pediatric burn pain protocols irrespective of innovative delivery methods and content required for use in burned pediatric patients.

Ototoxicity and long-term hearing outcome in pediatric patients receiving cisplatin

Hearing is essential in child development. Cisplatin which is a common chemotherapy used in many pediatric solid-tumor protocols cause various degrees of ototoxicity. Several risk factors for cisplatininduced ototoxicity have been reported, including race and age. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of ototoxicity and its long-term outcome in Thai pediatric solid-tumor patients receiving cisplatin and to determine the risk factors associated with hearing impairment. A retrospective study was conducted in solid-tumor patients < 15 years old from 2007 to 2019 at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Hearing was evaluated by an audiogram and/or auditory steady-state response and the impairment was graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5. Grade 2 and above was considered significant hearing loss. In total, the hearing of 47 patients was evaluated. At the end of treatment, hearing impairment and significant hearing loss were found in 66% and 48.9% of patients, respectively. A high median cumulative cisplatin dose was significantly associated with worse hearing impairment (p = 0.039) and a more progressive grading of ototoxicity (p = 0.005). A risk factor for significant hearing loss was a cumulative dose ≥400 mg/m2 (p = 0.014). All 9 patients who received a cumulative dose > 600 mg/m2 and 5 patients who received aminoglycoside developed significant hearing loss. One patient had progressive hearing impairment at 8 months after the end of treatment and 1 patient developed grade 3 ototoxicity which required a hearing aid after bone marrow transplantation. The latter patient received a total cisplatin dose of 708.2 mg/m < sup > 2 < /sup > and carboplatin 1400 mg/m < sup > 2 < /sup > . The incidence of hearing impairment in pediatric patients receiving cisplatin is high. Regular hearing evaluation is essential for the early detection of ototoxicity. Long-term follow-up is recommended, especially in patients who have a combination of other risk factors for hearing loss.

The Optimal Preoxygenation Target to Avoid Desaturation During Pediatric Rapid Sequence Intubation

<h3>Background</h3> Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is a critical procedure in the resuscitation of critically ill and injured patients but carries an important risk of oxygen desaturation. In the adult population, a target preoxygenation threshold of >93% has been defined. However, it is not known whether this is an appropriate target for pediatric patients. <h3>Objective</h3> To define a target preoxygenation threshold for pediatric RSI. <h3>Methods</h3> Our air medical agency includes 150 bases, with a flight RN/flight paramedic crew configuration. The pediatric RSI protocol includes the use of etomidate or ketamine for induction and either succinylcholine or rocuronium for paralysis. Up to 120 data elements are entered into the Institutions Airway Database for each RSI procedure. For this analysis, all pediatric patients (age <18 years) undergoing RSI between January 2015 and September 2019 were included. Separate analysis was performed for infants (0-2 years), young children (3-8 years), and older children (9-17 years). Patients werestratified by highest pre-attempt SpO2 value, with the rate of desaturation identified as the primary outcome measure. Desaturation was defined as decrease in SpO2 to <94% or a continued decrease by at least 2% if pre-attempt SpO2 value was <94%. A graphical analysis was performed to identify an inflection point below which substantially higher desaturation rates were observed. The desaturation rate for patients with pre-attempt SpO2 values above that threshold were compared to those below that threshold using chi-square analysis, with significance was set at p<0.05. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 1,116 patients were identified over the 57-month period (infant n=247, young children n=250, older children n=619). A clear desaturation rate inflection point was observed with pre-attempt SpO2 values of 97% or greater. For patients with pre-attempt SpO2 values of <97%, the desaturation rate was 59.2% as compared to 12.8% with pre-attempt SpO2 values of 97% or greater (OR 9.8, 95% CI 6.9-14.1, p<0.0001). These results were similar across the three age groups. <h3>Conclusions</h3> These data support a higher preoxygenation target of 97% or greater with pediatric RSI. Limitations include the observational nature of the analysis and the possibility that lower pre-attempt SpO2 is a surrogate for more a difficult airway.

Starting a DBS service for children: It's not the latitude but the attitude - Establishment of the paediatric DBS centre in Northern Finland.

Paediatric movement disorder patients can benefit from deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment and it should be offered in a timely manner. In this paper we describe our experience establishing a DBS service for paediatric patients. We set out to establish a paediatric DBS (pDBS) procedure in Oulu University Hospital in northern Finland, where up to this point DBS treatment for movement disorders had been available for adult patients. Collaboration with experienced centres aided in the process. A multidisciplinary team was assembled and a systematic protocol for patient evaluation and treatment was created, with attention to special features of the regional health care system. All of our first paediatric patients had very severe movement disorders, which is typical for a new DBS centre. The patients benefitted from pDBS treatment despite variable aetiologies of movement disorders, which included cerebral palsy and rare genetic disorders with variants in PDE10A, TPK1 and ARX. We also present our high-quality paediatric MR-imaging protocol with tractography. Establishment of a pDBS centre requires expertise in classification of paediatric movement disorders, longstanding experience in adult DBS and a committed multidisciplinary team. Besides high-quality imaging and a skilled neurosurgery team, careful patient selection, realistic treatment goals and experience in rehabilitation are imperative in pDBS treatment.