Question: Can face masks alter pulmonary pressure in children and adolescents with and without congenital heart disease? Findings: Mask removal during echocardiography (ECHO) reduced pulmonary pressure. Meaning: These findings suggest that face masks should be removed during ECHO in children and adolescents. |
Question: What is the optimal dose of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) for treating necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and is orally administered BM-MSC effective? Findings: High (1×106 cells) or multiple BM-MSC doses showed similar effects as low (1×105 cells) doses of intraperitoneally administered BM-MSCs. Furthermore, orally administered BM-MSCs were as effective as intraperitoneally administered BM-MSCs. Meaning: Orally administered low-dose BM-MSCs are a potential treatment for NEC. |
Newborns born to mothers infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) should be closely monitored for respiratory disorders, such as transient tachypnea of the newborn, regardless of their COVID-19 test results. Further research is required of the development of infants born to mothers with COVID-19. The trends in Korea's birth rate and infant mortality rates have not been significantly affected by COVID-19. |
· Oral immunotherapy should be supervised by pediatricians with experience administering oral food challenge tests and managing allergic reactions. · Food allergen intake is gradually increased and maintained for years. · Patients may experience allergic reactions and psychological problems. · Adjunctive therapies (biologics, antihistamines, and leukotriene receptor antagonists) may improve efficacy and safety. · Contraindications include uncontrolled asthma, malignancy, active autoimmune disorders, and beta-blocker usage. |
Despite worldwide acceptance of acetaminophen (paracetamol) in pediatric medicine, careful examination reveals no valid objections to the conclusion that early exposure to acetaminophen causes neurodevelopmental injury in susceptible babies and children. Nevertheless, debate that early exposure to acetaminophen causes neurodevelopmental injury has centered around the prenatal period, evidence of which is relatively limited compared to that in the postnatal period, which is the time of greatest absolute and relative risk. |
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression post transcriptionally, and MiRNA expression levels vary with developmental stages. MiRNAs play an important role in several biological processes in children, including growth, neuro-development, inflammation, and tumor formation. Research on miRNAs may uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying various pediatric diseases, leading to the development of novel biomarkers that aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of these diseases. |
Question: What emotions do parents experience when their newborns are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)? Finding: Mothers experienced more anxiety (51%), depression (31%), and stress (41%) symptoms than fathers (26%, 12%, and 22%, respectively). Meaning: Parents often experience anxiety, stress, and depression following NICU admission. Healthcare workers are responsible for providing regular parental counseling. |
· Review of articles that investigated the applications of virtual, augmented, or mixed reality in pediatric clinical settings and in the training of pediatric medical professionals was conducted. · A total of 89 studies were retrieved, with 36 randomized controlled trials. · In most studies, intervention using the novel technology was at least as effective or more effective than the traditional method. · Use of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality has potential in pediatrics. |
· With the increase in childhood obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a concern in recent years. · NAFLD is strongly associated with insulin resistance. · Lifestyle modifications are the mainstay treatment for NAFLD. |
· Most commonly confirmed causes of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children are Mycoplasma pneumoniae (8%–40%) and respiratory syncytial virus (15%–20%). · Pyogenic bacteria, most commonly Streptococcus pneumoniae (40%–50%) and Streptococcus pyogenes (10%–25%), are detected in 2%–5% of children hospitalized with CAP. · CAP should be diagnosed conservatively according to clinical and radiological criteria. · The etiology should be identified via appropriate test result interpretation. |
· Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by a strong T helper (Th)2 response, although the extents of Th22, Th17/ interleukin (IL)-23, and Th1 responses vary among disease subtypes. · Children with moderate to severe AD may require early systemic therapy to reduce the systemic inflammation caused by increased Th2 cytokine levels. · Dupilumab, which blocks IL-4/IL-13 receptor, has equivalent efficacy for extrinsic and intrinsic AD and a favorable safety profile in infants and children aged 6 months and older. |
· Anorectal manometry is safe in children. · Defecation Dyssynergia is one of the commonest cause of chronic constipation. · Positive Rectoanal inhibiory reflex rules out Hirschsprung's Disease |
Question: Is helmet therapy effective for positional plagiocephaly? What factors influence helmet therapy efficacy for positional plagiocephaly? Finding: Helmet therapy is effective for infants with moderate to severe positional plagiocephaly, and its effectiveness is influenced by age at treatment initiation, severity of head asymmetry, and daily duration of helmet wear. Meaning: Pediatricians should initiate helmet therapy for positional plagiocephaly sooner, ideally before 9 months of age, to maximize treatment efficacy. |
Question: What is the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) in excess-weight Latin children, and can proinflammatory biomarkers predict it? Finding: IR prevalence was elevated and tumor necrosis factor- α, interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein- 1, soluble CD40 ligand, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were increased in excess-weight Latin children. However, none predicted IR status. Meaning: These inflammatory biomarkers were unable to predict IR status. Therefore, further investigations are necessary. |
· The proper monitoring for and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-induced acute kidney injury, which is common in critically ill children, are recommended. · Glomerulopathy associated with COVID-19 or its vaccination has been reported, and the overall clinical course is similar to that of non-COVID-19-associated diseases. · Additional COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended; however, careful and individualized decisions should be made in patients with COVID-19- or vaccination-associated glomerulopathy. |
· Primary pediatricians should play a key role in the diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). · The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, has lowered the diagnostic threshold for older teens and adults and a comorbid diagnosis with autism is now allowed. · The American Academy of Pediatrics had added recommendation-related comorbid conditions in its guideline and the Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics recently developed a complex ADHD guideline. · The European ADHD Guideline Group recently developed a guideline for managing ADHD during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. |
· X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), the most common cause of hypophosphatemic rickets, affects 1/20,000 people. · XLH is caused by a loss-of-function mutation of the PHEX gene. · Its main pathogenesis is elevated fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) level. · Burosumab, an FGF23 inhibitor, was developed in the early 2000s. · Burosumab was approved in Korea in 2020 for XLH patients aged 1+ years with radiographic evidence of bone disease. |
· Clinical studies of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in infants should be supported by rigorous laboratory diagnostic criteria. · Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spreads to infants similarly to other viral respiratory infections. · Among infants ≤1 year of age beyond the immediate postpartum period, COVID-19 is relatively mild, but even the low risk of severe disease requires prevention. · Comorbidities increase infection vulnerability and complications in infants. · Clinical and laboratory data do not sufficiently distinguish COVID-19 from other respiratory viral infections. · Coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 is uncommon among infants. · Unique infection sequelae, including multi-inflammatory syndrome in children and neonates and long COVID require further study and refinement of diagnostic criteria. · Infection control standards applied to mother-infant dyads should be tempered by standard preventive strategies, maternal input, accommodation potential, and overall safety. · Maternal vaccination prevents disease in early infancy. |
Question: What are the risk factors for prolonged diarrhea in children under 2 years old? Finding: History of antibiotic use, zinc deficiency, and elevated fecal alpha-1 antitrypsin levels were the main risk factors of prolonged diarrhea in children under 2 years old with acute diarrhea. Meaning: Rational antibiotic usage is necessary as well as thorough testing of serum zinc level and fecal alpha-1 antitrypsin levels. |
Question: This is the first meta-analysis to examine published evidence of the effectiveness of virtual reality at reducing pain during pediatric intravenous injections. Finding: Our results suggest that virtual reality effectively reduces pain associated with intravenous injections in pediatric patients. Meaning: These findings suggest the importance of virtual reality in decreasing the pain of intravenous injections among children. |
· Coronavirus disease 2019 (OVID-19) infection and immunization have been linked with kidney problems; however, causality has not been proven. · Concern about confounders is usually needed. · Correspondence about a published article on the COVID-19 vaccine |
· Recent advances in molecular genetics have improved our understanding of pediatric endocrine disorders and are now used in mainstream medical practice. · Genome-wide association studies can increase our understanding of the biological mechanisms of disease and inform new therapeutic options. · The identification of founder mutations leads to the efficient localization of the genes underlying Mendelian disorders. · Next-generation sequencing technologies benefit clinical practice and research of pediatric endocrinology. |
· The prevalence of pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) increased from 8.2% in 2009 to 12.1% in 2018 in Korea. · Laboratory tests, biomarkers, and imaging studies are used for the early detection of NAFLD. · Insulin resistance is closely related to NAFLD. |
· Dendritic, regulatory T, and regulatory B cells significantly contribute to the natural course of food allergy. · Cow’s milk and hen’s egg allergies tend to resolve in earlier childhood but recent studies show that 50% of patients still persist into school age. · The potential factors affecting the natural course of food allergy are age at diagnosis, symptom severity, sensitization status and its change rate, and external factors such as diet and interventions. · There is a considerable possibility of food allergy outgrow if specific IgE levels are 2–5 kUA/L or less, but other factors such as age and recent symptoms should be considered together. · With a clear understanding of the natural course of food allergy, pediatricians can provide appropriate assessment and interventions to our patients, and consequently can help patients overcome their food allergy and improve the social safety net. |
Question: What are the adverse clinical outcomes of neonates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–infected mothers? Finding: Infants of mothers with COVID-19 were at significantly increased risk of transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), use of noninvasive ventilation, and need for supplemental oxygen (P<0.05). Meaning: Neonates of mothers with COVID-19 are at risk of TTN and require respiratory support. Close monitoring is essential to ensuring timely intervention if required. |
Question: Would students with reading disorder have a significantly higher prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactiveimpulsive disorder (ADHD) symptoms than neurotypical students? Finding: Students at risk of reading disorder exhibited significant ADHD symptoms compared with those not at risk of reading disorder according to all presentations of teacher assessments versus only for predominantly inattentive presentations of the parental assessments. Meaning: Students with reading disorder have a significantly higher prevalence of ADHD symptoms than neurotypical students. Sex, parental education level, average family income, and children’s school affiliation significantly influenced reading disorder prevalence. |