Background: Febrile neutropenia (FN) remains an important complication of cytotoxic chemotherapy for which an urgent and appropriate evaluation is imperative.
Purpose: To assess the diagnostic and prognostic roles of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-ProADM) levels in predicting infection in patients with FN. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study included 137 patients with chemotherapy-induced FN. Complete blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, and MR-ProADM were... |
Cerebral organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells offer a groundbreaking foundation for the analysis of pediatric neurological diseases. Unlike organoids from other somatic systems, cerebral organoids present unique challenges, such as the high sensitivity of neuronal cells to environmental conditions and the complexity of replicating brain-specific architectures. Cerebral organoids replicate the human brain development and pathology, enabling research... |
The increasing prevalence of pediatric obesity has emerged as a significant public health concern. Among various contributing factors, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has gained recognition for its potential role. EDCs, including bisphenols, phthalates, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and organochlorines, disrupt hormonal regulation and metabolic processes, contributing to alterations in fat storage, appetite regulation, and insulin sensitivity.... |
Running Title: Elevated blood pressure in childhood Junhyun Kwon, PhD1; Eunji Kim, MD, PhD1,2 1Department of Preventive medicine, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea; 2Artificial Intelligence and Big-Data Convergence Center, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea Corresponding Author: Eunji Kim, MD, PhD, Department of Preventive Medicine, Gachon University College of Medicine, 38-13 Dokjeom-ro 3-beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon 21565,... |
Question: Is the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway (TNF-α-converting enzyme [TACE]/TNF-α/angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE]) involved in pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection? Finding: Significantly increased circulating TACE/TNF-α and decreased ACE2 levels were noted. TNF-α-308G/A plays a significant role in susceptibility to COVID-19 infection among children. The ACE (I/D) (rs4646994) and ACE2 (rs2285666) single nucleotide polymorphisms lack significant associations with pediatric COVID-19 infection. Meaning: The TNF signaling pathway participates in pediatric COVID-19 infection. |
The incidence of childhood obesity is increasing worldwide. National surveys in Malaysia have shown similar trends. This review aimed to increase our understanding of the prevalence and associated factors of childhood overweight, obesity, and excess weight in Malaysia. A systemat-ic review and meta-analysis were conducted of studies reporting the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Malaysian children aged < 18... |
Question: Can a balance task with narrowed base of support indicate overall functional balance control in children with disabilities? Finding: While single-limb standing could explain overall balance control for children with disabilities, it was unrelated with balance control for typically developing children. Meaning: One balance task with narrowed base of support can be used as practical assessment of balance abilities for children with disabilities when allocated session time is of concern. |
Question: How Common is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in obese children? OSA is common in obese children, even without habitual snoring. Finding: Among the subjects, 60.6% had positional OSA, 40.2% had rapid eye movement-related OSA, 59.8% had desaturation, 20.5% had sleep-related hypoventilation, and 5.0% had obesity hypoventilation syndrome. Body mass index (BMI) and neck and waist circumferences were significantly associated with severe OSA. Meaning: We recommend screening obese children (BMI > 29.2 kg/m2) for OSA. |
· Milk and formula are common sources of microplastic in infants. · Water and air are the most common sources of microplastic pollution from infancy to adolescence. · Microplastic use by children of all ages can cause cell damage and affect their health. · Microplastics present in children can be quantified using a stereomicroscope and characterized using micro- Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. |
· This study analyzed 45 randomized controlled trials (5,061 participants, 13 interventions) of the comparative efficacies of treatments for acute bronchiolitis in infants. · Inhalation therapy with epinephrine and hypertonic saline significantly reduced the length of hospital stay compared with normal saline. · Hypertonic saline had the greatest ability to improve the clinical severity score of bronchiolitis in infants younger than 2 years of age. |
The long-term effects of concussion for pediatric patient remains unclear. Children and teenagers do not experience or recover from concussion in the same manner as adults do. Concussions can cause a variety of anatomical and functional alterations. Nonpharmacological approach in pediatric concussion management is an understudied field of research with significant ability to affect prognosis and quality of life. Active rehabilitation and occupational therapy were especially promising. |
· The safety and efficacy of the two-bag versus one-bag system for treating patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) < 21 years remains unestablished. · Our meta-analysis demonstrated similar safety outcomes but sooner DKA resolution and shorter mean response time for intravenous fluid changes for the two-bag system. · This preliminary evidence suggests that the two-bag system has some advantages in efficacy, but further studies are needed to evaluate their extent. |
· Virtual reality (VR) is becoming increasingly common for entertainment and in medical settings. · VR is useful for treating children with cerebral palsy. · VR can help with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms. · VR can decrease pain perception in children undergoing burn wound care. · VR can reduce preoperative anxiety. · VR can reduce fear and pain during needle-involving procedures. |
· Pediatric obesity increases the risk of metabolic complications (insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) and long-term cardiovascular diseases. · A new obesity definition and various indicators (continuous metabolic syndrome score, pediatric simple metabolic syndrome score, fatty liver index) have been proposed to evaluate children’s susceptibility to metabolic disorders. · Laboratory and body composition tests in pediatric screenings can identify groups at high risk of metabolic complications of obesity. |
· Pediatric heart failure (PHF) is a clinical syndrome featuring various symptoms (shortness of breath, ankle swelling, fatigue) and signs (pulmonary crackles, peripheral edema). · Congenital heart diseases are the most common underlying etiology of PHF, whereas myocarditis and primary cardio-myopathies are common in children without structural ab-normalities. · PHF pathophysiology is complex and multifactorial and varies by etiology and age. · PHF management includes decongestive therapy, treatment of underlying causes, preventing progression, and managing pulmonary or systemic obstructions. · Drugs should be chosen based on pharmacodynamics, clinical manifestations, hemodynamic state, and renal function. |
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. |
Question: The inferior vena cava to aorta (IVC/Ao) ratio measured via ultrasound has been touted as a promising noninvasive technique to assess clinically significant dehydration in pediatric patients. Finding: Our meta-analysis found that IVC/Ao ratio had a positive likelihood ratio of 3.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1–5.1) and negative likelihood ratio of 0.18 (95% CI, 0.12–0.28). Meaning: Hence, IVC/Ao ratio is insufficient to exclude or confirm significant dehydration in pediatric patients. |
Question: What is the ideal initiation timing of parenteral nutrition for critically ill children? Finding: This randomized clinical trial of 140 children examined the effects of an early or late start of parenteral nutrition on mechanical ventilation need (primary outcome) and length of stay and mortality (secondary outcomes). Meaning: Children who received early versus late parenteral nutrition had lower mechanical ventilation need and duration. |
Question: What are the current palliative care protocols, palliative course, and implementable palliative care programs for hospitalized pediatric patients with neurological diseases in Italy? Finding: We studied 34 newborns with nervous system diseases, all of whom had a poor prognosis. Meaning: Despite current legislation in Italy, no palliative care network has been implemented. Given the vast number of patients with neurological conditions, standardized palliative care guidelines and protocols are required. |
An accurate diagnosis depends on correct history taking and its interpretation. An in-depth understanding of the symptoms of syncope in connection with its pathophysiology can lead to avoiding critical pitfalls in the diagnostic process of history taking. |
· Chronic liver diseases in children are heterogenous but converge in the common pathway of fibrosis. · Much of the literature on mechanisms of fibrogenesis focus on adults but pediatric physiology has documented differences. · Understanding of these distinctions are necessary to define, treat, and prevent fibrosis. · Current management of liver fibrosis relies heavily on liver biopsy. Multiple tools have shown high diagnostic performance in pediatric and adult populations. Large, multicenter studies are needed for validation. |
· This study compared the ability of 2 probiotics to reduce and improve functional abdominal pain (FAP) in children. · In the polymicrobial probiotic (PMP) group, 10.34% of children reported no pain; in the mono-strain probiotic (MSP) group, all patients reported low-degree pain. The mean pain score decreased significantly over time in both groups. · The use of both PMP and MSP is recommended to reduce pain in patients with FAP. |
The number of studies on ferritin predictive ability in pediatric critical illness has grown exponentially over the past 2 decades. However, among the 66 of 1,580 studies analyzed here, summary statistics for overall and condition-specific studies were only reported in 45.4% and 71.2%, respectively. In contrast, ferritin as a categorical variable with a preset threshold was a significant predictor in 84.6% of studies. |
Question: What barriers to breastfeeding do Korean pediatricians perceive? Finding: Regardless of medical institution, breastfeeding counseling for parents is currently limited, and breastfeeding is commonly discontinued due to various maternal and neonatal factors. Meaning: To promote breastfeeding, increasing pediatrician participation in breastfeeding counseling with the establishment of appropriate breastfeeding counseling fees and the expansion of practical and high-quality breastfeeding education for medical staff should be considered. |
∙ The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported in December 2019 as a cluster outbreak in Wuhan, since then, national lockdowns have included school closures, stay-at-home orders. ∙ The characteristics of adolescent fractures were often related to physical activity such as sports-related injury. ∙ During the COVID-19 pandemic, both in the East and the West, the incidence of fractures in children and adolescents is showing a decreasing trend worldwide. ∙ Fractures in children and adolescents were significantly reduced in the proportion of relatively low-energy damage, and the incidence of fractures in adolescents with greater activity compared to children was reduced. ∙ If COVID-19 pandemic ends, normal academic and sports activities increase due to the easing of lockdown policies, the number of trauma patients related to increased activity may increase rapidly, and clinics should prepare for this change. |
· Childhood chronic kidney disease (CKD) is complex and requires lifetime medical treatment. · Children with CKD are at risk for emotional, behavioral, social, and academic difficulties that significantly affect their quality of life. · Caring for children with CKD is stressful for families. · These unique challenges are crucial and can negatively impact treatment outcomes. · Awareness of and addressing these evolving psychosocial issues can foster their developing needs. |
· Pediatric cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) components have been extensively evaluated as biomarkers of various neurologic diseases. · Several promising candidate CSF biomarkers, including Tau, glial fibrillary acidic protein, neuron-specific enolase, S100β, and interleukins, have been studied in pediatric patients with seizure disorders, central nervous system infections, inflammation, tumors, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, traumatic brain injuries, intraventricular hemorrhage, and congenital hydrocephalus. · Circulating microRNAs in the CSF are a promising class of biomarkers for various neurological diseases. |
· Obesity is strongly associated with the development and progression of chronic kidney disease. · Altered renal hemodynamics, metabolic effects, and lipid nephrotoxicity may play a key role in the development of obesity-related kidney disease. · Children born to obese mothers are at increased risk of developing obesity and chronic kidney disease later in life. · A multilevel approach is needed to prevent obesity and related chronic diseases. |
Pediatric postintensive care syndrome has high impact and burden and can affect a child’s life for decades. The early evaluation and detection of such problems require a simple and less time-consuming surveillance tool. Current evaluation tools can be difficult and strenuous for areas with limited resources. Thus, a new simple tool is required for the early detection and intervention of postintensive care syndrome in critically ill children |
Question: Is malnutrition a risk factor for postoperative complications in pediatric surgical patients? Finding: There is a high incidence of malnutrition in pediatric surgical patients. Stunting increases the risks of postoperative complications and extended hospital stays, while underweight status contributes to extended hospital stays. Meaning: Preoperative nutritional assessments are crucial to improving postoperative outcomes. Anemia increases the risk of postoperative complications and should be corrected preoperatively. |
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