Caregivers' Perspective on Successful Health Care Transition Outcomes for Adolescents and Young Adults With Special Health Care Needs.

PURPOSE: There is limited caregiver-reported evidence determining health care transition (HCT) outcomes for their adolescents/young adults with special health care needs (AYA-SHCN). A subcommittee of the International and Interdisciplinary Healthcare Transition Research Consortium aimed to identify multidimensional outcomes of a successful HCT among AYA-SHCN based on parents/caregivers' perspectives. METHODS: After literature review and expert interviews, a three-stage Delphi process identified HCT outcomes based on parents/caregivers' perspectives. Participants were parents/caregivers of patients attending the Victory Junction Therapeutic Camp and a nationally representative sample from Cint Healthcare Digital Solutions Platform. The cumulative 272 responses collected on a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant web-based engine (Qualtrics) rated potential HCT outcomes by level of importance on a Likert scale from 1 (not important) to 9 (very important) and narrowed in subsequent iterations. RESULTS: The Delphi process included 127 (Stage 1), 82 (Stage 2), and 63 (Stage 3) parents/caregivers. The initial 25 HCT outcomes were narrowed to 13, across four major domains: coping/satisfaction, behavioral, structural, and HCT/healthcare-focused outcomes. The top outcome was "My child takes their medications as prescribed." Several traditionally considered important outcomes for HCT were eliminated. DISCUSSION: Thirteen HCT outcomes for AYA-SHCN were identified in four major domains: coping/satisfaction, behavioral, structural, and HCT/healthcare focused. Future research in larger samples would allow stratification to represent diverse patients and caregiver populations. Identifying international consensus-derived outcomes among parents/caregivers is imperative for the evaluation of HCT preparation strategies that ensure appropriate support for diverse AYA-SHCN and their families during this process and enable implementation of the most effective interventions.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Inequity in Routine Childhood Vaccination Coverage: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Routine childhood vaccination coverage rates fell in many countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the impact of inequity on coverage is unknown. METHODS: We synthesised evidence on inequities in routine childhood vaccination coverage (PROSPERO, CRD 42021257431). Studies reporting empirical data on routine vaccination coverage in children 0-18 years old during the COVID-19 pandemic by equity stratifiers were systematically reviewed. Nine electronic databases were searched between 1 January 2020 and 18 January 2022. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Tool for Cohort Studies. Overall, 91 of 1453 studies were selected for full paper review, and thirteen met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: The narrative synthesis found moderate evidence for inequity in reducing the vaccination coverage of children during COVID-19 lockdowns and moderately strong evidence for an increase in inequity compared with pre-pandemic months (before March 2020). Two studies reported higher rates of inequity among children aged less than one year, and one showed higher inequity rates in middle- compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from a limited number of studies shows the effect of the pandemic on vaccine coverage inequity. Research from more countries is required to assess the global effect on inequity in coverage.

Violence Against Children: Recognition, Rights, Responses.

All forms of violence against children (VAC) are violations of children's rights. Traditional definitions of child maltreatment do not address the rapidly evolving global spectrum of VAC. In this article, we offer an expanded definition of VAC that integrates the principles of child rights, clinical medicine, and public health. The authors further expand the socioecological model to establish a trans-societal sphere, composed of root-cause determinants of VAC, including climate change, globalization, armed conflict, etc. A child rights-based taxonomy of VAC is also presented. The authors conclude with recommendations to address VAC in the domains of clinical practice, systems development, and policy generation.

Pandemics, epidemics and inequities in routine childhood vaccination coverage: a rapid review.

Inequity in routine childhood vaccination coverage is well researched. Pandemics disrupt infrastructure and divert health resources from preventive care, including vaccination programmes, leading to increased vaccine preventable morbidity and mortality. COVID-19 control measures have resulted in coverage reductions. We conducted a rapid review of the impact of pandemics on existing inequities in routine vaccination coverage. PICO search framework: Population: children 0-18 years; Intervention/exposure: pandemic/epidemic; Comparison: inequality; Outcome: routine vaccination coverage. The review demonstrates a gap in the literature as none of the 29 papers selected for full-paper review from 1973 abstracts identified from searches met the inclusion criteria.

Optimizing the Office Visit for Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs.

Youth with special health care needs (YSHCN) experience health care disparities and often need additional support to receive optimal medical care, particularly in adolescence as they prepare to transition to adult care. Many medical practices struggle to address their needs. Here, we discuss approaches to improve medical care in office-based settings for YSHCN. Office visits can be optimized by training staff in developmentally appropriate care and ensuring that the physical office space facilitates care. Participating in previsit preparation, including managing patient registries of YSHCN, engaging in regular team huddles, and incorporating previsit planning, can improve preparation and ensure that important needs are not overlooked. Additionally, approaches to improve patient and medical provider comfort with office visits with YSHCN, including approaches to measuring vital signs, examining patients, and communicating with patients with various disabilities, are reviewed. Finally, we discuss methods of supporting adolescents with special health care needs in developing self-management skills that will allow them to be better prepared to enter adult health care settings when appropriate. Although YSHCN can present challenges to medical teams, their care can be improved by developing office-based changes and processes to support improved care for these patients. This may help overcome the health care disparities they experience and increase comfort for all members of the medical team.

Toward a Child Rights Theory in Pediatric Bioethics.

This article offers a child rights theory in pediatric bioethics, applying the principles, standards, and norms of child rights, health equity, and social justice to medical and ethical decision-making. We argue that a child rights theory in pediatric bioethics will help pediatricians and pediatric bioethicists analyze and address the complex interplay of biomedical and social determinants of child health. These core principles, standards and norms, grounded in the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), provide the foundational elements for the theory and a means for better understanding the complex determinants of children's health and well-being. Rights-based approaches to medical and ethical decision-making provide strategies for applying and translating these elements into the practice of pediatrics and pediatric bioethics by establishing a coherent, consistent, and contextual theory that is relevant to contemporary practice. The proposed child rights theory extends evolving perspectives on the relationship between human rights and bioethics to both child rights and pediatric bioethics.

Addressing the gaps in preparation for quarantine.

INTRODUCTION: In the event of an outbreak of a communicable respiratory illness, quarantine may become necessary. The New York Institute for All Hazard Preparedness (NYIAHP) of the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center, in cooperation with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Program, (NYC DOHMH-HEPP) quarantine working group, has developed a series of clinical protocols to help health care facilities respond to such an event. PROBLEM: Two full-scale exercises (FSEs) were designed and conducted a year apart in the quarantine unit at Kings County Hospital Center (KCHC) to test the efficacy and feasibility of these quarantine protocols. The goal of these exercises was to identify the gaps in preparedness for quarantine and increase hospital readiness for such an event. METHODS: Evaluators monitored for efficient management of critical physical plants, personnel and material resources. Players were expected to integrate and practice emergency response plans and protocols specific to quarantine. In developing the exercise objectives, five activities were selected for evaluation: Activation of the Unit, Staffing, Charting/Admission, Symptom Monitoring and Infection Control, and Client Management. RESULTS: The results of the initial FSE found that there were incomplete critical tasks within all five protocols: These deficiencies were detailed in an After Action Report and an Improvement Plan was presented to the KCHC Disaster Preparedness Committee a month after the initial FSE. In the second FSE a year later, all critical tasks for Activation of the unit, Staffing and Charting/Admission were achieved. Completion of critical tasks related to Symptom Monitoring and Infection Control and Client Management was improved in the second FSE, but some tasks were still not performed appropriately. CONCLUSION: In short, these exercises identified critical needs in disaster preparedness of the KCHC Quarantine Unit. The lessons learned from this logistical exercise enabled the planning group to have a better understanding of leadership needs, communication capabilities, and infection control procedures. Kings County Hospital Center performed well during these exercises. It was clear that performance in the second exercise was improved, and many problems noted in the first exercise were corrected. Staff also felt better prepared the second time. This supports the idea that frequent exercises are vital to maintain disaster readiness.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in otitis-prone children.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization among children undergoing bilateral myringotomy and tube insertion with or without adenoidectomy for chronic otitis media with effusion or recurrent acute otitis media, as well as to examine the occurrence of postoperative otorrhea in children who have vs do not have MRSA colonization. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Hospital-based pediatric otolaryngology practice in a metropolitan area. PATIENTS: Seventy-six children (51 boys and 25 girls), with a mean (SD) age of 3.6 (1.8) years. INTERVENTIONS: Cultures for S aureus from the nasopharynx, external auditory canals, middle ears, and adenoid were obtained at the time of surgery, as well as middle ear cultures for bacteriologic culture and sensitivity. Patients were followed up for the development of otorrhea. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of MRSA colonization and predictors of subsequent otorrhea. RESULTS: The prevalence of S aureus colonization at the time of bilateral myringotomy and tube insertion was 7.9% (95% CI, 3.0%-16.4%), and the prevalence of MRSA colonization was 3.9% (95% CI, 0.8%-11.1%). All MRSA-positive specimens were resistant to erythromycin, and 2 were resistant to clindamycin. The mean (SD) follow-up period was 11.6 (3.6) months. Twenty-seven patients (35.5% [95% CI, 25.1%-46.9%]) developed at least 1 episode of otorrhea. One of 3 patients with MRSA colonization had subsequent otorrhea. The only predictor of otorrhea was younger age. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MRSA colonization among otitis-prone children was similar to rates reported among the general pediatric community. Methicillin-resistant S aureus colonization at the time of bilateral myringotomy and tube insertion was not predictive of subsequent otorrhea.

Severe ocular reactions after neonatal ocular prophylaxis with gentamicin ophthalmic ointment.

In this study, we report 4 infants who developed severe ocular reactions after neonatal ocular prophylaxis with gentamicin ophthalmic ointment during a period of erythromycin ophthalmic ointment shortage. In light of this experience, gentamicin ophthalmic ointment should not be used as an alternative for neonatal ocular prophylaxis.

Prevalence of viral and mycobacterial co-infections in perinatally HIV-infected children.

The progression of HIV disease may be affected by co-infection with other viruses. This study investigates the prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV); cytomegalovirus (CMV); herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2; hepatitis A, B, and C (HA, HB, HC); and tuberculosis in perinatally HIV-infected children. Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (EIA) against EBV, CMV, HSV 1 and 2, HAV HBV HCV, and skin testing with purified protein derivative was performed on 45 perinatally HIV-infected children. CMVwas positive in 51%, EBVin 93.3%, HSV-1 in 62.2%, HSV-2 in 48.9%, HAV in 15.6%, HBVand HCV in 6.7% and PPD in 0%. HSV-2 prevalence was higher in females and Hispanics. The prevalence of CMV, EBV HSV-1, and tuberculosis was equivalent to rates reported in the general population. Prevalence of HSV-2 was significantly higher than in the general population (p < 0.001). Higher rates of HSV-2 infection and hepatitis may be secondary to high maternal co-infection rate and subsequent vertical transmission.