Epidemiology of pediatric parapneumonic pleural effusion during 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine implementation.

INTRODUCTION: The reported incidence of parapneumonic pleural effusion, including empyema, has shown fluctuations in the last decades. It has been related to the implementation of different types of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines. METHODS: We have retrospectively reviewed data from all 10 public hospitals in Alicante Province (Spain) covering a population of 279,000 children under 15 years of age, between 2010 and 2018. Effusions less than 10 mm (PE-) and those of 10 mm or more (PE+) were separated. RESULTS: A total of 366 episodes of parapneumonic pleural effusion have been analyzed, 178 PE- (48.6%) and 188 PE+ (51.4%), with a median age of 4 years (interquartile range: 2-7 years) and marked seasonality with the maximum in winter and the minimum in summer. A culture proven bacterial agent was identified in 34 patients (9.3%), mainly Streptococcus pneumoniae (24 patients) followed by Streptococcus pyogenes (7 patients). The most frequent S. pneumoniae serotype was 19A (6 patients) and 3 vaccine failures were observed. The mean annual incidence rate was 14.3 cases per 100,000 children under 15 years of age (7.0 for PE- and 7.3 for PE+). No significant changes were observed in incidence over time, but noticeable differences in incidence were observed in different health departments. CONCLUSIONS: We have not found temporal variations in incidence of parapneumonic effusion despite the implementation of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The unexplained disparity in incidence between close departments is noteworthy.

Latin American Consensus on the Management of Sepsis in Children: Sociedad Latinoamericana de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos [Latin American Pediatric Intensive Care Society] (SLACIP) Task Force: Executive Summary.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis in children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), more specifically in Latin America. Design: A panel was formed consisting of 27 experts with experience in the treatment of pediatric sepsis and two methodologists working in Latin American countries. The experts were organized into 10 nominal groups, each coordinated by a member. Methods: A formal consensus was formed based on the modified Delphi method, combining the opinions of nominal groups of experts with the interpretation of available scientific evidence, in a systematic process of consolidating a body of recommendations. The systematic search was performed by a specialized librarian and included specific algorithms for the Cochrane Specialized Register, PubMed, Lilacs, and Scopus, as well as for OpenGrey databases for grey literature. The GRADEpro GDT guide was used to classify each of the selected articles. Special emphasis was placed on search engines that included original research conducted in LMICs. Studies in English, Spanish, and Portuguese were covered. Through virtual meetings held between February 2020 and February 2021, the entire group of experts reviewed the recommendations and suggestions. Result: At the end of the 12 months of work, the consensus provided 62 recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric sepsis in LMICs. Overall, 60 were strong recommendations, although 56 of these had a low level of evidence. Conclusions: These are the first consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and management of pediatric sepsis focused on LMICs, more specifically in Latin American countries. The consensus shows that, in these regions, where the burden of pediatric sepsis is greater than in high-income countries, there is little high-level evidence. Despite the limitations, this consensus is an important step forward for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric sepsis in Latin America.

[Freedom of conscience. Biojuridical conflicts at multicultural societies]. / Libertad de Conciencia. Conflictos Biojurídicos en las Sociedades Multiculturales.

The paper analyzes the right of healthcare professionals to conscientious objection at multicultural societies. the ethical relativism, characteristic of these societies, lives together with an apparently paradoxical reduction of the exercise of freedom of conscience. It is wrote "Apparently" because, at the end, the ethical relativism tends to the adoption of dogmatic attitudes. Special attention is paid to the situation of Spanish healthcare in relation with euthanasia and abortion. With regard to euthanasia, the "dignified dead" draft bill of Andalucía is considered. With regard to abortion, we will pay attention to the reform of the Penal Code in the context of a new regulation about "reproductive health" of women, which means the adoption of a system of time limits, and the characterization of abortion as a women's right. It is concluded that the freedom of conscience of healthcare professionals would be probably at risk if proposed legal policies doesn't change.