Incidence, Treatment, and Outcome Trends of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background: Data regarding the incidence and mortality of necrotizing enterocolitis trends are scarce in the literature. Recently, some preventive strategies have been confirmed (probiotics) or increased (breastfeeding rate). This study aims to describe the trends of necrotizing enterocolitis incidence, treatment, and mortality over the last decade in Spain. Methods: Multicenter cohort study with data from the Spanish Neonatal Network-SEN1500 database. The study period comprised from January 2005 to December 2017. Preterm infants <32 weeks of gestational age at birth without major congenital malformations were included for analysis. The main study outcomes were necrotizing enterocolitis incidence, co-morbidity (bronchopulmonary dysplasia, late-onset sepsis, cystic periventricular leukomalacia, retinopathy of prematurity, acute kidney injury), mortality, and surgical/non-surgical treatment. Results: Among the 25,821 included infants, NEC incidence was 8.8% during the whole study period and remained stable when comparing 4-year subperiods. However, more cases were surgically treated (from 48.8% in 2005-2008 to 70.2% in 2015-2017, p < 0.001). Mortality improved from 36.7% in the 2005-2008 to 26.6% in 2015-2017 (p < 0.001). Breastfeeding rates improved over the studied years (24.3% to 40.5%, p < 0.001), while gestational age remained invariable (28.5 weeks, p = 0.20). Prophylactic probiotics were implemented during the study period in some units, reaching 18.6% of the patients in 2015-2017. Conclusions: The incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis remained stable despite the improvement regarding protective factors frequency. Surgical treatment became more frequent over the study period, whereas mortality decreased.

[Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of necrotising enterocolitis in newborns less than 32 weeks at birth in Spain]. / Prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la enterocolitis necrosante en recién nacidos menores de 32 semanas al nacimiento en España.

OBJECTIVES: To describe preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies regarding necrotising enterocolitis in Spain and to identify the strengths, areas of further improvement, and future research lines. METHODS: Two questionnaires on the management of preterm infants less than 32 weeks, at risk of, or with diagnosed necrotising enterocolitis, were distributed among selected representatives of the surgeons and neonatologists of the Spanish Neonatal Network (SEN1500) participant hospitals with a Paediatric Surgery Department. RESULTS: Percentage of response was 77.1% of contacted surgeons and 88.6% of neonatologists. There is a written protocol on the diagnosis and medical management of necrotising enterocolitis in 52% of the hospitals, and as regards surgical treatment in 33%. There is wide access to donor bank milk and to staff dedicated to breastfeeding promotion (87%). On the contrary, only 52% of the centres perform delayed cord clamping, and probiotics are used in just 23%. The use of abdominal ultrasound is increasing. There are no large differences as regards duration of antibiotic use and bowel rest, whereas there was as regards antibiotic selection, surgical indication, and type of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: As regards prevention, delayed cord clamping and extended access to donor milk are two possible aspects of further improvement. The observed discrepancies noted in diagnostic and therapeutic aspects are common in precisely the areas where evidence in the literature is weakest.

[Efficacy, safety and satisfaction of sedation-analgesia in Spanish emergency departments]. / Eficacia, seguridad y satisfacción de los procedimientos de sedoanalgesia en las urgencias españolas.

OBJECTIVES: To offer analgesia and sedation should be a priority in paediatric emergency departments. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of the sedation-analgesia procedure, as well as the satisfaction of the doctors, patients and parents. METHODS: A multicentre, observational, and prospective analytical study was conducted on the sedation-analgesia procedure performed on children younger than 18 years old in 18 paediatric emergency departments in Spain from February 2015 until January 2016. RESULTS: A total of 658 procedures were recorded. The effectiveness was good in 483 cases (76.1%; 95%CI: 72.7-79.4%), partial in 138 (21.7%; 95%CI: 18.5-24.9%), and poor in 14 (2.2%; 95%CI: 1.1-3.4). The effectiveness was better when the doctor in charge was an emergency paediatrician (OR: 3.14; 95%CI: 1.10-8.95), and when a deeper level of sedation was achieved (OR: 2.37; 95%CI: 1.68-3.35). Fifty two children (8.4%) developed adverse drug reactions, more usually gastrointestinal, neurological or respiratory ones (89.9% were resolved in <2h). One patient was intubated. The older child and a deeper level of sedation were found to be independent risk factors for adverse reactions (OR: 1.18; 95%CI: 1.09-1.28 and OR: 1.86; 95%CI: 1.22-2.83, respectively). Thirteen children (5%) developed late adverse drug reactions, more commonly, dizziness and nauseas. A combination of midazolam/ketamine had been used in all the cases (RR: 24.46; 95%CI: 11.78-50.76). The perceived satisfaction level (0-10) was obtained from 604 doctors (mean: 8.54; SD: 1.95), 526 parents (mean: 8.86; SD: 1.49), and 402 children (mean: 8.78; SD: 1.70). CONCLUSIONS: The sedation-analgesia procedure performed in paediatric emergency departments by trained paediatricians seems to be useful, effective and safe, as well as satisfactory for all participants.

Assessment of proadrenomedullin as diagnostic or prognostic biomarker of acute appendicitis in children with acute abdominal pain.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the most frequent surgical pathologies in pediatrics. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the utility of proadrenomedullin (pro-ADM) for the diagnosis of AA. METHODS: Prospective, analytical, observational, and multicenter study conducted in 6 pediatric emergency departments. Children up to 18 years of age with suspected AA were included. Clinical, epidemiological, and analytical data were collected. RESULTS: We studied 285 children with an average age of 9.5 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.1-9.9). AA was diagnosed in 103 children (36.1%), with complications in 10 of them (9.7%). The mean concentration of pro-ADM (nmol/L) was higher in children with AA (0.51 nmol/L, SD 0.16) than in children with acute abdominal pain (AAP) of another etiology (0.44 nmol/L, SD 0.14; p < 0.001). This difference was greater in complicated cases compared with uncomplicated AA (0.64 nmol/L, SD 0.17 and 0.50 nmol/L, SD 0.15, respectively; p = 0.005). The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves were 0.66 (95% CI, 0.59-0.72) for pro-ADM, 0.70 (95% CI, 0.63-0.76) for C-reactive protein (CRP), 0.84 (95% CI, 0.79-0.89) for neutrophils, and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.79-0.89) for total leukocytes. The most reliable combination to rule out AA was CRP ≤1.25 mg/dL and pro-ADM ≤0.35 nmol/L with a sensitivity of 96% and a negative predictive value of 93%. CONCLUSION: Children with AA presented higher pro-ADM values than children with AAP of other etiologies, especially in cases of complicated AA. The combination of low values of pro-ADM and CRP can help to select children with low risk of AA.

Hospital-acquired hyponatremia: Does the type of fluid therapy affect children admitted to intensive care? / Hiponatremia adquirida en el hospital: ¿influye el tipo de fluidoterapia en los niños ingresados a cuidados intensivos?

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between the type of initial fluid therapy used (isotonic or hypotonic solutions) and the development of hyponatremia, the plas ma chlorine values and the tolerance of venous access. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective cohort study in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of a high complexity hospital. There were included children younger than 15 years old hospitalized during the first semester of 2010 and 2013 who recei ved intravenous maintenance fluid therapy, excluding patients undergoing cardiac surgery, kidney transplant and admissions that lasted less than 24 hours. Epidemiological, comorbidity and admis sion-related data were collected, including type of solution received, sodium and chlorine values in the first 72 hours of hospitalization and the incidence of extravasation of peripheral intravenous lines. RESULTS: 111 children were included; 68 children (61.3%) were treated with hypotonic solutions and 43 (38.7%) with isotonic solutions. There were no differences in pathology and severity, and also in the volume of fluid received. Among the patients who received hypotonic solutions, 28 (41.2%) de veloped hyponatremia, wich was moderate (Na <130 mEq/Kg) in 11 cases, compared with 8 children (18.6%) who received isotonic solutions, with only one case of moderate hyponatremia (p = 0.027). No cases of hypernatremia were recorded, and there were no differences in plasma chlorine values. There was also no increased frequency of venous access loss in patients treated with isotonic solutions (4.7% versus 7.4%, p = 0.704). CONCLUSION: Treatment with initial isotonic solutions in children hos pitalized in PICU is associated with a lower incidence and severity of hyponatremia, without changes in the plasma chlorine values and it is well tolerated by peripheral intravenous lines.

Hiponatremia adquirida en el hospital: ¿influye el tipo de fluidoterapia en los niños ingresados a cuidados intensivos? / Hospital-acquired hyponatremia: Does the type of fluid therapy affect children admitted to intensive care?

Resumen: Introducción: Este estudio tuvo por objetivo valorar las diferencias entre el tipo de fluidoterapia ini cial utilizada (sueros isotónicos o hipotónicos) en el desarrollo de hiponatremia, valores de cloro y to lerancia de las vías venosas. Pacientes y Método: Estudio retrospectivo de cohortes en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (UCIP) de un hospital terciario. Se incluyeron niños menores de 15 años ingresados durante el primer semestre de los años 2010 y 2013, que recibieron fluidoterapia in travenosa, excluyéndose los sometidos a cirugía cardiaca, trasplantados renales y aquellos con ingreso inferior a 24 h. Se recogieron datos epidemiológicos, de comorbilidad y relacionados con el ingreso, tipo de suero recibido, valores de sodio y cloro en las primeras 72 h y la incidencia de extravasaciones de vías periféricas. Resultados: Se incluyeron 111 niños: 68 (61,3%) recibieron líquidos hipotónicos y 43 (38,7%) isotónicos. No hubo diferencias respecto a la patología y gravedad, ni tampoco en el volumen de líquidos recibido. Entre los pacientes que recibieron sueros hipotónicos, 28 (41,2%) pre sentaron hiponatremia, siendo esta moderada (Na <130 mEq/kg) en 11 de ellos, en comparación con 8 niños (18,6%) entre los que recibieron sueros isotónicos, registrando hiponatremia moderada solo en un caso (p=0,027). No se registró ningún caso de hipernatremia, ni hubo diferencias en los valores de cloro plasmático. Tampoco se objetivó mayor frecuencia de pérdida del acceso venoso utilizando la fluidoterapia isotónica (4,7% vs. 7,4%, p=0,704). Conclusión: El uso de líquidos iniciales isotóni cos en niños hospitalizados en UCIP se asocia con menor incidencia y gravedad de hiponatremia, sin cambio en la cloremia y es bien tolerado por las vías venosas periféricas.

Abstract: Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between the type of initial fluid therapy used (isotonic or hypotonic solutions) and the development of hyponatremia, the plas ma chlorine values and the tolerance of venous access. Patients and Method: Retrospective cohort study in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of a high complexity hospital. There were included children younger than 15 years old hospitalized during the first semester of 2010 and 2013 who recei ved intravenous maintenance fluid therapy, excluding patients undergoing cardiac surgery, kidney transplant and admissions that lasted less than 24 hours. Epidemiological, comorbidity and admis sion-related data were collected, including type of solution received, sodium and chlorine values in the first 72 hours of hospitalization and the incidence of extravasation of peripheral intravenous lines. Results: 111 children were included; 68 children (61.3%) were treated with hypotonic solutions and 43 (38.7%) with isotonic solutions. There were no differences in pathology and severity, and also in the volume of fluid received. Among the patients who received hypotonic solutions, 28 (41.2%) de veloped hyponatremia, wich was moderate (Na <130 mEq/Kg) in 11 cases, compared with 8 children (18.6%) who received isotonic solutions, with only one case of moderate hyponatremia (p = 0.027). No cases of hypernatremia were recorded, and there were no differences in plasma chlorine values. There was also no increased frequency of venous access loss in patients treated with isotonic solutions (4.7% versus 7.4%, p = 0.704). Conclusion: Treatment with initial isotonic solutions in children hos pitalized in PICU is associated with a lower incidence and severity of hyponatremia, without changes in the plasma chlorine values and it is well tolerated by peripheral intravenous lines.

[Preparation of sedation-analgesia procedures in spanish paediatric emergency departments: A descriptive study]. / Preparación de los procedimientos de sedoanalgesia en los servicios de urgencias pediátricos españoles: estudio descriptivo.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to describe the current practice regarding the preparation of the sedation-analgesia (SA) procedures performed in the paediatric emergency centres in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicentre, observational and prospective analytical study was carried out on the SA procedures that were performed on children under 18 years-old in 18 paediatric emergency departments between February 2015 and January 2016. RESULTS: A total of 658 SA procedures were registered in 18 hospitals of Spain, most of them to children older than 24 months. The type of the procedure was: simple analgesia in 57 (8.6%), sedation in 44 (6.7%), SA for a not very painful procedure in 275 (41.8%), and SA for a very painful procedure in 282 (42.9%). Informed consent was requested in 98.6% of the cases. The written form was more frequently preferred in the group of patients that received SA for a very painful procedure (76.6%) in comparison to a painful procedure or to simple analgesia (62.9% and 54.4%, respectively, P<.001). The staff that most frequently performed the SA procedures were the paediatricians of the emergency departments (64.3%), followed by Paediatrics Residents (30.7%). The most frequent reasons for the SA were traumatological (35.9%) and surgical (28.4%). Fasting was observed in 81% of the cases. More than two-thirds (67.3%, n=480) children were monitored, the majority (95.8%) of them using pulse oximetry. The pharmacological strategy used was the administration of one drug in 443 (67.3%) of the cases, mostly nitrous oxide, and a combination of drugs in 215 (32.7%), especially midazolam/ketamine (46.9%). CONCLUSION: The majority of the SA procedures analysed in this study have been carried out correctly and prepared in accordance with the current guidelines.

Daño renal agudo secundario a nefritis tubulointersticial aguda por uso de medicamentos. Caso clínico / Acute renal damage secondary to acute tubulointerstitial nephritis drug use. Case report

Resumen Introducción: La nefritis tubulointersticial aguda (NTIA) es infrecuente en la edad pediátrica. Se caracteriza por la infiltración del parénquima renal por células mononucleares y/o polinucleares con afectación secundaria de los túbulos sin lesión glomerular, y puede ser producida por infecciones, enfermedades inmunológicas, fármacos, o ser de origen idiopático. Objetivo: Describir un caso de NTIA secundario a antiinflamatorios no esteroidales (AINE) en un lactante, con énfasis en esta aso ciación para ser considerada por los pediatras. Caso clínico: Lactante de 10 meses, sin antecedentes previos, trasladada a nuestro hospital por daño renal agudo estadio 3, clasificación KDIGO 2012. Los tres días previos recibió tratamiento con amoxicilina e ibuprofeno por otitis media aguda. En la exploración física destacaba leve edema palpebral con presión arterial normal. En la orina presentaba proteinuria no nefrótica con componente tubular, microhematuria y leucocituria. La ecografía renal no mostraba alteraciones. Ante la sospecha de NTIA se cambió el antibiótico a cefotaxima intrave nosa y se suspendió el ibuprofeno realizándose manejo conservador del daño renal agudo. Presentó aumento de la creatinina (4.14 mg/dL) y eosinofilia, siendo el estudio inmunológico negativo. Se trató con metilprednisolona, con normalización de la función renal. Conclusión: La NTIA se puede producir por cualquier medicamento mediante una reacción inmunológica idiosincrásica. Entre los medicamentos responsables se identifican fármacos de uso frecuente en la edad pediátrica, como los AINEs, por lo que se necesita una alta sospecha diagnóstica por parte de los pediatras.

Abstract Introduction: Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ATIN) is a rare entity in the pediatric age. It is de fined by the infiltration of the renal parenchyma by mononuclear and/or polynuclear cells with se condary involvement of the tubules, without glomerular injury. It can be triggered by infections or immunological diseases, drugs like NSAIDs or be of idiopathic origin. Objective: To raise awareness among pediatricians about the prescription of NSAIDs, especially to patients of less than a year old, since they can provoke renal damage. Case report: A ten month old child, with no nephrological an tecedents of interest, was transferred to our hospital due to acute renal failure stage 3 KDIGO 2012. The three previous days received treatment with amoxicillin and ibuprofen for acute otitis media. Physical examination revealed mild eyelid edema with normal blood pressure. In the urine analysis, there were non-nephrotic proteinuria with tubular component, microhematuria and leukocyturia. Renal ultrasound showed no abnormalities. ATIN was suspected and so the antibiotic was changed to intravenous cefotaxime and ibuprofen was discontinued, opting for conservative management of acute renal damage. There was an increase in the number of creatinine up to 4.14 mg/dL and eosinophilia, with the immunological study being negative. Treatment with methylprednisolone was initiated, achieving normalization of renal function. Discussion: NTIA can be produced by any me dication through an idiosyncratic immune reaction. Among the responsible drugs, there are ones commonly used in the pediatric age, such as NSAIDs. Therefore, the pediatricians should pay special attention during prescriptions and have a high diagnostic suspicion of this disease.

[Acute renal damage secondary to acute tubulointerstitial nephritis drug use. Case report]. / Daño renal agudo secundario a nefritis tubulointersticial aguda por uso de medicamentos. Caso clínico.

INTRODUCTION: Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ATIN) is a rare entity in the pediatric age. It is de fined by the infiltration of the renal parenchyma by mononuclear and/or polynuclear cells with se condary involvement of the tubules, without glomerular injury. It can be triggered by infections or immunological diseases, drugs like NSAIDs or be of idiopathic origin. OBJECTIVE: To raise awareness among pediatricians about the prescription of NSAIDs, especially to patients of less than a year old, since they can provoke renal damage. CASE REPORT: A ten month old child, with no nephrological an tecedents of interest, was transferred to our hospital due to acute renal failure stage 3 KDIGO 2012. The three previous days received treatment with amoxicillin and ibuprofen for acute otitis media. Physical examination revealed mild eyelid edema with normal blood pressure. In the urine analysis, there were non-nephrotic proteinuria with tubular component, microhematuria and leukocyturia. Renal ultrasound showed no abnormalities. ATIN was suspected and so the antibiotic was changed to intravenous cefotaxime and ibuprofen was discontinued, opting for conservative management of acute renal damage. There was an increase in the number of creatinine up to 4.14 mg/dL and eosinophilia, with the immunological study being negative. Treatment with methylprednisolone was initiated, achieving normalization of renal function. DISCUSSION: NTIA can be produced by any me dication through an idiosyncratic immune reaction. Among the responsible drugs, there are ones commonly used in the pediatric age, such as NSAIDs. Therefore, the pediatricians should pay special attention during prescriptions and have a high diagnostic suspicion of this disease.

Percepción de los adolescentes sobre el ingreso hospitalario: Importancia de la humanización de los hospitales infantiles / Survey of adolescent perception of hospital admission: The importance of hospital humanisation

Introducción: La humanización de la asistencia sanitaria conlleva considerar al paciente como un ser integral, y proporcionar asistencia más allá de los cuidados médicos, abarcando áreas como la social, emocional, espiritual y relacional. Objetivo: Conocer las necesidades de los adolescentes hospitalizados y los déficits percibidos por estos en la asistencia sanitaria. Sujetos y método: Estudio transversal descriptivo realizado a través de una encuesta anónima, dirigido a pacientes ingresados de entre 12-16 años. La encuesta estaba formada por 2 partes: preguntas abiertas para exponer sus necesidades, indicar aspectos positivos o negativos de la hospitalización, y sugerencias de mejora, y preguntas cerradas con posibles respuestas afirmativas o negativas, y escalas numéricas del 1 al 10 para cuantificar los resultados. Se llevó a cabo un pilotaje previo en 6 pacientes adolescentes como prueba de factibilidad y de comprensión de todos los apartados. Resultados: Se obtuvieron un total de 39 encuestas de pacientes, con una mediana de edad de 14 años. La experiencia más desagradable percibida durante el ingreso fue la realización de pruebas invasivas. El 95% de ellos padeció dolor y el 17% sintió en algún momento que se iba a realizar algún procedimiento sin su pleno conocimiento. Más del 75% demandaba más entretenimiento, siendo la no disponibilidad de Wi-Fi el elemento más reclamado. Conclusiones: La población estudiada mostró necesidades que deben ser consideradas en el momento de la hospitalización, destacando: cognitivas (necesidad de obtener información clara y extensa), sociales (mantener el contacto y las relaciones con el exterior, familiares y amigos), emocionales (la enfermedad y sus procesos diagnóstico-terapéuticos crearán alteraciones en el estado anímico) y prácticas (los aspectos ambientales y arquitectónicos pueden mejorar o empeorar la percepción del ingreso hospitalario). Todos estos factores han demostrado que pueden contribuir al restablecimiento de la salud de una forma más temprana.

Introduction: The humanisation of health care involves considering the patient as an integral human being, providing assistance beyond medical care, and covering other fields such as social, emotional, spiritual, or relational areas. Objective: To evaluate the requirements and concerns of the hospitalised children. Subjects and method: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire on children aged 12-16. Results: The study included 39 patients, with a median age of 14 years. The most unpleasant experience during the hospitalisation was the invasive procedures. Almost all (95%) of patients suffered from pain, and 17% of them felt at some point that a procedure was performed without them being fully aware. More than 75% of children asked for more entertainment, with the lack of Wi-Fi being the more demanded item. Conclusions: The needs of the population included in this survey, showed the importance to consider cognitive (necessity of obtaining clear and extensive information), social (maintaining everyday relationships), emotional (illness and its diagnostic and therapeutic procedures often generate mood disorders), and practical (environmental and architectural aspects can lead to either an improvement or a worsening of the hospitalisation perception) factors. All of these factors have shown a beneficial contribution, leading to an earlier recovery of health.

Neurological complications after gamma-knife radiosurgery for hypothalamic hamartoma.

BACKGROUND: The Gamma-knife technique is a safe and effective option for the treatment of hypothalamic hamartomas that produce epileptic seizures refractory to medical treatment and/or serious behavioral disorders. After this type of radiosurgery, an adequate symptomatic control is normally achieved, with notable decrease or even disappearance of the seizures. Radiological changes, such as a decrease in the size of the tumor or adjacent edema secondary to non-necrotizing radioinduced inflammatory reaction are unusual consequences. Side effects and neurological complications are also rare events. CASE PRESENTATION: This report describes an unusual case of complete radiological resolution of a hypothalamic hamartoma as well as neurological complications after Gamma-knife surgery (receiving 13 Gy to the 85% isodose line, 1 cm(3) of tumor volume) in a 8-year-old boy who suffered from severe refractory seizures. After radiosurgery, the patient experienced a notable improvement in his symptoms, achieving seizure cessation within 3 months. However, 4 months after the procedure he presented drowsiness, fever and decreased level of consciousness due to a direct effect on the hypothalamus with local and regional edema secondary to the radiosurgery that was performed. He was successfully treated with corticosteroids (with a total duration of 11 months), and twelve months after the surgery, complete disappearance of both the nodular lesion and the secondary edema was observed. The patient remains seizure-free in the last 16 months, with remarkable changes in his behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The present case shows that complete radiological resolution of a hypothalamic hamartoma after Gamma-knife technique is unusual but possible, without long-term neurological consequences. Nevertheless, despite its low incidence, if a patient presents neurological symptoms, primarily during the first year after intervention, possible complications of this type of surgery must be taken into account.

[Survey of adolescent perception of hospital admission. The importance of hospital humanisation]. / Percepción de los adolescentes sobre el ingreso hospitalario. Importancia de la humanización de los hospitales infantiles.

INTRODUCTION: The humanisation of health care involves considering the patient as an integral human being, providing assistance beyond medical care, and covering other fields such as social, emotional, spiritual, or relational areas. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the requirements and concerns of the hospitalised children. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire on children aged 12-16. RESULTS: The study included 39 patients, with a median age of 14 years. The most unpleasant experience during the hospitalisation was the invasive procedures. Almost all (95%) of patients suffered from pain, and 17% of them felt at some point that a procedure was performed without them being fully aware. More than 75% of children asked for more entertainment, with the lack of Wi-Fi being the more demanded item. CONCLUSIONS: The needs of the population included in this survey, showed the importance to consider cognitive (necessity of obtaining clear and extensive information), social (maintaining everyday relationships), emotional (illness and its diagnostic and therapeutic procedures often generate mood disorders), and practical (environmental and architectural aspects can lead to either an improvement or a worsening of the hospitalisation perception) factors. All of these factors have shown a beneficial contribution, leading to an earlier recovery of health.