Omentectomy reduces the need for peritoneal dialysis catheter revision in children: a study from the Pediatric Nephrology Research Consortium.

BACKGROUND: There are no multi-center studies examining omentectomy and peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter revision in the pediatric dialysis population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study at eight centers within the Pediatric Nephrology Research Consortium (PNRC). Data review included all incident tunneled PD catheters placed between 1/1/2011 and 12/31/2016 in pediatric stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD 5) patients. The primary outcome was the need for catheter revision and/or replacement. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate predictors for catheter revision/replacement. RESULTS: Data from 184 children (62.5% male; median age 7.4 years) were analyzed. Omentectomy was completed in 63.6% (n = 117). Revision/replacement occurred in 34.2% (n = 63); median time to revision/replacement was 38.5 days after insertion. PD catheter revision/replacement catheter occurred in 23.9% who underwent omentectomy versus 52.2% without omentectomy (p = 0.0005). Children ≥ 6 years at the time of catheter insertion experienced fewer revisions/replacements (18.2% age ≥ 6 vs. 56.5% age < 6 years, p <0.001). After adjusting for covariates, omentectomy reduced the need for revision by 63%; revision was 3.66 times more likely in those < 6 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: This multi-center study demonstrates that omentectomy at the time of PD catheter insertion in pediatric patients is strongly associated with reduced likelihood of PD catheter revision. Omentectomy should be considered at the time of PD catheter insertion, especially in young children who are at high risk for PD catheter malfunction. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Cryptosporidiosis among solid organ transplant recipient attendees at a summer camp.

We report a cluster of pediatric cryptosporidiosis infections among solid organ transplant recipients at a summer camp in Georgia, USA. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the risk factors for infection. A total of 118 campers attended the camp during July 23-28, 2017. The overall attack rate among campers during the outbreak was 11% (13/118). Sanger-based amplicon sequencing of stool specimens from 7 (80%) campers identified Cryptosporidium hominis as the suspected etiologic agent. All infected campers were heart or kidney transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. The median reported symptom duration was 12 days (range 6-18 days) and 9 (69.2%) were hospitalized for at least one night (median length of stay 5 days, range 2-16 days). There were no deaths or acute rejection events attributed to infection. The results of the epidemiologic and environmental investigation suggest a recreational pool as the presumed source, although there was no direct evidence to support this. Many long-term interventions were implemented, and there have been no further outbreaks at the camp in the following two years. This outbreak demonstrates that cryptosporidiosis may be associated with notable burden in pediatric transplant recipients, and illustrates the challenges associated with source identification and containment.

Acute cellular rejection treatment outcomes stratified by Banff grade in pediatric kidney transplant.

INTRODUCTION: There are limited data to guide optimal treatment strategies for acute cellular rejection (ACR) based on Banff grade for pediatric kidney transplant recipients. This report reviews a large pediatric transplant center's experience with ACR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of pediatric kidney transplant recipients at our center from 2007 to 2014 was performed. Primary outcomes were incidence of graft failure and graft function one year following ACR based on Banff grade and treatment received. RESULTS: A total of 204 patients were reviewed, of which 65 received rejection treatment with either an oral steroid cycle (n = 16), intravenous steroid pulse (n = 28), or anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG, n = 21). Overall, patients received rATG for treatment of more severe rejection associated with impaired graft function and as a group experienced statistically significant improvements in eGFR over the year following treatment, though most did not regain baseline graft function. DISCUSSION: Our data suggest that rATG is partially effective in treating ACR, but our study was underpowered to determine the effect of different treatments based on Banff grade. Since there is limited literature to guide clinical treatment of ACR in children, large transplant centers should collaborate to evaluate outcomes and establish evidence-based practice.

Racial-ethnic differences in chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder in youth on dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Studies in healthy pediatric populations and adults treated with dialysis demonstrate higher parathyroid hormone (PTH) and lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in African-Americans. Despite these findings, African-Americans on dialysis demonstrate greater bone strength and a decreased risk of fracture compared to the Caucasian dialysis population. The presence of such differences in children and young adult dialysis patients is unknown. METHODS: Differences in the markers of mineral and bone metabolism (MBM) were assessed in 661 incident dialysis patients (aged 1 month to < 21 years). Racial-ethnic differences in PTH, calcium, phosphate, and total alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity were analyzed over the first year of dialysis using multivariate linear mixed models. RESULTS: African-American race predicted 23% higher serum PTH (95% CI, 4.7-41.3%) when compared to Caucasian patients, while Hispanic ethnicity predicted 17.5% higher PTH (95% CI, 2.3-38%). Upon gender stratification, the differences in PTH were magnified in African-American and Hispanic females: 38% (95% CI, 14.8-69.8%) and 28.8% (95% CI, 4.7-54.9%) higher PTH compared to Caucasian females. Despite higher PTH values, African-American females persistently demonstrated up to 10.9% lower serum AP activity (95% CI, - 20.6-- 0.7%). CONCLUSIONS: There are racial-ethnic differences in the markers of MBM. Higher PTH is seen in African-American and Hispanic children and young adults on dialysis with a magnification of this difference amongst the female population. There is a need to consider how factors like race, ethnicity, and gender impact the goal-targeted treatment of MBM disorders.

Serum albumin and hospitalization among pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease who started dialysis therapy.

BACKGROUND: Hypoalbuminemia is a strong predictor of hospitalization and mortality among adult dialysis patients. However, data are scant on the association between serum albumin and hospitalization among children new to dialysis. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study of children 1-17 years old with end-stage renal disease receiving dialysis therapy in a large US dialysis organization 2007-2011, we examined the association of serum albumin with hospitalization frequency and total hospitalization days using a negative binomial regression model. RESULTS: Among 416 eligible patients, median (interquartile range) age was 14 (10-16) years and mean ± SD baseline serum albumin level was 3.7 ± 0.8 g/dL. Two hundred sixty-six patients (64%) were hospitalized during follow-up with an incidence rate of 2.2 (95%CI, 1.9-2.4) admissions per patient-year. There was a U-shaped association between serum albumin and hospitalization frequency; hospitalization rates (95%CI) were 2.7 (2.2-3.2), 1.9 (1.5-2.4), 1.6 (1.3-1.9), and 2.7 (1.7-3.6) per patient-year among patients with serum albumin levels < 3.5, 3.5- < 4.0, 4.0- < 4.5, and ≥ 4.5 g/dL, respectively. Case mix-adjusted hospitalization incidence rate ratios (IRRs) (95%CI) were 1.63 (1.24-2.13), 1.32 (1.10-1.58), and 1.25 (1.06-1.49) at serum albumin levels 3.0, 3.5, and 4.5 g/dL, respectively (reference: 4.0 g/dL). Similar trends were observed in hospitalization days. These associations remained robust against further adjustment for laboratory variables associated with malnutrition and inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Both high and low serum albumin were associated with higher hospitalization in children starting dialysis. Because the observed association is novel and not fully explainable especially for high serum albumin levels, interpreting the results requires caution and further studies are needed to confirm and elucidate this association before clinical recommendations are made.

Ofatumumab for the treatment of childhood nephrotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Ofatumumab is a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that has recently garnered interest as a potential therapeutic agent for nephrotic syndrome. We report our center's experience in administering ofatumumab to five pediatric patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. METHODS: Between March 2015 and November 2016, five patients were treated with ofatumumab. One patient had post-transplant recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) which had been resistant to plasmapheresis and numerous immunosuppressive agents. Four patients had nephrotic syndrome in their native kidneys, one with initial steroid-resistant disease and the others with subsequent development of steroid resistance. Two of the patients were treated with a desensitization protocol after experiencing hypersensitivity reactions to ofatumumab. RESULTS: One patient did not complete ofatumumab treatment due to infusion reactions. Of the four remaining patients, three achieved complete remission after treatment, and one achieved partial remission. One of the patients achieving complete remission represents the first reported case of successful treatment of post-transplant recurrent FSGS using ofatumumab. Two patients who received ofatumumab with our desensitization protocol were able to complete their treatments after initially experiencing hypersensitivity reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Ofatumumab may be an effective treatment for refractory childhood nephrotic syndrome and post-transplant recurrent FSGS. A desensitization protocol may be helpful to address hypersensitivity reactions.

Barriers to Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Uptake in a Pediatric Inpatient Healthcare Setting After Implementation of Clinical Decision Support.

Every heatlhcare encounter is an opportunity to provide both acute care and health maintenance to children. A Clinical Decision Support (CDS) intervention was instituted in a tertiary pediatric health system to improve influenza vaccination rates during the 2019-2020 season among eligible children receiving care in an acute care inpatient healthcare setting. This study explores reasons for low vaccine uptake following implementation of a CDS aimed at improving vaccine administration as well as identifying possible solutions to improve flu vaccine coverage.

Patterns of acute kidney and hepatic injury and association with adverse outcomes in infants undergoing therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe patterns of renal and hepatic injury in infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort of infants receiving therapeutic hypothermia for HIE was classified into groups based on organ injury: neither acute kidney injury (AKI) nor acute hepatic injury (AHI), isolated AKI, isolated AHI, or both AKI/AHI. Biomarkers and outcomes were described and analyzed. RESULTS: Among 188 infants, 55% had no AKI nor AHI, 7% had only AKI, 22% had only AHI and 16% had both AKI and AHI. Infants with both AKI/AHI had the highest mortality (47%) and worse outcomes, compared to other injury groups, although AKI/AHI was not significantly associated with mortality (hazard ratio 2.5; 95% CI 0.9-6.9), after accounting for severity of HIE. For surviving infants, biomarkers of organ injury, on average, normalized by discharge. CONCLUSION: Infants with HIE with both AKI/AHI have worse outcomes than infants with AKI or AHI alone.

Evaluation of a Clinical Decision Support Strategy to Increase Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Among Hospitalized Children Before Inpatient Discharge.

Importance: Hospitalized children are at increased risk of influenza-related complications, yet influenza vaccine coverage remains low among this group. Evidence-based strategies about vaccination of vulnerable children during all health care visits are especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: To design and evaluate a clinical decision support (CDS) strategy to increase the proportion of eligible hospitalized children who receive a seasonal influenza vaccine prior to inpatient discharge. Design, Setting, and Participants: This quality improvement study was conducted among children eligible for the seasonal influenza vaccine who were hospitalized in a tertiary pediatric health system providing care to more than half a million patients annually in 3 hospitals. The study used a sequential crossover design from control to intervention and compared hospitalizations in the intervention group (2019-2020 season with the use of an intervention order set) with concurrent controls (2019-2020 season without use of an intervention order set) and historical controls (2018-2019 season with use of an order set that underwent intervention during the 2019-2020 season). Interventions: A CDS intervention was developed through a user-centered design process, including (1) placing a default influenza vaccine order into admission order sets for eligible patients, (2) a script to offer the vaccine using a presumptive strategy, and (3) just-in-time education for clinicians addressing vaccine eligibility in the influenza order group with links to further reference material. The intervention was rolled out in a stepwise fashion during the 2019-2020 influenza season. Main Outcomes and Measures: Proportion of eligible hospitalizations in which 1 or more influenza vaccines were administered prior to discharge. Results: Among 17 740 hospitalizations (9295 boys [52%]), the mean (SD) age was 8.0 (6.0) years, and the patients were predominantly Black (n = 8943 [50%]) or White (n = 7559 [43%]) and mostly had public insurance (n = 11 274 [64%]). There were 10 997 hospitalizations eligible for the influenza vaccine in the 2019-2020 season. Of these, 5449 (50%) were in the intervention group, and 5548 (50%) were concurrent controls. There were 6743 eligible hospitalizations in 2018-2019 that served as historical controls. Vaccine administration rates were 31% (n = 1676) in the intervention group, 19% (n = 1051) in concurrent controls, and 14% (n = 912) in historical controls (P < .001). In adjusted analyses, the odds of receiving the influenza vaccine were 3.25 (95% CI, 2.94-3.59) times higher in the intervention group and 1.28 (95% CI, 1.15-1.42) times higher in concurrent controls than in historical controls. Conclusions and Relevance: This quality improvement study suggests that user-centered CDS may be associated with significantly improved influenza vaccination rates among hospitalized children. Stepwise implementation of CDS interventions was a practical method that was used to increase quality improvement rigor through comparison with historical and concurrent controls.

Are My Pediatric Patients at Increased Risk of Developing Chronic Kidney Disease?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an underrecognized and often undiagnosed cause of morbidity and mortality. Many children and adolescents are at increased risk of developing CKD as they mature and age, secondary to conditions commonly cared for by pediatric health professionals. Prematurity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congenital heart disease, sickle cell disease and trait, severe obesity, cancer chemotherapy, other drug toxicities, and systemic situations that may cause acute kidney injury such as sepsis or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy predispose to potential CKD. Clinicians should be aware of these conditions in order to screen for CKD, choose non-nephrotoxic treatments for these children whenever possible, and treat or refer those who have early signs of CKD.

Comparison between objective measures and parental behavioral rating scales of memory and attention in pediatric endocrinology patients.

Behavioral rating scales represent one potential method for screening of cognitive functioning in routine clinical care. It is not yet known if objective performance based measures and behavioral rating scales of cognitive functioning completed by parents yield similar information in pediatric endocrinology patients. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the associations between performance-based measures and behavioral rating scales of memory and attention/concentration completed by parents of pediatric patients with Type 1 Diabetes or obesity. The sample consisted of 73 pediatric patients with Type 1 Diabetes or obesity (BMI > 95th percentile) ages 6-16 years (mean age = 12.29 years) referred to an outpatient pediatric endocrinology clinic. Youth were administered the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning (WRAML-2). Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the PedsQL Cognitive Functioning Scale. Pearson's Product Moment Correlations were examined among the performance-based measures and behavioral rating scales. RESULTS: All intercorrelations between the performance-based measures and behavioral rating scales completed by parents were in the small range. The only statistically significant (P < 0.05) and approaching medium correlation was between the PedsQL Cognitive Functioning Scale and WRAML-2 Verbal Memory Index (r = 0.28). On behavioral rating scales and performance-based measures of visual memory and attention/concentration, our sample exhibited greater difficulties than healthy youth from previously published data (P < 0.05). One possible explanation for our findings is that behavioral rating scales of attention/concentration and memory completed by parents measure different aspects of cognitive functioning than performance based measures in pediatric patients with Type 1 Diabetes or obesity.

Hematuria in the newborn.

Microscopic and gross hematuria, while rare in healthy newborns, is more common in premature infants, particularly those cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit. Hematuria may be transient, but may require evaluation, investigation, and intervention in a timely manner. This article discusses the causes, workup, and treatment of the more common forms of newborn hematuria.