Interferon-Gamma Release Assays Differentiate between Mycobacterium avium Complex and Tuberculous Lymphadenitis in Children.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) in the differential diagnosis between Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and tuberculosis (TB) in children affected with subacute/chronic submandibular/cervical lymphadenitis. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter observational study comparing children with microbiologically confirmed MAC lymphadenitis from the European NontuberculouS MycoBacterial Lymphadenitis in childrEn study with children with TB lymphadenitis from the Spanish Network for the Study of Pediatric TB database. RESULTS: Overall, 78 patients with MAC and 34 with TB lymphadenitis were included. Among MAC cases, 44 out of 74 (59.5%) had positive tuberculin skin test (TST) results at the 5-mm cut-off, compared with 32 out of 33 (97%) TB cases (P < .001); at the 10-mm cut-off TST results were positive in 23 out of 74 (31.1%) vs 26 out of 31 (83.9%), respectively (P < .001). IGRA results were positive in only 1 out of 32 (3.1%) patients with MAC who had undergone IGRA testing, compared with 21 out of 23 (91.3%) TB cases (P < .001). Agreement between TST and IGRA results was poor in MAC (23.3%; κ = 0.017), but good in TB cases (95.6%; κ = 0.646). IGRAs had a specificity of 96.9% (95% CI 84.3%-99.8%), positive predictive value of 95.4% (95% CI 78.2%-99.8%), and negative predictive value of 93.9% (95% CI 80.4%-98.9%) for TB lymphadenitis. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to TST, IGRAs have high specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value for TB lymphadenitis in children with subacute/chronic lymphadenopathy, and consequently can help to discriminate between TB and MAC disease. Therefore, IGRAs are useful tools in the diagnostic work-up of children with lymphadenopathy, particularly when culture and polymerase chain reaction results are negative.

Clinical characteristics and molecular epidemiology of Enterovirus infection in infants <3 months in a referral paediatric hospital of Barcelona.

UNLABELLED: Enterovirus (EV) infection is common in infants, but the information with regard to the molecular epidemiology and the associations between types and clinical variables is very scarce. This study includes 195 children <3 months old with fever, attended from March 2010 to December 2012 in an emergency department of a tertiary paediatric hospital in whom EV infection was confirmed by real-time PCR in blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid. Clinical and epidemiological data was prospectively collected. In 152 (77.9 %) patients, EVs could be typed. The most common type was Echovirus-5 (E5; 32, 21.1 %), followed by Echovirus-11 (E11; 18, 11.8 %), Echovirus-21 and Echovirus-25 (E21, E25; 11 each one, 7.2 %) and Coxsackievirus-B4 (CVB4; 6, 6.6 %). The majority of types appeared in spring, but E5 and E25 were found mainly during summer (p < 0.01). E21 was associated with high-grade fever (p < 0.01); E5 with exanthema (p = 0.03) and CVB4 tended to cause meningitis more often than the other types (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: The most common EV types were Echovirus-5 and Echovirus-11. Some significant associations between types and epidemiologic and clinical findings were observed. What is Known-What is New • Enteroviruses cause a normally benign illness in young infants, except in some cases. • The molecular epidemiology of Enterovirus infection is not well known in European countries. • This study describes a large number of infants with Enterovirus infection and shows the seasonality of different types, and their associations with epidemiologic and clinical variables.

Development and Evaluation of an NTM-IGRA to Guide Pediatric Lymphadenitis Diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections remains a challenge. In this study, we describe the evaluation of an immunological NTM-interferon (IFN)-γ release assay (IGRA) that we developed using glycopeptidolipids (GPLs) as NTM-specific antigens. METHODS: We tested the NTM-IGRA in 99 samples from pediatric patients. Seventy-five were patients with lymphadenitis: 25 were NTM confirmed, 45 were of unknown etiology but compatible with mycobacterial infection and 5 had lymphadenitis caused by an etiologic agent other than NTM. The remaining 24 samples were from control individuals without lymphadenitis (latently infected with M. tuberculosis , uninfected controls and active tuberculosis patients). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated overnight with GPLs. Detection of IFN-γ producing cells was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunospot assay. RESULTS: NTM culture-confirmed lymphadenitis patient samples had a significantly higher response to GPLs than the patients with lymphadenitis of unknown etiology but compatible with mycobacterial infection ( P < 0.001) and lymphadenitis not caused by NTM ( P < 0.01). We analyzed the response against GPLs in samples from unknown etiology lymphadenitis but compatible with mycobacterial infection cases according to the tuberculin skin test (TST) response, and although not statistically significant, those with a TST ≥5 mm had a higher response to GPLs when compared with the TST <5 mm group. CONCLUSIONS: Stimulation with GPLs yielded promising results in detecting NTM infection in pediatric patients with lymphadenitis. Our results indicate that the test could be useful to guide the diagnosis of pediatric lymphadenitis. This new NTM-IGRA could improve the clinical handling of NTM-infected patients and avoid unnecessary misdiagnosis and treatments.

2009 H1N1: risk factors for hospitalization in a matched case-control study.

In order to compare sociodemographical data and preexisting risk medical conditions in patients requiring hospital admission for 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection and those managed on an outpatient basis, a prospective observational, matched case-control study in 36 hospitals of the Spanish National Health Service was conducted from July 2009 to February 2010. Cases were patients aged 6 months to 18 years hospitalized for influenza syndrome, in whom 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection was confirmed using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Controls were patients aged 6 months to 18 years with confirmed 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection managed on an outpatient basis. There were 195 cases and 184 controls. In a multivariate model, hospitalization was more frequent in children aged <2 years (odds ratio (OR), 13.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.7-106.4), those with neurological and/or neuromuscular diseases (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.1-8.2), and those whose parents had less than a secondary educational level (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.4-5.2). Children aged <2 years, children with neurological diseases, and children from families with a lower educational status had a higher risk of hospitalization due to influenza A (H1N1) 2009 infection.

[Challenges in the application of non-servocontrolled therapeutic hypothermia during neonatal transport in Catalonia]. / Retos en la aplicación de la hipotermia terapéutica no servo-controlada durante el transporte neonatal en Cataluña.

INTRODUCTION: Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) improves survival and neurological prognosis in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathic (HIE) babies, being better the sooner TH is implemented. HIE babies are born more frequently in a non-cooling centre and need to be referred. METHODS: Prospective-observational study (April 18-November 19). Newborns (≥34 weeks of gestational age (GA) and >1800g) with moderate/severe HIE on non-servocontrolled therapeutic hypothermia by the two neonatal transport teams in Catalonia. RESULTS: 51 newborns. The median stabilisation and transport time were 68min (p25-75, 45-85min) and 30min (p25-75, 15-45min), respectively. The mean age at arrival at the receiving unit was 4h and 18min (SD 96.6). The incubator was set off in 43 (84%), iced-packs 11 (21.5%) and both (11, 21.5%). Target temperature was reached in 19 (37.3%) babies. There was no differences in the overcooling in relation to the measures applied. The transport duration was not related with temperature stabilisation or target temperature reachiness. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal temperature monitorisation is compulsory for the stabilisation and the application of non-servocontrolled hypothermia during transport. There is still time for improving in the administration of this treatment during transport. Servo-controlled hypothermia would be a better alternative to improve the management of HIE babies.

Challenges in the application of non-servocontrolled therapeutic hypothermia during neonatal transport in Catalonia.

INTRODUCTION: Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) improves survival and neurological prognosis in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathic (HIE) babies, being better the sooner TH is implemented. HIE babies are born more frequently in a non-cooling centre and need to be referred. METHODS: Prospective-observational study (April 18 2018 - November 19 2019). Newborns (≥34 weeks of gestational age (GA) and >1800 g) with moderate/severe HIE on non-servocontrolled therapeutic hypothermia by the two neonatal transport teams in Catalonia. RESULTS: 51 newborns. The median stabilisation and transport time were 68 min (p25-75, 45-85 min) and 30 min (p25-75, 15-45 min), respectively. The mean age at arrival at the receiving unit was 4 h and 18 min (SD 96.6). The incubator was set off in 43 (84%), iced-packs 11 (21.5%) and both (11, 21.5%). Target temperature was reached in 19 (37.3%) babies. There were no differences in the overcooling in relation to the measures applied. The transport duration was not related with temperature stabilisation or target temperature reachiness. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal temperature monitorisation is compulsory for the stabilisation and the application of non-servocontrolled hypothermia during transport. There is still time for improving in the administration of this treatment during transport. Servo-controlled hypothermia would be a better alternative to improve the management of HIE babies.

Noninvasive Respiratory Support During Pediatric Ground Transport: Implementation of a Safe and Feasible Procedure.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this work was to determine the safety and feasibility of noninvasive support in children with acute respiratory failure (ARF) during interhospital ground transport. METHODS: This was a prospective, single-center observational clinical study in the pediatric transport unit of a tertiary-care pediatric hospital. We included all subjects with ARF transported from November 2010 to March 2013. A specific noninvasive support protocol was used for all cases. Transport ventilators used were the Crossvent 2+ and Oxylog 3000; interfaces were an oronasal mask, nasopharyngeal tube, or nasal prongs. RESULTS: A total of 288 children diagnosed with ARF were transported. Fifty-four subjects (19%) were transported with invasive ventilation, 50 with CPAP, 58 with NIV, and 126 (44%) with oxygen cannula or nebulization. The median age was 3.4 months (interquartile range 1.2-17 months). ARF was mainly due to bronchiolitis (58%), asthma (15%), and pneumonia (15%). Stabilization time, which is defined as the time between the arrival in the parking lot of the referring hospital and departure, was lower with noninvasive support than with invasive ventilation (median 48 min vs 83 min, P < .001). Median transport time was 35 min (interquartile range 20-65). Noninvasive ventilation and oronasal interface use rose progressively during the study period (P < .001 for the NIV and P < .036 for the interface). One complication was observed: One subject required intubation during transport. Evolution of subjects transferred while receiving noninvasive support was recorded in the receptor hospitals: 21% of subjects were intubated, and 55% continued with NIV. CONCLUSIONS: NIV seems to be a safe and feasible technique during pediatric ground transport. Careful patient selection, adequate material, and a well-trained transport team are crucial to minimize risks to the patient.

Retos en la aplicación de la hipotermia terapéutica no servo-controlada durante el transporte neonatal en Cataluña / Challenges in the application of non-servocontrolled therapeutic hypothermia during neonatal transport in Catalonia

Introducción: La hipotermia terapéutica (HTT) es el único tratamiento que ha demostrado aumentar la posibilidad de supervivencia libre de secuelas en los recién nacidos (RNs) afectos de encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica (EHI), recomendándose iniciarla lo antes posible. Lo más frecuente es que los pacientes tributarios de HTT no nazcan en los centros de referencia (CR) .requiriendo ser transportados. Métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo prospectivo de RNs con EHI moderada-grave trasladados en hipotermia terapéutica no servo-controlada por los dos equipos de transporte neonatal y pediátrico terrestres de Cataluña (abril 2018-noviembre 2019). Resultados: 51 pacientes. Mediana de tiempo de estabilización 68 minutos (p25-75, 45 – 85min), traslado 30 minutos (p25-75, 15 – 45min). Media de edad a la llegada al CR 4 horas y 18 minutos (DE 96min). Medidas terapéuticas adoptadas: apagar la incubadora 43 (84,3%), bolsas de hielo 11 (21,6%) y ambas 11 (21,5%) pacientes. Se consiguió la temperatura rectal (TR) diana en 19 (37,3%) pacientes. No hubo diferencias en el sobre-enfriamiento según las medidas usadas para la aplicación de la HTT no servo-controlada (HTTnc). La duración del traslado no se relacionó con diferencias en la estabilización de la temperatura ni en la consecución de la temperatura objetivo.Conclusiones: La monitorización de la TR en el centro emisor es un pilar fundamental en la estabilización del paciente y la aplicación de la HTTnc. Existe una clara área de mejora en la eficacia de la HTTnc durante el transporte. La HTT servo-controlada sería una opción para poder ofrecer las mismas posibilidades terapéuticas a los RNs extramuros de los CR. (AU)

Introduction: Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) improves survival and neurological prognosis in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathic (HIE) babies, being better the sooner TH is implemented. HIE babies are born more frequently in a non-cooling centre and need to be referred.Methods: Prospective-observational study (April 18–November 19). Newborns (≥34 weeks of gestational age (GA) and >1800g) with moderate/severe HIE on non-servocontrolled therapeutic hypothermia by the two neonatal transport teams in Catalonia.Results: 51 newborns. The median stabilisation and transport time were 68min (p25–75, 45–85min) and 30min (p25–75, 15–45min), respectively. The mean age at arrival at the receiving unit was 4h and 18min (SD 96.6). The incubator was set off in 43 (84%), iced-packs 11 (21.5%) and both (11, 21.5%). Target temperature was reached in 19 (37.3%) babies. There was no differences in the overcooling in relation to the measures applied. The transport duration was not related with temperature stabilisation or target temperature reachiness.Conclusions: Rectal temperature monitorisation is compulsory for the stabilisation and the application of non-servocontrolled hypothermia during transport. There is still time for improving in the administration of this treatment during transport. Servo-controlled hypothermia would be a better alternative to improve the management of HIE babies. (AU)

Nen de 2 anys amb odinofàgia, clínica respiratòria, adenopaties laterocervicals i leucocitosi / No disponible

No disponible

Consens entre hospitals catalans per a l'abordatge dels episodis aparentment letals / Protocolo consensuado entre hospitales catalanes para el abordaje de los episodios aparentemente letales / Consensus of Catalan hospital for the management of apparent life-threatening events

Fonament: no existeixen documents de consens universalment acceptats sobre quin ha de ser el maneig de l'Episodi Aparentment Letal (EAL). Com a conseqüència, existeix una gran variabilitat en el seu abordatge. Objectiu: el Grup de Treball de la Mort Sobtada Infantil (GMSI) de la Societat Catalana de Pediatria es proposa consensuar amb els hospitals catalans un algoritme d'actuació. Mètode: el GMSI elabora un algoritme d'abordatge de l'EAL que no inclou els nounats ingressats en Unitats Neonatals. Participen professionals de diferents subespecialitats pediàtriques que formen part del grup. L'algoritme es basa en una revisió de la literatura i en el consens dels integrants del GMSI. Es contempla l'actuació a Urgències, els criteris d'ingrés i la indicació de proves complementàries. Es remet el mes de juliol del 2015 a 48 responsables de 40 hospitals catalans perquè el valorin. Resultats: es reben 21 respostes, que corresponen a 17 hospitals. Fins a 5 responsables accepten l'algoritme mentre que 16 fan comentaris o proposen modificacions. Totes les respostes són valorades pel GMSI i es realitzen canvis en l'algoritme. Conclusions: el GMSI aporta un algoritme de consens entre els diferents hospitals catalans que permetrà homogeneïtzar l'abordatge dels pacients amb EAL

Fundamento. No existen documentos de consenso universalmente aceptados sobre el manejo del Episodio Aparentemente Letal (EAL). Como consecuencia, existe una gran variabilidad en su abordaje. Objetivo. El Grupo de Trabajo de la Muerte Súbita Infantil (GMSI) de la Sociedad Catalana de Pediatría se propone consensuar con los hospitales catalanes un algoritmo de actuación. Método. El GMSI elabora un algoritmo de abordaje del EAL que no incluye a neonatos ingresados en Unidades Neonatales. Forman parte del grupo profesionales de diferentes subespecialidades pediátricas. El algoritmo se basa en una revisión de la literatura y en el consenso de los integrantes del GMSI. Se contempla la actuación en Urgencias, los criterios de ingreso y la indicación de pruebas complementarias. Se remite el mes de julio del 2015 a 48 responsables de 40 hospitales catalanes para que lo valoren. Resultados. Se reciben 21 respuestas, correspondientes a 17 hospitales. Un total de 5 responsables aceptan el algoritmo mientras que 16 hacen comentarios o proponen modificaciones. Todas las respuestas son valoradas por el GMSI y se realizan cambios en el algoritmo. Conclusiones. El GMSI aporta un algoritmo consensuado entre los diferentes hospitales catalanes que permitirá homogeneizar el abordaje de los pacientes con EAL (AU)

Background. There is no accepted consensus for the approach to apparent life-threatening events (ALTE), resulting in major variability in its management. Objective. The aim of the Apparent Life-Threatening Events Working Group (ALTEWG) of the Catalan Society of Pediatrics was to elaborate a consensus algorithm to be used in Catalan hospitals. Method. The ALTEWG designed an algorithm for the approach of ALTE that did not include newborns admitted in neonatal units. Professionals of different pediatric subspecialties participated in the development of the guidelines. The algorithm was based on a literature review and a consensus among the ALTEWG members, and included the management in the emergency room, admission criteria, and indication of diagnostic studies. The algorithm was sent to 48 professionals of 40 Catalan hospitals in July of 2015 for further discussion. Results. Twenty-one responses from 17 hospitals were received. Five responders accepted the algorithm, while 16 made comments or proposed modifications. The ALTEWG evaluated all the responses and some modifications to the algorithm were subsequently made. Conclusions. The ALTEWG elaborated a consensus algorithm among Catalan hospitals that will allow for the implementation of a homogeneous approach to patients with ALTE (AU)

2009 Influenza A H1N1 infections: delays in starting treatment with oseltamivir were associated with a more severe disease.

Respiratory failure has been the main severe complication described in pediatric patients with influenza A H1N1 2009 (pandemic H1N1) infection. We describe the pandemic H1N1 2009 disease in children who required hospital admission and the patients' data associated with pediatric intensive care unit admission. Respiratory failure was the main complication. Extrapulmonary manifestations were also observed. Of the 127 patients, 24 required pediatric intensive care unit admission. Four patients died. Patients admitted with chronic conditions and those in whom oseltamivir was delayed more than 72 hours had a more severe disease.