Instructions for masking the taste of medication for children: Validation of a pictogram tool.

BACKGROUND: Medications that taste unpleasant can be a struggle to administer to children, most often resulting in low adherence rates. Pictograms can be useful tools to improve adherence by conveying information to patients in a way that they will understand. METHODS: One-on-one structured interviews were conducted with parents/guardians and with children between the ages of 9 and 17 years at a pediatric hospital. The questionnaire evaluated the comprehension of 12 pictogram sets that described how to mask the taste of medications for children. Pictograms understood by >85% of participants were considered validated. Short-term recall was assessed by asking participants to recall the meaning of each pictogram set. RESULTS: There were 51 participants in the study-26 (51%) were children aged 9 to 17 years and 25 (49%) were parents or guardians. Most children (54%) had health literacy levels of grade 10 or higher. Most parents and guardians (92%) had at least a high school health literacy level. Six of the 12 pictogram sets (50%) were validated. Eleven of 12 pictogram sets (92%) had a median translucency score greater than 5. All 12 pictogram sets (100%) were correctly identified at short-term recall and were therefore validated. CONCLUSION: The addition of validated illustrations to pharmaceutical labels can be useful to instruct on how to mask the taste of medication in certain populations. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical impact of providing illustrated information to populations with low health literacy.

The use of natural health products by paediatric patients in respite care.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the use and potential interactions of natural health products (NHPs) with conventional medications in children with life-limiting illnesses. METHODS: The present study was a retrospective medical record review of palliative care patients <18 years of age who were admitted for respite care to a Canadian paediatric hospice between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2013. The NHPs were identified according to Health Canada's inclusion criteria. RESULTS: A total of 106 children were included in the present study. Eighty-two (77.4%) had used one or more NHPs: 60 (56%) used vitamins and minerals; 45 (42.5%) used other products including probiotics, omega-3, organic acids and essential fatty acids; 34 (32.1%) used everyday consumer products; 12 (11.3%) used herb or plant-based remedies; and one (0.9%) used homeopathic remedies. Thirty-nine potential NHP-medication and 10 potential NHP-NHP interactions were identified. A considerable number of patients (n=54) used at least one medication and NHP, or two NHPs with potential interactions. The most common type of interaction was pharmacokinetic: decreasing blood concentrations of the medication, NHP or both (43.9% of NHP users); and enhancing the blood concentration of an NHP for NHP-NHP interactions (22% of NHP users). CONCLUSION: A high proportion of patients in respite care use NHPs. Most used NHPs and medications that have potential interactions, although there were no adverse clinical manifestations in the present study. It is important to educate health care professionals about NHPs, the evidence available and lack thereof. This could reduce the most serious interactions and improve the alliance between parents and health care providers to balance the potential risks and benefits of NHPs.

OBJECTIFS: Déterminer l'utilisation et les interactions potentielles des produits de santé naturels (PSN) avec la médication habituelle chez des enfants ayant une maladie limitant l'espérance de vie. MÉTHODOLOGIE: La présente analyse rétrospective de patients en soins palliatifs de moins de 18 ans admis en soins de répit dans un centre canadien de soins palliatifs en pédiatrie s'étalait du 1er janvier 2008 au 31 décembre 2013. Les PSN ont été établis d'après les critères d'inclusion de Santé Canada. RÉSULTATS: Au total, 106 enfants ont fait partie de la présente étude. Quatre-vingt-deux (77,4 %) ont utilisé au moins un PSN : 60 (56 %), des vitamines et des minéraux, 45 (42,5 %), d'autres produits y compris des probiotiques, des acides gras oméga 3, des acides organiques et des acides gras essentiels, 34 (32,1 %), des produits de consommation courante, 12 (11,3 %), des remèdes à base d'herbes ou de plantes et un (0,9 %), des remèdes homéopathiques. Trente-neuf interactions potentielles entre des PSN et des médicaments et dix interactions potentielles entre des PSN et des PSN ont été recensées. Un nombre considérable de patients (n=54) a utilisé au moins un médicament et un PSN ou deux PSN ayant des interactions potentielles. Le principal type d'interaction était d'ordre pharmacocinétique : réduire les concentrations du médicament, du PSN ou des deux dans le sang (43,9 % d'utilisateurs de PSN) et accroître la concentration sanguine d'un PSN en cas d'interactions entre deux PSN (22 % des utilisateurs de PSN). CONCLUSION: Une forte proportion de patients en soins de répit utilisait des PSN. La plupart des enfants en soins de répit utilisait des PSN et des médicaments susceptibles d'interagir les uns avec les autres, même si la présente étude ne révélait pas de manifestations cliniques indésirables. Il est important d'informer les professionnels de la santé en matière de PSN, des données probantes disponibles ou de l'absence de telles données. Ces mesures pourraient réduire les interactions les plus graves et améliorer l'alliance entre les parents et les dispensateurs de soins pour équilibrer les risques et avantages potentiels des PSN.

Vancomycin use, dosing and serum trough concentrations in the pediatric population: a retrospective institutional review.

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin is used primarily for Gram-positive infections. Recommended dosage regimens and targeted therapeutic levels vary between institutions. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to describe therapeutic levels according to initial vancomycin doses and patient's age. A secondary objective was to evaluate appropriateness of vancomycin use in our hospital. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Patients included in this study were classified by age (neonates, infants, children and adolescents) and categorized into those who received vancomycin ≤5 and >5 days. Initial vancomycin dosing regimens and corresponding initial trough levels obtained were evaluated. Initial trough levels drawn in relation to the third, fourth, or fifth doses corresponding to the first course of therapy were analyzed. Acceptable trough levels ranged from 5-20 mg/L. RESULTS: One-hundred-and-sixty-four patients who received intravenous vancomycin in 2013 were included. Of the 229 courses of vancomycin, 190 (83%) were used 5 days or less (mean 4.9 days). Sixteen infants (88.9%) and 21 adolescents (100%), who received vancomycin empiric dosing of 60 mg/kg/day, had initial trough levels >5mg/L. However, in the children's group 20 (37.7%) did not reach levels >5 mg/L. None of vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were >1mg/L for the four patients who had infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. CONCLUSIONS: In our institution, initial empiric vancomycin dosing of 60 mg/kg/day resulted in levels ≥5mg/L in most infants and adolescents. It remains unclear why some children aged 1-12 years did not achieve these levels.

A Comparison of Taste and Odor Perception in Pediatric Patients Receiving a 0.9% Sodium Chloride Flush From 2 Different Brands of Prefilled 0.9% Sodium Chloride Syringes.

The aim of this randomized single-blind study is to compare taste and odor disturbances in patients receiving 0.9% sodium chloride flushes from 2 brands. Seventy-five patients from 6 to 18 years of age received intravenous 0.9% sodium chloride infusions, and 50 healthy volunteers who tasted the 2 brands of 0.9% sodium chloride from prefilled syringes were assessed for taste and/or odor disturbances. Taste or odor disturbances were equally present in patients flushed with MedXL and Becton-Dickinson 0.9% sodium chloride. Disturbances are more frequent when 0.9% sodium chloride is flushed through central venous access devices than through peripheral catheters. No difference between the brands was found when healthy volunteers tasted it orally.

Vancomycin use, dosing and serum trough concentrations in the pediatric population: a retrospective institutional review

Background: Vancomycin is used primarily for Gram-positive infections. Recommended dosage regimens and targeted therapeutic levels vary between institutions. Objectives: This study aims to describe therapeutic levels according to initial vancomycin doses and patient's age. A secondary objective was to evaluate appropriateness of vancomycin use in our hospital. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Patients included in this study were classified by age (neonates, infants, children and adolescents) and categorized into those who received vancomycin ≤5 and >5 days. Initial vancomycin dosing regimens and corresponding initial trough levels obtained were evaluated. Initial trough levels drawn in relation to the third, fourth, or fifth doses corresponding to the first course of therapy were analyzed. Acceptable trough levels ranged from 5-20 mg/L. Results: One-hundred-and-sixty-four patients who received intravenous vancomycin in 2013 were included. Of the 229 courses of vancomycin, 190 (83%) were used 5 days or less (mean 4.9 days). Sixteen infants (88.9%) and 21 adolescents (100%), who received vancomycin empiric dosing of 60 mg/kg/day, had initial trough levels >5mg/L. However, in the children's group 20 (37.7%) did not reach levels >5 mg/L. None of vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were >1mg/L for the four patients who had infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. Conclusions: In our institution, initial empiric vancomycin dosing of 60 mg/kg/day resulted in levels ≥5mg/L in most infants and adolescents. It remains unclear why some children aged 1-12 years did not achieve these levels (AU)

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Intraarticular gene transfer of TNFR:Fc suppresses experimental arthritis with reduced systemic distribution of the gene product.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Blockage of TNFalpha actions by systemic administration of TNF antagonists has recently been shown to ameliorate joint symptoms in RA patients. In the present study, a streptococcal cell wall (SCW)-induced rat arthritis model was used to evaluate the effect of different gene transfer routes of a TNF antagonist on the development and severity of arthritis. Successful delivery of a plasmid DNA encoding a rat TNF receptor-immunoglobulin Fc (TNFR:Fc) fusion gene prompted the subsequent administration of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector encoding the antagonist, either locally (intraarticular) or systemically (intramuscular). The TNFR:Fc gene, delivered by either route, resulted in profound suppression of the arthritis as reflected in decreased inflammatory cell infiltration, pannus formation, cartilage and bone destruction, and mRNA expression of joint proinflammatory cytokines. Increased bioactive serum TNFR levels were detected as a result of rAAV-ratTNFR:Fc administration, concomitant with a decrease in circulating TNFalpha. Administration of the rAAV-ratTNFR:Fc vector to one joint also suppressed arthritis in the contralateral joint. Importantly, intraarticular administration resulted in significantly lower systemic distribution of the gene product. Hence, the use of rAAV as the delivery vector for TNFR:Fc effectively suppressed SCW-induced arthritis and may provide an approach for local delivery of antiarthritic therapy.