Current state and practice variation in the use of Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) FilmArray panel in children.

BACKGROUND: The Meningitis/Encephalitis FilmArray® Panel (ME panel) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2015 and provides rapid results when assessing patients with suspected meningitis or encephalitis. These patients are evaluated by various subspecialties including pediatric hospital medicine (PHM), pediatric emergency medicine (PEM), pediatric infectious diseases, and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) physicians. The objective of this study was to evaluate the current use of the ME panel and describe the provider and subspecialty practice variation. METHODS: We conducted an online cross-sectional survey via the American Academy of Pediatrics Section of Hospital Medicine (AAP-SOHM) ListServe, Brown University PEM ListServe, and PICU Virtual pediatric system (VPS) Listserve. RESULTS: A total of 335 participants out of an estimated 6998 ListServe subscribers responded to the survey. 68% reported currently using the ME panel at their institutions. Among test users, most reported not having institutional guidelines on test indications (75%) or interpretation (76%). 58% of providers self-reported lack of knowledge of the test's performance characteristics. Providers from institutions that have established guidelines reported higher knowledge compared to those that did not (51% vs. 38%; p = 0.01). More PHM providers reported awareness of ME panel performance characteristics compared to PEM physicians (48% vs. 27%; p = 0.004); confidence in test interpretation was similar between both groups (72 vs. 69%; p = 0.80). CONCLUSION: Despite the widespread use of the ME panel, few providers report having institutional guidelines on test indications or interpretation. There is an opportunity to provide knowledge and guidance about the ME panel among various pediatric subspecialties.

Provider Consensus on Candidate Protective and Risk Factors for Adverse Psychosocial Outcomes Following Discharge From a PICU: A Modified Delphi Study.

OBJECTIVES: Pediatric palliative care promotes interdisciplinary, family-centered care when children are faced with diagnoses threatening length and/or quality of life. A significant knowledge gap remains in how to best match pediatric palliative care resources to palliate the psychosocial impact of a PICU admission. This study was designed to identify drivers of adverse post-PICU psychosocial outcomes related to social determinants of health to inform pediatric palliative care services and improve post-PICU psychosocial outcomes. DESIGN: Modified Delphi technique to develop consensus regarding social determinants of health and clinical factors affecting post-ICU psychosocial outcomes. SETTING: All Delphi rounds were via an electronically mailed survey link. SUBJECTS: First-round participants were PICU and pediatric palliative care clinicians at the study institution. Subsequent rounds invited participants from national PICU and pediatric palliative care professional online listserves. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Consensus was defined a priori as items assigned a score greater than or equal to 4 (5-point scale) by greater than75% of respondents. One-hundred twenty-six surveys were returned and scored. Social determinants of health risk factors included child protective services involvement (91%), caregiver with intellectual disability (87%), lack of friend or family support (82%), caregiver with behavioral health diagnosis (81%), teenage caregiver (79%), transportation challenges (79%), and language/cultural barrier (76%). Clinical risk factors included new home ventilator (94%), new tracheostomy (90%), greater than or equal to 3 hospitalizations in the prior 6 months (88%), and greater than or equal to 3 hospitalizations in the prior 12 months (82%). Social determinants of health protective factors included extended family support (91%), caregivers in a committed relationship (79%), and caregiver optimism (78%). Respondents reported that pediatric palliative care services had the greatest impact on caregiver satisfaction with the healthcare system (90%) and increased family involvement with state social services programs (80%). CONCLUSIONS: Consensus on candidate risk and protective factors for post-ICU psychosocial challenges and candidate pediatric palliative care-sensitive variables were identified. Further research is needed to operationalize and optimize a screening tool based on these consensus items and test it prospectively.

SENTINEL1: Two-Season Study of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalizations among U.S. Infants Born at 29 to 35 Weeks' Gestational Age Not Receiving Immunoprophylaxis.

OBJECTIVE: The SENTINEL1 observational study characterized confirmed respiratory syncytial virus hospitalizations (RSVH) among U.S. preterm infants born at 29 to 35 weeks' gestational age (wGA) not receiving respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunoprophylaxis (IP) during the 2014 to 2015 and 2015 to 2016 RSV seasons. STUDY DESIGN: All laboratory-confirmed RSVH at participating sites during the 2014 to 2015 and 2015 to 2016 RSV seasons (October 1-April 30) lasting ≥24 hours among preterm infants 29 to 35 wGA and aged <12 months who did not receive RSV IP within 35 days before onset of symptoms were identified and characterized. RESULTS: Results were similar across the two seasons. Among infants with community-acquired RSVH (N = 1,378), 45% were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and 19% required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). There were two deaths. Infants aged <6 months accounted for 78% of RSVH observed, 84% of ICU admissions, and 91% requiring IMV. Among infants who were discharged from their birth hospitalization during the RSV season, 82% of RSVH occurred within 60 days of birth hospitalization discharge. CONCLUSION: Among U.S. preterm infants 29 to 35 wGA not receiving RSV IP, RSVH are often severe with almost one-half requiring ICU admission and about one in five needing IMV.

Growth and Changing Characteristics of Pediatric Intensive Care 2001-2016.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the growth, distribution, and characteristics of pediatric intensive care in 2016. DESIGN: Hospitals with PICUs were identified from prior surveys, databases, online searching, and clinician networking. A structured web-based survey was distributed in 2016 and compared with responses in a 2001 survey. SETTING: PICUs were defined as a separate unit, specifically for the treatment of children with life-threatening conditions. PICU hospitals contained greater than or equal to 1 PICU. SUBJECTS: Physician medical directors and nurse managers. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: PICU beds per pediatric population (< 18 yr), PICU bed distribution by state and region, and PICU characteristics and their relationship with PICU beds were measured. Between 2001 and 2016, the U.S. pediatric population grew 1.9% to greater than 73.6 million children, and PICU hospitals decreased 0.9% from 347 to 344 (58 closed, 55 opened). In contrast, PICU bed numbers increased 43% (4,135 to 5,908 beds); the median PICU beds per PICU hospital rose from 9 to 12 (interquartile range 8, 20 beds). PICU hospitals with greater than or equal to 15 beds in 2001 had significant bed growth by 2016, whereas PICU hospitals with less than 15 beds experienced little average growth. In 2016, there were eight PICU beds per 100,000 U.S. children (5.7 in 2001), with U.S. census region differences in bed availability (6.8 to 8.8 beds/100,000 children). Sixty-three PICU hospitals (18%) accounted for 47% of PICU beds. Specialized PICUs were available in 59 hospitals (17.2%), 48 were cardiac (129% growth). Academic affiliation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation availability, and 24-hour in-hospital intensivist staffing increased with PICU beds per hospital. CONCLUSIONS: U.S. PICU bed growth exceeded pediatric population growth over 15 years with a relatively small percentage of PICU hospitals containing almost half of all PICU beds. PICU bed availability is variable across U.S. states and regions, potentially influencing access to care and emergency preparedness.

Correlation of Bedside Pediatric Early Warning System Score to Interventions During Peritransport Period.

BACKGROUND: The Bedside Pediatric Early Warning System score is a validated measure of severity of illness in acute care inpatient settings. Its potential as a remote assessment tool for interfacility transport has not been evaluated. We hypothesized that the Bedside Pediatric Early Warning System score was associated with need for intervention during the peritransport period and patient disposition. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated children transported by a regional pediatric team during a 6-month period. Bedside Pediatric Early Warning System scores were calculated at the triage phone call, the transport team arrival, and at transfer of care to the hospital team. The primary outcome was the receipt of significant intervention during the peritransport period, with additional outcomes of destination (ICU, ward, emergency department) in the regional hospital. Scores are presented as median values (interquartile range). RESULTS: There were 564 children who underwent transport; 139 (25%) received interventions; and 205 (36%) were transferred to the PICU, 231 (41%) to the ward, and 127 (23%) to the emergency department. Scores were 2 (1-5; median interquartile range) in children receiving no in-transport interventions, 8 (5-11) in children receiving any intervention (p < 0.001), and 10 (7-14) in children receiving more than one intervention. Children transferred to the PICU had higher scores 6 (3-10), than children transferred to a ward 3 (1-6) or the emergency department 2 (1-3) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The Bedside Pediatric Early Warning System score at the time of initial referral is a useful measure of severity of illness reflected by the subsequent provision of significant peritransport intervention and the transfer destination.

SENTINEL1: An Observational Study of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalizations among U.S. Infants Born at 29 to 35 Weeks' Gestational Age Not Receiving Immunoprophylaxis.

Objective SENTINEL1 characterized U.S. preterm infants 29 to 35 weeks' gestational age (wGA) < 12 months old hospitalized for laboratory-confirmed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease and not receiving RSV immunoprophylaxis during the 2014 to 2015 RSV season. Study Design This is a noninterventional, observational, cohort study. Results A total of 702 infants were hospitalized with community-acquired RSV disease, of whom an estimated 42% were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and 20% required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Earlier gestational age and younger chronologic age were associated with an increased frequency of RSV-confirmed hospitalization (RSVH), ICU admission, and IMV. Among infants 29 to 32 wGA and < 3 months of age, 68% required ICU admission and 44% required IMV. One death occurred of an infant 29 wGA. Among the 212 infants enrolled for in-depth analysis of health care resource utilization, mean and median RSVH charges were $55,551 and $27,461, respectively, which varied by intensity of care required. Outpatient visits were common, with 63% and 62% of infants requiring visits before and within 1 month following the RSVH, respectively. Conclusion Preterm infants 29 to 35 wGA are at high risk for severe RSV disease, which imposes a substantial health burden, particularly in the first months of life.

A multicentered prospective analysis of diagnosis, risk factors, and outcomes associated with pediatric ventilator-associated pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess risk factors and outcomes associated with pediatric ventilator-associated pneumonia. DESIGN: Multicentered prospective observational cohort. SETTING: Children's hospitals in the United States. PATIENTS: Mechanically ventilated patients less than 18 years old. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Prospective evaluation of the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of pediatric ventilator-associated pneumonia along with evaluation of diagnostic criterion for pediatric ventilator-associated pneumonia. The prevalence of pediatric ventilator-associated pneumonia was 5.2% (n = 2,082), for a rate of 7.1/1,000 ventilator days. Patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia had a longer unadjusted ICU length of stay (p < 0.0001) and increased length of mechanical ventilation by more than 11 days (p < 0.0001). After adjustment for patient factors, ICU length of stay (p = 0.03) and mechanical ventilation days (p = 0.001) remained significant. Patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia were almost three times more likely to die (p = 0.007). Independent risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia were reintubation and part-time ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric ventilator-associated pneumonia is common in mechanically ventilated pediatric patients. These patients have longer length of stay, longer duration of mechanical ventilation, and increased risk for mortality.

Short stay unit led by pediatric hospital medicine advanced practice providers.

BACKGROUND: In response to a critical pediatric bed shortage in 2022, an urgent process change was required to provide safe and timely medical care. We proposed a pilot for an advanced practice provider (APP)-run short stay unit (SSU) for select pediatric hospital medicine (PHM) patients. OBJECTIVE: To compare length of stay (LOS) and cost before and after implementation of a PHM APP-led SSU pilot at a tertiary pediatric hospital. DESIGNS, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS: Single-center prospective pilot observational cohort study with historical control. Observation encounters for patients with asthma, bronchiolitis, croup, and dehydration were included. INTERVENTION: An independent-practice model SSU staffed by APPs on the PHM service. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: SSU encounters (September 1, 2022-December 1, 2022) were compared against pre-SSU encounters (September 1, 2021-August 31, 2022). Cohorts were described with summary statistics. SSU encounters were matched against pre-SSU encounters based on demographics and diagnosis, and the average effect of treatment was calculated. LOS was abstracted from the enterprise data warehouse and standardized unit cost from the Pediatric Health Information Systems database. RESULTS: There were 1110 encounters included, 155 in the SSU cohort and 955 in the pre-SSU cohort: 24.2% asthma, 30.8% bronchiolitis, 8.3% croup, and 36.7% dehydration. Median (interquartile range) unit LOS decreased from 21 (16-26) to 18 (10-22) h, p < .001. Cost decreased from $3593 ($3031-$4560) to $2958 ($2278-$3856), p < .001. After matching, the average treatment effect was reduction of 3.88 h (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.91-5.85) and $593 (95% CI $348-$839). There were no significant differences in 7-day ED revisit rates.

Association Between the COI and Excess Health Care Utilization and Costs for ACSC.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The authors of previous work have associated the Childhood Opportunity Index (COI) with increased hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC). The burden of this inequity on the health care system is unknown. We sought to understand health care resource expenditure in terms of excess hospitalizations, hospital days, and cost. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of the Pediatric Health Information Systems database, including inpatient hospitalizations between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 for children <18 years of age. We compared ACSC hospitalizations, mortality, and cost across COI strata. RESULTS: We identified 2 870 121 hospitalizations among 1 969 934 children, of which 44.5% (1 277 568/2 870 121) were for ACSCs. A total of 49.1% (331 083/674 548) of hospitalizations in the very low stratum were potentially preventable, compared with 39.7% (222 037/559 003) in the very high stratum (P < .001). After adjustment, lower COI was associated with higher odds of potentially preventable hospitalization (odds ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-1.19). Compared with the very high COI stratum, there were a total of 137 550 (95% CI 134 582-140 517) excess hospitalizations across all other strata, resulting in an excess cost of $1.3 billion (95% CI $1.28-1.35 billion). Compared with the very high COI stratum, there were 813 (95% CI 758-871) excess deaths, with >95% from the very low and low COI strata. CONCLUSIONS: Children with lower neighborhood opportunity have increased risk of ACSC hospitalizations. The COI may identify communities in which targeted intervention could reduce health care utilization and costs.

Respiratory Support Practices for Bronchiolitis in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Importance: Admissions to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) due to bronchiolitis are increasing. Whether this increase is associated with changes in noninvasive respiratory support practices is unknown. Objective: To assess whether the number of PICU admissions for bronchiolitis between 2013 and 2022 was associated with changes in the use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), noninvasive ventilation (NIV), and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and to identify factors associated with HFNC and NIV success and failure. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study examined encounter data from the Virtual Pediatric Systems database on annual PICU admissions for bronchiolitis and ventilation practices among patients aged younger than 2 years admitted to 27 PICUs between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2022. Use of HFNC and NIV was defined as successful if patients were weaned to less invasive support (room air or low-flow nasal cannula for HFNC; room air, low-flow nasal cannula, or HFNC for NIV). Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome was the number of PICU admissions for bronchiolitis requiring the use of HFNC, NIV, or IMV. Linear regression was used to analyze the association between admission year and absolute numbers of encounters stratified by the maximum level of respiratory support required. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with HFNC and NIV success and failure (defined as not meeting the criteria for success). Results: Included in the analysis were 33 816 encounters for patients with bronchiolitis (20 186 males [59.7%]; 1910 patients [5.6%] aged ≤28 days and 31 906 patients [94.4%] aged 29 days to <2 years) treated at 27 PICUs from 2013 to 2022. A total of 7615 of 15 518 patients (49.1%) had respiratory syncytial virus infection and 1522 of 33 816 (4.5%) had preexisting cardiac disease. Admissions to the PICU increased by 350 (95% CI, 170-531) encounters annually. When data were grouped by the maximum level of respiratory support required, HFNC use increased by 242 (95% CI, 139-345) encounters per year and NIV use increased by 126 (95% CI, 64-189) encounters per year. The use of IMV did not significantly change (10 [95% CI, -11 to 31] encounters per year). In all, 22 381 patients (81.8%) were successfully weaned from HFNC to low-flow oxygen therapy or room air, 431 (1.6%) were restarted on HFNC, 3057 (11.2%) were escalated to NIV, and 1476 (5.4%) were escalated to IMV or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Successful use of HFNC increased from 820 of 1027 encounters (79.8%) in 2013 to 3693 of 4399 encounters (84.0%) in 2022 (P = .002). In all, 8476 patients (81.5%) were successfully weaned from NIV, 787 (7.6%) were restarted on NIV, and 1135 (10.9%) were escalated to IMV or ECMO. Success with NIV increased from 224 of 306 encounters (73.2%) in 2013 to 1335 of 1589 encounters (84.0%) in 2022 (P < .001). In multivariable logistic regression, lower weight, higher Pediatric Risk of Mortality III score, cardiac disease, and PICU admission from outside the emergency department were associated with greater odds of HFNC and NIV failure. Conclusions and Relevance: Findings of this cross-sectional study of patients aged younger than 2 years admitted for bronchiolitis suggest there was a 3-fold increase in PICU admissions between 2013 and 2022 associated with a 4.8-fold increase in HFNC use and a 5.8-fold increase in NIV use. Further research is needed to standardize approaches to HFNC and NIV support in bronchiolitis to reduce resource strain.

Efficacy of intravenous lidocaine to reduce pain and distress associated with propofol infusion in pediatric patients during procedural sedation.

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that young children experience an increased incidence and severity of discomfort during propofol infusion. Evaluations of varied interventions to reduce or eliminate this discomfort with adult subjects suggest that premedication with intravenously administered lidocaine (0.5 mg/kg) offers the best overall effectiveness. OBJECTIVE: Because this regimen's efficacy in a pediatric population is undocumented, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to determine the effectiveness of intravenous lidocaine pretreatment to alleviate pain in pediatric subjects before propofol infusion. METHODS: Subjects (aged 2-7 years) scheduled for painless diagnostic procedures received either a saline placebo or 1 of 2 lidocaine doses before administering propofol. To capture the patient's baseline behavioral state, a trained observer administered the validated face, legs, activity, cry, consolability pain assessment scale before propofol infusion. During deep sedation induction, the sedating physician, a trained research assistant, and the patient's parent documented maximum distress using a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: Ninety-one subjects participated. We found no difference in VAS pain scores between groups pretreated with lidocaine 0.25 mg/kg, lidocaine 0.5 mg/kg, and placebo. Statistical analysis also found no interrater differences between parents, physician, or observer VAS scores. CONCLUSIONS: Our data do not support using lidocaine pretreatment to alleviate pain/discomfort in pediatric patients during propofol infusion.

Feasibility and Acceptability: Narrative Writing with Caregivers in Pediatric Critical Care.

Background: Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions are caregiver stressors with potential long-term impact. Writing interventions have shown health benefits, although not yet with parents writing during their child's PICU admission. Objective: The study objective was to quantify intervention acceptability and feasibility and to qualitatively examine written texts. Design: This is a proof-of-concept three-arm randomized trial. Setting and Subjects: Subjects were legal caregivers ≥18 years, able to read and write English, and of children ≤18 years in a U.S. PICU for ≥1 day. Measurements: Treatment Acceptability Questionnaire, enrollment rates, completed encounters, and qualitative thematic analysis. Results: Acceptability was high (49% enrollment; mean [standard deviation] Treatment Acceptability Questionnaire scores: M = 24.8 [2.4]). Feasibility was 100% scheduled-to-completed sessions. Thematic analysis revealed two themes (people and relationships); texts were more cognitive than emotional. Conclusions: Caregivers, provided resources and supported by a narrative medicine facilitator, are likely to engage in expressive writing. The intervention warrants subsequent development.

Admissions for Bronchiolitis at Children's Hospitals Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a transient decrease in bronchiolitis hospitalizations compared with prepandemic patterns, but current effects remain unknown. Objective: To analyze changes in patterns of bronchiolitis admissions at US children's hospitals during the 2020-2023 bronchiolitis seasons compared with the 2010-2019 seasons. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cross-sectional study used data from 41 US children's hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System database. Bronchiolitis has winter-predominant seasonality, so hospitalizations were grouped according to bronchiolitis season (from July through June). This study included all patients aged younger than 2 years admitted with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2023. Bronchiolitis seasons from July through June between 2010-2011 and 2019-2020 were classified as the prepandemic era, and seasons between 2020-2021 and 2022-2023 were classified as the pandemic era. Data analysis was performed from July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2023. Exposures: Admission date. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was number of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis by season and month. Monthly admission counts from the prepandemic era were transformed into time series and used to train seasonal ensemble forecasting models. Forecasts were compared to monthly admissions during the pandemic era. Results: In this study, there were 400 801 bronchiolitis admissions among 349 609 patients between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2023. The median patient age was 6 (IQR, 2-12) months; 58.7% were boys and 43.7% were White. Hospitalizations increased gradually during the prepandemic era (median, 29 309 [IQR, 26 196-34 157]), decreased 69.2% (n = 9030) in the 2020-2021 season, and increased 75.3% (n = 51 397) in the 2022-2023 season. Patients in the pandemic era were older than those in the prepandemic era (median, 7 [IQR, 3-14] vs 6 [2-12] months; P < .001). Intensive care unit (ICU) admissions increased from 32.2% (96 245 of 298 535) in the prepandemic era to 36.7% (37 516 of 102 266) in the pandemic era (P < .001). The seasonality of bronchiolitis admissions changed during the pandemic era. Admissions peaked in August 2021 (actual 5036 vs 943 [95% CI, 0-2491] forecasted) and November 2022 (actual 10 120 vs 5268 [95% CI, 3425-7419] forecasted). These findings were unchanged in sensitivity analyses excluding children with complex chronic conditions and excluding repeat admissions. In a sensitivity analysis including all viral lower respiratory tract infections in children aged younger than 5 years, there were 66 767 admissions in 2022-2023 vs 35 623 (31 301-41 002) in the prepandemic era, with the largest increase in children aged 24 to 59 months. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that bronchiolitis hospitalizations decreased transiently and then increased markedly during the COVID-19 pandemic era. Patients admitted during the pandemic era were older and were more likely to be admitted to an ICU. These findings suggest that bronchiolitis seasonality has not yet returned to prepandemic patterns, and US hospitals should prepare for the possibility of atypical timing again in 2023.

Bolus gastric feeds improve nutrition delivery to mechanically ventilated pediatric medical patients: Results of the COntinuous vs BOlus multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND: Comparison of bolus gastric feeding (BGF) vs continuous gastric feeding (CGF) with respect to timing and delivery of energy and protein in mechanically ventilated (MV) pediatric patients has not been investigated. We hypothesized that bolus delivery would shorten time to goal nutrition and increase the percentage of goal feeds delivered. METHODS: Multicenter, prospective, randomized comparative effectiveness trial conducted in seven pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Eligibility criteria included patients aged 1 month to 12 years who were intubated within 24 h of PICU admission, with expected duration of ventilation at least 48 h, and who were eligible to begin enteral nutrition within 48 h. Exclusion criteria included patients with acute or chronic gastrointestinal pathology or acute surgery. RESULTS: We enrolled 158 MV children between October 2015 and April 2018; 147 patients were included in the analysis (BGF = 72, CGF = 75). Children in the BGF group were slightly older than those in the CGF; otherwise, the two groups had similar demographic characteristics. There was no difference in the percentage of patients in each group who achieved goal feeds. Time to goal feeds was shorter in the BGF group (hazard ratio 1.5 [CI 1.02-2.33]; P = 0.0387). Median percentage of target kilocalories (median kcal 0.78 vs 0.59; P ≤ 0.0001) and median percentage of protein delivered (median protein 0.77 vs 0.59; P ≤ 0.0001) was higher for BGF patients. There was no difference in serial oxygen saturation index between groups. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated shorter time to achieve goal nutrition via BGF compared with CGF in MV pediatric patients. This resulted in increased delivery of target energy and nutrition. Further study is needed in other PICU populations.

Severity and Cost of RSV Hospitalization Among US Preterm Infants Following the 2014 American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Change.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Infectious Diseases (COID) periodically publishes recommendations for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunoprophylaxis (IP) use in pediatric patients considered to be at highest risk for severe RSV infection. In 2014, for the first time, the AAP COID stopped recommending the use of RSV IP for otherwise healthy infants born at 29 weeks' gestational age (wGA) or later, stating that RSV hospitalization (RSVH) rates in this population are similar to those of term infants. Subsequently, epidemiological studies in the US at national and regional levels provided evidence of the impact of the policy change in 29-34 wGA infants. The results of these studies demonstrated a significant decrease in IP use after 2014 that was associated with an increased rate of RSVH in 29-34 wGA infants and an increase in morbidities. RSVH-related morbidities included pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, an increased need for mechanical ventilation, and an increase in the length of stay. After the change in recommendations, the costs of RSVH also rose among 29-34 wGA infants. The severity of the illness and expenses associated with RSVH were generally higher among 29-34 wGA infants of younger chronologic age compared with older preterm infants. Overall, these studies underscore that 29-34 wGA infants continue to be a high-risk pediatric population that could benefit from the protection provided by RSV IP. On the basis of these data, in 2018, the National Perinatal Association developed guidelines that recommended RSV IP for all ≤ 32 wGA infants and 32-35 wGA infants with additional risk factors. Re-evaluation of the AAP COID policy is warranted in light of these observations.

Bolus vs Continuous Nasogastric Feeds in Mechanically Ventilated Pediatric Patients: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition increases the risk of mortality and morbidity in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Barriers to adequate delivery of enteral nutrition (EN) include hemodynamic instability, feeding interruptions and intolerance, and lack of standardized feeding protocols. The most recent guidelines on nutrition support for the critically ill child describe a paucity of evidence around the best method to deliver EN. There is an untested clinical assumption that bolus gastric feeding (B-GF) in intubated patients is associated with aspiration events, lung injury, and associated morbidity compared with continuous gastric feeding (C-GF). This study compared the effectiveness and safety of C-GF vs B-GF in intubated pediatric patients. METHODS: We enrolled randomized patients aged 1 month-12 years who were intubated within 24 hours and received EN starting within 48 hours of admission to a C-GF or B-GF group. Goal-directed EN volume and caloric density were increased every 3 and 12 hours, respectively, to target. Feeding interruptions and intolerance events were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-five subjects were enrolled (B-GF = 11; C-GF = 14). At 24 hours, B-GF was associated with higher energy and protein delivery (P < 0.007) and was associated with faster time to goal volume (median B-GF = 15 hours; C-GF = 29.5 hours). No aspiration events resulting in additional lung injury were noted for either group (P = 0.866). CONCLUSIONS: B-GF was associated with superior delivery of EN with a comparable safety profile to C-GF. Further study is needed to compare both EN methods in other PICU populations.

Virulence phenotypes of low-passage clinical isolates of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae assessed using the chinchilla laniger model of otitis media.

BACKGROUND: The nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) are associated with a spectrum of respiratory mucosal infections including: acute otitis media (AOM); chronic otitis media with effusion (COME); otorrhea; locally invasive diseases such as mastoiditis; as well as a range of systemic disease states, suggesting a wide range of virulence phenotypes. Genomic studies have demonstrated that each clinical strain contains a unique genic distribution from a population-based supragenome, the distributed genome hypothesis. These diverse clinical and genotypic findings suggest that each NTHi strain possesses a unique set of virulence factors that contributes to the course of the disease. RESULTS: The local and systemic virulence patterns of ten genomically characterized low-passage clinical NTHi strains (PittAA - PittJJ) obtained from children with COME or otorrhea were stratified using the chinchilla model of otitis media (OM). Each isolate was used to bilaterally inoculate six animals and thereafter clinical assessments were carried out daily for 8 days by blinded observers. There was no statistical difference in the time it took for any of the 10 NTHi strains to induce otologic (local) disease with respect to any or all of the other strains, however the differences in time to maximal local disease and the severity of local disease were both significant between the strains. Parameters of systemic disease indicated that the strains were not all equivalent: time to development of the systemic disease, maximal systemic scores and mortality were all statistically different among the strains. PittGG induced 100% mortality while PittBB, PittCC, and PittEE produced no mortality. Overall Pitt GG, PittII, and Pitt FF produced the most rapid and most severe local and systemic disease. A post hoc determination of the clinical origins of the 10 NTHi strains revealed that these three strains were of otorrheic origin, whereas the other 7 were from patients with COME. CONCLUSION: Collectively these data suggest that the chinchilla OM model is useful for discriminating between otorrheic and COME NTHi strains as to their disease-producing potential in humans, and combined with whole genome analyses, point the way towards identifying classes of virulence genes.