A comparison of first trimester prenatal screening strategies for Down Syndrome with maternal age and preferences considerations.

OBJECTIVE: Screening for Down Syndrome (DS) includes traditional ultrasound and serum-based and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing. While cfDNA testing usually has superior performance, it is significantly more costly. As an alternative, a hybrid strategy combining contingent cfDNA with traditional testing is recommended when universal cfDNA screening is not feasible. This study compares the efficacy of traditional, contingent cfDNA, and universal cfDNA screening strategies at various cut-offs based on maternal age and parents' preferences, which may improve testing outcomes and patients' satisfaction. METHOD: Decision trees were used to analyze a cohort of 3 855 500 pregnancies from 12 to 50 years old. The performance of the strategies was compared using the number of adverse outcomes (undetected DS live births and euploid procedure-related losses). RESULTS: Universal cfDNA results in the fewest number of adverse outcomes in every scenario. Contingent cfDNA performs better than traditional screening when the cut-offs used to identify high-risk cases for cfDNA testing are relatively low. These cut-offs change depending on the maternal age and parents' preference. CONCLUSION: Maternal age and parents' preferences should be considered when choosing cut-offs for contingent cfDNA to remain as an effective strategy compared to traditional screening and to improve patient satisfaction.

Early mobilization in a pediatric intensive care unit and WeeFIM scores at rehabilitation: A retrospective study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between early mobility (EM) of pediatric patients mechanically ventilated and functional outcomes in rehabilitation using WeeFIM scores, as well as hospital length of stay (LOS), ICU LOS, and rehabilitation LOS. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 189 patients was completed to compare those who received EM interventions to those who did not in the ICU. Data extracted from the years 2015-2019 included: all patients who were between zero and 21 years, were mechanically ventilated via endotracheal tube (ETT) for > 48 hours, and then transferred to the comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation unit (IRU). RESULTS: For respiratory patients, the EM group had higher WeeFIM scores in all categories at admission to IRU compared to the comparison group. Neurosurgery patients had higher cognition and total WeeFIM scores in the EM group at admission to IRU. All diagnoses demonstrated shorter hospital, ICU, and IRU LOS for the comparison group versus the EM group. CONCLUSION: EM of mechanically ventilated pediatric patients with a primary respiratory diagnosis demonstrated improved function at admission to IRU compared to those who did not participate in EM. Prospective research needs to be done to examine this relationship further.

Significance of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody testing during COVID-19 vaccine allocation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of using SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody testing to prioritize the vaccination of susceptible individuals as part of a COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan when vaccine supply is limited. METHODS: An extended susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) compartmental model was used to simulate COVID-19 spread when considering diagnosis, isolation, and vaccination of a cohort of 1 million individuals. The scenarios modeled represented 4 pandemic severity scenarios and various times when the vaccine becomes available during the pandemic. Eligible individuals have a probability p of receiving antibody testing prior to vaccination (p = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1). The vaccine was modeled as a single dose vaccine with 90% and 70% efficacy. The value of serology testing was evaluated by comparing the infection attack rate, peak infections, peak day, and deaths. RESULTS: The use of antibody testing to prioritize the allocation of limited vaccines reduces infection attack rates and deaths. The size of the reduction depends on when the vaccine becomes available relative to the infection peak day. The largest percentage reduction in cases and deaths occurs when the vaccine is deployed before and close to the infection peak day. The reduction in the number of cases and deaths diminishes as vaccine deployment is delayed. CONCLUSIONS: Antibody testing as part of the vaccination plan is an effective method to maximize the benefit of a COVID-19 vaccine. Decision-makers need to consider relative timing between the infection peak day and when the vaccine becomes available.