Epidemiology of Adenovirus Infection in Hospitalized Children in the United States From 1997 to 2019.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to explore the prevalence, clinical features, resource utilization, temporal trends and outcomes associated with adenoviral infections in hospitalized children. METHODS: A retrospective analysis using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's Kids' Inpatient Database from 1997 to 2019 was performed. Children aged 29 days to 17 years with adenoviral infection were selected. Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis tests, linear trend analysis and multivariable analysis were used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 40,135 children under 18 years of age with adenoviral infection were discharged in the United States with an overall prevalence of 18.9 per 10,000 discharges and 6.9 children per 100,000 population. By linear trend analysis, the hospitalization rate has significantly increased with the highest prevalence in 2019. Adenoviral infection was more prevalent in Black children, in winter months, in the Midwest region, in children with government insurance and in the lowest income quartile. The majority (85%) of adenovirus-related hospitalizations occurred under 6 years of age. Mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, acute kidney injury and liver failure were documented in 11.9%, 0.4%, 2.7% and 0.4%, respectively. The overall case fatality rate was 1.4%, which decreased from 1997 to 2019 (P < 0.05). By regression analysis, an increased mortality rate was associated with the need for mechanical ventilation, the presence of complex chronic conditions, immune deficiency, central nervous system infection and pneumonia/bronchiolitis. CONCLUSIONS: Most human adenovirus infections occur in children under 6 years of age and cause mild illness. Human adenovirus can lead to serious illness in children with complex chronic conditions and immune deficiency conditions.

Racial Inequities in Mortality Rate in Hospitalized Children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Racial/ethnic inequities for inpatient mortality in children at a national level in the U.S. have not been explored. The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in inpatient mortality rate among different racial/ethnic groups, using the Kids' Inpatient Database. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of children of ages greater than 28 days and less than 21 years discharged during 2012 and 2016. Racial/ethnic groups - White, Black, Hispanic, Asian and Pacific Islander and Native Americans were analyzed in two cohorts, Cohort A (all discharges) and Cohort B (ventilated children). RESULTS: A total of 4,247,604 and 79,116 discharges were included in cohorts A and B, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the inpatient mortality rate was highest among Asian and Pacific Islander children for both cohorts: A (0.47% [0.42-0.51]), B (10.9% [9.8-12.1]). Regression analysis showed that Asian and Pacific Islander and Black children had increased odds of inpatient mortality compared to White children: A (1.319 [1.162-1.496], 1.178 [1.105-1.257], respectively) and B (1.391 [1.199-1.613], 1.163 [1.079-1.255], respectively). Population-based hospital mortality was highest in Black children (1.17 per 10,000 children). CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient mortality rates are significantly higher in U.S. children of Asian and Pacific Islander and Black races compared to White children. U.S. population-based metrics such as hospitalization rate, ventilation rate, and hospital mortality rate are highest in Black children. Our data suggest that lower median household income alone may not account for a higher inpatient mortality rate. The causes and prevention of racial and ethnic inequities in hospitalized children need to be explored further.

A Neonate With Cytokine Storm Managed With Steroids, Therapeutic Plasma Exchange, and Tocilizumab.

Neonatal cytokine storms, though rare, can induce hyperinflammation due to elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6), triggering multiorgan failure. We present the case of a term male neonate necessitating extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) post-birth for persistent pulmonary hypertension due to meconium aspiration syndrome. Three days after weaning from ECMO support, steroids and therapeutic plasma exchange were initiated due to deteriorating thrombocytopenia, oxygenation, hemodynamic instability, and increased C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin levels. Elevated IL-6 prompted tocilizumab administration after four days of daily plasmapheresis. Post-tocilizumab infusion, notable enhancements in platelet counts, oxygenation indices, and CRP were observed, resulting in stable discharge of the child. Comprehensive evaluations for infections, including coronavirus disease 2019, as well as genetic and metabolic disorders, yielded negative results.

Epidemiology and Outcomes of Cerebral Edema in Hospitalized Children.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral edema can be a consequence of multiple disease processes. Untreated cerebral edema can be fatal, and even with aggressive management, it can be devastating. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence, underlying causes, and outcomes of cerebral edema in hospitalized children. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study using the 2016 Kids' Inpatient Database was performed. Children aged one month to 20 years were included. Sample weighting was employed to produce national estimates. Univariate analyses were used to compare those who died and survived. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the influence of demographic variables and etiologic factors on mortality. RESULTS: Cerebral edema was documented in 4903 children of 2,210,263 (2.2 of 1000) discharges. Among children with cerebral edema, males were 57%, white children were 47.9%, and adolescents were 48.9%. The three most common etiologies associated with cerebral edema in this cohort were stroke (21.7%), anoxic injury (21.4%), and central nervous system (CNS) malignancy (16%). The overall hospital mortality rate was 29.4%. The adjusted mortality rate was significantly higher when cerebral edema was associated with anoxic injury (84%). The mortality was lower when cerebral edema was associated with CNS malignancy (9.5%) or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) (4.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral edema is uncommon in hospitalized children but has a high mortality. Stroke and anoxic brain injury are the two most common etiologies for cerebral edema in hospitalized children in the United States. Among all etiologies for cerebral edema in children, anoxic brain injury has the highest mortality, whereas DKA has the lowest mortality.

Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Human Metapneumovirus and Respiratory Syncytial Viral Infections in Children.

BACKGROUND: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are 2 common causes of acute respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. The objective of this study is to compare the demographics and outcomes of children hospitalized with HMPV and RSV infections in the United States. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of children 1 month to less than 3 years old discharged during 2016 with HMPV or RSV infection using the Kids' Inpatient Database. Children with HMPV and RSV coinfection were excluded. Data were weighted for national estimates. RESULTS: There were 6585 children with HMPV infection and 70,824 with RSV infection discharged during the study period. The mean age of children with HMPV infection was higher than that of children with RSV infection (0.73 ± 0.8 vs. 0.42 ± 0.7 years; P < 0.05). The mortality rate was significantly higher in children with the presence of any complex chronic conditions compared to those without, in both HMPV [odds ratio (OR): 32.42; CI: 9.931-105.857; P < 0.05] as well as RSV (OR: 35.81; CI: 21.12-57.97; P < 0.05) groups. The adjusted median length of stay was longer (4.64 days; CI: 4.52-4.76 days vs. 3.33 days; CI: 3.31-3.35 days; P < 0.001) and total charges were higher ($44,358; CI: $42,145-$46,570 vs. $22,839; CI: $22,512-$23,166; P < 0.001), with HMPV infection. The mortality rate was similar in HMPV infection compared to RSV infection on multivariable analysis (OR: 1.48; P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In hospitalized children in the United States, HMPV infection is less common than RSV infection. Complex chronic conditions are more prevalent in children hospitalized with HMPV infection. Hospitalization with HMPV is associated with longer length of stay and higher hospital charges. The adjusted mortality is similar with both infections.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Children with Cerebral Sinus Venous Thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) is an uncommon condition in children with potentially serious outcomes. Large epidemiological studies in children with CSVT are few. The objective of this study is to evaluate the epidemiology and in-hospital outcomes of hospitalized children with CSVT in the United States. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database for the combined years 2016 and 2019. The database was queried using the diagnoses for intracranial and intraspinal phlebitis and thrombophlebitis, nonpyogenic thrombosis of the intracranial venous system, and cerebral infarction due to cerebral venous thrombosis. Sample weighting was employed to produce national estimates. RESULTS: Of 12,165,621 discharges, 3202 had CSVT (in-hospital prevalence 26.3 per 100,000 discharges). Male patients accounted for 57% of CSVT discharges. The median age was 8 years (interquartile range 1-16), with a U-shaped distribution with peaks in patients younger than 4 years and patients aged between 18 and 20 years. A total of 19.3% of children with CSVT had either hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke. Patients with stroke were more likely to require mechanical ventilation (odds ratio [OR] 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1-3.3; p < 0.001) and have higher mortality (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.6-3.4; p < 0.001). Mechanical ventilation was necessary for 25.2% of patients with CSVT, of whom the majority were neonates and young children. The need for mechanical ventilation was associated with increased mortality (OR 16.6; 95% CI 9.9-27.9; p < 0.001). The overall mortality rate for CSVT was 4.1%, and 16.5% of patients with CSVT were discharged with home health care or to a skilled nursing facility. CONCLUSIONS: CSVT, which has a U-shaped age distribution, is an uncommon condition in children. Stroke is common in children with CSVT, and it is associated with an increased need for mechanical ventilation and increased mortality. The need for mechanical ventilation is more common in infants, and it is associated with increased mortality across all age groups.

Identification of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Classes and Development of Hyperinflammation Score in Pediatric COVID-19.

The aim of this study is to describe characteristics and hospital course of children admitted with COVID-19 to a tertiary care pediatric center in Southeastern United States, and to present the frequency of three classes of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and develop pediatric COVID-19 associated hyperinflammation score (PcHIS). A retrospective cohort study of 68 children was performed. Critical illness was defined as any child requiring respiratory or cardiovascular support or renal replacement therapy. PcHIS was developed by using six variables: fever, hematological dysfunction, coagulopathy, hepatic injury, macrophage activation, and cytokinemia. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria were used to identify MIS-C, and three classes of MIS-C were identified based on the findings of recently published latent class analysis (Class 1: MIS-C without Kawasaki like disease, Class 2: MIS-C with respiratory disease, and Class 3: MIS-C with Kawasaki like disease). The median age was 6.4 years. Fever, respiratory, and gastrointestinal were common presenting symptoms. MIS-C was present in 32 (47%), critical COVID-19 illness in 11 (16%), and 17 (25%) were admitted to the PICU. Children with critical illness were adolescents with elevated body mass index and premorbid conditions. PcHIS score of 3 had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 77% for predicting critical COVID-19 illness. Among MIS-C patients, 15 (47%) were in Class 1, 8 (25%) were in Class 2, and 9 (28%) were in Class 3. We conclude that most children with COVID-19 have mild-to-moderate illness. Critical COVID-19 is mainly seen in obese adolescents with premorbid conditions. Three Classes of MIS-C are identifiable based on clinical features. Validation and clinical implication of inflammation score in pediatric COVID-19 need further investigation.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Matched-Cohort Analysis of the SCCM Discovery Viral Infection and Respiratory Illness Universal Study COVID-19 Registry.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of multicenter data describing the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on hospitalized pediatric oncology patients. Using a large, multicenter, Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Discovery Viral Infection and Respiratory Illness University Study (VIRUS) database, we aimed at assessing outcomes of COVID-19 infection in this population. METHOD: This is a matched-cohort study involving children below 18 years of age hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 2020 and January 2021. Using the VIRUS; COVID-19 Registry database, children with oncologic diseases were compared with propensity score matched (age groups, sex, race, and ethnicity) cohort of children without oncologic diseases for the prevalence of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, interventions, hospital, and ICU length of stay. RESULTS: The number of children in the case and control groups was 45 and 180, respectively. ICU admission rate was similar in both groups ([47.7 vs 51.7%], P =0.63). The proportion of children requiring noninvasive and invasive mechanical ventilation, and its duration were similar between groups, same as hospital mortality. Interestingly, MIS-C was significantly lower in the oncology group compared with the control (2.4 vs 24.6%; P =0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: In this study using a multicenter VIRUS database, ICU admission rate, interventions, and outcomes of COVID-19 were similar in children with the oncologic disease compared with control patients. The incidence of MIS-C is lower in oncologic patients.

The need for blood transfusion therapy is associated with increased mortality in children with traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: Blood transfusion therapy (BTT) is widely used in trauma patients. However, the adverse effects of BTT in pediatric trauma patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) were poorly studied. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of BTT on mortality in children with severe TBI. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort analysis, we analyzed 2012 and 2016 Kids' Inpatient Databases and used a weighted sample to obtain national outcome estimates. We included children aged 1 month to 21 years with TBI who were mechanically ventilated, considered severe TBI; we then compared the demographics, comorbidities, and mortality rates of those patients who had undergone BTT to those who did not. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-squared test and regression models. In addition, in a correlative propensity score matched analysis, cases (BTT) were matched 1:1 with controls (non-BTT) based on age, gender, hospital region, income quartiles, race, and All Patients Refined Diagnosis Related Groups (APRDRG) severity of illness scores to minimize the effect of confounding variables between the groups. RESULTS: Out of 87,980 children with a diagnosis of TBI, 17,199 (19.5%) with severe TBI were included in the analysis. BTT was documented in 3184 (18.5%) children. Among BTT group, the mortality was higher compared to non-BTT group [31.6% (29.7-33.5%) vs. 14.4 (13.7-15.1%), (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.9-2.6; p<0.05)]. In the BTT group, infants and adolescents, white race, APRDRG severity of illness, cardiac arrest, platelet, and coagulation factor transfusions were associated with higher mortality. In a propensity-matched analysis, BTT associated with a higher risk of mortality (32.1% [30.1-34.2] vs. 17.4% [15.8-19.1], p<0.05; OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.9-2.6). CONCLUSION: In children with severe TBI, blood transfusion therapy is associated with higher mortality.

Management of Anticoagulation during Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Children.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is often used in critically ill children with severe cardiopulmonary failure. Worldwide, about 3600 children are supported by ECMO each year, with an increase of 10% in cases per year. Although anticoagulation is necessary to prevent circuit thrombosis during ECMO support, bleeding and thrombosis are associated with significantly increased mortality risk. In addition, maintaining balanced hemostasis is a challenging task during ECMO support. While heparin is a standard anticoagulation therapy in ECMO, recently, newer anticoagulant agents are also in use. Currently, there is a wide variation in anticoagulation management and diagnostic monitoring in children receiving ECMO. This review intends to describe the pathophysiology of coagulation during ECMO support, review of literature on current and newer anticoagulant agents, and outline various diagnostic tests used for anticoagulation monitoring. We will also discuss knowledge gaps and future areas of research.

The Epidemiology and Outcome of Pericardial Effusion in Hospitalized Children: A National Database Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiology of pericardial effusion in hospitalized children and evaluate risk factors associated with the drainage of pericardial effusion and hospital mortality. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of a national pediatric discharge database. RESULTS: We analyzed hospitalized pediatric patients from the neonatal age through 20 years in the Kids' Inpatient Database 2016, extracting the cases of pericardial effusion. Of the 6 266 285 discharged patients recorded, 6417 (0.1%) were diagnosed with pericardial effusion, with the highest prevalence of 2153 patients in teens (13-20 years of age). Pericardial effusion was drained in 792 (12.3%), and the adjusted risk of pericardial drainage was statistically low with rheumatologic diagnosis (OR, 0.485; 95% CI, 0.358-0.657, P < .001). The overall mortality in children with pericardial effusion was 6.8% and 10.9% of those who required pericardial effusion drainage (P < .001). The adjusted risk of mortality was statistically high with solid organ tumor (OR, 1.538; 95% CI, 1.056-2.239, P = .025) and pericardial drainage (OR, 1.430; 95% CI, 1.067-1.915, P = .017) and low in all other age groups compared with neonates, those with cardiac structural diagnosis (OR, 0.322; 95% CI, 0.212-0.489, P < .001), and those with rheumatologic diagnosis (OR, 0.531; 95% CI, 0.334-0.846, P = .008). CONCLUSION: The risk of mortality in hospitalized children with pericardial effusion was higher in younger children with solid organ tumors and those who required pericardial effusion drainage. In contrast, it was lower in older children with cardiac or rheumatologic diagnoses.

Medications and Adherence to Treatment Guidelines Among Children Hospitalized With Acute COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment guidelines rapidly evolved during the pandemic. The December 2020 Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guideline, endorsed by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, recommended steroids for critical disease, and suggested steroids and remdesivir for severe disease. We evaluated how medications for children hospitalized with COVID-19 changed after guideline publication. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of children aged 30 days to <18 years hospitalized with acute COVID-19 at 42 tertiary care US children's hospitals April 2020 to December 2021. We compared medication use before and after the December 2020 IDSA guideline (pre- and postguideline) stratified by COVID-19 disease severity (mild-moderate, severe, critical) with interrupted time series. RESULTS: Among 18 364 patients who met selection criteria, 80.3% were discharged in the postguideline period. Remdesivir and steroid use increased postguideline relative to the preguideline period, although the trend slowed. Postguideline, among patients with severe disease, 75.4% received steroids and 55.2% remdesivir, and in those with critical disease, 82.4% received steroids and 41.4% remdesivir. Compared with preguideline, enoxaparin use increased overall but decreased among patients with critical disease. Postguideline, tocilizumab use increased and hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, anakinra, and antibiotic use decreased. Antibiotic use remained high in severe (51.7%) and critical disease (81%). CONCLUSIONS: Although utilization of COVID-19 medications changed after December 2020 IDSA guidelines, there was a decline in uptake and incomplete adherence for children with severe and critical disease. Efforts should enhance reliable delivery of guideline-directed therapies to children hospitalized with COVID-19 and assess their effectiveness.

Epidemiology and Outcomes of Neonatal Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis.

Objectives: Neonatal hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare entity. The objective of the study was to describe the prevalence, clinical characteristics, interventions and outcomes of neonates diagnosed with HLH in the United States. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 2009, 2012, and 2016 Kids' Inpatient Database was performed. Neonates discharged/died with a diagnosis of HLH were identified and analyzed. Results: Among 11,130,055 discharges, 76 neonates had a diagnosis of HLH. Fifty-two percent (95% CI: 38.6-63.6) were males and 54% (95% CI: 39.7-68.5) were white. Herpes simplex infection was present in 16% (95% CI: 9.2-28.1). 24.4% (95% CI: 14.5-37.9) received chemotherapy, 11.5% (95% CI: 5.2-23.6) IVIG and 3.6% (95% CI: 0.8-14.4) allogenic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation. Organ dysfunction was commonly seen and severe sepsis was documented in 26.6% (95% CI: 16.4-39.9). Median LOS was 16 (IQR 7-54) days. The mortality was 42% (95% CI: 30.8-55). Conclusions: HLH is a rare diagnosis and carries a high mortality in neonates. Herpes simplex virus is the most common infection associated with neonatal HLH. HLH should be considered in the differential diagnosis in neonates presenting with multi-organ dysfunction or sepsis.

The Effect of Electroencephalography Abnormalities on Cerebral Autoregulation in Sedated Ventilated Children.

Purpose: To determine the effects of non-ictal electroencephalogram (EEG) changes on cerebrovascular autoregulation (AR) using the cerebral oximetry index (COx). Materials and Methods: Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), cerebral tissue oxygenation (CrSO2), and EEG were acquired for 96 h. From all of the EEG recordings, 30 min recording segments were extracted using the endotracheal suction events as the guide. EEG recordings were classified as EEG normal and EEG abnormal groups. Each 30 min segment was further divided into six 5 min epochs. Continuous recordings of MAP and CrSO2 by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) were extracted. The COx value was defined as the concordance (R) value of the Pearson correlation between MAP and CrSO2 in a 5 min epoch. Then, an Independent-Samples Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the number of epochs within the 30 min segments above various R cutoff values (0.2, 0.3, and 0.4) in normal and abnormal EEG groups. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant, and all analyses were two-tailed. Results: Among 16 sedated, mechanically ventilated children, 382 EEG recordings of 30 min segments were analyzed. The proportions of epochs in each 30 min segment above the R cutoff values were similar between the EEG normal and EEG abnormal groups (p > 0.05). The median concordance values for CSrO2 and MAP in EEG normal and EEG abnormal groups were similar (0.26 (0.17−0.35) and 0.18 (0.12−0.31); p = 0.09). Conclusions: Abnormal EEG patterns without ictal changes do not affect cerebrovascular autoregulation in sedated and mechanically ventilated children.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Children With Necrotizing Pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we describe the characteristics and outcomes of pediatric necrotizing pneumonia in the United States. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project 2016 Kids Inpatient Database was performed. The Kids Inpatient Database is a large deidentified hospital discharge database of pediatric patients in the United States. PATIENTS: The database was filtered using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition code J85.0 to identify necrotizing pneumonia in children 28 days to 20 years old. INTERVENTIONS: Children with necrotizing pneumonia with and without bacterial isolation and with and without complex chronic conditions were compared. Sample weighting was employed to produce national estimates. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 2,296,220 discharges, 746 patients had necrotizing pneumonia (prevalence: 3.2/10,000 discharges). In patients with necrotizing pneumonia, 46.6% required chest tubes, 6.1% underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and 27.6% were mechanically ventilated. Pneumothorax was identified in 16.7% and pyothorax in 27.4%. The overall mortality rate was 4.1% (n = 31). Bacterial isolation was documented in 40.9%. The leading organisms identified in patients without a complex chronic condition were Streptococcus pneumoniae (12.6%) and Staphylococcus aureus (9.2%) and in patients with a complex chronic condition were S. aureus (13.4%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.8%). Patients with bacterial isolation were significantly more likely to develop pneumothorax (odds ratio, 2.6; CI, 1.6-4.2) or septic shock (odds ratio, 3.2; CI, 1.9-5.4) and require a chest tube (odds ratio, 2.5; CI, 1.7-3.5) or mechanical ventilation (odds ratio, 2.3; CI, 1.5-3.3) than patients without bacterial isolation. CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial etiology of necrotizing pneumonia in children varied with the presence or absence of a complex chronic condition. Bacterial isolation is associated with increased invasive procedures and complications. The mortality rate is higher in children with complex chronic conditions. This study provides national data on necrotizing pneumonia among hospitalized children.

Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing for Pathogen Detection and Transcriptomic Analysis in Pediatric Central Nervous System Infections.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric central nervous system (CNS) infections are potentially life-threatening and may incur significant morbidity. Identifying a pathogen is important, both in terms of guiding therapeutic management and in characterizing prognosis. Usual care testing by culture and polymerase chain reaction is often unable to identify a pathogen. We examined the systematic application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for detecting organisms and transcriptomic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in children with central nervous system (CNS) infections. METHODS: We conducted a prospective multisite study that aimed to enroll all children with a CSF pleocytosis and suspected CNS infection admitted to 1 of 3 tertiary pediatric hospitals during the study timeframe. After usual care testing had been performed, the remaining CSF was sent for mNGS and transcriptomic analysis. RESULTS: We screened 221 and enrolled 70 subjects over a 12-month recruitment period. A putative organism was isolated from CSF in 25 (35.7%) subjects by any diagnostic modality. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing of the CSF samples identified a pathogen in 20 (28.6%) subjects, which were also all identified by usual care testing. The median time to result was 38 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Metagenomic sequencing of CSF has the potential to rapidly identify pathogens in children with CNS infections.

Pediatric COVID-19 presenting as supraglottitis with vocal cord hypomobility.

In the United States, an estimated 7.3% of confirmed cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (COVID-19) are among persons aged less than 18 years. Data regarding clinical manifestations in this age group are still evolving. An upper airway predilection has been reported in children. We describe the case of a 15-year-old female with supraglottitis and unilateral hypomobility of vocal cord with concern for critical airway, associated with COVID-19. She was managed by a multidisciplinary team including critical care, infectious diseases, and otolaryngology. This report adds to the sparse but evolving body of literature on the clinical presentation of COVID-19 disease in children.

The need for hemodialysis is associated with increased mortality in mechanically ventilated children: a propensity score-matched outcome study.

BACKGROUND: Kidney replacement therapy (KRT) is frequently used in critically ill children. The objective of this study is to investigate if the requirement for hemodialysis (HD) is an independent risk factor for mortality in mechanically ventilated children METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed the 2012 and 2016 Kids Inpatient Database and used a weighted sample to obtain a national outcome estimate. For our analysis, we included children aged one month to 17 years who were mechanically ventilated; we then compared the demographics, comorbidities, and mortality rates of those patients who had undergone HD with those who did not. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-squared test and regression models. The patients were matched 1:2 with a correlative propensity score using age, weekend admission, elective admission, gender, hospital region, income quartiles, race, presence of kidney failure, bone marrow transplantation (BMT), cardiac surgery, trauma, and All Patients Refined Diagnosis Related Groups (APR-DRG) severity score. The mortality rate was compared between the matched groups. RESULTS: Out of 100,289 mechanically ventilated children, 1393 (1.4%) underwent HD. The mortality rate was 32.5% in the HD group, compared with 8.8% in the control group (p < 0.05). Factors that were associated with higher mortality in HD patients included severe sepsis, BMT, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy (ECMO). After propensity score-matched analysis, HD was still significantly associated with a higher risk of mortality (31.9% vs. 22.0%, p < 0.05) CONCLUSIONS: The requirement for HD in mechanically ventilated children is associated with higher mortality.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in children.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the epidemiology and outcomes of takotsubo cardiomyopathy in children. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization 2012 and 2016 Kids' Inpatient Database was performed. Patients admitted with the diagnosis of takotsubo cardiomyopathy in the age group of 1 month-20 years were identified using International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 code 429.83 and ICD-10 code I51.81. RESULTS: Among a total of 4,860,859 discharges, there were 153 with the diagnosis of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (3.1 per 100,000 discharges). Among patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy, 55.0% were male, 62.4% were white, and 16.7% were black. Eighty-nine percent of patients were between 12 and 20 years. Psychiatric diagnosis was documented in 46% and substance use disorder in 36.2%. Sepsis was documented in 22.8% of patients. The median length of stay was 5 days (interquartile range: 2.7-15), and median total charges were $75,080 (interquartile range: 32,176-198,336). The overall mortality for takotsubo cardiomyopathy was 7%. On multivariable regression analysis, mortality was higher in the presence of anoxic injury (odds ratio = 34.42, 95% confidence interval: 4.85-320.11, p = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is uncommon in children and carries a mortality rate of 7%. Most children with takotsubo cardiomyopathy are adolescent males, many of whom have psychiatric disorder or substance use disorder or both. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients who present with cardiac dysfunction and have underlying psychiatric disorders or drug abuse.

Do Racial/Ethnic and Economic Factors Affect the Rate of Complicated Appendicitis in Children?

INTRODUCTION: Appendicitis continues to be one of the most common surgical conditions in the pediatric population. We set out to determine demographic and practice variations among children admitted with appendicitis and highlight the racial/ethnic and healthcare access role in relation to the rate of complicated appendicitis using the 2012 Kids' Inpatient Database (KID). Methodology. A retrospective cross-sectional database study was performed using the 2012 KID. All children (age 1 months to 20 years) with appendicitis were identified using the ICD-9 diagnosis codes. Children with a diagnosis of appendicitis were compared with all other discharges. Among children with appendicitis, demographic and practice variations and the rate of complicated appendicitis were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to analyze the data. Sample weighing was done to present national estimates. RESULTS: In 2012, a total of 89, 935 out of 2.7 million pediatric hospital discharges (3.3%) had a diagnosis of appendicitis. The incidence of appendicitis was higher in males (4.7%), 6-15-year age group (7.43%), Hispanics (5.2%), and in the Western region (5.2%) and was lower in infants (0.02%) and African American children (1.2%) (p < 0.0001). The proportion of children with peritonitis or abscess was higher in children's hospitals (48.2% vs. 29.0%; OR 2.3, 95% CI: 2.2-2.4). The risk of complicated appendicitis was inversely related to age, while racial and ethnic minority status, bottom quartile of the income group, and government insurance increased the risk. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed more frequently at children's hospitals (84.8% vs. 74.3%; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Appendicitis is more common in Hispanics, males, older children, and in the Western region. Complicated appendicitis is more common in younger children, minority groups, low-income group, and children with government insurance. Children's hospitals manage more children with complicated appendicitis and are more likely to perform laparoscopic appendectomy.