Trends in Pediatric Electronic Device-Related Burns: An Investigation of 21,962 Cases.

INTRODUCTION: The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was passed in 2008 to establish safety standards and improve the quality of children's products. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to a "stay-at-home" quarantine. The purpose of this study is to evaluate trends of pediatric burns and analyze the relationship with the CPSIA and COVID-19. METHODS: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was used to identify thermal and electric pediatric burns from 2002 to 2021. To evaluate the association of the CPSIA and COVID-19, burns before and after the law was passed, and the pandemic, were analyzed. Sex, ethnicity, age, injured body part, product, and disposition were determined. Chi-squared analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 21,962 burns met inclusion criteria, with 1409 electrical and 20,553 thermal burns. Majority of cases were male (58.3%) and involved household appliances (34.2%). For the CPSIA cohort, there was an average of 1274.1 burns per year before 2009, which decreased to 1003.3 burns per year after 2009. Before 2009, most burns affected the hand (44.5%), which increased after 2009 and remained the most-affected body part (48.1%, P < 0.001). For the COVID-19 cohort, there was an average of 1133.5 burns per year before 2020, which decreased to 779.5 burns per year after 2020. CONCLUSIONS: The CPSIA and COVID-19 pandemic may have led to a decreased incidence of pediatric burns from electronic devices. Pediatric populations are still at high risk for hand burns and household appliance burns. Providers should be aware of burn trends to inform guardians about the risks.

Cluster Analysis of Physical Activity Patterns, and Relationship with Sedentary Behavior and Healthy Lifestyles in Prepubertal Children: Genobox Cohort.

Sedentary habits during childhood are associated with adverse health outcomes. The aim of this work was to cluster lifestyle behaviors and metabolic biomarkers to establish different patterns in children. Their physical and sedentary activities were evaluated by accelerometry, and questionnaires that included lifestyle behaviors, such as adherence to a Mediterranean diet, anthropometry and blood biochemical markers. Cluster analysis was performed to establish different groups based on physical activity levels. A total of 489 children were finally selected. Cluster 1 included children with a mostly sedentary state, whereas Cluster 3 included the most active children and Cluster 2 included children that did not fit into either the sedentary or the highly active groups. In Cluster 3, 56% of children were in a sports club, and a lower percentage used electronic devices in their rooms compared to the other groups. Cluster 1 children exhibited higher insulin, HOMA-IR and triacylglycerides with respect to the other groups. No differences were found regarding adherence to a Mediterranean diet. The choice to practice an extracurricular sport could be an influencing factor to increase exercise and ensure an active lifestyle in children. Reducing or limiting screen time mainly in children's rooms could contribute to an active lifestyle.

Does spending more time on electronic screen devices determine the weight outcomes in obese and normal weight Saudi Arabian children?

OBJECTIVES: To gather data and investigate if ownership and duration of using electronic devices determines the weight status in an urban Saudi school-aged child. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between December 2015 and March 2016. A total of 1023 child were randomly selected, aged 9.00 to 11.99 years. The participants were divided into 2 groups (normal weight and obese), and further stratified by gender. A self-paced questionnaire was used to collect sedentary behaviors data, in addition to the anthropometric measurements and body fat composition of the participants. RESULTS: Hours spent watching TV/DVD/videos were not significantly different between the participating groups or both genders, be it during weekdays (p=0.75) or on weekends (p=0.93). Electronic device utilization hours were significantly different between the groups, specifically in boys. Obese children, particularly during weekdays, had higher utilization rates of tablets and mobile phones at p less than 0.01 in weekdays and weekends. The most popular electronic device owned was a tablet (67.1% among normal weight and 70.2% obese groups). This was followed by gaming consoles owned, predominantly by boys rather than girls. Ownership of a smartphone was significantly higher in the obese group p=0.01), especially in boys (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Using modern electronic screen devices has begun to replace TV viewing. Excessive use of internet, and watching electronic screen devices, especially mobiles and tablets, have been associated with the increasing risk of obesity in urban Saudi school-aged child.

A current-mode system to self-measure temperature on implantable optoelectronics.

BACKGROUND: One of the major concerns in implantable optoelectronics is the heat generated by emitters such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). Such devices typically produce more heat than light, whereas medical regulations state that the surface temperature change of medical implants must stay below + 2 °C. The LED's reverse current can be employed as a temperature-sensitive parameter to measure the temperature change at the implant's surface, and thus, monitor temperature rises. The main challenge in this approach is to bias the LED with a robust voltage since the reverse current is strongly and nonlinearly sensitive to the bias voltage. METHODS: To overcome this challenge, we have developed an area-efficient LED-based temperature sensor using the LED as its own sensor and a CMOS electronic circuit interface to ensure stable bias and current measurement. The circuit utilizes a second-generation current conveyor (CCII) configuration to achieve this and has been implemented in 0.35 µm CMOS technology. RESULTS: The developed circuits have been experimentally characterized, and the temperature-sensing functionality has been tested by interfacing different mini-LEDs in saline models of tissue prior to in vivo operation. The experimental results show the functionality of the CMOS electronics and the efficiency of the CCII-based technique with an operational frequency up to 130 kHz in achieving a resolution of 0.2 °C for the surface temperature up to + 45 °C. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a robust CMOS current-mode sensor interface which has a reliable CCII to accurately convey the LED's reverse current. It is low power and robust against power supply ripple and transistor mismatch which makes it reliable for sensor interface. The achieved results from the circuit characterization and in vivo experiments show the feasibility of the whole sensor interface in monitoring the tissue surface temperature in optogenetics.

Contact dermatitis: one for the books.

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a frequent problem, often caused from repeated exposure to an object or substance related to the patient's routine activities. We present a case of a well-demarcated, erythematous, scaly plaque on a finger caused from reading with an e-book device. Although metal from mobile devices can cause ACD, mobile device cases may cause irritation or contain additives that can also cause contact dermatitis. Similar presentations of contact dermatitis may become more common as technology use increases.

Characterization of Levels of Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields Emitted From Portable Hand-Held Fans.

This study aims to assess the levels of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) emitted from portable hand-held fans (HHFs) and their principal frequency and to identify factors influencing these levels. We collected a total of eleven models of HHF and monitored the ELF-MF as a function of fan speed and distance from the fan. EMDEX II was used to monitor the ELF-MF. An SMP2 EMF-meter equipped with a P400 field probe was used to determine the levels of ELF-MF and the frequency spectrum. Ten of the fans, excluding only one bladeless-fan model, emitted a high level of ELF-MF near the source of the HHF direct-current motor. The maximum measured level of ELF-MF ranged from 14.07 to 218.7 µT. All measurements of the ELF-MF taken within 10 cm from the HHFs showed values higher than 1.0 µT. ELF-MF levels were found to decrease markedly with distance, regardless of the HHF product. The level of ELF-MF rose noticeably with increased fan speed. The speed of and distance from the HHF significantly influenced the level of ELF-MF. All principal frequencies ranged from 1 to 300 Hz, which falls in the typical range of ELF. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019;40:569-577. © 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

E-noise: An increasingly relevant health risk.

This article briefly reviews and discusses the current status of major non-communicable diseases (mNCDs), definition of e-noise, its possible link as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and other mNCDs, and proposes possible mechanisms and hypotheses on that link, and how to control e-noise in the future. E-noise is defined as signal from electronic products and instruments that emit radiation and electromagnetic fields. It includes not only the acoustic but also non-acoustic noise. Just like road traffic and aircraft noises, e-noise may not only lead to hearing loss and health problems such as fatigue, stress, irritability, headache, and insomnia, but may also endanger cardiovascular health and result in hypertension, ischemic heart disease (myocardial infarction), arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation) and stroke; brain and metabolic problems such as obesity and diabetes; mental and cognitive impairment; as well as changing of humans' long-evolved cortisol and circadian rhythms after long-term exposure. Even short-term exposure to excessive e-noise may lead to heightened stress responses and low quality of life. In conclusion, e-noise is a potential danger in our world, and further studies are needed of its effects on mechanisms of aging, disease, and human health.

[Major health consequences a rising from the continued use of new electronic devices with visual display units]. / Principales consecuencias para la salud derivadas del uso continuado de nuevos dispositivos electrónicos con PVD.

The exponential advance of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the last decade has led to the increasingly widespread use of new electronic devices (NED) in the workplace. The emergence of new concepts such as telework from home or mobile work (ework) represents a clear example of this phenomenon. However, the benefits resulting from these changes in work dynamics may mask potential occupational risks and impacts on health and safety derived from "nonresponsible" use of new technologies. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of NED use in the work environment and to point out the resulting health consequences. It has been observed that desktop computers are still the most frequently used devices, except in mobile work environments, where laptops and smartphones are more prevalent. The emerging health problems detected are mainly associated with musculoskeletal, visual and psychosocial disorders. This work demonstrates the need to continue deepening the study of the emerging pathologies associated with new work environments and possible intervention measures.

El avance exponencial de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) en la última década ha propiciado el uso cada vez más extendido de nuevos dispositivos electrónicos (NDE) en el mundo laboral. La aparición de nuevos conceptos como el teletrabajo desde casa o el trabajo móvil (ework) son claros ejemplos de este fenómeno. Los beneficios derivados pueden llegar a enmascarar los posibles riesgos e impactos para la salud respecto a un uso "no responsable". El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el impacto del uso de los NDE en el entorno laboral y señalar las principales consecuencias para la salud. Se ha observado que el ordenador de sobremesa es aún el dispositivo más utilizado, salvo en entornos de trabajo móvil donde los ordenadores portátiles y los teléfonos inteligentes (smartphones) se posicionan por delante. Los problemas de salud emergentes detectados se asociaron principalmente a trastornos musculoesqueléticos, visuales y psicosociales. Este trabajo evidencia la necesidad de seguir profundizando en el estudio de las patologías emergentes asociadas a los nuevos entornos de trabajo y en las posibles vías de intervención.

Role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in infection of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: review of the literature and initial experience.

Infections involving cardiovascular implantable electronic devices are becoming increasingly common, and increasingly complex to manage. Advances in technology have made implantable electronic devices smaller, and easier to implant, and patients are now also more likely to be older, with more complex comorbidities. Infections related to these devices are, however, not decreasing, and in some settings, these are rising. There is a clinical need for more accurate tests for confirming or ruling out infected devices. In this article, we review the relevant literature and share our own initial experience.

Foreign body ingestion in pediatric patients.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this article is to review clinical manifestations and management of common pediatric foreign body ingestions, with a particular focus on some of the current trends. RECENT FINDINGS: Foreign body ingestion (FBI) is a problem that is frequently encountered by pediatric providers. As new toys and products enter the marketplace, there may also be new dangers from those objects not initially recognized. Some of the recent trends and findings in pediatric FBI include an increase in adolescent injury from ingestion of laundry detergent pods because of a popular game where participants are encouraged to bite or swallow the pods, and injuries associated with ingesting parts of a popular toy known as a 'Fidget Spinner'. SUMMARY: Adverse events resulting from FBI range the entire gamut from nonexistent or minor symptoms to moderate injury and rarely may be fatal. Factors such as age, type of object ingested, anatomic location of the foreign body, and timing from ingestion to receipt of medical attention all determine the risk posed to the child and guide management decisions. Because of the constant development of products, and the potential for the emergence of new and dangerous trends among children, continued surveillance by the medical community is important in monitoring and managing injuries associated with FBI.

Controller and battery changes due to technical problems related to the HVAD® left ventricular assist device - a single center experience.

BACKGROUND: The use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) has increased in the last decade. Major complications have been well described, but there is no data on device alarms and actual or threatening malfunction which impair quality of life and may impair outcomes. This study describes the technical problems related to the use of the HVAD® left ventricular assist device in a single center. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed device malfunctions and outcomes in 22 patients with HVAD® left ventricular assist device followed at Karolinska University Hospital between 2011 and 2016. Device malfunction was defined by INTERMACS as a failure of one or more of the components of the LVAD system. The primary outcome was defined as death or hospitalization or unplanned urgent clinic visit due to device alarm of unknown significance or actual or threatening malfunction. Separate secondary outcomes were malfunction resulting in controller exchange and malfunction resulting in battery change. Exploratory outcomes were death, transplantation, or explantation because of recovery. RESULTS: Median age was 59 years and 19% were women. Over a mean follow-up time of 1.7 years (37 patient-years), the primary outcome occurred 30 times (0.8 events per patient-year; 0 deaths, 2 hospitalizations and 28 un-planned clinic visits). Secondary outcomes were 41 device malfunctions for 14 patients requiring 45 controller exchanges in 12 patients (1.1 events per patient-year) and 128 battery changes in 12 patients (3.5 events per patient-year). Exploratory outcomes were 8 deaths (36.4%), 7 transplantations (31.8%) and 2 explants due to recovery (9.1%). CONCLUSION: The use of HVAD® was associated with technical problems requiring frequent un-planned clinic visits and changes of controller and/or batteries. There were no deaths due to device malfunction. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the risk of device malfunction and associated reductions in quality of life and cost.

Safety of Electro-Medical Equipment in Floods in Austere Environment.

Pakistan is prone to floods. In 2010, floods in North-Western Pakistan caused devastation in wide areas. Electro-medical equipment is very expensive and without proper equipment adequate surgery is not possible. We retrospectively analyzed how expensive electro-medical equipment got damaged during floods of 2010 at a district-level hospital in North-Western Pakistan and how we could have saved this equipment or reduced the damage to the minimum. The article provides the lessons learned and recommendations aimed to prevent or minimize damage to the valuable and expensive equipment in the areas prone to floods. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:803-805).

Light-emitting diode aspiration: Distinct radiographic features and approach to management.

Foreign body aspiration is a potentially life threatening problem. The successful removal of airway foreign bodies is dependent on positively identifying the object and developing a solution to its extraction prior to attempts at retrieval. Thus, pre-operative radiographic evaluation is essential in the diagnosis and management of foreign body aspiration. The current case report describes the unique challenges in the evaluation and management of an unusual foreign body within the airway. The distinctive radiographic appearance of this foreign body allows it to be easily identified pre-operatively, and this may decrease the likelihood of operative complications and patient morbidity.

A combined experimental and numerical study on upper airway dosimetry of inhaled nanoparticles from an electrical discharge machine shop.

BACKGROUNDS: Exposure to nanoparticles in the workplace is a health concern to occupational workers with increased risk of developing respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders. Based on animal inhalation study and human lung tumor risk extrapolation, current authoritative recommendations on exposure limits are either on total mass or number concentrations. Effects of particle size distribution and the implication to regional airway dosages are not elaborated. METHODS: Real time production of particle concentration and size distribution in the range from 5.52 to 98.2 nm were recorded in a wire-cut electrical discharge machine shop (WEDM) during a typical working day. Under the realistic exposure condition, human inhalation simulations were performed in a physiologically realistic nasal and upper airway replica. The combined experimental and numerical study is the first to establish a realistic exposure condition, and under which, detailed dose metric studies can be performed. In addition to mass concentration guided exposure limit, inhalation risks to nano-pollutant were reexamined accounting for the actual particle size distribution and deposition statistics. Detailed dosimetries of the inhaled nano-pollutants in human nasal and upper airways with respect to particle number, mass and surface area were discussed, and empirical equations were developed. RESULTS: An astonishing enhancement of human airway dosages were detected by current combined experimental and numerical study in the WEDM machine shop. Up to 33 folds in mass, 27 folds in surface area and 8 folds in number dosages were detected during working hours in comparison to the background dosimetry measured at midnight. The real time particle concentration measurement showed substantial emission of nano-pollutants by WEDM machining activity, and the combined experimental and numerical study provided extraordinary details on human inhalation dosimetry. It was found out that human inhalation dosimetry was extremely sensitive to real time particle concentration and size distribution. Averaged particle concentration over 24-h period will inevitably misrepresent the sensible information critical for realistic inhalation risk assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Particle size distribution carries very important information in determining human airway dosimetry. A pure number or mass concentration recommendation on the exposure limit at workplace is insufficient. A particle size distribution, together with the deposition equations, is critical to recognize the actual exposure risks. In addition, human airway dosimetry in number, mass and surface area varies significantly. A complete inhalation risk assessment requires the knowledge of toxicity mechanisms in response to each individual metric. Further improvements in these areas are needed.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in adolescents and association with computer and videogame use / Prevalência de dor musculoesquelética em adolescentes e associação com uso de computador e jogos eletrônicos

Abstract Objective: This study investigated the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms in high school adolescents from public schools and its association with electronic device use. Methods: The sample consisted of 961 boys and girls aged 14–19 years who answered a questionnaire regarding the use of computers and electronic games, and questions about pain symptoms and physical activity. Furthermore, anthropometric assessments of all volunteers were performed. The chi-squared test and a multiple logistic regression model were used for the inferential analysis. Results: The presence of musculoskeletal pain symptoms was reported by 65.1% of the adolescents, being more prevalent in the thoracolumbar spine (46.9%), followed by pain in the upper limbs, representing 20% of complaints. The mean time of use for computers and electronic games was 1.720 and 583 minutes per week, respectively. The excessive use of electronic devices was demonstrated to be a risk factor for cervical and lumbar pain. Female gender was associated with the presence of pain in different body parts. Presence of a paid job was associated with cervical pain. Conclusion: A high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in adolescents, as well as an increased amount of time using digital devices was observed. However, it was only possible to observe an association between the increased use of these devices and the presence of cervical and low back pain.

Resumo Objetivo: Investigar a presença de sintomas musculoesqueléticos em adolescentes estudantes do ensino médio em escolas públicas e sua associação com o uso de dispositivos eletrônicos. Método: A amostra foi composta por 961 meninos e meninas entre 14 e 19 anos que responderam questionário sobre o uso de computadores, jogos eletrônicos e questões relacionadas a sintomas dolorosos e atividade física. Além disso, todos os voluntários foram submetidos à avaliação antropométrica. Para análise inferencial foram usados os testes de qui-quadrado e modelo múltiplo de regressão logística. Resultados: A presença de sintomas de dor musculoesquelética foi reportada por 65,1% dos adolescentes, mais prevalente na coluna toracolombar (46,9%), seguida por dor nos membros superiores (20%). O tempo médio de uso de computador e jogos eletrônicos foi de 1.720 e 583 minutos por semana, respectivamente. O uso excessivo dos dispositivos eletrônicos mostrou-se como fator de risco para dor cervical e lombar. O sexo feminino apresentou associação com a presença de dor em diferentes partes do corpo. A atividade profissional esteve associada com a dor cervical. Conclusão: Observou-se alta prevalência de dor musculoesquelética nos adolescentes e elevado tempo de uso dos dispositivos eletrônicos. Entretanto, foi possível observar somente a associação do uso excessivo desses dispositivos e a presença de dor cervical e lombar.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in adolescents and association with computer and videogame use.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms in high school adolescents from public schools and its association with electronic device use. METHODS: The sample consisted of 961 boys and girls aged 14-19 years who answered a questionnaire regarding the use of computers and electronic games, and questions about pain symptoms and physical activity. Furthermore, anthropometric assessments of all volunteers were performed. The chi-squared test and a multiple logistic regression model were used for the inferential analysis. RESULTS: The presence of musculoskeletal pain symptoms was reported by 65.1% of the adolescents, being more prevalent in the thoracolumbar spine (46.9%), followed by pain in the upper limbs, representing 20% of complaints. The mean time of use for computers and electronic games was 1.720 and 583 minutes per week, respectively. The excessive use of electronic devices was demonstrated to be a risk factor for cervical and lumbar pain. Female gender was associated with the presence of pain in different body parts. Presence of a paid job was associated with cervical pain. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in adolescents, as well as an increased amount of time using digital devices was observed. However, it was only possible to observe an association between the increased use of these devices and the presence of cervical and low back pain.