Results of a long-term, prospective study on complications of central venous catheter in pediatric patients with hematologic-oncologic diseases.

BACKGROUND: Central venous catheter (CVC)-related complications remain a significant cause of morbidity in pediatric hematology-oncology. We prospectively surveyed the incidence of CVC-related complications in children with hematologic-oncologic diseases. PROCEDURE: Five-hundred-eighty-one CVCs were inserted in 421 patients from January 2010 to June 2022 (153,731 CVC days observation; follow-up data up to December 31, 2022). RESULTS: Overall, 671 complications were recorded (4.365/1000 CVC days): 49.7% malfunctions (1.88/1000 CVC days, 4.8% of CVC early removals), 23.9% bacteremia (0.90/1000, 15.1%), 19.6% mechanical complications (0.74/1000, 70.2%), 20.1% localized infections (0.76/1000, 17.1%), 0.5% thrombosis (0.02/1000, 33.3%). At multivariate analysis, risk factors for malfunction were Broviac-Hickman type of CVC (hazard ratio [HR] 2.5) or Port-a-cath (HR 3.4) or Proline (HR 4.3), p < .0001; for bacteremia double-lumen CVC (HR 3.2, p < .0001); for mechanical complications age at CVC insertion under median (HR 4.5, p < .0001) and Broviac-Hickman (HR 1.6) or Proline (HR 2.7), p = .01; finally for localized infections Broviac-Hickman (HR 2.9) or Proline (HR 4.4), p = .0001. The 2-year cumulative incidence of premature removal was 23.5%, and risk factors were age at CVC insertion under median (HR 2.4, p < .0001), Broviac-Hickman (HR 2.3) or Proline (HR 4.2), p < .0001. CONCLUSIONS: Premature removal occurs in approximately 20%-25% of long-term CVCs. A surveillance program has a fundamental role in identifying the risk factors for CVC complications and the areas of intervention to improve CVC management.

Activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase δ syndrome: Update from the ESID Registry and comparison with other autoimmune-lymphoproliferative inborn errors of immunity.

BACKGROUND: Activated phosphoinositide-3-kinase δ syndrome (APDS) is an inborn error of immunity (IEI) with infection susceptibility and immune dysregulation, clinically overlapping with other conditions. Management depends on disease evolution, but predictors of severe disease are lacking. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to report the extended spectrum of disease manifestations in APDS1 versus APDS2; compare these to CTLA4 deficiency, NFKB1 deficiency, and STAT3 gain-of-function (GOF) disease; and identify predictors of severity in APDS. METHODS: Data was collected from the ESID (European Society for Immunodeficiencies)-APDS registry and was compared with published cohorts of the other IEIs. RESULTS: The analysis of 170 patients with APDS outlines high penetrance and early onset of APDS compared to the other IEIs. The large clinical heterogeneity even in individuals with the same PIK3CD variant E1021K illustrates how poorly the genotype predicts the disease phenotype and course. The high clinical overlap between APDS and the other investigated IEIs suggests relevant pathophysiological convergence of the affected pathways. Preferentially affected organ systems indicate specific pathophysiology: bronchiectasis is typical of APDS1; interstitial lung disease and enteropathy are more common in STAT3 GOF and CTLA4 deficiency. Endocrinopathies are most frequent in STAT3 GOF, but growth impairment is also common, particularly in APDS2. Early clinical presentation is a risk factor for severe disease in APDS. CONCLUSIONS: APDS illustrates how a single genetic variant can result in a diverse autoimmune-lymphoproliferative phenotype. Overlap with other IEIs is substantial. Some specific features distinguish APDS1 from APDS2. Early onset is a risk factor for severe disease course calling for specific treatment studies in younger patients.

Pediatric Recurrent Pericarditis: Appropriateness of the Standard of Care and Response to IL-1 Blockade.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze, in a cohort of pediatric patients with recurrent pericarditis undergoing anti-interleukin (IL)-1 treatment: the agent and dosing used as first-line treatment, the long-term efficacy of IL-1 blockers, the percentage of patients achieving a drug-free remission, and the presence of variables associated with drug-free remission. STUDY DESIGN: Data were collected from patients' charts. The annualized relapse rate (ARR) was used for evaluation of treatment efficacy, and bivariate logistic regression analysis was used for variables associated with drug-free remission. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients, treated between 2008 and 2018, were included in the study (mean follow-up. 2.6 years). Of the 56 patients treated with first-line drugs, 14 not responsive patients were underdosed. Fifty-seven patients were treated with anakinra: the ARR before and during daily treatment was 3.05 and 0.28, respectively (P < .0001); an increase to 0.83 was observed after the reduction/withdrawal of treatment (P < .0001). The switch from anakinra to canakinumab (5 patients) was associated to an increase of the ARR (0.49 vs 1.46), but without statistical significance (P = .215). At last follow-up, only 9 of the 58 patients had withdrawn all treatments. With the limits of a retrospective study and the heterogeneity between the patients enrolled in the study, a shorter duration of treatment with anakinra was the only variable associated with drug-free remission. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that most pediatric patients with recurrent pericarditis needing IL-1 blockade received an inadequate treatment with first-line agents. The effectiveness of anakinra is supported by this study, but few patients achieved drug-free remission. The different rate of response to anakinra and canakinumab may suggest a possible role of IL-1α in the pathogenesis of recurrent pericarditis.

Venoocclusive disease due to chemotherapy for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia is associated with increased levels of plasminogen-activator inhibitor-1.

We describe three cases of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome/venoocclusive disease (SOS) in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). All three episodes occurred during or just after the induction or reinduction phase of treatment based on prednisone/dexamethasone, vincristine, daunorubicin, and pegylated-l-asparaginase. SOS episodes were categorized as mild/moderate and resolved in 7, 10, and 16 days using supportive measures or defibrotide therapy. In all three episodes, the clinical diagnosis of SOS was associated with a significant increase in plasminogen-activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) that reduced with patient clinical improvement. PAI-1 warrants study as a diagnostic marker for SOS in ALL.

Cannabinoid Poisoning by Hemp Seed Oil in a Child.

We report a case of mild cannabinoid poisoning in a preschool child, after 3-week ingestion of hemp seed oil prescribed by his pediatrician to strengthen his immune system. The patient presented neurological symptoms that disappeared after intravenous hydration. A possible mild withdrawal syndrome was reported after discharge. The main metabolite of Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol was detected in urine, and very low concentration of Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol was detected in the ingested product. This is, as far as we know, the first report of cannabinoid poisoning after medical prescription of hemp seed oil in a preschool child.

Splenic Infarction in Acute Infectious Mononucleosis.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of a febrile patient with acute abdominal pain represents a frequent yet possibly challenging situation in the emergency department (ED). Splenic infarction is an uncommon complication of infectious mononucleosis, and may have a wide range of clinical presentations, from dramatic to more subtle. Its pathogenesis is still incompletely understood, yet it may be associated with the occurrence of transient prothrombotic factors. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 14-year-old boy who presented with fever, sore throat, left upper quadrant abdominal pain, and splenomegaly, with no history of recent trauma. Laboratory tests revealed a markedly prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time and positive lupus anticoagulant. Abdominal ultrasonography showed several hypoechoic areas in the spleen consistent with multiple infarctions. Magnetic resonance imaging eventually confirmed the diagnosis. He was admitted for observation and supportive treatment, and was discharged in good condition after 7 days. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Spontaneous splenic infarction should be considered in the differential list of patients presenting with left upper quadrant abdominal pain and features of infectious mononucleosis; the diagnosis, however, may not be straightforward, as clinical presentation may also be subtle, and abdominal ultrasonography, which is often used as a first-line imaging modality in pediatric EDs, has low sensitivity in this scenario and may easily miss it. Furthermore, although treatment is mainly supportive, close observation for possible complications is necessary.

Dysplastic bone marrow changes during maintenance therapy for acute leukemia.

We describe the case of an 8-year-old girl with common precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia who presented with severe pancytopenia during maintenance therapy with methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine. The bone marrow smear showed moderate hypocellularity and trilinear dysplastic changes consistent with a diagnosis of drug toxicity, with no evidence of lymphoblasts. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping was negative for leukemic cells. Blood cell counts normalized after treatment with folinic acid. Maintenance therapy was gradually restarted and she remained well at follow-up visits. Myelotoxicity from methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine may represent an unpredictable incident during an otherwise uneventful maintenance therapy, and may occur independently of other organ toxicities.

Refractory Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Rescued by the Combination of the Second-Generation ALK Inhibitor Brigatinib, High-dose Chemotherapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

The treatment of pediatric patients with refractory or relapsed anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is still a major challenge. In addition to conventional chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation, new therapeutic options such as anti-CD30 drugs and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors have been recently introduced in this setting. Among ALK inhibitors, only the first-generation molecule crizotinib is approved for pediatric use, while second-generation molecules, such as brigatinib, are still under investigation. Here we report the case of a 13-year-old boy diagnosed with stage IV ALCL, refractory to first-line conventional chemotherapy and second-line therapy with the anti CD30 antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab-vedotin, who finally achieved remission after a combination of conventional high-dose chemotherapy and the second-generation ALK inhibitor brigatinib. The latter was chosen for its ability to penetrate through the blood-brain barrier, due to the persistent involvement of the patient's cerebral nervous system. The remission was then consolidated with an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from an unrelated donor using myeloablative conditioning with total body irradiation. At 24 months after HSCT, the patient is in complete remission, alive and well. An updated review regarding the use of ALK inhibitors in ALCL patients is provided.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Bloodstream Infections in a Tertiary-Care Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit: A 10-Year Study.

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) after chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Data on 154 BSIs that occurred in 111 onco-hematological patients (57 hematological malignancies, 28 solid tumors, and 26 non-malignant hematological diseases) were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Monomicrobial Gram-positive (GP), Gram-negative (GN), and fungal BSIs accounted for 50% (77/154), 38.3% (59/144), and 3.2% (5/154) of all episodes. Polymicrobial infections were 7.8% (12/154), while mixed bacterial-fungal infections were 0.6% (1/154). The most frequent GN isolates were Escherichia coli (46.9%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21.9%), Klebsiella species (18.8%), and Enterobacter species (6.3%). Overall, 18.8% (12/64) of GN organisms were multidrug-resistant (seven Escherichia coli, three Klebsiella pneumoniae, and two Enterobacter cloacae), whereas GP resistance to glycopeptides was observed in 1% (1/97). Initial empirical antibiotic therapy was deemed inappropriate in 12.3% of BSIs (19/154). The 30-day mortality was 7.1% (11/154), while the bacteremia-attributable mortality was 3.9% (6/154). In multivariate analysis, septic shock was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (p = 0.0001). Attentive analysis of epidemiology and continuous microbiological surveillance are essential for the appropriate treatment of bacterial infections in pediatric onco-hematological patients.

Emapalumab for adult and pediatric patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

INTRODUCTION: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare life-threatening hyperinflammatory syndrome. Standard treatment is based on immunosuppressive, cytotoxic drugs and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in primary HLH. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) plays a key pathogenic role. Emapalumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against IFN-γ, is the first target therapy approved for primary HLH with refractory, recurrent or progressive disease or intolerance to conventional therapy. AREAS COVERED: We reviewed the pharmacological characteristics, safety, efficacy and clinical uses of emapalumab. We summarized the results of current standard treatment based on chemo-immunosuppressive protocols and outlined the alternative options available. EXPERT OPINION: Emapalumab is an effective treatment for HLH with a good safety profile. Its efficacy was demonstrated in a phase II/III study on primary HLH pediatric patients with refractory, relapsing HLH or intolerance to first-line treatment. The use of emapalumab allowed most patients to proceed to HSCT, with a high estimated probability of survival 12 months after transplantation. The outcomes in patients who underwent transplantation compare favorably with those reported previously with either myeloablative or reduced-intensity conditioning regimens. The potential role of emapalumab in the treatment of secondary HLH and as a prevention of graft failure after HSCT deserves to be further assessed.

Case Report: SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Child With Suprasellar Tumor and Hypothalamic-Pituitary Failure.

In early 2020, a novel coronavirus leading to potentially death was discovered. Since then, the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread to become a worldwide pandemic. Beyond the risks strictly related to the infection, concerns have been expressed for the endocrinological impact that COVID-19 may have, especially in vulnerable individuals with pre-existing endocrinological health conditions. To date new information is emerging regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in children but the literature is still scarce concerning this infection in patients with intracranial malignant neoplasms. We report a 9-year-old child infected with SARS-CoV-2 and recent diagnosis of suprasellar non-germinomatous germ cell tumor also suffering from diabetes insipidus and hypothalamic-pituitary failure (hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, hypothalamic obesity and growth hormone deficiency) and its clinical course. The patient remained asymptomatic for the duration of the infection without requiring any change in the replacement therapeutic dosages taken before the infection. We then discuss the proposed approach to treat a pediatric patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection and hypothalamic-pituitary failure and we include a review of the literature. Our report suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection is usually mild and self-limiting in children even those immunocompromised and with multiple endocrinological deficits. Patients are advised to keep any scheduled appointments unless informed otherwise.

Long-term and quality of survival in patients treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia during the pediatric age.

Long-term survival for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children improved over the last three decades up to 80-90% of affected patients. Consequently, the quality of life of survivors has become increasingly important. This study analyses the clinical features and outcome of 119 children with ALL, focusing on the quality of long-term survival in a subset of 22 patients over 18 years of age. Among this group, the 10-year event-free survival and overall survival were 83.1% (C.I. 74.0-89.2) and 88.4% (C.I. 80.9-93.1), respectively. Treatment related long-term medical complications were reported only in 2 patients (9.1%). Secondary school was completed successfully in 20 of 22 patients (89.9%). The remaining 2 patients were still attending at the time of the analysis. In conclusion, current treatment for ALL is well tolerated and does not compromise significantly the quality of life of survivors.

Chronic Graft-Versus-Host-Disease-Related Polymyositis: a 17-Months-Old Child with a Rare and Late Complication of Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) occurs in 20-30% of paediatric patients receiving haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Neuromuscular disorders such as polymyositis are considered a rare and distinctive but non-diagnostic manifestation of cGVHD and, in the absence of other characteristic signs and symptoms, biopsy is highly recommended to exclude other causes. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 17-months-old child affected by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis who underwent a matched unrelated donor haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). She developed severe cGVHD-related polymyositis that was successfully treated with high-dose steroid therapy, rituximab and sirolimus. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first case of cGVHD-related-polymyositis described in a pediatric patient which was successfully treated with rituximab.

The Diagnostic Pitfalls of Mucormycosis.

BACKGROUND: Invasive mucormycosis is a very aggressive fungal disease among immunocompromised pediatric patients caused by saprophytic fungi that belong to the order of the Mucorales. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of of Lichtheimia corymbifera infection in a 15-year-old child with B-cell-Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL) involving lung, kidney and thyroid that initially was diagnosed as probable aspergillosis delaying the effective therapy for mucormycosis. CONCLUSIONS: This case showed that also the intensive chemotherapy for B-NHL may represent a risk factor for mucormycosis infection. Liposomal amphotericin B and surgery remain the key tools for the successful treatment of this aggressive disease.

Acute Cervical Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis in a Child With Lipopolysaccharide-Responsive-Beige-Like-Anchor-Protein (LRBA) Deficiency: A New Complication of a Rare Disease.

Lipopolysaccharide responsive beige-like anchor protein (LRBA) deficiency is a primary immunodeficiency disorder (PID) that can cause a common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)-like disease. The typical features of the disease are autoimmunity, chronic diarrhea, and hypogammaglobulinemia. Neurological complications are also reported in patients affected by LRBA deficiency. We describe a 7-year old female with an acute cervical longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) as a feature of LRBA deficiency. This is the first case of LETM associated with LRBA deficiency described in literature.

Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA) and Cerebellar Hypoplasia as Atypical Features of Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndrome Type I (APS-1): Two Sisters With the Same AIRE Mutation but Different Phenotypes.

The polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type I is a rare hereditary autosomal recessive disease. We describe a child with the classic triad of the disease and her sister with pure red cell aplasia and cerebellar hypoplasia. The latter received two haematopoietic stem cell transplantations, complicated by an acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.