Post-discharge complications and hospital readmissions are associated with nutritional risk and malnutrition status in a cohort of Canadian pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: This study constitutes a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort aiming to evaluate the potential correlation between nutritional risk and status at admission with the occurrence of post-discharge complications and hospital readmissions in children receiving care at high resource Centres. METHODS: Data was collected from 5 Canadian tertiary pediatric Centers between 2012 and 2016. Nutritional risk and status were evaluated at hospital admission with validated tools (STRONGkids and Subjective Global Nutrition Assessment [SGNA]) and anthropometric measurements. Thirty days after discharge, occurrence of post-discharge complications and hospital readmission were documented. RESULTS: A total of 360 participants were included in the study (median age, 6.1 years; median length of stay, 5 days). Following discharge, 24.1% experienced complications and 19.5% were readmitted to the hospital. The odds of experiencing complications were nearly tripled for participants with a high nutritional risk compared to a low risk (OR = 2.85; 95% CI [1.08-7.54]; P = 0.035) and those whose caregivers reported having a poor compared to a good appetite (OR = 2.96; 95% CI [1.59-5.50]; P < 0.001). According to SGNA, patients identified as malnourished had significantly higher odds of complications (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.15-3.20; P = 0.013) and hospital readmission (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.12-3.39; P = 0.017) than to those well-nourished. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that complications and readmission post-discharge are common, and these are more likely to occur in malnourished children compared to their well-nourished counterparts. Enhancing nutritional care during admission, at discharge and in the community may be an area for future outcome optimization.

Risk Factors of Clinical Relapses in Pediatric Luminal Crohn's Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: There is currently little knowledge on factors associated with the relapse of Crohn's disease (CD) in children. The aims of this study were to describe the risk factors associated with relapse in pediatric CD and the changes in the relapse rate over the past decade. METHODS: Patients younger than 18 years and diagnosed between 2009 and 2019 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Clinical, endoscopic, histological, and laboratory data, as well as induction and maintenance treatments, were collected from the medical records. Survival analyses and Cox regression models were used to assess the impact of these risk factors on relapse. RESULTS: Six hundred thirty-nine patients were included. There was a decrease in the clinical relapse rate over the past decade: 70.9% of the patients diagnosed between 2009 and 2014 relapsed as compared with 49.1% of the patients diagnosed between 2015 and 2019 (P < 0.0001). The following variables were associated with clinical relapse: female sex (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.52, P = 0.0007), exposure to oral 5-ASA (aHR = 1.44, P = 0.04), use of immunomodulatory agents compared with tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (methotrexate aHR = 1.73, P = 0.003; thiopurines aHR = 1.63, P = 0.002), presence of granulomas (aHR = 1.34, P = 0.02) and increased eosinophils on intestinal biopsies (aHR = 1.36, P = 0.02), high levels of C-reactive protein (aHR = 1.01, P < 0.0001) and fecal calprotectin (aHR = 1.08, P < 0.0001), and low serum infliximab levels (aHR = 2.32, P = 0.001). DISCUSSION: Relapse of pediatric CD has decreased in the past decade. The risk of relapse is significantly associated with clinical, endoscopic, histological, and laboratory variables and treatment strategies.

Assessment of Malnutrition Risk in Canadian Pediatric Hospitals: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence, causes, and consequences of malnutrition, as well as the evolution of nutritional status, in Canadian pediatric health care institutions. STUDY DESIGN: In this multicenter prospective cohort study, a total of 371 patients were recruited from pediatric hospitals in 5 Canadian provinces. Subjects were aged 1 month to 18 years; admitted to a medical, surgical, or oncology ward; and had a planned hospital stay of >48 hours. Data on demographics, medical condition, anthropometric measures, and dietary intake were collected. The Screening Tool Risk on Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids) and Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment (SGNA) were applied at admission. Malnutrition was defined as a weight-for-age, height-for-age, body mass index-for-age, or weight-for-length/height z score <-2 SD. RESULTS: Among 307 subjects (median age, 5.3 years; median length of stay, 5 days), 19.5% were malnourished on admission. Both STRONGkids and SGNA classifications were associated with baseline nutritional status. Mean weight-for-age z score was lower at discharge compared with admission (-0.14 vs -0.09; P < .01), and nearly one-half of all patients lost weight during their hospital stay. Only one-half of the children who were malnourished or screened as high risk of malnutrition were visited by a dietitian during their stay. The percentage of patients who lost weight during hospitalization was significantly greater in the group not visited by a dietitian (76.5 vs 23.5%; P < .01). CONCLUSION: Nutritional status deterioration and malnutrition are common in hospitalized Canadian children. Screening tools, anthropometric measurements, and dietitian consultation should be used to establish adequate nutritional support.

In vivo EPR extracellular pH-metry in tumors using a triphosphonated trityl radical.

PURPOSE: The ability to assess the extracellular pH (pHe) is an important issue in oncology, because extracellular acidification is associated with tumor aggressiveness and resistance to cytotoxic therapies. In this study, a stable triphosphonated triarylmethyl (TPTAM) radical was qualified as a pHe electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) molecular reporter. METHODS: Calibration of hyperfine splitting as a function of pH was performed using a 1.2-GHz EPR spectrometer. Gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) was used as an extracellular paramagnetic broadening agent to assess the localization of TPTAM when incubated with cells. In vivo EPR pH-metry was performed in MDA, SiHa, and TLT tumor models and in muscle. Bicarbonate therapy was used to modulate the tumor pHe. EPR measurements were compared with microelectrode readouts. RESULTS: The hyperfine splitting of TPTAM was strongly pH-dependent around the pKa of the probe (pKa = 6.99). Experiments with Gd-DTPA demonstrated that TPTAM remained in the extracellular compartment. pHe was found to be more acidic in the MDA, SiHa, and TLT tumor models compared with muscle. Treatment of animals by bicarbonate induced an increase in pHe in tumors: similar variations in pHe were found when using in vivo EPR or invasive microelectrodes measurements. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the potential usefulness of TPTAM for monitoring pHe in tumors. Magn Reson Med 77:2438-2443, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Revisiting Pathological Criteria for Earlier Diagnosis of Coeliac Disease.

OBJECTIVES: The diagnosis of coeliac disease (CD) remains sometimes difficult because the histological criteria are not fully met. The aim of this study was to refine histological diagnostic criteria of CD. METHODS: One hundred seventy-five duodenal bulb D1 (n = 79) and duodenal D2 (n = 96) biopsies of 96 patients with CD (58 girls, mean age 7 years), 135 normal D2 biopsies (69 girls, mean age 12 years), and 64 D2 biopsies of other digestive disorders (DDs) (39 girls, mean age 13 years) obtained from children during a period of 4 years were reviewed. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement was greater for the classification of Corazza-Villanacci than for Marsh-Oberhuber (κ = 0.812 vs κ = 0.409, respectively). Between 40 and 70 intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) per 100 epithelial cells (ECs), 32% of patients were CD, whereas 50% had other DD. Above 70 IELs per 100 EC, 53% were CD, and only 6% had other DD. In CD, IELs were significantly located above EC nuclei compared with other DD, (12 IELs/100 EC vs 2 IELs/100 EC, respectively). In 21% of CD cases, D2 were normal and the diagnosis could only be made on D1. Finally, 6% of CD cases showed isolated increase of IELs in D1 without architectural modification. CONCLUSIONS: D1 allowed diagnosis of CD in 21% of cases and IEL >70 per 100 EC correlated strongly with CD. Between 40 and 70 IELs per 100 EC, CD is very likely but other DD must be considered. Finally, the preferential localisation of IELs above EC nuclei favours CD, and increased IEL in D1 may be the sole abnormality.

Exome sequencing identifies mutations in the gene TTC7A in French-Canadian cases with hereditary multiple intestinal atresia.

BACKGROUND: Congenital multiple intestinal atresia (MIA) is a severe, fatal neonatal disorder, involving the occurrence of obstructions in the small and large intestines ultimately leading to organ failure. Surgical interventions are palliative but do not provide long-term survival. Severe immunodeficiency may be associated with the phenotype. A genetic basis for MIA is likely. We had previously ascertained a cohort of patients of French-Canadian origin, most of whom were deceased as infants or in utero. The goal of the study was to identify the molecular basis for the disease in the patients of this cohort. METHODS: We performed whole exome sequencing on samples from five patients of four families. Validation of mutations and familial segregation was performed using standard Sanger sequencing in these and three additional families with deceased cases. Exon skipping was assessed by reverse transcription-PCR and Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Five patients from four different families were each homozygous for a four base intronic deletion in the gene TTC7A, immediately adjacent to a consensus GT splice donor site. The deletion was demonstrated to have deleterious effects on splicing causing the skipping of the attendant upstream coding exon, thereby leading to a predicted severe protein truncation. Parents were heterozygous carriers of the deletion in these families and in two additional families segregating affected cases. In a seventh family, an affected case was compound heterozygous for the same 4bp deletion and a second missense mutation p.L823P, also predicted as pathogenic. No other sequenced genes possessed deleterious variants explanatory for all patients in the cohort. Neither mutation was seen in a large set of control chromosomes. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our genetic results, TTC7A is the likely causal gene for MIA.

Development of the Pediatric Integrated Nutrition Pathway for Acute Care (P-INPAC) using a modified Delphi technique.

One in three hospitalized children have disease-related malnutrition (DRM) upon admission to hospital, and all children are at risk for further nutritional deterioration during hospital stay; however, systematic approaches to detect DRM in Canada are lacking. To standardise and improve hospital care, the multidisciplinary pediatric working group of the Canadian Malnutrition Taskforce aimed to develop a pediatric, inpatient nutritional care pathway based on available evidence, feasibility of resources, and expert consensus. The working group (n = 13) undertook a total of four meetings: an in-person meeting to draft the pathway based on existing literature and modelled after the Integrated Nutrition Pathway for Acute Care (INPAC) in adults, followed by three online surveys and three rounds of online Delphi consensus meetings to achieve agreement on the draft pathway. In the first Delphi survey, 32 questions were asked, whereas in the second and third rounds 27 and 8 questions were asked, respectively. Consensus was defined as any question/issue in which at least 80% agreed. The modified Delphi process allowed the development of an evidence-informed, consensus-based pathway for inpatients, the Pediatric Integrated Nutrition Pathway for Acute Care (P-INPAC). It includes screening <24 h of admission, assessment with use of Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment (SGNA) <48 h of admission, as well as prevention, and treatment of DRM divided into standard, advanced, and specialized nutrition care plans. Research is necessary to explore feasibility of implementation and evaluate the effectiveness by integrating P-INPAC into clinical practice.

Mapping of oxygen by imaging lipids relaxation enhancement: a potential sensitive endogenous MRI contrast to map variations in tissue oxygenation.

PURPOSE: Because of its paramagnetic properties, oxygen may act as an endogenous magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent by changing proton relaxation rates. Changes in tissue oxygen concentrations have been shown to produce changes in relaxation rate R1 of water. The aim of the study was to improve the sensitivity of oxygen enhanced R1 imaging by exploiting the higher solubility of oxygen in lipids (as compared with water) to sensitively monitor changes in tissue oxygen levels by selectively measuring the R1 of lipids. METHODS: The method, with the acronym "MOBILE" (mapping of oxygen by imaging lipids relaxation enhancement), was applied in different mouse models of hypoxic processes on a 11.7 T magnetic resonance imaging system. MOBILE was compared with R*2, R1 of water, and with pO2 measurements (using electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry). MOBILE was also applied in the brain of healthy human volunteers exposed to an oxygen breathing challenge on a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging system. RESULTS: MOBILE was shown to be able to monitor changes in oxygenation in tumor, peripheral, liver, and brain tissues. The clinical translation was demonstrated in human volunteers. CONCLUSION: MOBILE arises as a promising noninvasive and sensitive tool for diagnosis and therapeutic guidance in disorders involving hypoxia.

Application of MOBILE (mapping of oxygen by imaging lipids relaxation enhancement) to study variations in tumor oxygenation.

The aim of the study was to sensitively monitor changes in tumor oxygen using the MOBILE (mapping of oxygen by imaging lipids relaxation enhancement) technique. This method was applied in mammary tumor mouse models on an 11.7T Bruker MRI system. MOBILE was compared with functional imaging R2*, R1 of water and with pO2 measurements (using EPR oximetry and O2-dependent fluorescence quenching measurements). MOBILE was shown to be capable to monitor changes in oxygenation in tumor tissues.

Clinical problem-solving: Short bowel syndrome in an infant.

The present case report describes the clinical problems encountered over a five-month period in an infant born with jejunal atresia, extensive midgut volvulus and a microcolon. After an initial surgical resection, the patient had no remaining ileum and his ileocecal valve was also removed. The patient had 35 cm of jejunum, which was successfully lengthened to 60 cm using enteral nutrition and two bowel-lengthening procedures (serial transverse enteropathy procedures). Bouts of cholestatic liver disease, sepsis and small bowel bacterial overgrowth were vigorously treated. The patient was discharged at 5.5 months of age and is now 40 months of age. He is at the 50th percentile for both height and weight, and is developing normally. The outcome for infants with short bowel syndrome has improved significantly in the past few years due to intestinal rehabilitation programs, which integrate nutritional, surgical and pharmacological approaches tailored to individual needs.

Le présent rapport de cas décrit les problèmes cliniques observés pendant une période de cinq mois chez un nourrisson né avec une atrésie jéjunale, un volvulus étendu de l'intestin moyen et un microcôlon. Après une résection chirurgicale initiale, le patient n'avait plus d'iléon et de valve iléocæcale. Il lui restait 40 cm de jéjunum, lequel a pu être allongé à 60 cm grâce à une alimentation entérale et à deux interventions d'allongement intestinal (interventions entéropathiques transverses sérielles). Les épisodes de cholestase intrahépatique, de septicémie et de prolifération bactérienne dans l'intestin grêle ont fait l'objet d'un traitement énergique. Le patient a obtenu son congé à 5,5 mois et en a maintenant 40. Il se situe au 50e percentile sur le plan de la taille et du poids et se développe normalement. Les issues des nourrissons présentant un syndrome de l'intestin court se sont considérablement améliorées ces dernières années, grâce à des programmes de réadaptation intestinale qui intègrent des approches nutritionnelles, chirurgicales et pharmacologiques adaptées à leurs besoins.

Using probiotics in the paediatric population.

As more is learned about the importance of the intestinal microbiome to human health there is increasing interest in the potential benefits of probiotics. Probiotics are live micro-organisms which, when consumed in adequate amounts, confer a health effect on the host by altering its microflora. Probiotics have been administered both prophylactically and therapeutically for various conditions. This statement defines the development and role of intestinal microflora, and examines the evidence supporting the use of different probiotics to treat common paediatric conditions, such as diarrhea, atopy, functional intestinal disorders and necrotizing enterocolitis.

The toddler who is falling off the growth chart.

Growth monitoring is an essential part of paediatric health care, from birth through adolescence. Growth and nutritional problems often occur between 18 months and three years of age. Health care professionals involved in the care of children need to follow growth closely in this period, be able to evaluate a toddler whose growth seems to be faltering, and know when and how to intervene.

La surveillance de la croissance est une partie essentielle des soins de santé pédiatriques, de la naissance jusqu'à l'adolescence. Les problèmes de croissance et d'alimentation se manifestent souvent entre 18 mois et trois ans. Les professionnels de la santé qui participent aux soins des enfants doivent surveiller la croissance de près pendant cette période, être en mesure d'évaluer un tout-petit dont la croissance semble péricliter et savoir quand et comment intervenir.

The 'picky eater': The toddler or preschooler who does not eat.

The majority of children between one and five years of age who are brought in by their parents for refusing to eat are healthy and have an appetite that is appropriate for their age and growth rate. Unrealistic parental expectations may result in unnecessary concern, and inappropriate threats or punishments may aggravate a child's refusal to eat. A detailed history and general physical examination are necessary to rule out acute and chronic illnesses. A food diary and assessment of parental expectations about eating behaviour should be completed. Where the child's 'refusal' to eat is found to be related to unrealistic expectations, parents should be reassured and counselled about the normal growth and development of children at this age.

La majorité des enfants de un à cinq ans pour qui les parents consultent parce qu'ils refusent de manger sont en bonne santé et ont un appétit qui convient à leur âge et à leur rythme de croissance. Les attentes irréalistes des parents peuvent donner lieu à des inquiétudes inutiles, et les menaces et punitions déplacées peuvent aggraver le refus de manger de l'enfant. Les médecins doivent procéder à une anamnèse détaillée et à un examen physique général pour écarter une maladie aiguë ou chronique. Ils doivent demander un journal alimentaire et évaluer les attentes des parents à l'égard du comportement alimentaire. Lorsque le « refus de manger ¼ de l'enfant semble lié à des attentes irréalistes, il faut rassurer les parents et leur donner des conseils sur la croissance et le développement normaux des enfants de cet âge.

[Quality of life, asthma control, urinary cotinine and therapeutic education among asthmatic children]. / Qualité de vie, contrôle de l'asthme, cotininurie et éducation thérapeutique de l'enfant asthmatique.

Therapeutic patient education (TPE) has been standard practice in France for roughly 20 years. However, TPE has only recently been officially recognized and has rarely been assessed. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of TPE on passive smoking exposure and asthma outcomes in young patients referred to a hospital school for children with asthma. A prospective cohort study was conducted to determine the socio-economic status, environmental exposure (including parental tobacco consumption) and medical history of children starting out on a TPE course. The study measured quality of life and urinary cotinine. Asthma control was also assessed. Out of a total of 54 children (median age 8.6 years), 35 and 26 children attended three or at least four TPE sessions, respectively. Uncontrolled asthma and a history of hospitalization for exacerbation of asthma were frequent (43% and 61%, respectively). In utero passive smoke exposure was more frequent in the hospitalization group (p = 0.07). Urinary cotinine levels were similar in children exposed and not exposed to tobacco smoke (259 vs 141 nMol.L-1, p = 0.15), but only decreased in the group of exposed children. In 34 children, quality of life improved significantly between the first and the third or fourth sessions (n = 23, median increase 1.06, p = 0.1), while asthma control improved in 64% of the patients (n = 33, p = 0.01) and emergency attendances decreased (n = 34, p = 0.001). The positive effects of TPE on asthma control and quality of life were quickly visible but did not prevent children from withdrawing from the program. Urinary cotinine was not useful for detecting exposure to tobacco smoke, but may be useful as an indicator of exposure to tobacco smoke. The results indicate an improvement in quality of life and asthma control as TPE proceeded.

[The role of the PMI early childhood worker in the face of tuberculosis]. / Le rôle de la puéricultrice de PMI face à la tuberculose.

Despite the stabilisation of infant tuberculosis, the BCG vaccine remains strongly recommended for people at risk and regions with a high prevalence. The work of the early childhood worker in maternal and child protection centres (PMI) is crucial from the very first meeting, in order to inform and raise the awareness of families about the importance of early vaccination.

Changes in the clinical phenotype and behavior of pediatric luminal Crohn's disease at diagnosis in the last decade.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aims of this study were to describe the trends in the behavior of pediatric CD during the last decade and to describe the seasonal variation of disease presentation. METHODS: Patients under 18 years old and diagnosed between 2009 and 2019 were included. The clinical, endoscopic, histological, and laboratory data were collected from the medical records. We analyzed the trends of these parameters according to the year and season of diagnosis. RESULTS: 654 patients were included in the study. The number of incident CD cases increased yearly. Patients diagnosed between 2015 and 2019 were younger at diagnosis (OR 2.53, p = 0.02), had more perianal diseases (OR: 2.30, p < 0.0001) and more granulomas (OR: 1.61, p = 0.003), but fewer eosinophils (OR: 0.35, p < 0.0001) and less chronic lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate (OR: 0.56, p = 0.008) as compared to the 2009-2014 cohort. There was fewer CD diagnosis during winter. Patients diagnosed in the fall had lower PCDAIs, less failure to thrive and less extensive digestive involvement. Colonic disease was significantly more frequent during summer and fall. CONCLUSION: The clinical and histological phenotype of CD has changed over time and there are important seasonal trends in the frequency and severity on disease behavior suggesting possible disease triggers.

Canadian Nationwide Survey on Pediatric Malnutrition Management in Tertiary Hospitals.

Background: Disease-associated malnutrition (DAM) is common in hospitalized children. This survey aimed to assess current in-hospital practices for clinical care of pediatric DAM in Canada. Methods: An electronic survey was sent to all 15 tertiary pediatric hospitals in Canada and addressed all pillars of malnutrition care: screening, assessment, treatment, monitoring and follow-up. Results: Responses of 120 health care professionals were used from all 15 hospitals; 57.5% were medical doctors (MDs), 26.7% registered dietitians (RDs) and 15.8% nurses (RNs). An overarching protocol for prevention, detection and intervention of pediatric malnutrition was present or "a work in progress", according to 9.6% of respondents. Routine nutritional screening on admission was sometimes or always performed, according to 58.8%, although the modality differed among hospitals and profession. For children with poor nutritional status, lack of nutritional follow-up after discharge was reported by 48.5%. Conclusions: The presence of a standardized protocol for the clinical assessment and management of DAM is uncommon in pediatric tertiary care hospitals in Canada. Routine nutritional screening upon admission has not been widely adopted. Moreover, ongoing nutritional care of malnourished children after discharge seems cumbersome. These findings call for the adoption and implementation of a uniform clinical care pathway for malnutrition among pediatric hospitals.

Factors associated with time to clinical remission in pediatric luminal Crohn's disease: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Data on factors influencing time to remission in pediatric Crohn's disease (CD) are very limited in the literature. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to describe the trends of time to clinical remission over the past decade and to identify factors associated with time to clinical remission in children with luminal CD. METHODS: Patients under 18 years old diagnosed between 2009 and 2019 were included. All data were collected from the patients' medical records. Survival analyses and linear regression models were used to assess the impact of clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, histological, and therapeutic factors on time to clinical remission. RESULTS: A total of 654 patients were included in the study. There was no change in the time to clinical remission over the decade. Female sex in adolescents (adjusted bêta regression coefficient [aß] = 31.8 days, P = 0.02), upper digestive tract involvement (aß = 46.4 days, P = 0.04) perianal disease (aß = 32.2 days, P = 0.04), presence of active inflammation on biopsies at diagnosis (aß = 46.7 days, P = 0.01) and oral 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA) exposure (aß = 56.6 days, P = 0.002) were associated with longer time to clinical remission. Antibiotic exposure (aß = -29.3 days, P = 0.04), increased eosinophils (aß = -29.6 days, P = 0.008) and combination of exclusive enteral nutrition with tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors as induction therapy (aß = -36.8 days, P = 0.04) were associated with shorter time to clinical remission. CONCLUSION: In children with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease, time to clinical remission did not shorten during the decade. It was associated with baseline clinical and histological data and treatment strategies. Combination of enteral nutrition and TNF-alpha inhibitors was associated with faster clinical remission.

E-Learning Training to Improve Pediatric Parenteral Nutrition Practice: A Pilot Study in Two University Hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Education and training may improve the prescription of pediatric parenteral nutrition. The aim was to evaluate the impact of an e-learning method on parenteral nutrition prescription skills among pediatric residents in 2 pediatric hospitals. METHODS: A randomized double-blind control study was conducted over a 9-month period among pediatric residents in HOSP1, Geneva, Switzerland, where physicians prescribe parenteral nutrition directly, and in HOSP2, Montreal, Canada, where physicians prescribe only occasionally because clinical pharmacists are devoted to this activity. The intervention consisted of an e-learning session about key issues of parenteral nutrition. Physician parenteral nutrition knowledge was evaluated with a standardized questionnaire based on clinical cases before and after the e-learning in the intervention groups; in the control groups, only the 2 tests were conducted. In HOSP1, participants also underwent iterative tests every 2 months to measure the retention of knowledge. RESULTS: Sixty-five physicians participated. Initial knowledge scores were higher in HOSP1 (pretest scores 180 ± 29 vs 133 ± 24, p < 0.001). Overall, there was no significant difference in the impact of the e-learning intervention between the control and e-learning groups (p > 0.05). A significant knowledge improvement was observed in HOSP2 in the e-learning group (p = 0.033). Iterative tests in HOSP1 showed persistence of knowledge without significant differences between the groups. E-learning satisfaction among the participants was outstanding (100%). CONCLUSION: E-learning seems to be an effective method for teaching parenteral nutrition among pediatric residents and fellows at the beginning of the training. High satisfaction with this teaching method was observed in this study.

Prevalence of Malnutrition in Pediatric Hospitals in Developed and In-Transition Countries: The Impact of Hospital Practices.

Presently, undernutrition still goes undetected in pediatric hospitals despite its association with poor clinical outcomes and increased annual hospital costs, thus affecting both the patient and the health care system. The reported prevalence of undernutrition in pediatric patients seeking care or hospitalized varies considerably, ranging from 2.5 to 51%. This disparity is mostly due to the diversity of the origin of populations studied, methods used to detect and assess nutritional status, as well as the lack of consensus for defining pediatric undernutrition. The prevalence among inpatients is likely to be higher than that observed for the community at large, since malnourished children are likely to have a pre-existent disease or to develop medical complications. Meanwhile, growing evidence indicates that the nutritional status of sick children deteriorates during the course of hospitalization. Moreover, the absence of systematic nutritional screening in this environment may lead to an underestimation of this condition. The present review aims to critically discuss studies documenting the prevalence of malnutrition in pediatric hospitals in developed and in-transition countries and identifying hospital practices that may jeopardize the nutritional status of hospitalized children.