Case of Accidental Trauma Resulting in Condylar Fractures in 3-Month-Old.

While mandibular fractures represent the most common craniofacial injury in the pediatric population, craniofacial fractures in infants are rare. Diagnosis is challenging with nonspecific presenting symptoms and often limited radiographic imaging. We report a case of nondisplaced mandibular condylar head fractures in a 3-month-old patient as a result of a fall with impact onto the chin, with associated sublingual hematoma (Coleman's sign). Although the initially observed sole finding of sublingual hematoma raised concern for child physical abuse, detailed history, oral exam, and multidisciplinary review of radiologic records by pediatrics, otolaryngology, and child protection teams established the accidental trauma diagnosis. The patient was managed conservatively with normal resumption of feeding. Detailed history and multidisciplinary approach to the management of pediatric facial trauma are important in establishing diagnoses and management.

Impact of unilateral hearing loss in early development.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to provide an update on current literature as it relates to the impact of unilateral hearing loss for the pediatric population. RECENT FINDINGS: Current studies further corroborate past research findings which reveal the potential consequences of unilateral hearing loss on spatial hearing, language, and neurocognitive functioning. Deficits among children with unilateral hearing loss may parallel those seen in children with bilateral hearing loss, further challenging historic views that hearing in one ear in childhood is sufficient for normal development. The potential deficiencies seen in children with unilateral hearing loss can be subtler than those seen with bilateral hearing loss, but may nonetheless also impact school performance, patient fatigue, parental stress, and quality of life. Early interventions within a sensitive period of development of the central auditory system may circumvent potential barriers in cognitive, academic, and psychosocial development. SUMMARY: This review synthesizes the latest research on the impact of unilateral hearing loss in childhood and the role for possible interventions. The summarized information may serve to support the development of new guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of children with unilateral hearing loss.

Pediatric Post-Tonsillectomy Opioid Prescribing Practices.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of discharge order sets on prescribing patterns of opioids after pediatric tonsillectomy. Secondary outcomes included encounters for postoperative pain, dehydration, and bleeding. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of pre- and post-intervention in pediatric post-tonsillectomy patients, 0-18 years old (n = 1486). Order sets were installed with age-specific analgesic medication defaults and recommendation of concurrent alternating scheduled ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Time-balanced pre- and post-intervention cohorts were established. Opioid outcomes calculated in morphine milligram equivalents per kilogram (MME/kg) per dosage and total prescribed. RESULTS: Discharge order set intervention resulted in 17% reduction of opioid dose prescribed (0.095 MME/kg [95% CI, 0.092-0.099] vs. 0.079 [95% CI, 0.076-0.083], P < .001). Total number of opioid doses prescribed was reduced after order set implementation (46.4 [95% CI, 43.6-49.1] to 20.3 [95% CI, 19.1-21.5], P < .001). Patients <7 years old prescribed opioids remained rare in pre- and post-intervention groups (1.6% and 1.8%, respectively, P = .86). Admissions and emergency department visits for postoperative dehydration and pain were significantly reduced. Post-intervention group showed an increase in readmissions for post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (9.2% vs. 5.2%, P = .003) which was isolated to an increase in the older post-intervention group after stratification by age. CONCLUSION: Utilization of order sets with standardized analgesic medication regimen of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and opioid helped effectively reduce opioid amount per dose, total opioid amount dispensed, and variability in the total opioid amount dispensed while maintaining pain control. An increase in post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage was recognized following this implementation which did not persist after the study period despite continuation of intervention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:1386-1391, 2021.