Lower Extremity Growth according to AI Automated Femorotibial Length Measurement on Slot-Scanning Radiographs in Pediatric Patients.

Background Commonly used pediatric lower extremity growth standards are based on small, dated data sets. Artificial intelligence (AI) enables creation of updated growth standards. Purpose To train an AI model using standing slot-scanning radiographs in a racially diverse data set of pediatric patients to measure lower extremity length and to compare expected growth curves derived using AI measurements to those of the conventional Anderson-Green method. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included pediatric patients aged 0-21 years who underwent at least two slot-scanning radiographs in routine clinical care between August 2015 and February 2022. A Mask Region-based Convolutional Neural Network was trained to segment the femur and tibia on radiographs and measure total leg, femoral, and tibial length; accuracy was assessed with mean absolute error. AI measurements were used to create quantile polynomial regression femoral and tibial growth curves, which were compared with the growth curves of the Anderson-Green method for coverage based on the central 90% of the estimated growth distribution. Results In total, 1874 examinations in 523 patients (mean age, 12.7 years ± 2.8 [SD]; 349 female patients) were included; 40% of patients self-identified as White and not Hispanic or Latino, and the remaining 60% self-identified as belonging to a different racial or ethnic group. The AI measurement training, validation, and internal test sets included 114, 25, and 64 examinations, respectively. The mean absolute errors of AI measurements of the femur, tibia, and lower extremity in the test data set were 0.25, 0.27, and 0.33 cm, respectively. All 1874 examinations were used to generate growth curves. AI growth curves more accurately represented lower extremity growth in an external test set (n = 154 examinations) than the Anderson-Green method (90% coverage probability: 86.7% [95% CI: 82.9, 90.5] for AI model vs 73.4% [95% CI: 68.4, 78.3] for Anderson-Green method; χ2 test, P < .001). Conclusion Lower extremity growth curves derived from AI measurements on standing slot-scanning radiographs from a diverse pediatric data set enabled more accurate prediction of pediatric growth. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article.

Sensitivity, Specificity, and Cutoff Identifying Optic Atrophy by Macular Ganglion Cell Layer Volume in Syndromic Craniosynostosis.

PURPOSE: To determine the sensitivity, specificity, and cutoff of macular ganglion cell layer (GCL) volume consistent with optic atrophy in children with syndromic craniosynostosis and to investigate factors independently associated with reduction in GCL volume. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with syndromic craniosynostosis evaluated at Boston Children's Hospital (2010-2022) with reliable macular OCT scans. METHODS: The latest ophthalmic examination that included OCT macula scans was identified. Age at examination, sex, ethnicity, best-corrected logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity, cycloplegic refraction, and funduscopic optic nerve appearance were recorded in addition to history of primary or recurrent elevation in intracranial pressure (ICP), Chiari malformation, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Spectral-domain OCT software quantified segmentation of macula retinal layers and was checked manually. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was determining sensitivity, specificity, and optimal cutoff of GCL volume consistent with optic atrophy. The secondary outcome was determining whether previously elevated ICP, OSA, Chiari malformation, craniosynostosis diagnosis, logMAR visual acuity, age, or sex were independently associated with lower GCL volume. RESULTS: Median age at examination was 11.9 years (interquartile range, 8.5-14.8 years). Fifty-eight of 61 patients (112 eyes) had reliable macula scans, 74% were female, and syndromes represented were Apert (n = 14), Crouzon (n = 17), Muenke (n = 6), Pfeiffer (n = 6), and Saethre-Chotzen (n = 15). Optimal cutoff identifying optic atrophy was a GCL volume < 1.02 mm3 with a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 77%. Univariate analysis demonstrated that significantly lower macular GCL volume was associated with optic atrophy on fundus examination (P < 0.001), Apert syndrome (P < 0.001), history of elevated ICP (P = 0.015), Chiari malformation (P = 0.001), OSA (P < 0.001), male sex (P = 0.027), and worse logMAR visual acuity (P < 0.001). Multivariable median regression analysis confirmed that only OSA (P = 0.005), optic atrophy on fundus examination (P = 0.003), and worse logMAR visual acuity (P = 0.042) were independently associated with lower GCL volume. CONCLUSIONS: Surveillance for optic atrophy by GCL volume may be useful in a population where cognitive skills can limit acquisition of other key ophthalmic measures. It is noteworthy that OSA is also associated with lower GLC volume in this population. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Prevalence and clinical implications of heightened plastic chemical exposure in pediatric patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Phthalate chemicals are used to manufacture plastic medical products, including many components of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits. We aimed to quantify iatrogenic phthalate exposure in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery and examine the link between phthalate exposure and postoperative outcomes. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The study included pediatric patients undergoing (n=122) unique cardiac surgeries at Children's National Hospital. For each patient, a single plasma sample was collected preoperatively and two additional samples were collected postoperatively upon return from the operating room and the morning after surgery. Concentrations of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and its metabolites were quantified using ultra high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Patients were subdivided into three groups, according to surgical procedure: (1) cardiac surgery not requiring CPB support, (2) cardiac surgery requiring CPB with a crystalloid prime, and (3) cardiac surgery requiring CPB with red blood cells (RBCs) to prime the circuit. Phthalate metabolites were detected in all patients, and postoperative phthalate levels were highest in patients undergoing CPB with an RBC-based prime. Age-matched (<1 year) CPB patients with elevated phthalate exposure were more likely to experience postoperative complications. RBC washing was an effective strategy to reduce phthalate levels in CPB prime. DISCUSSION: Pediatric cardiac surgery patients are exposed to phthalate chemicals from plastic medical products, and the degree of exposure increases in the context of CPB with an RBC-based prime. Additional studies are warranted to measure the direct effect of phthalates on patient health outcomes and investigate mitigation strategies to reduce exposure.

Fetal Vertebral Chondrostasis-Significance of Excessive Cartilage in Vertebral Bodies of Newborns.

INTRODUCTION: We describe an abnormality in fetal and neonatal vertebral bodies whose most conspicuous characteristic is an increase in cartilaginous matrix within cancellous osseous trabeculae. We have termed this finding fetal chondrostasis (FC). METHODS: We initiated a retrospective review of autopsy reports in which this condition had been prospectively diagnosed during a 36-year period. The Chalkley point counting method was applied to histologic sections of vertebral bodies to assess the relative components of cartilage, bone, and bone marrow. The results were compared to those of three control groups whose causes of death were prematurity, birth trauma, and infection. RESULTS: We found that on average, the cartilaginous content in the FC group was considerably greater in both preterm and term infants when compared to controls. FC seemed to evolve from diminished activity in the cartilaginous growth zone resulting in formation of excessively broad cartilaginous columns. These subsequently suffered from delayed resorption following their incorporation within cancellous bony trabeculae. CONCLUSION: Excess cartilage within cancellous bone of vertebral centra in newborns is merely one aspect of disturbed intrauterine osseous development but is seemingly more readily discernible than other features at this site. The most common clinical correlates for FC were multiple congenital anomalies, congenital heart disease, intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity, and certain maternal factors.

Management Changes After Echocardiography Are Associated With Improved Outcomes in Critically Ill Children.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate management changes and outcomes in critically ill children after formal echocardiography. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2020. SETTING: Tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENTS: Patients from 1 to 18 years who had formal echocardiography within 72 hours of ICU admission and who were intubated and on vasoactive infusions at the time of the study. Patients were stratified into two cardiac function groups: 1) near-normal cardiac function and 2) depressed cardiac function. METHODS: Clinical variables were abstracted from the electronic medical record and placed in time sequence relative to echocardiography. Vasoactive and fluid management strategies in place before echocardiography were associated with markers of tissue perfusion and volume overload. Management changes after echocardiography were characterized and associated with outcomes. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among patients eventually found to have depressed cardiac function, the use of vasoconstrictors was associated with worse lactate clearance and oxygen extraction ratio. Use of vasoconstrictors in this cohort was also associated with a more liberal fluid management strategy, evidence of increased lung water, and a worse Sp o2 /F io2 . An echocardiogram demonstrated depressed cardiac function was likely to be followed by management changes that favored inotropes and more conservative fluid administration. Patients with depressed cardiac function who were switched to inotropes were more likely to be extubated and to wean off vasoactive support compared with those patients who remained on vasoconstrictors. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with depressed cardiac function, alterations in management strategy after echocardiography are associated with shortened duration of intensive care interventions.

Difficult intubation in syndromic versus nonsyndromic forms of micrognathia in children.

BACKGROUND: We investigated how syndromic versus nonsyndromic forms of micrognathia impacted difficult intubation outcomes in children. Primary outcome was the first-attempt success rate of tracheal intubation, secondary outcomes were number of intubation attempts and complications. We hypothesized that syndromic micrognathia would be associated with lower first-attempt success rate. METHODS: In micrognathic patients enrolled in the Pediatric Difficult Intubation Registry (08/2012-03/2019) we retrospectively compared demographic and clinical characteristics between children with nonsyndromic and syndromic micrognathia using standardized mean differences (SMD) and assessed the association of the presence of syndrome with the primary and secondary outcomes using propensity score matching analysis with and without matching for airway assessment findings. RESULTS: Nonsyndromic patients (628) were less likely to have additional airway abnormalities. Syndromic patients (216) were less likely to have unanticipated difficult intubation (2% vs. 20%, SMD 0.59). First-attempt success rates of intubation were: 38% in the syndromic versus 34% in the nonsyndromic group (odds ratio [OR] 1.18; 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] 0.74, 1.89; p = .478), and 37% versus 37% (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.66, 1.48; p = .959). Median number of intubation attempts were 2 (interquartile range [IQR]: 1, 3; range: 1, 8) versus 2 (IQR: 1, 3; range 1, 12) (median regression coefficient = 0; 95% CI: -0.7, 0.7; p = .999) and 2 (IQR: 1, 3; range: 1, 12) versus 2 (IQR: 1, 3; range 1, 8) (median regression coefficient = 0; 95% CI: -0.5, 0.5; p = .999). Complication rates were 14% versus 22% (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.34, 1.04; p = .07) and 16% versus 21% (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.43, 1.17; p = .185). CONCLUSIONS: Presence of syndrome was not associated with lower first-attempt success rate on intubation, number of intubation attempts, or complication rate among micrognathic patients difficult to intubate, despite more associated craniofacial abnormalities. Nonsyndromic patients were more likely to have unanticipated difficult intubations, first attempt with direct laryngoscopy.

How Did Black and Hispanic Orthopaedic Applicants and Residents Compare to General Surgery Between 2015 and 2022?

BACKGROUND: Despite the heavy demand for and knowledge of the benefits of diversity, there is a persistent lack of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in orthopaedic surgery. Since the implementation of diversity initiatives, data have shown that general surgery has been one of the top competitive surgical fields and has demonstrated growth in racial, ethnic, and gender diversity, making general surgery a good point of reference and comparison when analyzing racial and ethnic growth in orthopaedic surgery. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What were the growth rates for Black and Hispanic orthopaedic residency applicants and residents between 2015 and 2022? (2) How did the growth rates of Black and Hispanic individuals in orthopaedic surgery compare with those of general surgery? (3) How did applicant recruitment and resident acceptance differ between Black and Hispanic people in orthopaedic surgery? METHODS: Applicant data were obtained from historical specialty-specific data from the Association of American Medical Colleges Electronic Residency Application Service Statistics database between 2018 and 2022, and resident data were obtained from the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education Data Resource Book between 2015 and 2021. Between 2018 and 2022, the number of residency applicants totaled 216,677, with 17,912 Black residency applicants and 20,413 Hispanic residency applicants. Between 2015 and 2021, the number of active residents totaled 977,877, with 48,600 Black residents and 62,605 Hispanic residents. Because the applicant and resident data do not overlap throughout all years of observation, a sensitivity analysis of overlapping years (between 2018 and 2021) was conducted to ensure observed trends were consistent and valid throughout the study. All datasets obtained were used to establish the different racial and ethnic proportions of Black and Hispanic residency applicants and residents in four nonsurgical primary care specialties and four surgical subspecialties. A reference slope was created using data from the Association of American Medical Colleges and Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education to represent the growth rate for total residency applicants and residents, independently, across all residency specialties reported in each database. This slope was used for comparison among the resident and applicant growth rates for all eight selected specialties. Datapoints were placed into a scatterplot with regression lines, using slope equations to depict rate of growth and R 2 values to depict linear fit. Applicant growth corresponded to applicant recruitment and resident growth corresponded to resident acceptance. Chi-square tests were used to compare residents and residency applicants for the Black and Hispanic populations, separately. Two-way analysis of variance with a time-by-specialty interaction term (F-test) was conducted to determine differences between growth slopes. RESULTS: There was no difference in the growth rate of Black orthopaedic surgery applicants between 2018 and 2022, and there was no difference in the growth rate of Hispanic orthopaedic surgery applicants (R 2 = 0.43; p = 0.23 and R 2 = 0.63; p = 0.11, respectively). However, there was a very slight increase in the growth rate of Black orthopaedic surgery residents between 2015 and 2021, and a very slight increase in the growth rate of Hispanic orthopaedic surgery residents (R 2 = 0.73; p = 0.02 and R 2 = 0.79; p = 0.01, respectively). There were no differences in orthopaedic and general surgery rates of growth for Black applicants between 2018 and 2022 (0.004 applicants/year versus -0.001 applicants/year; p = 0.22), and no differences were found in orthopaedic and general surgery rates of growth for Black residents between 2015 and 2021 (0.003 residents/year versus 0.002 residents/year; p = 0.59). Likewise, Hispanic orthopaedic applicant growth rates did not differ between 2018 and 2022 from the rates of general surgery (0.004 applicants/year versus 0.005 applicants/year; p = 0.68), and there were no differences in orthopaedic and general surgery rates of growth for Hispanic residents (0.007 residents/year versus 0.01 residents/year; p = 0.35). Furthermore, growth rate comparisons between Black orthopaedic applicants and residents between 2018 and 2021 showed applicant growth was larger than resident growth, illustrating that the recruitment of Black applicants increased slightly more rapidly than resident acceptance. Growth rate comparisons between Hispanic applicants and residents showed a larger rate of resident growth, illustrating Hispanic resident acceptance increased slightly faster than applicant recruitment during that time. CONCLUSION: We found low acceptance of Black residents compared with the higher recruitment of Black applicants, as well as overall low proportions of Black and Hispanic applicants and residents. Future studies might explore the factors contributing to the higher acceptances of Hispanic orthopaedic residents than Black orthopaedic residents. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: We recommend that more emphasis should be placed on increasing Black and Hispanic representation at the department level to ensure cultural considerations remain at the forefront of applicant recruitment. Internal or external reviews of residency selection processes should be considered, and more immersive, longitudinal orthopaedic surgery clerkships and research mentorship experiences should be targeted toward Black and Hispanic students. Holistic reviews of applications and selection processes should be implemented to produce an increased racially and ethnically diverse applicant pool and a diverse residency work force, and implicit bias training should be implemented to address potential biases and diversity barriers that are present in residency programs and leadership.

Establishing Optimal Control Cohorts for Phase 1 Trials: Retrospective Analysis of Clinical and Biological Outcomes in Neonates and Infants Undergoing Two-Ventricle Repair.

Phase 1 trials are primarily conducted to evaluate the safety and feasibility of new interventions, usually without recruiting control patients. This retrospective study aims to characterize clinical and biological outcomes in historical and contemporary cases of neonates and infants undergoing two-ventricle repair to facilitate future secondary endpoint analyses for such trials. This retrospective study included neonates/infants (ages ≤ 6 months) who underwent two-ventricle repair between 2015 and 2021 using the same criteria as our phase 1 trial (n = 199). Patients were allocated into the ventricular septal defect (n = 61), the Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF, n = 88), and the transposition of the great arteries (n = 50) groups with an additional comparison between two eras (2015-2019 vs. 2020-2021). Patient characteristics and most variables assessed were different between the three diagnostic groups indicating the importance of diagnostic matching for secondary analyses. Although the era did not alter cerebral/somatic oxygenation, ventricular function, neuroimaging findings, and complication rates, we observed improvement of inotropic and/or vasoactive-inotropic scores in all groups during the more recent era. In 2020-2021, the age and the body weight at the operation were higher, and hospital stay was shorter in the TOF group, suggesting the possible impact of the pandemic. Results also indicated that matching altered characteristics such as age at operation that may limit the temporal effects and optimize secondary analyses. Using optimal contemporary cases and historical data based on this study will assist in developing a comprehensive study design for a future efficacy/effectiveness trial.

Narrowing Down the Symptomatology of Isolated Vascular Rings in Children.

Vascular rings may cause respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms due to compression of the trachea and/or esophagus. Advances in imaging have enabled early detection in asymptomatic patients posing new management dilemmas. Surgery is expected to relieve symptoms, although this has not been well studied. We sought to evaluate the presence and pattern of symptoms associated with vascular rings before surgical intervention and to detail symptom resolution after surgery. A 10-year retrospective review of patients diagnosed with an isolated vascular ring was performed between January 2010 and December 2019. 100 patients were identified; 35 double aortic arch (DAA) and 65 right aortic arch and left ligamentum arteriosum (RALL). 73 patients were symptomatic on presentation; 47 had respiratory, 5 had gastrointestinal, and 21 had both types of symptoms. Surgical repair was performed in 75 patients; 74 were symptomatic. Respiratory symptoms were more likely in patients with preoperative tracheal narrowing (p < 0.001). Moderate-severe respiratory symptoms led to surgery in RALL patients (OR 10.6, p = 0.0001). DAA patients were more likely to undergo surgery (p < 0.001) irrespective of symptom severity. At a median post-surgical follow-up of 4 months, there was a significant reduction in symptom burden (p < 0.001), except for asthma symptoms (p = 0.131). Symptom resolution was not dependent on the vascular ring anatomy (p = 0.331) or the age at operation (p = 0.158). Vascular rings are typically accompanied by respiratory symptoms and less commonly GI symptoms, both of which resolve in most patients after surgery. Those who present predominantly with asthma-like symptoms may not achieve resolution after surgery.

Transamniotic Fetal Immunotherapy with Secretory IgA: A Potential Novel Ancillary Strategy for the Prevention of Necrotizing Enterocolitis.

INTRODUCTION: Secretory immunoglobulin-A (SIgA), which is not produced perinatally, binds bacteria enhancing mucosal immunity. Higher levels of intestinal bacteria bound by SIgA are protective against necrotizing enterocolitis. Transamniotic fetal immunotherapy (TRAFIT) has previously been used to deliver SIgA to the fetal digestive tract, however, with unclear functional impact. We sought to determine whether SIgA administered via TRAFIT could functionally bind intestinal bacteria postnatally. METHODS: Fetuses (n = 38) from 4 dams underwent intra-amniotic injections of human SIgA on gestational day 19 (E19; term = E22-E23). After spontaneous delivery, pups were survived for 1-2 days postnatally before intestinal contents were procured and submitted to flow cytometry. Specimens were stained for bacteria (Syto-GFP) and human SIgA (PE) to prevent cross-reactivity with maternal rat SIgA. RESULTS: Overall survival was 94.7% (36/38). SIgA-bacterial complexes were identified in all samples at all time points showing significantly higher positive PE events than unstained controls (p = 0.03-0.05). The proportion of bacteria bound by IgA decreased daily, from 45.6% to 29.9% bound at 4-6 days post-TRAFIT, respectively (overall p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TRAFIT with secretory IgA leads to functionally IgA-bound bacteria into the postnatal period and may be a novel strategy for enhancing early mucosal immunity, potentially protecting the neonate against necrotizing enterocolitis.

Transamniotic Delivery of Surfactant Protein B mRNA in a Healthy Model.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to determine whether exogenous surfactant protein B (SPB) mRNA could be incorporated and translated by the fetal lung after simple transamniotic administration. METHODS: Fetuses (n = 149) of twelve time-dated dams underwent intra-amniotic injections of either human SPB (hSPB) mRNA encapsulated into lipopolyplex (mRNA, n = 99) or lipopolyplex without mRNA (control; n = 50) on gestational day 17 (E17, term = E21-22). Lungs were screened for hSPB by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay daily until term. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) (a surrogate for surfactant production) was measured in the amniotic fluid by fluorometric assay. Statistical analysis included nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: Significantly improved survival in the mRNA group compared to controls was observed at E18 (100% vs. 85.7%) and E20 (100% vs. 83.3%) (both p < 0.001). When controlled by mRNA-free injections, hSPB protein was detected in the mRNA group's lungs at E18, 19, and term (p = 0.002 to <0.001). Amniotic fluid PC levels were increased compared to control at term [285.9 (251.1, 363.9) µM versus 263.1 (222.8, 309.1) µM]; however, this did not reach significance (p = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Encapsulated exogenous SPB mRNA can be incorporated and translated by fetal lung cells following intra-amniotic injection in a healthy rat model. Transamniotic mRNA delivery could become a novel strategy for perinatal surfactant protein replacement.

Discovery and Characterization of Ephrin B2 and EphB4 Dysregulation and Novel Mutations in Cerebral Cavernous Malformations: In Vitro and Patient-Derived Evidence of Ephrin-Mediated Endothelial Cell Pathophysiology.

Intracranial vascular malformations manifest on a continuum ranging from predominantly arterial to predominantly venous in pathology. Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are capillary malformations that exist at the midpoint of this continuum. The axon guidance factor Ephrin B2 and its receptor EphB4 are critical regulators of vasculogenesis in the developing central nervous system. Ephrin B2/EphB4 dysregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of arterial-derived arteriovenous malformations and vein-based vein of Galen malformations. Increasing evidence supports the hypothesis that aberrant Ephrin B2/EphB4 signaling may contribute to developing vascular malformations, but their role in CCMs remains largely uncharacterized. Evidence of Ephrin dysregulation in CCMs would be important to establish a common link in the pathogenic spectrum of EphrinB2/Ephb4 dysregulation. By studying patient-derived primary CCM endothelial cells (CCMECs), we established that CCMECs are functionally distinct from healthy endothelial cell controls; CCMECs demonstrated altered patterns of migration, motility, and impaired tube formation. In addition to the altered phenotype, the CCMECs also displayed an increased ratio of EphrinB2/EphB4 compared to the healthy endothelial control cells. Furthermore, whole exome sequencing identified mutations in both EphrinB2 and EphB4 in the CCMECs. These findings identify functional alterations in the EphrinB2/EphB4 ratio as a feature linking pathophysiology across the spectrum of arterial, capillary, and venous structural malformations in the central nervous system while revealing a putative therapeutic target.

Patient and Process Outcomes among Pediatric Patients Undergoing Appendectomy during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 forced healthcare systems to make unprecedented changes in clinical care processes. The authors hypothesized that the COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacted timely access to care, perioperative processes, and clinical outcomes for pediatric patients undergoing primary appendectomy. METHODS: A retrospective, international, multicenter study was conducted using matched cohorts within participating centers of the international PEdiatric Anesthesia COVID-19 Collaborative (PEACOC). Patients younger than 18 yr old were matched using age, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status, and sex. The primary outcome was the difference in hospital length of stay of patients undergoing primary appendectomy during a 2-month period early in the COVID-19 pandemic (April to May 2020) compared with prepandemic (April to May 2019). Secondary outcomes included time to appendectomy and the incidence of complicated appendicitis. RESULTS: A total of 3,351 cases from 28 institutions were available with 1,684 cases in the prepandemic cohort matched to 1,618 in the pandemic cohort. Hospital length of stay was statistically significantly different between the two groups: 29 h (interquartile range: 18 to 79) in the pandemic cohort versus 28 h (interquartile range: 18 to 67) in the prepandemic cohort (adjusted coefficient, 1 [95% CI, 0.39 to 1.61]; P < 0.001), but this difference was small. Eight centers demonstrated a statistically significantly longer hospital length of stay in the pandemic period than in the prepandemic period, while 13 were shorter and 7 did not observe a statistically significant difference. During the pandemic period, there was a greater occurrence of complicated appendicitis, prepandemic 313 (18.6%) versus pandemic 389 (24.1%), an absolute difference of 5.5% (adjusted odds ratio, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.1 to 1.59]; P = 0.003). Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 testing was associated with significantly longer time-to-appendectomy, 720 min (interquartile range: 430 to 1,112) with testing versus 414 min (interquartile range: 231 to 770) without testing, adjusted coefficient, 306 min (95% CI, 241 to 371; P < 0.001), and longer hospital length of stay, 31 h (interquartile range: 20 to 83) with testing versus 24 h (interquartile range: 14 to 68) without testing, adjusted coefficient, 7.0 (95% CI, 2.7 to 11.3; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: For children undergoing appendectomy, the COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly impact hospital length of stay.

Hematogenous Routing of Exogenous Messenger RNA Delivered Into the Amniotic Fluid.

INTRODUCTION: Therapies based on exogenous messenger RNA (mRNA) administration have emerged as a powerful novel strategy for the actual or potential treatment of an assortment of diseases, including congenital surgical pathologies. We sought to determine whether the minimally invasive transamniotic route could be an alternative for prenatal mRNA delivery. METHODS: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley dams underwent laparotomy followed by volume-matched intra-amniotic injections in all their fetuses (n = 120) of either a suspension of a custom firefly luciferase mRNA encapsulated by a lipid- and synthetic cationic polymer-based composite, or of a suspension of the same encapsulation components without mRNA, on gestational day 17 (E17; term = E21-22). On E18, E19, E20, and E21, samples from 14 fetal anatomical sites and maternal serum were procured for the screening of mRNA incorporation by host cells by measurement of luciferase activity via microplate luminometry. Statistical analysis was by Mann-Whitney U-test, including Bonferroni-adjustment. RESULTS: Overall survival was 87.5% (105/120). Controlled by the encapsulating composite without mRNA, luciferase activity was detected in the animals that received encapsulated mRNA in the following fetal annexes: amniotic fluid, amnion, chorion, umbilical cord, and placenta (P = 0.033 to <0.001), as well as in the following fetal sites: liver, stomach, intestines, and lungs (P = 0.043-0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Packaged exogenous mRNA can be incorporated by the fetus at least at select anatomical sites after simple intra-amniotic administration in a rodent model. The pattern and chronology of mRNA incorporation are compatible with transplacental hematogenous routing, as well as with fetal swallowing/aspiration. Further study of transamniotic mRNA administration is warranted.

Endothelial GNAQ p.R183Q Increases ANGPT2 (Angiopoietin-2) and Drives Formation of Enlarged Blood Vessels.

OBJECTIVE: Capillary malformation (CM) occurs sporadically and is associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome. The somatic mosaic mutation in GNAQ (c.548G>A, p.R183Q) is enriched in endothelial cells (ECs) in skin CM and Sturge-Weber syndrome brain CM. Our goal was to investigate how the mutant Gαq (G-protein αq subunit) alters EC signaling and disrupts capillary morphogenesis. Approach and Results: We used lentiviral constructs to express p.R183Q or wild-type GNAQ in normal human endothelial colony forming cells (EC-R183Q and EC-WT, respectively). EC-R183Q constitutively activated PLC (phospholipase C) ß3, a downstream effector of Gαq. Activated PLCß3 was also detected in human CM tissue sections. Bulk RNA sequencing analyses of mutant versus wild-type EC indicated constitutive activation of PKC (protein kinase C), NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) and calcineurin signaling in EC-R183Q. Increased expression of downstream targets in these pathways, ANGPT2 (angiopoietin-2) and DSCR (Down syndrome critical region protein) 1.4 were confirmed by quantitative PCR and immunostaining of human CM tissue sections. The Gαq inhibitor YM-254890 as well as siRNA targeted to PLCß3 reduced mRNA expression levels of these targets in EC-R183Q while the pan-PKC inhibitor AEB071 reduced ANGPT2 but not DSCR1.4. EC-R183Q formed enlarged blood vessels in mice, reminiscent of those found in human CM. shRNA knockdown of ANGPT2 in EC-R183Q normalized the enlarged vessels to sizes comparable those formed by EC-WT. CONCLUSIONS: Gαq-R183Q, when expressed in ECs, establishes constitutively active PLCß3 signaling that leads to increased ANGPT2 and a proangiogenic, proinflammatory phenotype. EC-R183Q are sufficient to form enlarged CM-like vessels in mice, and suppression of ANGPT2 prevents the enlargement. Our study provides the first evidence that endothelial Gαq-R183Q is causative for CM and identifies ANGPT2 as a contributor to CM vascular phenotype.

Prevalence of COVID-19 and Risk Factors for Infection Among Pediatric Anesthesia Patients: A Report From the PEACOC Research Network.

BACKGROUND: The Pediatric Anesthesia COVID-19 Collaborative (PEACOC) is a research network to advance the care of children during the pandemic. Here we calculate the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among children undergoing anesthesia, look at prevalence in the population data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and assess independent risk factors for infection. METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational study. Children aged 28 days to 18 years scheduled for anesthesia services at 12 centers requiring universal COVID-19 testing from March 29, 2020 to June 30, 2020 were included. COVID-19 positivity rates among those tested were plotted and trends were assessed using the Cochran Armitage test of trend. Independent risk factors were explored using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Data were collected and analyzed on 33,320 anesthesia encounters including 265 children with COVID-19. Over the study period, the rates of infections in the pediatric anesthesia population did not demonstrate a significant trend. In the general population, there was a significant downward trend in infection rates ( P < .001). In exploratory analysis, multivariable risk factors for a COVID-19 positive test were Black/African American race, Hispanic ethnicity, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status III or above, overweight and obese body mass index (BMI), orthopedic cases, abdominal cases, emergency cases, absence of injury and trauma, and West region (all P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Rates of COVID-19 in pediatric anesthesia patients were consistently lower than in the general population. Independent risk factors of a positive test for children were identified. This is the first time universal testing for a single infectious disease was undertaken on a wide scale. As such, the association of infection with surgical case type or emergency case status is unprecedented.

The Modified Clinical Progression Scale for Pediatric Patients: Evaluation as a Severity Metric and Outcome Measure in Severe Acute Viral Respiratory Illness.

OBJECTIVES: To develop, evaluate, and explore the use of a pediatric ordinal score as a potential clinical trial outcome metric in children hospitalized with acute hypoxic respiratory failure caused by viral respiratory infections. DESIGN: We modified the World Health Organization Clinical Progression Scale for pediatric patients (CPS-Ped) and assigned CPS-Ped at admission, days 2-4, 7, and 14. We identified predictors of clinical improvement (day 14 CPS-Ped ≤ 2 or a three-point decrease) using competing risks regression and compared clinical improvement to hospital length of stay (LOS) and ventilator-free days. We estimated sample sizes (80% power) to detect a 15% clinical improvement. SETTING: North American pediatric hospitals. PATIENTS: Three cohorts of pediatric patients with acute hypoxic respiratory failure receiving intensive care: two influenza (pediatric intensive care influenza [PICFLU], n = 263, 31 sites; PICFLU vaccine effectiveness [PICFLU-VE], n = 143, 17 sites) and one COVID-19 ( n = 237, 47 sites). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Invasive mechanical ventilation rates were 71.4%, 32.9%, and 37.1% for PICFLU, PICFLU-VE, and COVID-19 with less than 5% mortality for all three cohorts. Maximum CPS-Ped (0 = home at respiratory baseline to 8 = death) was positively associated with hospital LOS ( p < 0.001, all cohorts). Across the three cohorts, many patients' CPS-Ped worsened after admission (39%, 18%, and 49%), with some patients progressing to invasive mechanical ventilation or death (19%, 11%, and 17%). Despite this, greater than 76% of patients across cohorts clinically improved by day 14. Estimated sample sizes per group using CPS-Ped to detect a percentage increase in clinical improvement were feasible (influenza 15%, n = 142; 10%, n = 225; COVID-19, 15% n = 208) compared with mortality ( n > 21,000, all), and ventilator-free days (influenza 15%, n = 167). CONCLUSIONS: The CPS-Ped can be used to describe the time course of illness and threshold for clinical improvement in hospitalized children and adolescents with acute respiratory failure from viral infections. This outcome measure could feasibly be used in clinical trials to evaluate in-hospital recovery.

Perioperative hypertension and anesthetic management in patients undergoing resection of neuroblastoma.

INTRODUCTION: Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial pediatric tumor, accounting for 5-8% of all childhood cancers. Neuroblastomas arise from catecholamine-secreting neural crest cells and their metabolites, vanillylmandelic acid and homovanillic acid, that are readily detected in urine. Although rarely seen in clinical practice, case reports exist documenting severe intraoperative hypertension. However, data on the incidence of intraoperative hypertension are lacking. METHODS: This report is a single-center retrospective review of patients with neuroblastoma who underwent surgical resection (n = 102) at Boston Children's Hospital from July 1, 2012 to February 28, 2021. Significant intraoperative hypertension was defined as maximum systolic blood pressure greater than 95th percentile +12 mmHg based on normative blood pressure data. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and logistic regression. RESULTS: The overall incidence of intraoperative hypertension was 13% (n = 13/102). Higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status was associated with intraoperative hypertension. Antihypertensive medications were administered intraoperatively in 9% of cases (n = 9), and the use was significantly associated with intraoperative hypertension. Of patients with preoperative urine catecholamine data (n = 82), all 10 patients who had intraoperative hypertension were noted to have elevated preoperative urine catecholamines. Intraoperative hypertension was not associated with postoperative hypertension, postoperative hypotension, or increased intensive care unit length of stay. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Intraoperative hypertension in patients with neuroblastoma remains a relatively uncommon occurrence; however, it does occur at a frequency higher than previously described. While intraoperative hypertension is associated with an increased use of antihypertensive medications in the operating room, it is not associated with adverse perioperative outcomes.

Continued challenges in pediatric anesthesia during COVID-19 in 2022: An international survey from the pediatric anesthesia COVID-19 collaborative.

INTRODUCTION: This international survey explored the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on pediatric anesthesiology. It assessed COVID-19's impact on the practice of pediatric anesthesiology, staffing, job satisfaction, and retention at the beginning of 2022 and addressed what should be done to ameliorate COVID-19's impact and what initiatives hospitals had implemented. METHODS: This survey focused on five major domains: equipment/medication, vaccination/testing, staffing, burnout, and economic repercussions. Pilot testing for questionnaire clarity was conducted by members of the Pediatric Anesthesia COVID-19 Collaborative. The survey was administered by e-mail to a representative of the 72 collaborative centers. Respondents were instructed to answer based on their institution's practice from February through April of 2022. Descriptive statistics with 95% confidence intervals are reported. RESULTS: Seventy of seventy-two institutions participated in this survey (97% response rate). Fifty-nine (84%) were from the United States, and 11 (16%) included other countries. The majority experienced equipment (68%) and medication (60%) shortages. Many institutions reported staffing shortages in nursing (37%), perioperative staff (27%), and attending anesthesiologists (11%). Sixty-two institutions (89%) indicated burnout was a frequent topic of conversation among pediatric anesthesiologists. Forty-three institutions (61%) reported anesthesiologists leaving current practice and 37 (53%) early retirement. Twenty-eight institutions (40%) canceled elective cases. The major suggestions for improving job retention included improving financial compensation (76%), decreasing clinical time (67%), and increasing flexibility in scheduled clinical time (66%). Only a minority of institutions had implemented the following initiatives: improving financial compensation (19%), increased access to mental health/counseling services (30%), and assistance with child or elder care (7%). At the time of the survey, 34% of institutions had not made any changes. CONCLUSION: Our study found that COVID-19 has continued to impact pediatric anesthesiology. There are major discrepancies between what anesthesiologists believe are important for job satisfaction and faculty retention compared to implemented initiatives. Data from this survey provide insight for institutions and departments for addressing these challenges.

A Combination therapy using an mTOR inhibitor and Honokiol effectively induces autophagy through the modulation of AXL and Rubicon in renal cancer cells and restricts renal tumor growth following organ transplantation.

Development of cancer, including renal cancer, is a major problem in immunosuppressed patients. The mTOR inhibitor Rapamycin (RAPA) is used as an immunosuppressive agent in patients with organ transplants and other immunological disorders; and it also has antitumorigenic potential. However, long-term use of RAPA causes reactivation of Akt, and ultimately leads to enhanced tumor growth. Honokiol (HNK) is a natural compound, which possesses both anti-inflammatory and antitumorigenic properties. In this study, we investigated the effect of a novel combination therapy using RAPA + HNK on allograft survival and post-transplantation renal tumor growth. We observed that it effectively modulated the expression of some key regulatory molecules (like Carabin, an endogenous Ras inhibitor; and Rubicon, a negative regulator of autophagy) that play important roles in tumor cell growth and survival. This combination induced toxic autophagy and apoptosis to promote cancer cell death; and was associated with a reduced expression of the tumor-promoting receptor tyrosine kinase AXL. Finally, we utilized a novel murine model to examine the effect of RAPA + HNK on post-transplantation renal tumor growth. The combination treatment prolonged the allograft survival and significantly inhibited post-transplantation tumor growth. It was associated with reduced tumor expression of Rubicon and the cytoprotective/antioxidant heme oxygenase-1 to overcome therapeutic resistance. It also downregulated the coinhibitory programmed death-1 ligand, which plays major role(s) in the immune escape of tumor cells. Together, this combination treatment has a great potential to restrict renal tumor growth in transplant recipients as well as other immunosuppressed patients.