Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendations in Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Our primary objectives were to identify clinical practice guideline recommendations for children with acute mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) presenting to an emergency department (ED), appraise their overall quality, and synthesize the quality of evidence and the strength of included recommendations. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, and medical association websites from January 2012 to May 2023 for clinical practice guidelines with at least 1 recommendation targeting pediatric mTBI populations presenting to the ED within 48 hours of injury for any diagnostic or therapeutic intervention in the acute phase of care (ED and inhospital). Pairs of reviewers independently assessed overall clinical practice guideline quality using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II tool. The quality of evidence on recommendations was synthesized using a matrix based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Evidence-to-Decision framework. RESULTS: We included 11 clinical practice guidelines, of which 6 (55%) were rated high quality. These included 101 recommendations, of which 34 (34%) were based on moderate- to high-quality evidence, covering initial assessment, initial diagnostic imaging, monitoring/observation, therapeutic interventions, discharge advice, follow-up, and patient and family support. We did not identify any evidence-based recommendations in high-quality clinical practice guidelines for repeat imaging, neurosurgical consultation, or hospital admission. Lack of strategies and tools to aid implementation and editorial independence were the most common methodological weaknesses. CONCLUSIONS: We identified 34 recommendations based on moderate- to high-quality evidence that may be considered for implementation in clinical settings. Our review highlights important areas for future research. This review also underlines the importance of providing strategies to facilitate the implementation of clinical practice guideline recommendations for pediatric mTBI.

Le développement sain de l'enfant par le jeu risqué extérieur : un équilibre à trouver avec la prévention des blessures.

Le jeu libre est essentiel pour le développement de l'enfant, de même que pour sa santé physique, mentale et sociale. Les occasions de se livrer au jeu libre extérieur, et au jeu risqué en particulier, ont considérablement diminué ces dernières années, en partie parce que les mesures de sécurité ont visé à prévenir toutes les blessures liées aux jeux plutôt que seulement les blessures graves et fatales. Le jeu risqué désigne des formes passionnantes et stimulantes de jeu libre dont l'issue est incertaine et qui comportent une possibilité de blessure physique. Les promoteurs du jeu risqué distinguent le « risque ¼ du « danger ¼ et aspirent à recadrer la perception du risque pour qu'il devienne une occasion d'évaluer une situation et de favoriser le développement personnel. Dans le présent document de principes, les auteures soupèsent le fardeau des blessures liées au jeu par rapport aux données probantes en appui au jeu risqué, notamment les avantages, les risques et les nuances, qui peuvent varier en fonction de l'étape de développement de l'enfant, de ses aptitudes et du contexte social et médical. Elles proposent des approches pour promouvoir des échanges ouverts et constructifs avec les familles et les organisations. Les pédiatres sont invités à percevoir le jeu risqué extérieur comme un moyen de contribuer à prévenir et à gérer des problèmes de santé courants tels que l'obésité, l'anxiété et les problèmes de comportement.

Healthy childhood development through outdoor risky play: Navigating the balance with injury prevention.

Free play is essential for children's development and for their physical, mental, and social health. Opportunities to engage in outdoor free play-and risky play in particular-have declined significantly in recent years, in part because safety measures have sought to prevent all play-related injuries rather than focusing on serious and fatal injuries. Risky play is defined by thrilling and exciting forms of free play that involve uncertainty of outcome and a possibility of physical injury. Proponents of risky play differentiate "risk" from "hazard" and seek to reframe perceived risk as an opportunity for situational evaluation and personal development. This statement weighs the burden of play-related injuries alongside the evidence in favour of risky play, including its benefits, risks, and nuances, which can vary depending on a child's developmental stage, ability, and social and medical context. Approaches are offered to promote open, constructive discussions with families and organizations. Paediatricians are encouraged to think of outdoor risky play as one way to help prevent and manage common health problems such as obesity, anxiety, and behavioural issues.

Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendations For Pediatric Multisystem Trauma Care: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for pediatric multisystem trauma, appraise their quality, synthesize the strength of recommendations and quality of evidence, and identify knowledge gaps. BACKGROUND: Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in children, who require a specific approach to injury care. Difficulties integrating CPG recommendations may cause observed practice and outcome variation in pediatric trauma care. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review using Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials, and grey literature, from January 2007 to November 2022. We included CPGs targeting pediatric multisystem trauma with recommendations on any acute care diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. Pairs of reviewers independently screened articles, extracted data, and evaluated the quality of CPGs using "Appraisal of Guidelines, Research, and Evaluation II." RESULTS: We reviewed 19 CPGs, and 11 were considered high quality. Lack of stakeholder engagement and implementation strategies were weaknesses in guideline development. We extracted 64 recommendations: 6 (9%) on trauma readiness and patient transfer, 24 (38%) on resuscitation, 22 (34%) on diagnostic imaging, 3 (5%) on pain management, 6 (9%) on ongoing inpatient care, and 3 (5%) on patient and family support. Forty-two (66%) recommendations were strong or moderate, but only 5 (8%) were based on high-quality evidence. We did not identify recommendations on trauma survey assessment, spinal motion restriction, inpatient rehabilitation, mental health management, or discharge planning. CONCLUSIONS: We identified 5 recommendations for pediatric multisystem trauma with high-quality evidence. Organizations could improve CPGs by engaging all relevant stakeholders and considering barriers to implementation. There is a need for robust pediatric trauma research, to support recommendations.

Evolving threat of pediatric ingestions: a discussion of cannabis and button batteries and their implications for children.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pediatric button battery and cannabis ingestions are rising in incidence and have the potential for significant harm. This review will focus on the clinical presentation and complications of these two common inadvertent ingestions in children, as well as recent regulatory efforts and advocacy opportunities. RECENT FINDINGS: The rising incidence of cannabis toxicity in children has corresponded with its legalization across several countries in the last decade. Inadvertent pediatric cannabis intoxication is most commonly due to the ingestion of edible forms discovered by children in their own home. The clinical presentation can be nonspecific, therefore clinicians should have a low threshold for including it on their differential diagnosis. Button battery ingestions are also increasing in incidence. While many children are asymptomatic at presentation, button battery ingestions can quickly cause esophageal injury and lead to several serious and potentially life-threatening complications. Prompt recognition and removal of esophageal button batteries is essential for reducing harm. SUMMARY: Cannabis and button battery ingestions are important for physicians who take care of children to recognize and manage appropriately. Given their rising incidence, there are many opportunities for policy improvements and advocacy efforts to make a difference in preventing these ingestions altogether.

Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendations in Pediatric Orthopaedic Injury: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Lack of adherence to recommendations on pediatric orthopaedic injury care may be driven by lack of knowledge of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), heterogeneity in recommendations or concerns about their quality. We aimed to identify CPGs for pediatric orthopaedic injury care, appraise their quality, and synthesize the quality of evidence and the strength of associated recommendations. METHODS: We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science and websites of clinical organizations. CPGs including at least one recommendation targeting pediatric orthopaedic injury populations on any diagnostic or therapeutic intervention developed in the last 15 years were eligible. Pairs of reviewers independently extracted data and evaluated CPG quality using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II tool. We synthesized recommendations from high-quality CPGs using a recommendations matrix based on the GRADE Evidence-to-Decision framework. RESULTS: We included 13 eligible CPGs, of which 7 were rated high quality. Lack of stakeholder involvement and applicability (i.e., implementation strategies) were identified as weaknesses. We extracted 53 recommendations of which 19 were based on moderate or high-quality evidence. CONCLUSIONS: We provide a synthesis of recommendations from high-quality CPGs that can be used by clinicians to guide treatment decisions. Future CPGs should aim to use a partnership approach with all key stakeholders and provide strategies to facilitate implementation. This study also highlights the need for more rigorous research on pediatric orthopaedic trauma. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II-therapeutic study.

Sport-related concussion and bodychecking in children and youth: Evaluation, management, and policy implications.

Concussions are a common injury both within and outside sport and recreational settings, and they remain a serious concern for children and youth. Any young person suspected of sustaining a concussion should be medically evaluated as soon as possible, and when the injury occurs during sport, the individual must be removed from play immediately to avoid secondary injury. A brief initial period of physical and cognitive rest is followed by supervised, stepwise return-to-learn and return-to-play protocols. All individuals involved in child and youth sports and recreation must be able to recognize risk for, and signs and symptoms of, concussion. They must also ensure that any participant suspected of sustaining a concussion is properly evaluated and managed by qualified medical personnel. Evolving data and literature have strengthened both our pathophysiological understanding of concussion and guidance for clinical management, especially related to acute care, persistent symptoms, and prevention. This statement also re-examines the relationship between bodychecking in hockey and injury rates, and advocates for a change in policy in youth hockey.

Evaluation of activation criteria in paediatric multi-trauma.

Objective: To explore the optimal set of trauma activation criteria predicting paediatric patients' need for acute care following multi-trauma, with particular attention to Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) cut-off value. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of paediatric multi-trauma patients aged 0 to 16 years, performed at a Level 1 paediatric trauma centre. Trauma activation criteria and GCS levels were examined with respect to patients' need for acute care, defined as: direct to operating room disposition, intensive care unit admission, need for acute interventions in the trauma room, or in-hospital death. Results: We enrolled 436 patients (median age 8.0 years). The following predicted need for acute care: GCS <14 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 23.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.5 to 45.9, P < 0.001), hemodynamic instability: (aOR 3.7, 95% CI: 1.2-8.1, P = 0.01), open pneumothorax/flail chest (aOR: 20.0, 95% CI: 4.0 to 98.7, P < 0.001), spinal cord injury (aOR 15.4, 95% CI; 2.4 to 97.1, P = 0.003), blood transfusion at the referring hospital (aOR: 7.7, 95% CI: 1.3 to 44.2, P = 0.02) and GSW to the chest, abdomen, neck, or proximal extremities (aOR 11.0, 95% CI; 1.7 to 70.8, P = 0.01). Using these activation criteria would have decreased over- triage by 10.7%, from 49.1% to 37.2% and under-triage by 1.3%, from 4.7% to 3.5%, in our cohort of patients. Conclusions: Using GCS<14, hemodynamic instability, open pneumothorax/flail chest, spinal cord injury, blood transfusion at the referring hospital, and GSW to the chest, abdomen, neck of proximal extremities, as T1 activation criteria could decrease over- and under-triage rates. Prospective studies are needed to validate the optimal set of activation criteria in paediatric patients.

Acute injury or illness related to the inhalation of vaping aerosols among children and adolescents across Canada: A cross-sectional survey of Canadian paediatricians.

Background: Vaping prevalence rates have increased among Canadian youth. Evidence suggests that vaping poses significant health risks to children and adolescents. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to investigate epidemiological characteristics of acute injury/illness cases due to the inhalation of vaping aerosols among children and adolescents across Canada and to explore factors contributing to severe cases. Methods: Data from the 2019 Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program cross-sectional survey on vaping-related injury/illness were used. Analyses focused on injury/illness cases (n=71) among children and adolescents aged 0 to 17 years who presented to participating paediatricians for a harm related to the inhalation of vaping aerosols. We conducted descriptive analyses and performed logistic regression to explore associations between severe presentations requiring hospitalization or intensive care unit (ICU) admission and selected case characteristics. Results: Of the 71 reported injury/illness cases related to inhalation of vaping aerosols, 56% of patients were male, and 68% were aged 15 to 17 years. Nicotine vaping was reported in 42% of cases, and cannabis vaping in 24%. Fifty-four per cent presented with respiratory distress, 18% with symptoms of nicotine toxicity, and 41% required hospitalization and/or admission to the ICU. Cases presenting with respiratory distress were more likely to be hospitalized/admitted to the ICU (odds ratio [OR]=5.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.76 to 16.39). Conclusions: The inhalation of vaping aerosols among children and adolescents may contribute to acute injury/illness. Clear associations between study variables and severe cases could not be established due to a small sample size. Additional research is needed to determine predictors and preventable risk factors of severe vaping-related injuries.

Coronavirus disease 2019 in the pediatric emergency department: unique considerations in preparation and response.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pediatric Emergency Departments (PEDs) have experienced unique considerations throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We review the adaptations and challenges surrounding the preparation and response for pediatric emergency patients, with a specific focus on operational modifications, evolving personal protected equipment (PPE) needs, protected resuscitation responses, clinical characteristics in children, and the unintended effects on children and youth. RECENT FINDINGS: COVID-19 has thus far proven to have a milder course in children, with manifestations ranging from asymptomatic carriage or typical viral symptoms, to novel clinical entities such as 'COVID toes' and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), the latter associated with potentially significant morbidity. It has had an important effect on primary prevention, injury rates, reduced presentations for emergency care, and increased mental health, abuse and neglect rates in children and youth. PEDs have prepared successfully. The most significant adjustments have occurred with screening, testing, and consistent and effective use of PPE, along with protected responses to resuscitation, adaptations to maintain family-centered care, and technological advances in communication and virtual care. Simulation has been key to the successful implementation of many of these strategies. SUMMARY: COVID-19 has pushed PEDs to rapidly adapt to evolving clinical and societal needs, with both resultant challenges and positive advances. Further experience and research will guide how in the face of a global pandemic we can further optimize the clinical and operational care of children and youth, ensure robust educational training programs, and maintain provider safety and wellness.

Vaping implications for children and youth.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The development and uptake of E cigarettes are a relatively recent phenomenon. Because of aggressive marketing, attractive designs, enticing flavors and primarily reactionary legislation, we are now seeing soaring rates of adolescent vaping with associated consequences. This review explores how E cigarettes work, their health implications, epidemiology among youth and current regulatory strategies. RECENT FINDINGS: Recently, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 27% of high school students had used a tobacco product within the last month, the majority being E-cigarettes in 20.8% of high school students. Vaping has managed to reverse a decades long trend of declining nicotine use among youth. Long-term addiction is not the only concern related to youth vaping; there are also increasing reports of short-term health consequences, such as seizures, acute nicotine toxicity, burns and lung injury. SUMMARY: Industry has created and aggressively marketed a product that is enticing to adolescents. E cigarettes have sleek designs, desirable flavors and social acceptability with perceived safety among youth. This has resulted in epidemic E cigarette use in youth with resultant significant short-term and long-term health concerns. Legislation must include regulations that strictly avoid marketing and sales to youth, as well as reducing access to these products.

Predicting Thoracic Injury in Children With Multitrauma.

OBJECTIVES: Previous pediatric trauma studies focused on predictors of abnormal chest radiographs or included patients with low injury severity. This study identified predictors of thoracic injury (TI) diagnoses in a high-risk population and determined TI rate without predictors. METHODS: This study was a retrospective trauma registry analysis of previously healthy children aged 0 to 17 years with multisystem blunt trauma requiring trauma team activation and chest radiography who were divided into those with and without TI. Plausible TI predictors included Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13 or less, abnormal thoracic symptoms/signs, abnormal chest auscultation, respiratory distress/ rate higher than the 95th percentile, oxygen saturation less than 95%, abnormal abdominal signs/symptoms, tachycardia higher than the 95th percentile, blood pressure lower than the 5th percentile, and femur fracture. RESULTS: One hundred forty-one (29%) of 493 eligible patients had TI. Independent TI predictors include thoracic symptoms/signs (odds ratio [OR], 6.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6-10.1), abnormal chest auscultation (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 2.0-6.2), saturation less than 95% (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.8-5.5), blood pressure lower than the 5th percentile (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.1-12.2), and femur fracture (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.2-5.4). Six (5%) of 119 children (95% CI, 0.01-0.09) without predictors had TI. CONCLUSIONS: Predictors of TI include thoracic symptoms/signs, abnormal chest auscultation, saturation less than 95%, blood pressure lower than the 5th percentile, and femur fracture. Because an important portion of children without predictors had TI, chest radiography should remain part of pediatric trauma resuscitation.

All-terrain vehicle serious injuries and death in children and youth: A national survey of Canadian paediatricians.

BACKGROUND: All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are a leading cause of serious injury in children and youth. Certain Canadian regions have implemented legislation to promote safety, including age restrictions, mandatory training and helmet use. Jurisdictions with more stringent ATV safety legislation have been shown to have reduced injury rates in the short term. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the burden of ATV-related serious injury and death in Canada and to identify Canadian physicians' knowledge of ATV-related legislation, safety and health promotion practices. METHODS: A one-time survey was distributed to practicing paediatricians and paediatric subspecialists participating in the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program (CPSP) in October 2016. RESULTS: Of 2793 physicians contacted, 904 responded (32.4%). There were 181 reported cases of serious and/or fatal ATV-related injuries, including 6 deaths. Children aged 10 to 14 represented the most number of cases (n=82, 45.3%), followed by 15 to 19 (n=48, 26.5%) and 5 to 9 (n=40, 22.1%). Most cases occurred in July/August (48.3%) and May/June (25.2%), were in males (n=133, 78.2%), and occurred during recreational activity (n=139, 83.2%) or organized racing (n=6, 3.6%). In 99 cases (58.9%), the child was the driver of the ATV. Only two-thirds of respondents (67.5%) knew that ATVs should not carry passengers while under half (42.2%) never discussed ATV safety with their patients. CONCLUSIONS: ATV-related injuries and deaths in Canadian children remain a serious public health problem. Education of health care practitioners, including paediatricians, is needed to promote safety. Despite efforts to reduce ATV-related injuries, there remains a significant number of serious injuries and/deaths related to their use.

Damage control resuscitation in pediatric trauma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Damage control resuscitation is an overall management strategy used in trauma patients to rapidly restore physiologic stability, while mitigating hypothermia, coagulopathy and acidosis. We review the evidence and current practice of damage control resuscitation in pediatric trauma patients with a specific focus on fluid management. RECENT FINDINGS: There have been a number of studies over the last several years examining crystalloid fluid resuscitation, balanced blood product transfusion practice and hemostatic agents in pediatric trauma. Excessive fluid resuscitation has been linked to increased number of ICU days, ventilator days and mortality. Balanced massive transfusion (1 : 1 : 1 product ratio) has not yet been demonstrated to have the same mortality benefits in pediatric trauma patients as in adults. Similarly, tranexamic acid (TXA) has strong evidence to support its use in adult trauma and some evidence in pediatric trauma. SUMMARY: Attention to establishing rapid vascular access and correcting hypothermia and acidosis is essential. A judicious approach to crystalloid resuscitation in the bleeding pediatric trauma patient with early use of blood products in keeping with an organized approach to massive hemorrhage is recommended. The ideal crystalloid volumes and/or blood product ratios in pediatric trauma patients have yet to be determined.

Single-Use Detergent Sacs: A Retrospective Multicenter Canadian Review of Emergency Department Cases.

BACKGROUND: Single-use detergent sacs (SUDS) are widely used in North America and Europe with emerging literature on their toxicity. This is the first Canadian multicenter study aimed to quantify and compare SUDS exposures to traditional detergent exposures. METHODS: A retrospective review of the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program databases was conducted at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary and the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton. All exposures presenting to these 3 centers between 2009 and 2014 were identified, a case form was completed, and data were analyzed. RESULTS: Forty cases of SUDS exposure were identified alongside 35 cases of traditional detergent exposure during the study period resulting in an incidence of 3.16 SUDS exposures per million children per year presenting to tertiary pediatric emergency departments (EDs). In contrast, traditional detergent exposures had an incidence of 2.78 exposures per million children per year presenting to tertiary pediatric EDs over the study period. Although there was no change in incidence of exposure to traditional detergent over the study period, there was an increase in the incidence of SUDS exposures from 2010 to 2013, with a decrease seen in 2014. There was no significant difference seen in age, sex, location of exposure, transportation to hospital, morbidity, or mortality associated with SUDS exposures compared with traditional detergent exposure. Although not statistically more likely to cause long-term complications, SUDS-exposed children required more follow-up visits to health care providers than traditional detergents. CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter study is the first to establish the incidence of SUDS and traditional detergent exposure in 3 Canadian cities. Overall, the frequency of exposure to detergents-both traditional and SUDS-is very low. Given the increase in SUDS exposure seen from 2011 to 2013, alongside larger sales of SUDS, continued efforts are required to monitor exposures, and reduce potential exposures to SUDS and traditional detergents in the future.

Tranexamic acid in pediatric trauma: why not?

Trauma is a leading cause of death in pediatrics. Currently, no medical treatment exists to reduce mortality in the setting of pediatric trauma; however, this evidence does exist in adults. Bleeding and coagulopathy after trauma increases mortality in both adults and children. Clinical research has demonstrated a reduction in mortality with early use of tranexamic acid in adult trauma patients in both civilian and military settings. Tranexamic acid used in the perioperative setting safely reduces transfusion requirements in children. This article compares the hematologic response to trauma between children and adults, and explores the potential use of tranexamic acid in pediatric hemorrhagic trauma.

Clinical characteristics of upper cervical spine injuries in children: a retrospective case series.

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric cervical spine injuries (CSI) can be devastating, and children < 8 years are particularly at risk for upper CSI given unique anatomical differences. Diagnosis of these injuries can be delayed due to variable clinical presentations and a paucity of existing literature. The authors aimed to characterize the spectrum of pediatric upper CSI. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center case series of trauma patients aged < 16 years who were assessed at a level I pediatric trauma center and diagnosed with upper CSI between 2000 and 2020. Patients were included if they had evidence of bony or ligamentous injury from the occiput to C2 on imaging or autopsy. Data were obtained from manual chart review and analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: In total, 502 patients were screened and 202 met inclusion criteria. Of these, 31 (15%) had atlanto-occipital (AO) joint distractions, 10 (5%) had atlanto-axial (AA) joint distractions, 31 (15%) had fractures of C1-2, and 130 (64%) had ligamentous injury without joint distraction. Of the patients with AO injury, 15 patients had complete dislocation. They presented as hemodynamically unstable with signs of herniation and 14 died (93%). In contrast, 16 had incomplete dislocation (subluxation). They usually had stable presentations and survived with good outcomes. Of the patients with AA injury, 2 had complete dislocation, presented with arrest and signs of herniation, and died. In contrast, 8 patients with subluxation mostly presented as clinically stable and all survived with little residual disability. The most common fractures of C1 were linear fractures of the lateral masses and of the anterior and posterior arches. The most common fractures of C2 were synchondrosis, hangman, and odontoid fractures. Overall, these patients had excellent outcomes. Ligamentous injuries frequently accompanied other brain or spine injuries. When these injuries were isolated, patients recovered well. CONCLUSIONS: Among upper CSI, AO and AA joint injuries emerged as particularly severe with high mortality rates. Both could be divided into complete dislocations or incomplete subluxations, with clear clinical differences and the former presenting with much more severe injuries. Lateral cervical spine radiography should be considered during resuscitation of unstable trauma patients to assess for these CSI subtypes. Fractures and ligamentous injuries were clinically heterogeneous, with presentations and outcomes depending on severity and associated injuries.

Pediatric Moderate and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review of Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendations.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in children. Many clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have addressed pediatric TBI in the last decade but significant variability in the use of these guidelines persists. Here, we systematically review CPGs recommendations for pediatric moderate-to-severe TBI, evaluate the quality of CPGs, synthesize the quality of evidence and strength of included recommendations, and identify knowledge gaps. A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE®, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, and Web sites of organizations publishing recommendations on pediatric injury care. We included CPGs developed in high-income countries from January 2012 to May 2023, with at least one recommendation targeting pediatric (≤ 19 years old) moderate-to-severe TBI populations. The quality of included clinical practice guidelines was assessed using the AGREE II tool. We synthesized evidence on recommendations using a matrix based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. We identified 15 CPGs of which 9 were rated moderate to high quality using AGREE II. We identified 90 recommendations, of which 40 (45%) were evidence based. Eleven of these were based on moderate to high quality evidence and were graded as moderate or strong by at least one guideline. These included transfer, imaging, intracranial pressure control, and discharge advice. We identified gaps in evidence-based recommendations for red blood cell transfusion, plasma and platelet transfusion, thromboprophylaxis, surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis, early diagnosis of hypopituitarism, and mental health mangement. Many up-to-date CPGs are available, but there is a paucity of evidence to support recommendations, highlighting the urgent need for robust clinical research in this vulnerable population. Our results may be used by clinicians to identify recommendations based on the highest level of evidence, by healthcare administrators to inform guideline implementation in clinical settings, by researchers to identify areas where robust evidence is needed, and by guideline writing groups to inform the updating of existing guidelines or the development of new ones.

Clinical practice guideline recommendations for pediatric solid organ injury care: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Observed variations in the management of pediatric solid organ injuries (SOIs) may be due to difficulty in finding and integrating recommendations from multiple clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) with heterogeneous methodological approaches. We aimed to systematically review CPG recommendations for pediatric SOIs. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of CPGs including at least one recommendation targeting pediatric SOI populations, using Medical Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Excerpta Medica dataBASE, Web of Science, and websites of clinical organizations. Pairs of reviewers independently assessed eligibility, extracted data, and evaluated the quality of CPGs using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation II tool. We synthesized recommendations from moderate to high-quality CPGs using a recommendations matrix based on Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria. RESULTS: We identified eight CPGs, including three rated moderate or high quality. Methodological weaknesses included lack of stakeholder involvement beyond surgeons, consideration of applicability (e.g., implementation tools), and clarity around the definition of pediatric populations. Five of the 15 recommendations from moderate to high-quality CPGs were based on moderate quality evidence or were rated as strong; these reflected nonoperative management and angioembolization for renal injuries and required length of stay for liver and spleen injuries. CONCLUSION: We identified 15 recommendations on pediatric SOI management from 3 moderate or high-quality CPGs, but only one third were based on at least moderate-quality evidence or were rated as strong. Our results prompt the following recommendations for future CPG development or updates: (1) include all types of clinicians involved in the care of pediatric SOIs and patient and family representatives in the process, (2) develop clear definitions of the target population, and (3) provide advice and tools to promote implementation. Results also underline the urgent need for more rigorous research to support strong evidence-based recommendations in this population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Systematic Review/Meta-analysis; Level III.