Trends in Respiratory Viral Testing in Pediatric Emergency Departments Following the COVID-19 Pandemic.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate for increases in the use and costs of respiratory viral testing in pediatric emergency departments (EDs) because of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study using the pediatric health information system. Eligible subjects were children (90 days to 18 years) who were discharged from a pediatric ED and included in the pediatric health information system from October 2016 through March 2024. To evaluate for changes in the frequency and costs of respiratory viral testing, we performed an interrupted time series analysis across 3 study periods: prepandemic (October 1, 2016 to March 14, 2020), early pandemic (March 15, 2020 to December 31, 2023), and late pandemic (January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024). RESULTS: We included 15,261,939 encounters from 34 pediatric EDs over the 90-month study period. At least 1 viral respiratory test was performed for 460,826 of 7,311,177 prepandemic encounters (6.3%), 1,240,807 of 5,100,796 early pandemic encounters (24.3%), and 545,696 of 2,849,966 late pandemic encounters (19.1%). There was a positive prepandemic slope in viral testing (0.17% encounters/month; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.18). The early pandemic was associated with a shift change of 4.98% (95% CI 4.90 to 5.07) and a positive slope (0.54% encounters/month; 95% CI 0.54 to 0.55). The late pandemic period was associated with a negative shift (-17.80%; 95% CI -17.90 to -17.70) and a positive slope (0.42% encounters/month; 95% CI 0.41 to 0.42). The slope in testing costs increased from $5,000/month (95% CI $4,200 to $5,700) to $33,000/month (95% CI $32,000 to $34,000) during the early pandemic. CONCLUSION: Respiratory testing and associated costs increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and were sustained despite decreasing incidence of disease. These findings highlight a need for further efforts to clarify indications for viral testing in the ED and efforts to reduce low-value testing.

Pharmacological agents for procedural sedation and analgesia in the emergency department and intensive care unit: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised trials.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness and safety of various i.v. pharmacologic agents used for procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) in the emergency department (ED) and ICU. We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis to enable direct and indirect comparisons between available medications. METHODS: We searched Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane, and PubMed from inception to 2 March 2023 for RCTs comparing two or more procedural sedation and analgesia medications in all patients (adults and children >30 days of age) requiring emergent procedures in the ED or ICU. We focused on the outcomes of sedation recovery time, patient satisfaction, and adverse events (AEs). We performed frequentist random-effects model network meta-analysis and used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to rate certainty in estimates. RESULTS: We included 82 RCTs (8105 patients, 78 conducted in the ED and four in the ICU) of which 52 studies included adults, 23 included children, and seven included both. Compared with midazolam-opioids, recovery time was shorter with propofol (mean difference 16.3 min, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.4-24.3 fewer minutes; high certainty), and patient satisfaction was better with ketamine-propofol (mean difference 1.5 points, 95% CI 0.3-2.6 points, high certainty). Regarding AEs, compared with midazolam-opioids, respiratory AEs were less frequent with ketamine (relative risk [RR] 0.55, 95% CI 0.32-0.96; high certainty), gastrointestinal AEs were more common with ketamine-midazolam (RR 3.08, 95% CI 1.15-8.27; high certainty), and neurological AEs were more common with ketamine-propofol (RR 3.68, 95% CI 1.08-12.53; high certainty). CONCLUSION: When considering procedural sedation and analgesia in the ED and ICU, compared with midazolam-opioids, sedation recovery time is shorter with propofol, patient satisfaction is better with ketamine-propofol, and respiratory adverse events are less common with ketamine.

Trends and hospital practice variation for analgesia for children with sickle cell disease with vaso-occlusive pain episodes: An 11-year analysis.

This cross-sectional analysis of 86,111 visits for sickle cell disease and vaso-occlusive episodes (VOE) in U.S. pediatric emergency departments between 2013 and 2023 shows increased use of NSAIDs, ketamine, and acetaminophen, with unchanged opioid use. Hospitals with a higher volume of VOE visits more frequently administered opioids. BACKGROUND: Vaso-occlusive episodes (VOEs) are a hallmark of sickle cell disease (SCD), leading to frequent emergency department (ED) visits. Effective pain management is crucial, with guidelines recommending routine use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with opioids, and emerging evidence supporting ketamine use. However, these recommendations are based on low-certainty evidence, and the impact of these guidelines on analgesia use over time remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze trends in analgesia use over an 11-year period in pediatric SCD patients presenting to U.S. EDs with VOE and assess variations in treatment across hospitals. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Pediatric Health Information System covering 34 U.S. children's hospitals from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2023. The primary outcomes were the proportions of visits where opioids, NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and/or ketamine were administered on the first calendar day of the initial visit. Secondary outcomes included the co-administration of NSAIDs with opioids. Logistic and linear regression models were used to assess trends and hospital-level variations. RESULTS: A total of 86,111 ED visits for VOE were analyzed. Opioids were administered in 82 % of encounters, NSAIDs in 72 %, acetaminophen in 17 %, and ketamine in 1 %. Co-administration of NSAIDs with opioids occurred in 59 % of the visits. Among discharged patients, there was a positive trend for NSAID use (slope: 1.68 %/year, 95 % CI: 0.91 %, 2.45 %) and NSAID-opioid co-administration (slope: 1.03 %/year, 95 % CI: 0.37 %, 1.69 %) over time. Acetaminophen use also increased over the study period (slope: 0.99 %/year, 95 % CI: 0.80 %, 1.17 %). In hospitalized patients, there was a significant upward trend for acetaminophen (slope: 1.29 %/year, 95 % CI: 0.69 %, 1.89 %) and ketamine (slope: 0.36 %/year, 95 % CI: 0.27 %, 0.45 %), while opioid use remained unchanged. Significant hospital-level variations were observed, with larger hospitals more likely to administer opioids but less likely to co-administer NSAIDs with opioids compared to medium-volume hospitals. CONCLUSION: Over the past decade, the use of NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and ketamine has increased in the management of VOE in pediatric SCD patients, while opioid use remains consistent. The co-administration of NSAIDs and opioids has also increased, reflecting guideline adherence. Variations in analgesia practices across hospitals underscore the need for standardizing pain management strategies in this population.

Evaluating Multiple Magnet Ingestion at 2 Large Canadian Pediatric Hospitals After Reintroduction to the US Marketplace.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the trend in incidence of pediatric magnet ingestions at 2 large Canadian tertiary pediatric hospitals after reintroduction of magnets to the US marketplace and to evaluate morbidity and mortality related to these ingestions. METHODS: This was a retrospective study performed in 2 tertiary care pediatric hospitals between 2004 and 2019. We reviewed the charts of all children who presented with a foreign body ingestion and included those with reported magnet ingestion. We characterized all events and compared the incidence rate before and after the US ban was overturned in 2016. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize our results. Incidence rate ratio was calculated using the total number of magnet ingestion cases and total emergency department visits normalized to 100,000 emergency department visits/year. RESULTS: We screened a total of 6586 ingestions and identified 192 patients with magnet ingestions. The period after the mandatory recall was compared with the period after the US ban revocation yielding an incidence rate ratio of 0.76 for all magnet ingestions ( P = 0.15) and 0.73 ( P = 0.34) for multiple magnet ingestions. There was, however, a graphical upward trend that immediately followed the US ban revocation. Sixty-nine patients (36%) were admitted to the hospital and 45 (23%) required a procedure to remove the magnet ingested. No deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the overturning of the US ban did not lead to a significant increase in the incidence of rare earth magnet ingestion in 2 large tertiary pediatric hospitals in Canada despite noting a trend upwards.

Emergency department visits and hospital admissions for suicidal ideation, self-poisoning and self-harm among adolescents in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic had profound effects on the mental wellbeing of adolescents. We sought to evaluate pandemic-related changes in health care use for suicidal ideation, self-poisoning and self-harm. METHODS: We obtained data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information on emergency department visits and hospital admissions from April 2015 to March 2022 among adolescents aged 10-18 years in Canada. We calculated the quarterly percentage of emergency department visits and hospital admissions for a composite outcome comprising suicidal ideation, self-poisoning and self-harm relative to all-cause emergency department visits and hospital admissions. We used interrupted time-series methods to compare changes in levels and trends of these outcomes between the prepandemic (Apr. 1, 2015-Mar. 1, 2020) and pandemic (Apr. 1, 2020-Mar. 31, 2022) periods. RESULTS: The average quarterly percentage of emergency department visits for suicidal ideation, self-poisoning and self-harm relative to all-cause emergency department visits was 2.30% during the prepandemic period and 3.52% during the pandemic period. The level (0.08%, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.79% to 0.95%) or trend (0.07% per quarter, 95% CI -0.14% to 0.28%) of this percentage did not change significantly between periods. The average quarterly percentage of hospital admissions for the composite outcome relative to all-cause admissions was 7.18% during the prepandemic period and 8.96% during the pandemic period. This percentage showed no significant change in level (-0.70%, 95% CI -1.90% to 0.50%), but did show a significantly increasing trend (0.36% per quarter; 95% 0.07% to 0.65%) during the pandemic versus prepandemic periods, specifically among females aged 10-14 years (0.76% per quarter, 95% CI 0.22% to 1.30%) and females aged 15-18 years (0.56% per quarter, 95% CI 0.31% to 0.81%). INTERPRETATION: The quarterly change in the percentage of hospital admissions for suicidal ideation, self-poisoning and self-harm increased among adolescent females in Canada during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. This underscores the need to promote public health policies that mitigate the impact of the pandemic on adolescent mental health.

Comparative Effectiveness of Ketorolac Dosing Strategies for Emergency Department Patients With Acute Pain.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Ketorolac is a commonly used nonopioid parenteral analgesic for treating emergency department (ED) patients with acute pain. Our systematic review aims to summarize the available evidence by comparing the efficacy and safety of differing ketorolac dosing strategies for acute pain relief in the ED. METHODS: The review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022310062). We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, and unpublished sources from inception through December 9, 2022. We included randomized control trials of patients presenting with acute pain to the ED, comparing ketorolac doses less than 30 mg (low dose) to ketorolac doses more than or equal to 30 mg (high dose) for the outcomes of pain scores after treatment need for rescue analgesia, and incidence of adverse events. We excluded patients in non-ED settings, including postoperative settings. We extracted data independently and in duplicate and pooled them using a random-effects model. We assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and the overall certainty of the evidence for each outcome using the Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. RESULTS: This review included 5 randomized controlled trials (n=627 patients). Low-dose parenteral ketorolac (15 to 20 mg), as compared to high-dose ketorolac (≥30 mg), probably has no effect on pain scores (mean difference 0.05 mm lower on 100 mm visual analog scale, 95% confidence interval [CI] -4.91 mm to +5.01 mm; moderate certainty). Further, low-dose ketorolac at 10 mg may have no effect on pain scores compared to high-dose ketorolac (mean difference 1.58 mm lower on 100 mm visual analog scale, 95% CI -8.86 mm to +5.71 mm; low certainty). Low-dose ketorolac may increase the need for rescue analgesia (risk ratio 1.27, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.87; low certainty) and may have no difference on rates of adverse events (risk ratio 0.84, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.33; low certainty). CONCLUSION: In adult ED patients with acute pain, parenteral ketorolac given at doses of 10 mg to 20 mg is probably as effective in relieving pain as doses of 30 mg or higher. Low-dose ketorolac may have no effect on adverse events, but these patients may require more rescue analgesia. This evidence is limited by imprecision and is not generalizable to children or those at higher risk of adverse events.

Prevalence and characterization of food insecurity in a Canadian paediatric emergency department.

Objectives: Food insecurity (FI) is associated with a number of adverse child health outcomes and increased emergency department (ED) use. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the financial hardship faced by many families. We sought to determine the prevalence of FI among children with ED visits, compare this to pre-pandemic rates, and describe associated risk factors. Methods: From September to December 2021, families presenting to a Canadian paediatric ED were asked to complete a survey screening for FI along with health and demographic information. Results were compared to data collected in 2012. Multivariable logistic regression was used to measure associations with FI. Results: In 2021, 26% (n = 173/665) of families identified as food insecure compared to 22.7% in 2012 (n = 146/644) a difference of 3.3% (95% CI [-1.4%, 8.1%]). In multivariable analysis, greater number of children in the home (OR 1.19, 95% CI [1.01, 1.41]), financial strain from medical expenses (OR 5.31, 95% CI [3.45, 8.18]), and a lack of primary care access (OR 1.27, 95% CI [1.08, 1.51]) were independent predictors of FI. Less than half of families with FI reported use of food charity, most commonly food banks, while one-quarter received help from family or friends. Families experiencing FI expressed a preference for support through free or low-cost meals and financial assistance with medical expenses. Conclusion: More than one in four families attending a paediatric ED screened positive for FI. Future research is needed to examine the effect of support interventions for families assessed in medical care facilities including financial support for those with chronic medical conditions.

Probiotics in Critical Illness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the safety and efficacy of probiotics or synbiotics on morbidity and mortality in critically ill adults and children. DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and unpublished sources from inception to May 4, 2021. STUDY SELECTION: We performed a systematic search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared enteral probiotics or synbiotics to placebo or no treatment in critically ill patients. We screened studies independently and in duplicate. DATA EXTRACTION: Independent reviewers extracted data in duplicate. A random-effects model was used to pool data. We assessed the overall certainty of evidence for each outcome using the Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. DATA SYNTHESIS: Sixty-five RCTs enrolled 8,483 patients. Probiotics may reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) (relative risk [RR], 0.72; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.89 and risk difference [RD], 6.9% reduction; 95% CI, 2.7-10.2% fewer; low certainty), healthcare-associated pneumonia (HAP) (RR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.55-0.89; RD, 5.5% reduction; 95% CI, 8.2-2.0% fewer; low certainty), ICU length of stay (LOS) (mean difference [MD], 1.38 days fewer; 95% CI, 0.57-2.19 d fewer; low certainty), hospital LOS (MD, 2.21 d fewer; 95% CI, 1.18-3.24 d fewer; low certainty), and duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (MD, 2.53 d fewer; 95% CI, 1.31-3.74 d fewer; low certainty). Probiotics probably have no effect on mortality (RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.87-1.04 and RD, 1.1% reduction; 95% CI, 2.8% reduction to 0.8% increase; moderate certainty). Post hoc sensitivity analyses without high risk of bias studies negated the effect of probiotics on VAP, HAP, and hospital LOS. CONCLUSIONS: Low certainty RCT evidence suggests that probiotics or synbiotics during critical illness may reduce VAP, HAP, ICU and hospital LOS but probably have no effect on mortality.

Massive air leak secondary to influenza B in a 7-year-old: A case report.

Influenza is an illness that affects individuals of all ages but its severity varies immensely: from the symptoms of a common cold to the deadly outbreak of the pandemic H1N1 strain in 2009. This case report describes the circumstances surrounding the critical illness of a healthy 7-year-old child who developed a massive air leak syndrome secondary to influenza B. She required the emergent insertion of a chest tube as well as intubation and mechanical ventilation. She developed severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and was strongly considered for being placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. She was treated with ceftriaxone and oseltamivir and slowly improved over the course of 20 days. The purpose of this report is to illustrate the severity of influenza with an emphasis on prevention with vaccination.

Treatment failure in children diagnosed with constipation in a paediatric emergency department in relation to Rome III criteria.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if treatment failure varies based on ROME III classification and adherence to guideline congruent therapy among children diagnosed in an emergency department with functional constipation. METHODS: Children aged 1 month to 18 years who were diagnosed with constipation in a paediatric emergency department underwent chart review and 7-day phone follow-up to complete the ROME III questionnaire, confirm treatments administered, and assess treatment failure. Participants were classified according to the ROME III criteria as having functional constipation (FC) or irritable bowel syndrome - constipation (IBS-C) subtype. The primary outcome was treatment failure defined as ≥ 2 of the following: 1) presenting symptom persistence; 2) < 1 bowel movement every other day; 3) pain/difficulty passing stools; and 4) abdominal pain between bowel movements. RESULTS: Five hundred and thirteen children completed follow-up; 40% (204/513) had FC, 23% (118/513) IBS-C, and 37% (191/513) did not meet either criteria. Treatment failure rates in children who received guideline congruent treatment were 28% (38/135) among those classified as FC and 43% (37/86) among those with IBS-C; P=0.02, a difference of 15% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02, 0.27). On regression analysis, ROME III classification was not an independent predictor of treatment failure (odds ratio [OR]: 1.56 [95% CI: 0.97, 2.51]). At 7-day follow up, pain in between bowel movements was present in 22% (44/204) in FC patients versus 45% (53/118) of IBS-C patients; P=0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment failure rates in children who receive guideline congruent therapy are higher among those with IBS-C, however, after adjustment for known confounders the relationship was not statistically significant.

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.

Province-Wide Review of Pediatric Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Case Management.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the gaps in the care of children infected with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), we sought to quantitate care received and management timelines. Such knowledge is crucial to the design of interventions to prevent the development of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective case-series study of 78 children infected with STEC in Alberta, Canada, through the linkage of microbiology and laboratory results, telephone health advice records, hospital charts, physician billing submissions, and outpatient antimicrobial dispensing databases. Outcomes were the time intervals between initial presentation and reporting of positive culture result and symptom onset to HUS and to describe the proportions that had baseline blood work performed and received antibiotics. RESULTS: Seventy-eight children infected with STEC were identified; 13% (10/78) developed HUS. Median time from initial presentation to laboratory stool sample receipt was 33 hours (IQR 18, 42); time to positive culture was 120 hours (IQR 86, 205). Time from symptom onset to HUS diagnosis was 188 ± 37 hours. Baseline blood tests were obtained in 74% (58/78) of infected children. Antibiotics were administered to 50% (5/10) of those who developed HUS and 22% (15/78) of those who did not; P = .11. The provincial telephone advice system received 31 calls regarding 24 children infected with STEC; 23% (7/31) of callers were recommended to seek emergency department care. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of children developed HUS following multiple interactions with the health care system. Delays in the confirmation of STEC infection occurred. There are numerous opportunities to improve the timing, monitoring, and interventions in children infected with STEC.

Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Infection, Antibiotics, and Risk of Developing Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: A Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic administration to individuals with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection remains controversial. We assessed if antibiotic administration to individuals with STEC infection is associated with development of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). METHODS: The analysis included studies published up to 29 April 2015, that provided data from patients (1) with STEC infection, (2) who received antibiotics, (3) who developed HUS, and (4) for whom data reported timing of antibiotic administration in relation to HUS. Risk of bias was assessed; strength of evidence was adjudicated. HUS was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes restricted the analysis to low-risk-of-bias studies employing commonly used HUS criteria. Pooled estimates of the odds ratio (OR) were obtained using random-effects models. RESULTS: Seventeen reports and 1896 patients met eligibility; 8 (47%) studies were retrospective, 5 (29%) were prospective cohort, 3 (18%) were case-control, and 1 was a trial. The pooled OR, including all studies, associating antibiotic administration and development of HUS was 1.33 (95% confidence interval [CI], .89-1.99; I(2) = 42%). The repeat analysis including only studies with a low risk of bias and those employing an appropriate definition of HUS yielded an OR of 2.24 (95% CI, 1.45-3.46; I(2) = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, use of antibiotics was not associated with an increased risk of developing HUS; however, after excluding studies at high risk of bias and those that did not employ an acceptable definition of HUS, there was a significant association. Consequently, the use of antibiotics in individuals with STEC infections is not recommended.

Alberta Provincial Pediatric EnTeric Infection TEam (APPETITE): epidemiology, emerging organisms, and economics.

BACKGROUND: Each year in Canada there are 5 million episodes of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) with up to 70% attributed to an unidentified pathogen. Moreover, 90% of individuals with AGE do not seek care when ill, thus, burden of disease estimates are limited by under-diagnosing and under-reporting. Further, little is known about the pathogens causing AGE as the majority of episodes are attributed to an "unidentified" etiology. Our team has two main objectives: 1) to improve health through enhanced enteric pathogen identification; 2) to develop economic models incorporating pathogen burden and societal preferences to inform enteric vaccine decision making. METHODS/DESIGN: This project involves multiple stages: 1) Molecular microbiology experts will participate in a modified Delphi process designed to define criteria to aid in interpreting positive molecular enteric pathogen test results. 2) Clinical data and specimens will be collected from children aged 0-18 years, with vomiting and/or diarrhea who seek medical care in emergency departments, primary care clinics and from those who contact a provincial medical advice line but who do not seek care. Samples to be collected will include stool, rectal swabs (N = 2), and an oral swab. Specimens will be tested employing 1) stool culture; 2) in-house multiplex (N = 5) viral polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panel; and 3) multi-target (N = 15) PCR commercially available array. All participants will have follow-up data collected 14 days later to enable calculation of a Modified Vesikari Scale score and a Burden of Disease Index. Specimens will also be collected from asymptomatic children during their well child vaccination visits to a provincial public health clinic. Following the completion of the initial phases, discrete choice experiments will be conducted to enable a better understanding of societal preferences for diagnostic testing and vaccine policy. All of the results obtained will be integrated into economic models. DISCUSSION: This study is collecting novel samples (e.g., oral swabs) from previously untested groups of children (e.g., those not seeking medical care) which are then undergoing extensive molecular testing to shed a new perspective on the epidemiology of AGE. The knowledge gained will provide the broadest understanding of the epidemiology of vomiting and diarrhea of children to date.

Pediatric abdominal radiograph use, constipation, and significant misdiagnoses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of children diagnosed with constipation assigned a significant alternative diagnosis within 7 days (misdiagnosis), if there is an association between abdominal radiograph (AXR) performance and misdiagnosis, and features that might identify children with misdiagnoses. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive children <18 years who presented to a pediatric emergency department in Toronto, between 2008 and 2010. Children assigned an International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision code consistent with constipation were eligible. Misdiagnosis was defined as an alternative diagnosis during the subsequent 7 days that resulted in hospitalization or an outpatient procedure that included a surgical or radiologic intervention. Constipation severity was classified employing text word categorization and the Leech score. RESULTS: 3685 eligible visits were identified. Mean age was 6.6 ± 4.4 years. AXR was performed in 46% (1693/3685). Twenty misdiagnoses (0.5%; 95% CI 0.4, 0.8) were identified (appendicitis [7%], intussusception [2%, bowel obstruction [2%], other [9%]). AXR was performed more frequently in misdiagnosed children (75% vs 46%; P = .01). These children more often had abdominal pain (70% vs 49%; P = .04) and tenderness (60% vs 32%; P =.01). Children in both groups had similar amounts of stool on AXR (P = .38) and mean Leech scores (misdiagnosed = 7.9 ± 3.4; not misdiagnosed = 7.7 ± 2.9; P = .85). CONCLUSIONS: Misdiagnoses in children with constipation are more frequent in those in whom an AXR was performed and those with abdominal pain and tenderness. The performance of an AXR may indicate diagnostic uncertainty; in such cases, the presence of stool on AXR does not rule out an alternative diagnosis.

Pediatric constipation in the emergency department: evaluation, treatment, and outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Limited knowledge exists surrounding the pharmacologic management of pediatric constipation in the emergency department (ED) setting and the success of interventions. Our primary objective was to determine whether enema administration is associated with 7-day ED revisits for persistent symptoms. Secondary objectives focused on assessing other predictors of ED revisits. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children <18 years old, diagnosed as having constipation (International Classification of Diseases-10 codes F98.1 nonorganic encopresis, K59.0 constipation) in a pediatric ED in Toronto, Canada, between November 2008 and October 2010. RESULTS: A total of 3592 visits were included; 6% (n = 225) were associated with a revisit. Children with revisits more frequently had vomiting (28% vs 17%, P = 0.001), more pain (5.7 ±â€Š3.6 vs 4.6-3.6 of 10, P = 0.01), and underwent more blood tests (19% 05, 11%, 95% confidence interval [CI] of the difference 3%-14%] and diagnostic imaging (62% vs 47%, 95% CI of the difference 9%-22%). Children administered an enema were 1.54 times more likely to revisit the ED than those who did not receive an enema (8.6% vs 5.5%, 95% CI of the difference 1.1%-5.2%, P = 0.001). Type of enema administered varied by age (P < 0.001). Regression analysis identified the following independent predictors of revisits: diagnostic imaging (odds ratio [OR] 1.54, 95% CI 1.15-2.06), vomiting (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.07-1.98), enema administration (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.05-1.88), and significant medical history (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.04-1.53). CONCLUSIONS: Enema administration and diagnostic imaging are associated with revisits in children diagnosed with constipation. Their role in the ED management of pediatric constipation requires further evaluation.

Acute care utilization for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions among publicly insured children.

BACKGROUND: Although characteristics of preventable hospitalizations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs) have been described, less is known about patterns of emergency and other acute care utilization for ACSCs among children who are not hospitalized. We sought to describe patterns of utilization for ACSCs according to the initial site of care and to determine characteristics associated with seeking initial care in an acute care setting rather than in an office. A better understanding of the sequence of health care utilization for ACSCs may inform efforts to shift care for these common conditions to the medical home. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of pediatric encounters for ACSCs between 2017 and 2019 using data from the IBM Watson MarketScan Medicaid database. The database includes insurance claims for Medicaid-insured children in 10 anonymized states. We assessed the initial sites of care for ACSC encounters, which were defined as either acute care settings (emergency or urgent care) or office-based settings. We used generalized estimating equations clustered on patient to identify associations between encounter characteristics and the initial site of care. RESULTS: Among 7,128,515 encounters for ACSCs, acute care settings were the initial site of care in 27.9%. Diagnoses with the greatest proportion of episodes presenting to acute care settings were urinary tract infection (52.0% of episodes) and pneumonia (44.6%). Encounters on the weekend (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 6.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.27-6.34 compared with weekday) and among children with capitated insurance (aOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.54-1.56 compared with fee for service) were associated with increased odds of seeking care first in an acute care setting. CONCLUSIONS: Acute care settings are the initial sites of care for more than one in four encounters for ACSCs among publicly insured children. Expanded access to primary care on weekends may shift care for ACSCs to the medical home.

Interpretable Skin Cancer Classification based on Incremental Domain Knowledge Learning.

The recent advances in artificial intelligence have led to the rapid development of computer-aided skin cancer diagnosis applications that perform on par with dermatologists. However, the black-box nature of such applications makes it difficult for physicians to trust the predicted decisions, subsequently preventing the proliferation of such applications in the clinical workflow. In this work, we aim to address this challenge by developing an interpretable skin cancer diagnosis approach using clinical images. Accordingly, a skin cancer diagnosis model consolidated with two interpretability methods is developed. The first interpretability method integrates skin cancer diagnosis domain knowledge, characterized by a skin lesion taxonomy, into model development, whereas the other method focuses on visualizing the decision-making process by highlighting the dominant of interest regions of skin lesion images. The proposed model is trained and validated on clinical images since the latter are easily obtainable by non-specialist healthcare providers. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of incorporating lesion taxonomy in improving model classification accuracy, where our model can predict the skin lesion origin as melanocytic or non-melanocytic with an accuracy of 87%, predict lesion malignancy with 77% accuracy, and provide disease diagnosis with an accuracy of 71%. In addition, the implemented interpretability methods assist understand the model's decision-making process and detecting misdiagnoses. This work is a step toward achieving interpretability in skin cancer diagnosis using clinical images. The developed approach can assist general practitioners to make an early diagnosis, thus reducing the redundant referrals that expert dermatologists receive for further investigations.

Insulin Infusion Dosing in Pediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

In children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), insulin infusions are the mainstay of treatment; however, optimal dosing remains unclear. Our objective was to compare the efficacy and safety of different insulin infusion doses for the treatment of pediatric DKA. DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane from inception to April 1, 2022. STUDY SELECTION: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of children with DKA comparing intravenous insulin infusion administered at 0.05 units/kg/hr (low dose) versus 0.1 units/kg/hr (standard dose). DATA EXTRACTION: We extracted data independently and in duplicate and pooled using a random effects model. We assessed the overall certainty of evidence for each outcome using the Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. DATA SYNTHESIS: We included four RCTs (n = 190 participants). In children with DKA, low-dose compared with standard-dose insulin infusion probably has no effect on time to resolution of hyperglycemia (mean difference [MD], 0.22 hr fewer; 95% CI, 1.19 hr fewer to 0.75 hr more; moderate certainty), or time to resolution of acidosis (MD, 0.61 hr more; 95% CI, 1.81 hr fewer to 3.02 hr more; moderate certainty). Low-dose insulin infusion probably decreases the incidence of hypokalemia (relative risk [RR], 0.65; 95% CI, 0.47-0.89; moderate certainty) and hypoglycemia (RR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.15-0.80; moderate certainty), but may have no effect on rate of change of blood glucose (MD, 0.42 mmol/L/hr slower; 95% CI, 1 mmol/L/hr slower to 0.18 mmol/L/hr faster; low certainty). CONCLUSIONS: In children with DKA, the use of low-dose insulin infusion is probably as efficacious as standard-dose insulin, and probably reduces treatment-related adverse events. Imprecision limited the certainty in the outcomes of interest, and the generalizability of the results is limited by all studies being performed in a single country.

Nasal Suctioning Therapy Among Infants With Bronchiolitis Discharged Home From the Emergency Department: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Although nasal suctioning is the most frequently used supportive management for bronchiolitis, its benefit remains unknown. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of enhanced vs minimal nasal suctioning in treating infants with bronchiolitis after discharge from the emergency department (ED). Design, Setting, and Participants: This single-blind, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial was conducted from March 6, 2020, to December 15, 2022, at 4 tertiary-care Canadian pediatric EDs. Participants included otherwise healthy infants aged 1 to 11 months with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis who were discharged home from the ED. Interventions: Participants were randomized to minimal suctioning via bulb or enhanced suctioning via a battery-operated device before feeding for 72 hours. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was additional resource use, a composite of unscheduled revisits for bronchiolitis or use of additional suctioning devices for feeding and/or breathing concerns. Secondary outcomes included health care utilization, feeding and sleeping adequacy, and satisfaction. Results: Of 884 screened patients, 352 were excluded for criteria, 79 declined participation, 81 were otherwise excluded, 372 were randomized (185 to the minimal suction group and 187 to the enhanced suction group), and 367 (median [IQR] age, 4 [2-6] months; 221 boys [60.2%]) completed the trial (184 in the minimal suction and 183 in the enhanced suction group). Additional resource use occurred for 68 of 184 minimal suction participants (37.0%) vs 48 of 183 enhanced suction participants (26.2%) (absolute risk difference, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.20; P = .03). Unscheduled revisits occurred for 47 of 184 minimal suction participants (25.5%) vs 40 of 183 enhanced suction participants (21.9%) (absolute risk difference, 0.04; 95% CI, -0.05 to 0.12; P = .46). A total of 33 of 184 parents in the minimal suction group (17.9%) used additional suctioning devices vs 11 of 183 parents in the enhanced suction group (6.0%) (absolute risk difference, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.19; P < .001). No significant between-group differences were observed for all bronchiolitis revisits (absolute risk difference, 0.07; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.16; P = .15), ED revisits (absolute risk difference, 0.04; 95% CI, -0.03 to 0.12; P = .30), parental care satisfaction (absolute risk difference, -0.02; 95% CI, -0.10 to 0.06; P = .70), and changes from baseline to 72 hours in normal feeding (difference in differences, 0.03; 95% CI, -0.10 to 0.17; P = .62), normal sleeping (difference in differences, 0.05; 95% CI, -0.08 to 0.18; P = .47), or normal parental sleeping (difference in differences, 0.10; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.23; P = .09). Parents in the minimal suction group were less satisfied with the assigned device (62 of 184 [33.7%]) than parents in the enhanced suction group (145 of 183 [79.2%]) (risk difference, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.54; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: Compared with minimal suctioning, enhanced suctioning after ED discharge with bronchiolitis did not alter the disease course because there were no group differences in revisits or feeding and sleeping adequacy. Minimal suctioning resulted in higher use of nonassigned suctioning devices and lower parental satisfaction with the assigned device. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03361371.