Drivers for low-acuity pediatric emergency department visits in two tertiary hospitals in Switzerland: a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study.

PURPOSE: Low-acuity pediatric emergency department (PED) visits are frequent in high-income countries and have a negative impact on patient care at the individual and health system levels. Knowing what drives low-acuity PED visits is crucial to inform adaptations in health care delivery. We aimed to identify factors associated with low-acuity PED visits in Switzerland, including socioeconomic status, demographic features, and medical resources of families. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, questionnaire-based study in the PEDs of two Swiss tertiary care hospitals, Bern and Lausanne. We invited all consecutive children and their caregiver attending the PED during data collection times representative of the overall PED consultation structure (e.g. day/night, weekdays/weekends) to complete a questionnaire on demographic features, socioeconomic status, and medical resources. We collected medical and administrative data about the visit and defined low-acuity visits as those meeting all of the following criteria: (1) triage category 4 or 5 on the Australasian Triage Scale, (2) no imaging or laboratory test performed, and (3) discharge home. We used a binary multiple logistic regression model to identify factors associated with low-acuity visits. RESULTS: We analysed 778 PED visits (September 2019 to July 2020). Most children visiting our PEDs had a designated primary care provider (92%), with only 6% not having seen them during the last year. Fifty-five per cent of caregivers had asked for medical advice before coming to the PED. The proportion of low-acuity visits was 58%. Low-acuity visits were associated with caregiver's difficulties paying bills (aOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.6 - 4.4), having already visited a PED in the last 6 months (aOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 - 2.5) but not with parental education status, nor parental country of birth, parental employment status or absence of family network. CONCLUSION: Economic precariousness is an important driver for low-acuity PED visits in Switzerland, a high-income country with compulsory health coverage where most children have a designated primary care provider and a regular pediatric follow-up. Primary care providers and PEDs should screen families for economic precariousness and offer anticipatory guidance and connect those in financial need to social support.

[Ten years of nurse consultation at the pediatric emergency department]. / Dix ans de consultation infirmière médico-déléguée aux urgences pédiatriques.

The Nurse consultation (CI) was implemented in 2013 at the emergency department of the Lausanne Children's Hospital. It offers medical delegated care for children aged three to 18. Ten years after its implementation, this article takes stock of its progress. Patients and families are satisfied with the care provided at a rate of 94.3 %. The CI seems to offer quality and safe healthcare. It allows the emergency team to have more time and resources for patients whose lives are at risk or need careful assessment due to their age or medical history. The CI is an innovative and relevant model of care in the context of uncomplicated childhood illnesses.

La consultation infirmière (CI) a été mise en place en 2013 aux urgences de l'Hôpital de l'enfance de Lausanne (HEL). Elle propose une prise en charge sous délégation médicale d'enfants âgés de trois à 18 ans. Dix ans après son implantation, cet article fait le point. Les patients et familles sont satisfaits de la prise en charge à 94,3 %. La CI semble offrir des soins de qualité et sécuritaires. Elle permet à l'équipe des urgences d'avoir plus de temps et de moyens pour les patients dont le pronostic vital est engagé ou qui sont à risque au vu de leur âge ou leurs antécédents. La CI est un modèle innovant et pertinent de prise en charge dans un contexte de pathologies simples de pédiatrie.

A hidden side of the COVID-19 pandemic in children: the double burden of undernutrition and overnutrition.

The COVID-19 pandemic has deteriorated key determinants of health and caused major upheavals around the world. Children, although less directly affected by the virus, are paying a heavy price through the indirect effects of the crisis, including poor diet, mental health impact, social isolation, addiction to screens and lack of schooling and health care, particularly among vulnerable groups. This paper is aimed at discussing the potential impact of this pandemic on children's nutrition and lifestyle. Preliminary data from the literature and from our survey show significant disruptions in nutrition and lifestyle habits of children. While undernutrition is expected to worsen in poor countries, obesity rates could increase in middle- and high-income countries especially among precarious groups widening the gap in health and social inequalities.The real impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children extends well beyond that of a viral infection. This crisis has public health implications that could have life-long consequences on children. It requires effective and targeted measures mainly for vulnerable children and households to guarantee children's basic rights for optimal nutrition, health and development.

Inhalation technique practical skills and knowledge among physicians and nurses in two pediatric emergency settings.

Introduction: Correct technique with a pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) equipped with a valved holding chamber (VHC) or spacer provides an important advantage for adequate control of asthma and virus-induced wheezing in young children. The aim of this study was to assess the ability and knowledge of physicians and nurses to use a pMDI with a masked VHC in two pediatric emergency units.Methods: Study design: Two-center observational study. Inhaler use technique was assessed in 50 physicians and 50 nurses using a child mannequin and a validated videotaped nine-step scoring method. The participants' knowledge was evaluated by a questionnaire.Results: The inhalation technique was perfectly mastered by 49% of the study participants and almost perfectly mastered by another 34% (mean score 8.3 ± 0.7; range 5-9). Nurses were more likely than doctors to demonstrate the technique perfectly (66% vs. 32%, p < 0.05). The two most common errors were forgetting to shake the pMDI between two consecutive puffs (38% of the participants) and putting the patient in an incorrect position (11%). About half of the participants reported that they checked each patient's inhalation technique at every opportunity and knew how to clean the VHC. A large majority did not employ a reliable method to determine the amount of medication remaining in pMDIs without a counter.Conclusion: Healthcare professionals' practical skills and knowledge on inhalation therapy were not completely mastered and could be improved with a mandatory training program.

Prevalence and risk factors of lactic acidosis in children with acute moderate and severe asthma, a prospective observational study.

Lactic acidosis is a common complication of status asthmaticus in adults. However, data is sparse in children. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and risk factors for lactic acidosis in children hospitalised for acute moderate or severe asthma. A total of 154 children 2-17 years of age were enrolled in a prospective observational study conducted in a tertiary hospital. All had capillary blood gas assessment 4 h after the first dose of salbutamol in hospital. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of lactic acidosis. Potential contributing factors such as age, sex, BMI, initial degree of asthma severity, type of salbutamol administration (nebuliser or inhaler), steroids, ipratropium bromide, and glucose-containing maintenance fluid represented secondary endpoints. All in all, 87% of patients had hyperlactatemia (lactate concentration > 2.2 mmol/l). Lactic acidosis (lactate concentration > 5 mmol/l and anion gap ≥ 16 mmol/l) was observed in 26%. In multivariate analysis, age more than 6 years (OR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.2-6.6), glycemia above 11 mmol/l (OR = 3.2 95% CI 1.4-7.4), and salbutamol administered by nebuliser (OR = 10, 95% CI 2.7-47) were identified as risk factors for lactic acidosis in children with moderate or severe asthma.Conclusion: Lactic acidosis is a frequent and early complication of acute moderate or severe asthma in children. What is Known: • Lactic acidosis during acute asthma is associated with b2-mimetics administration. • Salbutamol-related lactic acidosis is self-limited but important to recognise, as compensatory hyperventilation of lactic acidosis can be mistaken for respiratory worsening and lead to inappropriate supplemental bronchodilator administration. What is New: • Lactic acidosis is a frequent complication of acute asthma in the paediatric population. • Age older than 6 years, hyperglycaemia, and nebulised salbutamol are risk factors for lactic acidosis during asthma.

A three-step diagnosis of pediatric pneumonia at the emergency department using clinical predictors, C-reactive protein, and pneumococcal PCR.

Recommendations for the management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) advocate that, in the absence of the clinical and laboratory findings typical of bacterial CAP, antibiotics are not required. However, the true value of the clinical and laboratory predictors of pediatric CAP still needs to be assessed. This prospective cohort study in three emergency departments enrolled 142 children with radiological pneumonia. Pneumonia with lung consolidation was the primary endpoint; complicated pneumonia (bacteremia, empyema, or pleural effusion) was the secondary endpoint. We showed that three clinical signs (unilateral hypoventilation, grunting, and absence of wheezing), elevated procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), negative nasopharyngeal viral PCR, or positive blood pneumococcal PCR (P-PCR) were significantly associated with both pneumonia with consolidation and complicated pneumonia. Children with negative clinical signs and low CRP values had a low probability of having pneumonia with consolidation (13%) or complicated pneumonia (6%). Associating the three clinical signs, CRP >80 mg/L and a positive P-PCR ruled in the diagnosis of complicated pneumonia with a positive predictive value of 75%. CONCLUSION: A model incorporating clinical signs and laboratory markers can effectively assess the risk of having pneumonia. Children with negative clinical signs and low CRP are at a low risk of having pneumonia. For children with positive clinical signs and high CRP, a positive blood pneumococcal PCR can more accurately confirm the diagnosis of pneumonia. What is Known: • Distinguishing between bacterial and viral pneumonia in children is challenging. • Reducing the inappropriate use of antibiotics is a priority. What is New: • Children with negative clinical signs and low C-reactive protein (CRP) values have a low probability of having pneumonia. • Children with high CRP values can be tested using a pneumococcal PCR to rule in the diagnosis of pneumonia with a high positive predictive value.

[Importance of play : little health promoting review for children and their families]. / Le jeu : petite revue de promotion de la santé pour l'enfant et sa famille.

Children love to play; play is their favorite occupation. They flourish through this millennial occupation. Play promotes harmonious development while integrating principles of social life. It is a solid barrier against the growing harms of sedentary lifestyle. The evolution of our societies is marked from the earliest age by a breathtaking decrease in the amount of movement and playtime of children. The consequences are known: delayed psychomotor development, psychological disorders, progression of obesity. Children of pre-carious and vulnerable families are the first victims. This review high-lights some of the essential knowledge related to the importance of play in children aged 0 to 5 years and attempts to suggest issues for recovering from a compromised situation. Solutions are individual, family and societal. The essential role of the family physician is specified.

Les enfants aiment jouer ; c'est leur occupation favorite. Ils s'épanouissent grâce à cette occupation millénaire. Le jeu favorise un développement harmonieux tout en intégrant des principes de vie sociale. Il est une barrière solide contre les méfaits de la sédentarité. L'évolution de nos sociétés est marquée dès le plus jeune âge par une diminution vertigineuse de la quantité de mouvements et de temps de jeu des enfants. Les conséquences sont connues : retard du développement psychomoteur, troubles psychologiques, progression de l'obésité. Les enfants de familles précarisées et vulnérables en sont les premières victimes. Cet article rappelle quelques connaissances prioritaires quant à l'importance du jeu chez l'enfant âgé de 0 à 5 ans et propose des pistes de rétablissement d'une situation bien compromise. Les solutions sont individuelles, familiales et sociétales. Le rôle essentiel du médecin de famille est précisé.

No association between ApoE polymorphism and febrile seizures.

Seizures associated with fever are a common pediatric problem, affecting about 2-7 % of children between 3 months and 5 years of age. Differentiation of febrile seizures from acute symptomatic seizures secondary to central nervous system infections or seizures associated with fever in children with epilepsy is essential to provide appropriate treatment and follow-up care. Here, we tested the hypothesis that children who exhibit simple febrile seizures during early childhood, but do not develop epileptic seizures later in life, might preferentially carry the ApoE2 allele of the gene coding for the apolipoprotein E. We did not find any differences in the distribution of ApoE alleles or genotypes between individuals who exhibited simple febrile seizures (n = 93) and age-matched, typically developing subjects (n = 80). We found that the observed allele and genotype frequencies did not deviate from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, which suggests that the frequencies of ApoE alleles and genotypes are stable in the Swiss population from which our samples were derived. Across both groups of subjects (n = 173), we found an ApoE2 allele frequency of 0.064, an ApoE3 frequency of 0.829 and an ApoE4 frequency of 0.107. Our findings are consistent with previous reports of the distribution of ApoE polymorphism for European subjects free of any neurological disorders, and show that the different alleles of the gene coding for the apolipoprotein E are not associated with the occurrence of simple febrile seizures.

Is It Ovarian Torsion? A Systematic Literature Review and Evaluation of Prediction Signs.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify, through systematic literature review, the most reliable clinical, biological, and radiological signs of ovarian torsion in the pediatric population and to compare their diagnostic value. METHODS: This is a systematic review of the literature, searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Databases for articles published between January 1990 and January 2014. RESULTS: From the 946 references initially identified, 14 retrospective publications fulfilled the inclusion criteria, involving a total of 663 episodes of ovarian torsion. Sudden onset abdominal pain with nausea and/or vomiting is the most frequent symptom of ovarian torsion. It can occur at any age, not only in menarchal or perimenarchal patients. Abdominal tenderness is present in 88.4% of patients, whereas only 24% have a palpable mass. Blood tests are commonly requested (51.4% of cases) but are not diagnostic. Abnormalities on plain abdominal radiograph include masses, calcifications, and ossified images. Ultrasound has a sensitivity for ovarian torsion of 79% and computerized tomographic scan of 42.2%. There is a significant diagnostic delay at 101.8 hours (median). CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal pain in children and adolescents is difficult to evaluate, and the diagnosis of ovarian torsion remains a challenge. Because of its potential complications, we need effective clinical tools. From our review of the literature, it was not possible to develop a diagnostic algorithm. Further research is needed to improve our practice and shorten the delay to diagnosis. Considering the low incidence of ovarian torsion, a multicenter prospective study would be required.

[Community acquired pneumonia in children: an update for outpatients management]. / Prise en charge ambulatoire de la pneumonie communautaire de l'enfant: mise au point.

Pneumonia should be considered in febrile children with tachypnea and/or chest recession. Virus are the most common cause of pneumonia in children under 5 years old. Streptococcus pneumonia can be found at any age. Mycoplasma pneumonia is more frequent in older children. Systematic chest radiograph is not necessary but must be obtained in patients with hypoventilation and in those with failed initial antibiotic therapy. Mycoplasma pneumonia should be tested according to patient age and response to initial antibiotic. First line antibiotherapy is amoxicilline. Antibiotic treatment is frequently not necessary in children under 5 but should be considered depending on clinical presentation and C reactive protein value.

Demonstration of the effectiveness of zinc in diarrhoea of children living in Switzerland.

UNLABELLED: We designed a double-blinded randomized clinical trial of zinc (10 or 20 mg of zinc sulphate for 2-5 month-old or 6-59 month-old children, respectively, during 10 days) vs. placebo in otherwise healthy children aged 2 months to 5 years who presented with acute diarrhoea (i.e. ≥3 stools/day for less than 72 h). Eighty-seven patients (median age 14 months; range 3.1-58.3) were analysed in an intention-to-treat approach. Forty-two patients took zinc and 45 placebo. There was no difference in the duration nor in the frequency of diarrhoea, but only 5% of the zinc group still had diarrhoea at 120 h of treatment compared to 20% in the placebo group (P = 0.05). Thirty-one patients (13 zinc and 18 placebo) were available for per-protocol analyses. The median (IQR) duration of diarrhoea in zinc-treated patients was 47.5 h (18.3-72) and differed significantly from the placebo group (median 76.3; IQR 52.8-137) (P = 0.03). The frequency of diarrhoea was also lower in the zinc group (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: zinc treatment decreases the frequency and severity of diarrhoea in children aged 2 months to 5 years living in Switzerland. However, the intention-to-treat analysis reveals compliance issues that question the proper duration of treatment and the choice of optimal pharmaceutical formulation.

Early childhood caries in Switzerland: a marker of social inequalities.

BACKGROUND: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a marker of social inequalities worldwide because disadvantaged children are more likely to develop caries than their peers. This study aimed to define the ECC prevalence among children living in French-speaking Switzerland, where data on this topic were scarce, and to assess whether ECC was an early marker of social inequalities in this country. METHODS: The study took place between 2010 and 2012 in the primary care facility of Lausanne Children's Hospital. We clinically screened 856 children from 36 to 71 months old for ECC, and their caregivers (parents or legal guardians) filled in a questionnaire including items on socioeconomic background (education, occupation, income, literacy and immigration status), dental care and dietary habits. Prevalence rates, prevalence ratios and logistic regressions were calculated. RESULTS: The overall ECC prevalence was 24.8 %. ECC was less frequent among children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds than children from lower ones (prevalence ratios ≤ 0.58). CONCLUSIONS: This study reported a worrying prevalence rate of ECC among children from 36 to 71 months old, living in French-speaking Switzerland. ECC appears to be a good marker of social inequalities as disadvantaged children, whether from Swiss or immigrant backgrounds, were more likely to have caries than their less disadvantaged peers. Specific preventive interventions regarding ECC are needed for all disadvantaged children, whether immigrants or Swiss.

[The nurse consultation in a Swiss university paediatric emergency department]. / La consultation infirmière dans un centre d'urgence pédiatrique universitaire suisse.

In Switzerland, overcrowding in tertiary emergency departments is a frequent problem, resulting in lengthy waiting times, lower satisfaction on the part of families and a risk for patient's safety. The setting up of a nurse consultation in a university paediatric emergency centre has helped to improve the quality of care in this context.

[How to treat pediatric fever in 2013 with little evidence-based?]. / Pédiatrie 4. Comment traiter la fièvre de l'enfant en 2013 avec un peu d'évidence?

Treatment of pediatric fever is based on two main molecules, paracetamol and ibuprofen. Fever should be treated when associated with discomfort. The two molecules have almost similar efficacy and safety. Monotherapy should be preferred to a combined or alternating treatment. Antipyretics do not seem to prevent febrile seizures.

[Physical activity promotion in 0-6 years old children]. / Pédiatrie 3. Formation continue: promotion du mouvement et de l'activité physique chez les 0-6 ans.

Sedentary lifestyle in children is increasing at an alarming rate. Now, promotion of physical activity by health professionals is a promising way. To support childhood specialists in this role, a transdisciplinary training is being developped.

Nasopharyngeal carriage of individual Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes during pediatric radiologically confirmed community acquired pneumonia following PCV7 introduction in Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a serious cause of morbidity among children in developed countries. The real impact of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) on pneumococcal pneumonia is difficult to assess accurately. METHODS: Children aged ≤16 years with clinical and radiological pneumonia were enrolled in a multicenter prospective study. Children aged ≤16 years admitted for a minor elective surgery was recruited as controls. Nasopharyngeal samples for PCR serotyping of S. pneumoniae were obtained in both groups. Informations on age, gender, PCV7 vaccination status, day care/school attendance, siblings, tobacco exposure were collected. RESULTS: In children with CAP (n=236), 54% of the nasopharyngeal swabs were PCR-positive for S. pneumoniae compared to 32% in controls (n=105) (p=0.003). Serotype 19A was the most common pneumococcal serotype carried in children with CAP (13%) and in controls (15%). Most common serotypes were non-vaccine types (39.4% for CAP and 47.1% for controls) and serotypes included only in PCV13 (32.3% for CAP and 23.5% for controls). There was no significant difference in vaccine serotype distribution between the two groups. In fully vaccinated children with CAP, the proportion of serotypes carried only in PCV13 was higher (51.4%) than in partially vaccinated or non vaccinated children (27.6% and 28.6% respectively, p=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Two to 4 years following introduction of PCV7, predominant S. pneumoniae serotypes carried in children with CAP were non PCV7 serotypes, and the 6 new serotypes included in PCV13 accounted for 51.4% of carried serotypes in fully vaccinated children.

[Pediatric emergencies -- the essential, briefly, for general practitioners]. / Pädiatrische Notfälle - das Wichtigste in Kürze für den Allgemeinmediziner.

For general practitioners, emergency assessment of a critically ill or injured child can be difficult, as history is usually given by caregivers, physical examination may be challenging due to lack of cooperation and vital signs are potentially difficult to interpret because of age-related variations. The Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) is a rapid and simple observational tool to standardize the initial assessment of children regardless of complaint or underlying diagnosis. It only uses visual and auditory clues, requires no equipment, and takes only seconds to perform. It allows clinicians to assess whether an urgent intervention is necessary or whether a more detailed history and physical examination may be done. Respiratory distress, gastro-enteritis with dehydration, febrile convulsions and traumatic brain injury constitute four common pediatric complaints that are encountered in a general practitioners consultation and will be discussed in some detail.

School-based HPV Vaccination: Variation in Inter-school Vaccine Uptake not Influenced by the Introduction of a New Information Brochure.

BACKGROUND: Switzerland, with an adolescent HPV vaccination coverage at 59%, remains far from reaching the crucial swiss national goal of 80% coverage. Our objective was to implement a new information brochure in schools to increase HPV vaccination uptake. METHODS: We designed a public health quality project. A new information brochure was produced and was distributed to a test group of 9th grade students from the Canton of Vaud, in Switzerland during the 2019-2020 school year. Vaccine uptake of the test group was compared to those of all other students in 2019-2020 and of students in the same schools in 2017-2018. RESULTS: 12,143 electronic records were analyzed. 713 students were enrolled in 6 schools where the new brochure was distributed. Median age was 13 years (IQR 12-13), and 6,031 (49.7%) were female. Vaccine uptake was 52% (6,299/12,143). The new brochure did not result in increased uptake. Age ≥ 13 years (aOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.22-1.58) was significantly associated with uptake. Uptake increased between 2017-2018 (51%, 3,216/6,307) and 2019-2020 (52.8%, 3,083/5,836, p=0.04) due to increased acceptance among boys. The only determinant of uptake in 2019-2020 was uptake in the same schools in 2017-2018. CONCLUSION: The introduction of a new information brochure was insufficient to increase HPV vaccination coverage. More innovative strategies are needed.

Using Clinical Vignettes to Understand the Complexity of Diagnosing Type 1 Diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Lack of awareness, access to insulin and diabetes care can result in high levels of morbidity and mortality for children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Improvements in access to insulin and diabetes management have improved outcomes in some settings. However, many people still present in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in parallel to misdiagnosis of children with T1DM in contexts with high rates of communicable diseases. The aim of this study was to highlight the complexity of diagnosing pediatric T1DM in a healthcare environment dominated by infectious diseases and lack of adequate health system resources. This was done by developing clinical vignettes and recreating the hypothetico-deductive process of a clinician confronted with DKA in the absence of identification of pathognomonic elements of diabetes and with limited diagnostic tools. A non-systematic literature search for T1DM and DKA in SSA was conducted and used to construct clinical vignettes for children presenting in DKA. A broad differential diagnosis of the main conditions present in SSA was made, then used to construct a clinician's medical reasoning, and anticipate the results of different actions on the diagnostic process. An examination of the use of the digital based Integrated Management of Childhood Illness diagnostic algorithm was done, and an analysis of the software's efficiency in adequately diagnosing DKA was assessed. The main obstacles to diagnosis were low specificity of non-pathognomonic DKA symptoms and lack of tools to measure blood or urine glucose. Avenues for improvement include awareness of T1DM symptomatology in communities and health systems, and greater availability of diagnostic tests. Through this work clinical vignettes are shown to be a useful tool in analyzing the obstacles to underdiagnosis of diabetes, a technique that could be used for other pathologies in limited settings, for clinical teaching, research, and advocacy.