Ethno-cultural origins, health beliefs and mothers' behavior regarding infant vaccinations in Israel.

To compare the health beliefs and infant vaccination behavior of mothers of four different ethno-cultural backgrounds: Israeli-born Jewish and Arab-Bedouin and immigrants from the Former Soviet Union and Ethiopia; to examine the associations between initial and subsequent infant vaccination behaviors of mothers and to identify predictors of vaccination behaviors. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in selected community neighborhoods. A quota sample included 100 mothers with infants aged 18-24 months (N = 400) from each of the four ethno-cultural groups. Data were collected through questionnaires and examination of the infant vaccination cards. Both groups of immigrant mothers had the lowest adherence to the recommended vaccination regime. Our findings indicate that maternal behaviors regarding infant vaccinations were determined mainly by the behavior at the previous recommended vaccination stage. Different ethno-cultural groups presented different sociodemographic predictors of vaccination behaviors. These predictors only affected the vaccinations at the early stage of 2 months. Policy makers should be aware that mother's vaccination behaviors vary according to ethno-cultural groups to establish culturally tailored intervention programs.

Glycemic control and clinic attendance of emerging adults with type 1 diabetes at a transition care clinic.

BACKGROUND: Emerging adulthood is a challenging period for diabetes management. Our aim was to determine whether a dedicated transition clinic for emerging adults with type 1 diabetes can improve glycemic control and visit attendance. METHODS: An observational study of 53 emerging adults (30 males) treated during 2010-2014 in a newly established transition clinic. The clinic was operated jointly by pediatric and adult endocrinologists and included a transition coordinator. Data collected included the source of referral, HbA1c levels, frequency of visit attendance, and acute complications. For 27 patients who had attended the pediatric clinic at the same medical center, data from up to 2 years preceding the transition were also collected. Patients filled the Diabetes Quality of Life-Youth questionnaire at the transition and 1 year later. RESULTS: Mean ± SD age at the transfer to the transition clinic was 22.1 ± 2.7 years; mean disease duration was 8.4 ± 5.0 years. Follow-up duration at the transition clinic was 1.2 ± 1.1 years. Mean HbA1c levels decreased from 67 mmol/mol (95 % CI 63-72) [8.3 % (95 % CI 7.9-8.7)] at transfer to 57 mmol/mol (95 % CI 52-63) [7.4 % (95 % CI 6.9-7.9)] after 1 year (p < 0.001). Thirty-six patients (68 %) attended three or more visits during their first year in the transition clinic. The impact of diabetes on quality of life, disease-related worries, and life satisfaction did not change significantly during 1-year attendance in the transition clinic. CONCLUSIONS: A dedicated transition clinic for emerging adults, with tailored support according to the developmental needs of emerging adulthood, showed improved glycemic control and visit attendance.

The use of continuous glucose monitoring systems in a pediatric population with type 1 diabetes mellitus in real-life settings: the AWeSoMe Study Group experience.

AIMS: The aim of the study was (a) to compare annual glycemic control in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) who used a healthcare-funded continuous glucose monitoring system (RT-CGMS) to that of those who performed self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) only, in a real-life setting, and (b) to define parameters associated with compliance and glycemic control. METHODS: A total of 149 youth with T1DM (52.3 % females), mean age 11.8 ± 3.6 years, and 83 in the CGMS group were followed prospectively for 12 months. Glycemic control parameters and compliance to RT-CGMS were assessed periodically. RESULTS: Glycemic parameters did not differ significantly between the groups during follow-up periods. The time spent with RT-CGMS decreased and only 38 % used it for more than 75 % of the time during the 12 months (consistent users). Mean HbA1c decreased by 0.27 % in consistent users and increased by 0.21 % among intermittent users (used RT-CGMS less than 75 % of time), p = 0.013. Consistent users were younger 10. 6 ± 4.2 vs. 12.5 ± 3.6, p = 0.07, and had higher frequency of SMBG at baseline, 10.6 ± 4.9 vs. 6.3 ± 2.8, p = 0.011. CONCLUSIONS: The adoption of RT-CGMS was low, even in a healthcare system that funds its use. Caregivers should consider patient characteristics when recommending RT-CGMS use.

Novel insights into adrenal insufficiency in childhood.

Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is a rare disease in childhood and adolescence that results from disruption in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Pediatricians should be familiar with this entity since acute adrenal crisis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment. In the early stages of AI, the clinical manifestations may be subtle and non-specific; thus, they are frequently unrecognized. The main therapeutic approach in all forms of adrenal insufficiency is glucocorticoid replacement; the dose should be titrated appropriately to avoid under or overtreatment. Patient and family education is particularly important, to enable adjustment of dosage replacement therapy during stress and to prevent crisis. This article summarizes the current knowledge of AI and provides new insights on its management in children.

Benefits of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy in preschool children.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in young children has increased considerably over recent years. The purpose was to examine the effectiveness and safety of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy in preschool children with T1DM. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 113 children diagnosed with T1DM while younger than age 6 years. Mean age at diagnosis was 3.5±1.5 years and mean duration of follow 9.7±7.0 years. Patients were divided into 3 groups. Group1 initiated CSII therapy before the age of 6 years (n=26), Group 2 was treated with multiple daily injections (MDI) throughout follow-up (n=34), and Group 3 initiated CSII after age 6 (n=53). Metabolic control was assessed by HbA1C levels and safety by rates of severe hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) events. RESULTS: In Group 1, the highest mean HbA1C value (8.5%) was observed 1-2 years prior to CSII initiation. During the 5 year period following CSII initiation, mean HbA1C levels ranged between 7.4 and 8.0%. Throughout the entire follow-up period, mean HbA1C levels were lower for Group 1 than Group 2 (p=0.05). In Group 3, mean HbA1C level decreased from 8.7% pre-CSII to 8.3% post-CSII (p<0.001). Nevertheless HbA1C levels remained higher than for those who started pump therapy before age 6 (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated better metabolic control in pre-school children treated with CSII compared to those treated with MDI. This benefit sustained for 5 years after CSII initiation and was not accompanied by increased risk of severe hypoglycemia or DKA events.

Type 1 diabetes in pre-school children--long-term metabolic control, associated autoimmunity and complications.

AIMS: To identify clinical characteristics and co-morbidity rates of children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes mellitus at younger than 6 years of age. METHODS: Data were obtained from a retrospective chart review of 103 patients diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at younger than 6 years (study group) and 220 patients at older than 6 years (comparison group). Measures of glycaemic control and occurrence of co-morbidities (coeliac disease, autoimmune thyroid disease, hypertension, nephropathy and retinopathy) were compared. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was more than 8 years. For the study group, mean HbA(1c) levels ranged from 64 mmol/mol to 66 mmol/mol (8.0-8.2%) until age 10 years, and then rose to 73 mmol/mol (8.8%). The HbA(1c) levels were higher in the study than in the comparison group for comparable ages (P = 0.003). After adjustment for duration of diabetes this difference was not significant. The overall rate of severe hypoglycaemic events was greater in the study group than in the comparison group (P = 0.03). Kaplan-Meier diagnosis rates of celiac disease, 10 years after Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, were 14.4% and 4.2% in the study and comparison groups, respectively (P log-rank = 0.03). There were no differences in rates of autoimmune thyroid disease, hypertension, nephropathy or retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes before the age of 6 years were in greater risk of developing celiac disease, compared with children diagnosed after the age of 6 years. For children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes aged under 6 years, good metabolic control was achievable until age 10 years, after which it deteriorated. Higher HbA(1c) levels observed in children diagnosed before the age of 6 years were associated with longer duration of disease.

Clot formation of neonates tested by thromboelastography correlates with gestational age.

Evaluation of clot formation in neonates is troublesome. Our aim was to investigate cord blood clot formation of pre-term versus full-term infants and adults, using rotating thromboelastogram (ROTEM), Pentafarm, Munich, Germany). ROTEM was investigated in cord blood of 184 full-term and 47 pre-term infants. Measurements of the clotting time (CT), clot formation time (CFT) and maximal clot firmness (MCF) were obtained in order to asses reference values for this age group, and compare between full-term and pre-term neonates and compared to adult controls. For each infant demographic information and data regarding pregnancy and delivery were gathered. Infants were prospectively followed until discharge. CT and CFT were significantly shorter among pre-term and term infants as compared to adults [median CT: 185, 194, 293 seconds respectively, p pound0.001, CFT: 80, 76, 103 seconds respectively, p pound0.001). MCF was lower in pre-term and term as compared to adults (p pound0.001) with significantly lower values in pre-term as compared to full-term neonates (p=0.004). Clotting time and MCF correlated with gestational age (R=0.132, p=0.045, R= 0.259, p<0.001, respectively). No association was found between any ROTEM values and the occurrence of post-natal complications in infants of our study group. This is the first study assessing clot formation by ROTEM in pre-term infants. Clot formation parameters of term and premature infants correlated with gestational age. The predictive value of clot formation tests in neonates deserves further attention.

Platelet function of newborns as tested by cone and plate(let) analyzer correlates with gestational Age.

UNLABELLED: The issue of platelet function in infants and neonates is of interest, and current data are debatable. A new method for assessing platelet function involves using the cone and plate(let) analyzer (CPA), applicable for small (0.2 ml) whole blood volumes. We used polystyrene surface-coated plates to evaluate cord blood neonatal platelet function under flow. One hundred and sixty full-term and 29 preterm infants born at the Sheba Medical Center between March 2003 and January 2004 were evaluated for platelet adhesion measured as surface coverage (SC; the percentage of total area covered by platelets) and platelet aggregation, defined as the average size (AS) of the aggregates. Platelets from preterm infants displayed less platelet adhesion than did those from full-term infants. Platelet SC correlated with gestational age in all infants (p < 0.05), and both groups exhibited similar aggregation (AS). AS values, however, were significantly lower than the normal adult range in our laboratory. Infants born to mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension displayed significantly lower SC. No association was found between CPA and postnatal complications. CONCLUSION: CPA provides a rapid, feasible option for testing platelet function in neonates. Its potential predictive value deserves further attention, and more extensive studies are warranted.