Vigilancia activa de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en menores de 15 años con indicación de ingreso hospitalario durante la pandemia de COVID-19 / Active surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in children of under 15 years of age admitted to hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic / Vigilância ativa da infecção por SARS-CoV-2 em crianças menores de 15 anos admitidas em hospitais durante a pandemia COVID-19

Introducción: la autoridad sanitaria ha utilizado numerosas estrategias para la detección precoz de casos y control de la transmisión de SARS-CoV-2, entre ellas la vigilancia activa de infección en ingresos hospitalarios. Objetivo: describir la vigilancia activa de infección por SARS-CoV-2 en menores de 15 años con indicación de ingreso hospitalario durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en un prestador integral de salud privado del interior del país. Metodología: estudio observacional, descriptivo, prospectivo, de menores de 15 años con indicación de ingreso hospitalario del 1/4/2020 al 30/4/2021 en CRAMI-IAMPP. Vigilancia activa según pautas del MSP: PCR para SARS-CoV-2 previo al ingreso hospitalario, asociado a interrogatorio de antecedentes de contacto con caso positivo de COVID-19 y síntomas sugestivos de infección. Datos: causa de ingreso (médica o quirúrgica), tipo (coordinado, urgencia o traslado interhospitalario), vigilancia de síntomas. Se calculó incidencia de infección por SARS-CoV-2, frecuencias y porcentajes. Resultados: se indicó ingreso a cuidados moderados a 231 menores de 15 años. 129 varones (56%), promedio de edad 6,5 años. Causa de ingreso: quirúrgica 60% (coordinada 53%); 89 (40%) por patología médica (20% infecciosa, 19% neurológica, 15% respiratoria, etcétera). Ninguno ingresó por sospecha o confirmación de COVID-19. PCR positiva en un niño coordinado para procedimiento que se suspendió. Incidencia de infección por SARS-CoV-2: 0,4/100 ingresos hospitalarios. No hubo casos de infección intrahospitalaria. Conclusiones: la vigilancia activa de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en menores de 15 años con criterio de ingreso hospitalario fue adecuada. La incidencia de infección fue muy baja y no se constató transmisión intrahospitalaria

Summary: Introduction: various strategies have been carried out by Health Authorities regarding the early detection and control of the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, including active infection surveillance in hospital admissions. Objectives: to describe the active surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in children of <15 years of age admitted to hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic at a private health provider, in the interior of the country. Methodology: observational, descriptive, prospective study of children of <15 years of age admitted to hospital from 4/1/2020 to 4/30/2021 at CRAMI IAMPP Hospital. Active surveillance according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Public Health: PCR Test for SARS-CoV-2 prior to hospital admission, plus an interview regarding contact history with a positive COVID-19 case and symptoms suggesting infection. Data: cause of admission (medical or surgical), type (coordinated, emergency or interhospital transfer), monitoring of symptoms. Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, frequencies and percentages were calculated. Results: admission to moderate care was indicated for 231 children of <15 years. Males 129 (56%), average age 6.5 years. Cause of admission: surgical 60% (coordinated 53%); 89 (40%) due to medical pathology (20% infectious, 19% neurological, 15% respiratory, etc.). None were admitted due to suspicion or confirmation of COVID 19. Positive PCR was detected in a child coordinated for a procedure that was suspended. Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection: 0.4/100 hospital admissions. No cases of nosocomial infection. Conclusions: active surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children of <15 years of age with hospital admission criteria was adequate. The incidence of infection was very low and no intrahospital transmission was confirmed.

Introdução: as autoridades sanitárias do Uruguai têm implementado várias estratégias para a detecção precoce de casos e controle da transmissão do SARS-CoV-2, incluindo vigilância ativa de infecção em internações hospitalares. Objetivo: descrever a vigilância ativa da infecção por SARS-CoV-2 em crianças menores de 15 anos com indicação de internação durante a pandemia de COVID-19 num prestador de saúde do interior do país. Metodologia: estudo observacional, descritivo, prospectivo realizado a crianças menores de <15 anos com indicação de internação de 01/04/2020 a 30/04/2021 no Hospital CRAMI IAMPP. Vigilância ativa de acordo com as diretrizes do MSP: PCR para SARS-CoV-2 antes da admissão hospitalar, associada ao questionamento de histórico de contato com um caso positivo de COVID-19 e sintomas sugestivos de infecção. Dados: causa de admissão (médica ou cirúrgica), tipo (coordenada, emergência ou transferência inter-hospitalar), monitorização dos sintomas. Incidência de infecção por SARS-CoV-2, frequência e porcentagens foram calculadas. Resultados: a internação em cuidados moderados foi indicada para 231 crianças <15 anos. Meninos 129 (56%), idade média 6,5 anos. Causa de internação: cirúrgica 60% (coordenada 53%); 89 (40%) por patologia médica (20% infecciosa, 19% neurológica, 15% respiratória, etc.). Nenhuma delas foi admitida por suspeita ou confirmação de COVID 19. Houve um Test PCR positivo em criança coordenada para procedimento que foi suspenso. Incidência de infecção por SARS-CoV-2: 0,4/100 internações hospitalares. Nenhum caso de infecção hospitalar. Conclusões: a vigilância ativa da infecção por SARS-CoV-2 em crianças <15 anos com critérios de internação hospitalar foi adequada. A incidência de infecção foi muito baixa e nenhuma transmissão intra-hospitalar foi confirmada.

Ingresos pediátricos asociados a infección por SARS-CoV-2 en un prestador de salud / Pediatric admissions associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in a health provider / Admissões pediátricas associadas à infecção por SARS-CoV-2 em um profissional de saúde

Introducción: en enero de 2020 se identificó un nuevo coronavirus como etiología de un síndrome respiratorio agudo severo, que se denominó coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A la enfermedad asociada se conoce como enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). El SARS-CoV-2 se expandió rápidamente a nivel mundial, decretándose en marzo de 2020 estado de pandemia. La población pediátrica constituyó el 1%-2% del total de casos confirmados, con una tasa de mortalidad menor al 0,2%. En concordancia con lo que sucedía a nivel internacional, se registró en Uruguay un número de ingresos hospitalarios por COVID-19 en menores de 19 años muy inferior al resto de los grupos etarios, así como un menor número de ingresos a unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI) y de defunciones. El objetivo de esta revisión fue describir los ingresos pediátricos con infección por SARS-CoV-2 en un prestador de salud privado, de la ciudad de Montevideo. Metodología: se incluyeron todos los pacientes menores de 15 años con identificación de infección viral por COVID-19 que requirieron hospitalización en cuidados moderados en el período comprendido entre abril de 2020 a febrero de 2022. Se utilizó reacción en cadena de polimerasa y detección antigénica para COVID-19 para el diagnóstico de infección aguda. Serología para el diagnóstico de infección previa. Resultados: de los 1.164 pacientes ingresados en dicho periodo, en 2% se identificó infección por COVID-19. 80% tenían un nexo epidemiológico, 69% era intradomiciliario. 8% menor de 1 año, 69% entre 1-11 años, 23% mayores de 11 años. 27% presentaban comorbilidad: asma y encefalopatía, un 57% de ellos presentaban toracopatia concomitante. Los motivos de ingreso más frecuentes fueron síntomas respiratorios, con fiebre y lesiones en piel, patología quirúrgica, síntomas neurológicos. Dos requirieron ingreso a CTI. No se reportaron fallecimientos. La mediana de días de hospitalización fue 4 días (1-18 días). Conclusiones: si bien el porcentaje de niños ingresados con infección por SARS-CoV-2 fue pequeño la expresión clínica fue variada, mayoría presentó infección respiratoria leve. Los pacientes con comorbilidades presentaron mayor probabilidad de desarrollar enfermedad aguda moderada a grave. Se debe tener en cuenta la probabilidad de infección por SARS-CoV-2 ante la aparición de otros síntomas, en el curso de infecciones virales.

Summary: Introduction: in January 2020, a new coronavirus was identified as the etiology of a severe acute respiratory syndrome, which was called coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The associated illness is known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 spread rapidly worldwide, becoming a pandemic in March 2020. The pediatric population involved 1-2% of the total confirmed cases, with a mortality rate of less than 0.2%. In line with the global trend, children under 19 years of age showed a much lower number of hospital admissions for COVID-19 in Uruguay compared to the remaining age groups, as well as lower number of ICU admissions and deaths. The objective of this paper is to describe pediatric admissions with SARS-Cov-2 infection at a private health provider in Montevideo city. Methodology: we included all patients under 15 years of age with a diagnosis of viral infection by Covid-19 who required hospitalization in moderate care, between 04/20 and 02/22. We used polymerase chain reaction and antigen detection for Covid-19 for the diagnosis of acute infections and serology tests for the diagnosis of a previous infection. Results: of the 1,164 patients admitted in that period, 2% were diagnosed with Covid 19 infection. 80% had an epidemiological link, 69% had home infections. 8% under 1 year of age, 69% between 1-11, 23% over 11 years of age. 27% had comorbidities: asthma and encephalopathy, 57% of them had concomitant thorax pathologies. The most frequent reasons for admission were respiratory symptoms, with fever and skin lesions, surgical pathologies, and neurological symptoms. 2 required ICU admission. No deaths were reported. The median number hospitalization days was 4 days (1-18 days). Conclusions: although the percentage of children admitted with SARS-CoV-2 infections was low, the clinical manifestation was varied, most presented mild respiratory infections. Patients with comorbidities were more likely to develop moderate to severe acute illness. The probability of SARS-CoV-2 infection should be taken into account when other symptoms appear during the course of viral infections.

Introdução: em janeiro de 2020, um novo coronavírus foi identificado como a etiologia de uma síndrome respiratória aguda grave, que recebeu o nome de coronavírus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A doença associada é conhecida como doença de coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19). O SARS-CoV-2 se espalhou rapidamente em todo o mundo, e virou-se pandemia em março de 2020. A população pediátrica constituiu 1-2% do total de casos confirmados, com uma taxa de mortalidade inferior a 0,2%. De acordo com as tendencias globais, registrou-se no Uruguai um número muito menor de internações por COVID-19 em menores de 19 anos do que no restante das faixas etárias, bem como um número menor de internações em unidades de terapia intensiva (UTI) e óbitos. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever as internações pediátricas com infecção por SARS-Cov-2 numa Assistência Privada de saúde na cidade de Montevidéu. Metodologia: foram incluídos todos os pacientes menores de 15 anos com diagnóstico de infecção viral por Covid-19 que necessitaram de internação em cuidados moderados, entre 20/04 a 22/02. Utilizou-se a reação em cadeia da polimerase e a detecção de antígeno para Covid-19 para o diagnóstico de infecção aguda e estudo sorológico para o diagnóstico de infecção prévia. Resultados: dos 1.164 pacientes internados nesse período, 2% foram diagnosticados com infecção por Covid 19. 80% tinham vínculo epidemiológico, 69% tiveram infecção domiciliar. 8% tinham menos de 1 ano de idade, 69% entre 1-11, 23% com mais de 11 anos. 27% tinham comorbidades: asma e encefalopatia, 57% deles tinham patologias torácicas concomitantes. Os motivos de admissão mais frequentes foram sintomas respiratórios com febre e lesões cutâneas, patologias cirúrgicas e sintomas neurológicos. 2 necessitaram de internação na UTI. Nenhuma morte foi relatada. A mediana do número de dias de internação foi de 4 dias (1-18 dias). Conclusões: embora a porcentagem de crianças admitidas com infecção por SARS-CoV-2 fosse baixa, a manifestação clínica foi variada, a maioria apresentou infecção respiratória leve. Pacientes com comorbidades foram mais propensos a desenvolver doença aguda moderada a grave. A probabilidade de infecção por SARS-CoV-2 deve ser levada em consideração quando outros sintomas aparecem no curso de infecções virais.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for death among hospitalised children and adolescents with COVID-19 in Brazil: an analysis of a nationwide database.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is usually less severe and has lower case fatality in children than in adults. We aimed to characterise the clinical features of children and adolescents hospitalised with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and to evaluate the risk factors for COVID-19-related death in this population. METHODS: We did an analysis of all patients younger than 20 years who had quantitative RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 and were registered in the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System (SIVEP-Gripe, a nationwide surveillance database of patients admitted to hospital with severe acute respiratory disease in Brazil), between Feb 16, 2020, and Jan 9, 2021. The primary outcome was time to recovery (discharge) or in-hospital death, evaluated by competing risks analysis using the cumulative incidence function. FINDINGS: Of the 82 055 patients younger than 20 years reported to SIVEP-Gripe during the study period, 11 613 (14·2%) had available data showing laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and were included in the sample. Among these patients, 886 (7·6%) died in hospital (at a median 6 days [IQR 3-15] after hospital admission), 10 041 (86·5%) patients were discharged from the hospital, 369 (3·2%) were in hospital at the time of analysis, and 317 (2·7%) were missing information on outcome. The estimated probability of death was 4·8% during the first 10 days after hospital admission, 6·7% during the first 20 days, and 8·1% at the end of follow-up. Probability of discharge was 54·1% during the first 10 days, 78·4% during the first 20 days, and 92·0% at the end of follow-up. Our competing risks multivariate survival analysis showed that risk of death was increased in infants younger than 2 years (hazard ratio 2·36 [95% CI 1·94-2·88]) or adolescents aged 12-19 years (2·23 [1·84-2·71]) relative to children aged 2-11 years; those of Indigenous ethnicity (3·36 [2·15-5·24]) relative to those of White ethnicity; those living in the Northeast region (2·06 [1·68-2·52]) or North region (1·55 [1·22-1·98]) relative to those in the Southeast region; and those with one (2·96 [2·52-3·47]), two (4·96 [3·80-6·48]), or three or more (7·28 [4·56-11·6]) pre-existing medical conditions relative to those with none. INTERPRETATION: Death from COVID-19 was associated with age, Indigenous ethnicity, poor geopolitical region, and pre-existing medical conditions. Disparities in health care, poverty, and comorbidities can contribute to magnifying the burden of COVID-19 in more vulnerable and socioeconomically disadvantaged children and adolescents in Brazil. FUNDING: National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Research Support Foundation of Minas Gerais.

Suicidality and self-injurious behavior among adolescent social media users at psychiatric hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: The current study sought to examine the relationship between documented social media use and suicidality and self-injurious behaviors in adolescents at the time of psychiatric hospitalization. METHODS: We retrospectively identified adolescents (aged 12-17 years) hospitalized on an inpatient psychiatric unit during 1 year. Abstracted information included documented social media use, demographic variables, documented self-injurious behaviors, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Suicide Status Form-II. Logistic regression was implemented to examine the effect of social media use on the risk of self-injurious behaviors and suicidality. RESULTS: Fifty-six adolescents who used social media were identified and matched with 56 non-social media users. Those with reported social media use had significantly greater odds of self-injurious behaviors at admission (odds ratio, 2.55; 95% confidence intervals, 1.17-5.71; P = .02) vs youth without reported social media use. Adolescents with reported social media use also had greater odds of increased suicidal ideation and suicide risk than those with no reported use, but these relationships were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Social media use in adolescents with a psychiatric admission may be associated with the risk of self-injurious behaviors and could be a marker of impulsivity. Further work should guide the assessment of social media use as part of a routine adolescent psychiatric history.

Alcohol misuse among adolescents with BPD symptoms: exploring the moderating role of reasons for drinking and perceived coping skills in a clinical adolescent sample.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents who experience symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) are at high risk for alcohol misuse, yet little is known about why these adolescents drink and what factors heighten or mitigate this risk. The current study explores factors that may impact risk for alcohol misuse among youth with BPD symptoms: using alcohol to self-medicate or to rebel and perceived coping skills. METHOD: A sample of 181 psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents (Mage  = 15.04 years, SD = 1.31 years; 71.8% female, 83.4% White) was recruited as part of a larger study from the northeastern United States. Assessments and diagnostic interviews were administered to adolescents. RESULTS: Use of alcohol for self-medication and perceived coping skills, but not using alcohol for rebellion, moderated the relationship between BPD symptoms and alcohol misuse. A significant positive relationship between BPD symptoms and alcohol frequency and/or problems was only found among adolescents who reported lower use of alcohol for self-medication purposes or higher perceived coping skills. CONCLUSIONS: Youth with more BPD symptoms are at high risk for alcohol misuse. Moderation effects for self-medication motives and perceived coping skills were counter to hypotheses; lower levels of self-medication motives contributed to greater alcohol problems, as did higher levels of perceived coping skills. Results suggest the importance of assessing how much youth are drinking or experiencing consequences, as well as why they are using alcohol. It is possible adolescents with more BPD symptoms may be reporting more coping skills, but actually exhibiting the phenomenon of apparent competence (i.e., present as 'in control', but actually experiencing extreme distress and lacking sufficient coping skills); collateral reports of adolescents' coping skills may provide a more objective measure of actual skill level. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE: What is known? Adolescents who experience symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) are at high risk for alcohol misuse, yet little is known about why these adolescents drink and what factors heighten or mitigate this risk. What is new? Adolescents who use alcohol to self-medicate or rebel are at high risk for alcohol problems, regardless of presence of BPD symptoms. Contrary to expectations, higher perceived coping skills strengthened the relation between BPD and alcohol misuse. Apparent competence (i.e., present as 'in control' but lack sufficient skills) may be at play. What is significant for clinical practice? Clinicians are encouraged to assess why adolescents are using alcohol and teach alternative coping strategies when self-medication and/or rebellion is an identified use. Clinicians are encouraged to collect collateral reports of adolescent's coping abilities rather than relying solely on self-report.

Longitudinal examination of youth readmission to mental health inpatient units.

OBJECTIVE: Significant barriers exist for youth in obtaining mental health services. These barriers are exacerbated by growing demand, attributed partially to children and adolescents who have repeat hospital admissions. The purpose of this study was to identify demographic, socioeconomic and clinical predictors of readmission to inpatient psychiatric services in New Brunswick, Canada. METHOD: Key demographic, support and clinical predictors of readmission were identified. The New Brunswick Discharge Abstract Database (DAD) was used to compile a cohort of all children and adolescents ages 3-19 years with psychiatric hospital admissions between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2014 (N = 3825). Primary analyses consisted of Kaplan-Meier survival methods with log-rank tests to assess time-to-readmission variability, and Cox regression to identify significant predictors of readmission. RESULTS: In total, 27.8% of admitted children and adolescents experienced at least one readmission within the 10-year period, with 57.3% readmitted to hospital within 90 days following discharge. Bivariate results indicated that male, upper-middle socioeconomic status (SES) youths aged 11-15 years from nonrural communities were most likely to be readmitted. Notable predictors of increased readmission likelihood were older age, being male, higher SES, referral to care by medical practitioner, discharge to another health facility, psychosis, and previous psychiatric admission. CONCLUSION: A significant portion of the variance in readmission was accounted for by youth demographic characteristics (i.e. age, SES, geographic location) and various support structures, including referrals to inpatient care and aftercare support services. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE: Readmission to inpatient psychiatric care among youth is affected by a number of multifaceted risk factors across individual, environmental and clinical domains. This study used provincial population-scale longitudinal administrative data to demonstrate the influence of various individual and demographic factors on likelihood of readmission, which is notably absent from the majority of studies that make use of smaller, short-term data samples. Ensuring that multiple factors outside of the clinical context are considered when examining readmission among youth may contribute to a more thorough understanding of youth hospitalization patterns.

Nivel asistencial por definir en hospitalización pediátrica / Level of care to be defined in pediatric hospitalization

INTRODUCCIÓN: En muchas plantas de hospitalización pediátrica se atienden pacientes que requieren más cuidados que los que se suponen para estas unidades. El objetivo de este trabajo es tratar de documentar esta situación y proponer mejoras asistenciales. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se han revisado los ingresos de 2012, 2014 y 2016 de un hospital secundario sin Cuidados Intensivos, buscando criterios de ingreso en Cuidados Intermedios que define la literatura. Se ha realizado una encuesta de opinión en la Sociedad Española de Pediatría Hospitalaria. RESULTADOS: Los pacientes que se adecúan a los criterios de Cuidados Intermedios suponen un 18,2% (2012), 20,8% (2014) y 19,8% (2016) del total de los ingresos pediátricos (médicos) del hospital secundario analizado. Han participado 15 hospitales. La mayoría, el 80% (12), donde se incluyen todos los terciarios con UCIP, contestan que se atienden en planta pacientes con estas características. Los hospitales con UCIP han trasladado desde su planta a intensivos el 1,22% de los ingresos; los hospitales sin UCIP, el 1,23% (p= 0,98); los hospitales secundarios sin UCIP, el 1,01%, y los hospitales comarcales, el 3% (p < 0,001). Los hospitales en los que este problema no se percibe trasladan el 2,41%, frente a los que sí, el 1,12% (p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONES: Existe conciencia de que se atienden pacientes con mayores requerimientos que los que se suponen en este nivel asistencial. Esto se hace con seguridad, pero convierte parte de nuestra asistencia en un nivel no bien definido entre la hospitalización habitual y los cuidados intensivos. Se deben establecer vías de colaboración para definir, regular y abordar esta situación

INTRODUCTION: In many pediatric hospitalization wards, there exist patients who require a higher level of care than routine inpatient pediatric general care. The aim of that study is to document this situation and to propose care improvements. METHODS: Admissions of 2012, 2014 and 2016 in a secondary hospital without a PICU were reviewed. Criteria for the need of Intermediate care were recorded. A survey was carried out in the Spanish Society of Hospital Pediatrics (SEPHO). RESULTS: Patients who met the criteria for Intermediate Care accounted for 18.2% (2012), 20.8% (2014) and 19.8% (2016) of the total pediatric (medical) admissions of the secondary hospital analyzed. 15 hospitals have participated. 80% of them (12), including all tertiary centers with PICU, refer that patients with criteria for intermediate care are admitted in the ward. Hospitals with PICU have transferred from ward to intensive care 1.22% of admitted patients and hospitals without PICU 1.23% (p = 0.98). Secondary hospitals without PICU have transferred 1% and primary hospitals, 3% (p < 0,001). Hospitals with perception of that fact have transferred 1.12% of admitted patients and the hospitals without this perception, 2.45% (p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a higher level of care than routine inpatient care are admitted in many wards. This is done safely, but it turns part of our care at a level not well defined between the standard hospitalization and intensive care. Collaboration should be established to define, regulate and address this situation

Predictive model of hospitalization for children and adolescents with chronic disease.

OBJECTIVES: Describe a predictive model of hospitalization frequency for children and adolescents with chronic disease. METHODS: A decision tree-based model was built using a database of 141 children and adolescents with chronic disease admitted to a federal public hospital; 18 variables were included and the frequency of hospitalization was defined as the outcome. RESULTS: The decision tree obtained in this study could properly classify 80.85% of the participants. Model reading provided an understanding that situations of greater vulnerability such as unemployment, low income, and limited or lack of family involvement in care were predictors of a higher frequency of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The model suggests that nursing professionals should adopt prevention actions for modifiable factors and authorities should make investments in health promotion for non-modifiable factors. It also enhances the debate about differentiated care to these patients.

Sexual History and Contraception Documentation in Hospitalized Adolescents: Are Technology-Dependent Patients Overlooked?

OBJECTIVES: Adolescents are at high-risk for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy, yet many do not receive regular preventive care. Hospitalization represents an opportunity for providing sexual and contraception counseling for this high-risk population. Our aim in this study was to assess the frequency of sexual and contraception history documentation in hospitalized adolescents and identify subgroups that may benefit from more vigilant screening. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of adolescent patients 11 years of age and older who were discharged from the pediatric hospitalist service at an urban, academic children's hospital from July 2017 to June 2018 was conducted. Patient and admission characteristics were analyzed for presence of sexual and contraception history documentation. Technology-dependent patients were analyzed separately. In addition, technology-dependent patients were assessed by chart review for developmental appropriateness for screening. RESULTS: Twenty-five percent of patients (41 of 165) had a sexual history documented, and 8.5% (14 of 165) had a contraception history documented. Among patients with any technology dependence, 0 had a sexual history documented and only 1 had a contraception history documented, whereas 31.5% (12 of 38) were deemed developmentally appropriate for screening. Female and older patients were more likely to have sexual and contraceptive histories documented than male and younger patients. Patients transferred from the PICU had lower rates of sexual history documentation compared with direct admissions. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalized adolescents, especially those with technology dependence, did not have adequate sexual and contraception histories documented. Improving documentation of these discussions is an important step in providing adolescents with preventive medicine services while hospitalized.

How Do Hospitalized Adolescents Feel Safe? A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: The feeling of safety makes an important contribution to the sense of well-being and quality of care for hospitalized adolescents, who are at a higher risk of feeling unsafe. Feeling unsafe during hospitalization may have a negative impact on recovery. Nurses must be sensitive to the possibility that patients feel unsafe, even in the absence of obvious direct physical threat. PURPOSE: This study explores the experiences of hospitalized adolescents to obtain an understanding of psychological safety. METHODS: A qualitative study using unstructured interviews was conducted to explore the sense of psychological safety of hospitalized adolescents aged 12-18 years and registered in a general medical or surgical pediatric unit. Purposive sampling was used to recruit new qualified participants until data saturation was reached (N = 16). RESULTS: Psychological safety is reflected by the four themes of receiving comprehensive support, protection of human dignity, relaxing environment, and attempts to adapt. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalized adolescents stated that healthcare services should provide comprehensive support in a relaxing environment that allows them to retain their human dignity and that elicits feelings of psychological safety.

Understanding the Unique Needs of Hospitalized Adolescents and Young Adults Referred for Psychology Consults.

Hospitalized children and adolescents/young adults (AYA) frequently have mental health concerns that may be addressed by consulting psychology. We examined demographic, medical, referral, intervention, and disposition differences between children (≤11 years) and AYA referred for a psychology consult at a pediatric hospital (N = 1091). Referred AYA were more likely to be female, have shorter lengths of stay, and repeat psychology consults. Children were more likely to be referred for anxiety or feeding; AYA were more often referred for depression, pain, somatic complaints, or maladjustment. AYA were more often the target of intervention, receiving cognitive behavioral or problem-focused coping interventions, and more often recommended for psychological follow-up. AYA present unique medical and psychological challenges when hospitalized. Understanding these challenges will help providers improve the care and treatment of AYA. Academic training and future research recommendations are provided.

Documentation of Sexual History in Hospitalized Adolescents on the General Pediatrics Service.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of sexual history taking and the associated characteristics of hospitalized adolescents in the pediatric hospitalist service. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of adolescents 14 to 18 years old who were admitted to the pediatric hospitalist service at an urban, academic children's hospital in the Northeast from 2013 to 2015 was conducted. Repeat admissions, admissions to specialty services, and charts that noted impairment because of psychosis, cognitive delay, or illness severity were excluded. For charts that met the criteria, the admission history and physical was carefully reviewed for a notation of sexual history. For those with documentation, sexual activity status and a risk level assessment were recorded. Patient demographics and admission characteristics were extracted. χ2 tests and logistic regression were used to examine differences between those with sexual history and those without. RESULTS: A total of 752 charts met the criteria for inclusion. The majority of adolescents were girls (n = 506; 67.3%); the mean age was 15.7 years (SD = 1.2). Girls had 2.99 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.18-4.11) higher odds of documentation than boys, and older adolescents had 1.41 (95% CI 1.03-1.91) higher odds than younger adolescents. Documentation did not differ significantly on the basis of admission type (medical or psychiatric), admission time, patient race and/or ethnicity, or provider gender. Among those with a documented sexual history, risk-level details were often omitted. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual history taking does not occur universally for hospitalized adolescents. Girls were screened more often than boys despite similar rates of sexual activity. The inpatient admission may be a missed opportunity for harm-reduction counseling and adherence to sexually transmitted infection testing guidelines.

Effect of low-to-moderate-dose corticosteroids on mortality of hospitalized adolescents and adults with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viral pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: The effect of corticosteroids on influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viral pneumonia patients remains controversial, and the impact of dosage has never been studied. METHODS: Using data of hospitalized adolescent and adult patients with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viral pneumonia, prospectively collected from 407 hospitals in mainland China, the effects of low-to-moderate-dose (25-150 mg d-1 ) and high-dose (>150 mg d-1 ) corticosteroids on 30-day mortality, 60-day mortality, and nosocomial infection were assessed with multivariate Cox regression and propensity score-matched case-control analysis. RESULTS: In total, 2141 patients (median age: 34 years; morality rate: 15.9%) were included. Among them, 1160 (54.2%) had PaO2 /FiO2 <300 mm Hg on admission, and 1055 (49.3%) received corticosteroids therapy. Corticosteroids, without consideration of dose, did not influence either 30-day or 60-day mortality. Further analysis revealed that, as compared with the no-corticosteroid group, low-to-moderate-dose corticosteroids were related to reduced 30-day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.64 [95% CI 0.43-0.96, P=.033]). In the subgroup analysis among patients with PaO2 /FiO2 <300 mm Hg, low-to-moderate-dose corticosteroid treatment significantly reduced both 30-day mortality (aHR 0.49 [95% CI 0.32-0.77]) and 60-day mortality (aHR 0.51 [95% CI 0.33-0.78]), while high-dose corticosteroid therapy yielded no difference. For patients with PaO2 /FiO2 ≥300 mm Hg, corticosteroids (irrespective of dose) showed no benefit and even increased 60-day mortality (aHR 3.02 [95% CI 1.06-8.58]). Results were similar in the propensity model analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Low-to-moderate-dose corticosteroids might reduce mortality of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viral pneumonia patients with PaO2 /FiO2 <300 mm Hg. Mild patients with PaO2 /FiO2 ≥300 mm Hg could not benefit from corticosteroid therapy.

Psychiatric hospitalizations due to alcohol and drug consumption among young people in Ceará, Brazil

Introduction: This study aimed to analyze the evolution of psychiatric hospitalizations among children and adolescents due to psychoactive substance use in the public health system in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Hospitalizations between 2000 and 2015 were used as indicators. Methods: Ecological study using secondary data. Data analysis was performed with the software Stata 11.1® from StataCorp LLC (Texas/USA) using Poisson regression with robust variance and Spearman correlation. A 95% confidence interval was adopted and significance level was set at 5%. Results: The variables hospitalization rates and mean length of hospital stay did not vary significantly. There was no variation when data were stratified by sex. A negative correlation was found between hospitalization rates and mean length of hospital stay (P < 0.05) among girls, but not among boys or overall population. Conclusion: In Ceará, the creation of alternative mechanisms to hospital admission has not resulted in reduced hospitalization rates (AU)

Caracterización de adolescentes ingresadas en el servicio de Ginecología ( 2011- 2013) / Characterization of teenager admitted at Gynecological Service ( 2011- 2013)

Introducción: la adolescencia es un momento vital en la vida de los seres humanos. Se reconoce su importancia demográfica, cultural, psicosocial y económica. Es necesario prestarle atención por ser una etapa de enfrentamiento a nuevas situaciones, capaces de afectar definitivamente la vida del individuo. Dentro de los múltiples factores que amenazan la vida de los adolescentes se encuentran las conductas sexuales de riesgo, las que constituyen el principal peligro, para su salud sexual y reproductiva. Objetivo: caracterizar las adolescentes ingresadas en el Servicio de Ginecología del Hospital América Arias. Métodos: estudio descriptivo y transversal, con una muestra constituida por 346 adolescentes ingresadas en el Servicio de Ginecología del Hospital Docente Ginecoobstétrico América Arias, en el período comprendido desde enero de 2011 hasta diciembre de 2013. Resultados: la mayor cantidad de ingresos ocurrió en el año 2013; prevaleció la edad de inicio de las relaciones sexuales en la adolescencia precoz, el embarazo y el aborto. El dolor pelviano y la fiebre fueron las causas más frecuentes de ingreso en el servicio de ginecología. La enfermedad inflamatoria pélvica y las complicaciones de la interrupción de embarazo ocuparon los sitios cimeros como diagnóstico al egreso. Predominó el tratamiento médico y no hubo complicaciones en la muestra estudiada. Conclusiones: la adolescencia es una etapa de la vida difícil. Constituye un reto para la Salud Pública Cubana tratar de influir en todos los aspectos posibles para evitar o lograr una disminución en la morbilidad de este grupo de edad.(AU)

Introduction: Adolescence is a vital phase in human beings life. Its demographic, cultural, psychosocial and economic importance is recognized requiring to be carefully attended since this is a stage of confrontation to new situations which may affect an individual's life. Among the many factors that threaten the lives of adolescents are risky sexual behaviors, which are the main danger for sexual and reproductive health. Objective: Characterize teenagers who are admitted to Gynecology Service at America Arias Hospital. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted in a sample consisting of 346 adolescents admitted at America Arias University Hospital of Gynecology and Obstetrics from January 2011 to December 2013. Results: Most hospital admission occurred in 2013. Early initiation of sex, pregnancy and abortion prevailed in adolescence. Pelvic pain and fever were the most frequent causes of admission in the service. Pelvic inflammatory disease and complications of pregnancy termination occupied the top rankings as diagnosis at hospital discharge. Medical treatment predominated and there were no complications in the studied sample. Conclusions: Adolescence is a very difficult period of life. It is a challenge for the Cuban public health trying to influence every possible way to avoid or achieve a decrease in the morbidity of this age(AU)

Riesgo nutricional y factores asociados en pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados a través de STRONGKids / Nutritional risk and associated factors in hospitalized paediatric patients through the STRONGKids Moura

Introducción: El uso de instrumentos para la identificación del riesgo nutricional en niños hospitalizados contribuye para la evaluación y la intervención adecuada. Objetivo: Evaluar el riesgo nutricional y factores asociados en pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados, a través de instrumentos STRONGkids. Métodos: Estudio transversal, con 122 niños y adolescentes de ambos sexos, internados en un hospital público pediátrico en el municipio de Bahia entre octubre y noviembre de 2013. Todos los pacientes fueron sobmetidos, en las primeras 48 horas después de la admisión a proyección de riesgo nutricional (STRONGkids), a evaluación antropométrica y evaluación de las condiciones socioeconómicas. Se utilizó el programa STATA for MAC para análisis de los datos, adoptando el nivel de significancia menor que el 5%. Resultados: La edad media fue de 61,6 meses (±5.12DP), predominando el sexo masculino (68%). La edad materna media fue de 31.2 meses (±7.69DP). El tiempo medio de permanencia hospitalaria fue de 8.4 días (±7.31DP). La prevalencia de desnutrición fue de 13.9%, de acuerdo con la antropométrica. El STRONGkids identificó 63.1% de los pacientes con medio y alto riesgo nutricional. Algunos factores se asociaron con medio y alto riesgo nutricional, como la edad materna (p<0.02), diagnóstico nutricional (p<0.01) y baja condición socioeconómica (p<0.04). Además de eso, este estudio mostró asociación específica entre riesgo nutricional y tiempo de permanencia hospitalaria, que se hizo más evidente cuando se ajustó el modelo a la condición socioeconómica. Conclusiones: La edad materna, el diagnóstico antropométrico y la condición socioeconómica fueron factores de riesgo importantes para el medio y alto riesgo nutricional en esta población. Esas características pueden ser utilizadas para orientar protocolos de intervención preventiva de la desnutrición hospitalaria (AU)

Background: The use of nutritional screening tools to identify nutritional risk in hospitalized children contributes to the adequate evaluation and intervention. Objective: Evaluating the nutritional risk and associated factors in hospitalized paediatric patients through the STRONGkids. Methods: It is a cross-sectional study including 122 both sex children and adolescents admitted in a public paediatric hospital in Bahia, Brazil, between October and November 2013. The patients were submitted to the STRONGkids screening, anthropometric and socioeconomic evaluations at the first 48 hours of the admission. The statistical analyses included the Poisson regression model and it was adopted the significance level 5%. Results: The mean age was 61,6 months (±5.12SD), predominantly male (68%). The mean time of length of hospital stay was 8.4 days (±7.31). Malnutrition prevalence was 13.9%, according to anthropometry. The STRONGkids identified 63.1% of patients with medium or high nutritional risk. Maternal age (p=0.02), anthropometric diagnosis (p=0.01) and socioeconomic condition (p=0.02) were factors associated to the medium and high nutritional risk. Also, we identified an association between medium and high nutritional risk at the admission and a longer period of hospital stay (PR=3.27; p=0.01), which was more relevant when adjusted by socioeconomic condition (PR=4.17; p< 0.01). Conclusions: Maternal age, anthropometric diagnosis and socioeconomic condition were factors related to medium or high nutritional risk in this population. The medium or high nutritional risk at the admission was associated to a longer period of hospitalization. These are important findings that could guide the adoption of nutritional protocols to prevent hospital malnutrition (AU)

Using the hospital as a venue for reproductive health interventions: a survey of hospitalized adolescents.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Less than one-half of sexually active adolescents have received counseling regarding contraception and sexually transmitted disease (STD) from their health care provider. We hypothesized that hospitalized adolescents would be interested in receiving reproductive health education and/or STD testing. In addition, we assessed the opinion of female adolescents on initiation of contraception during hospitalization. METHODS: A convenience sample of 13- to 18-year-old male and female adolescent patients hospitalized at a tertiary pediatric hospital were approached for inclusion. Consenting patients completed a self-administered anonymous questionnaire. RESULTS: Questionnaires from 49 female adolescents and from 51 male adolescents were collected. Based on their answers, 37% of female adolescents and 44% of male adolescents want to learn more about contraception and/or abstinence in the hospital independent of sexual activity. Thirty percent of respondents reported a desire for STD testing in the hospital. Fifty-seven percent of female subjects answered that adolescents should be offered contraception while in the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Among hospitalized adolescents in this study, there was an interest in reproductive health education and contraception even among those with a primary care provider and without sexual experience. Thus, hospital-based pediatricians can play a pivotal role in expanding critical sexual health services by discussing and offering sexual health care to hospitalized adolescents. We recommend that hospitals make a brochure available to all admitted adolescents, with opportunity for follow-up discussions with their hospitalist.

Negative cognitive style and perceived social support mediate the relationship between aggression and NSSI in hospitalized adolescents.

Despite the well-documented association between aggression and NSSI among adolescents, relatively little research has been conducted on the mechanisms underlying this relationship. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential socio-cognitive mechanisms through which aggression and NSSI are related. Participants were 186 adolescents (ages 13-18) recruited from a psychiatric inpatient facility in the northeastern United States. According to teen report, 57.5% of the sample endorsed NSSI in the previous year. Mediation was tested using the modern bootstrapping technique described by Hayes, using 5000 resamples with replacement, including sex and depression diagnosis as covariates. Results demonstrated that greater negative self-talk, a more negative cognitive style, and lower perceived family support were all significant mediators of the relationship between aggression and greater frequency of NSSI, whereas perceived social support from friends was not a significant mediator. Limitations, clinical implications, and future research directions of the current research are discussed.

Integrative care therapies and pain in hospitalized children and adolescents: a retrospective database review.

BACKGROUND: Complementary or integrative care therapies are promising adjunctive approaches to pain management for pediatric inpatients that are currently underused and understudied. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential benefits of integrative care therapies delivered to hospitalized children and adolescents at a large Midwestern academic pediatric medical center over a 1-year period. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of an inpatient clinical database maintained by integrative care therapists over a 1-year period was used for the current study. Pre/post pain and relaxation scores associated with the delivery of inpatient integrative care therapies (primarily massage therapy and healing touch) were examined. RESULTS: Five-hundred nineteen hospitalized children and adolescents were treated by integrative care therapists for primarily pain or anxiety needs. Patients had a mean age of 10.2 years (standard deviation, 7.0), 224 were female (43%), 383 were white (74%), and most (393 [77%]) received massage therapy. Mean pain and relaxation scores decreased significantly from pre- to post-therapy across all demographic and clinical subgroups (p≤.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although integrative care therapies are increasingly requested and offered in children's hospitals, provision of these approaches is driven primarily by consumer demand rather than evidence-informed practice. Future controlled studies should examine the incremental effects of integrative care therapies as an adjunct to conventional treatment, assess how these therapies work mechanistically, and determine whether they improve outcomes, such as pain and cost, for hospitalized children and adolescents.