Malnutrition care in hospitalized pediatric inpatients: comparison of perceptions and experiences across two pediatric academic health sciences centres.

Malnutrition affects up to one in three Canadian children admitted to hospital. Awareness among pediatric healthcare providers (HCPs) of the prevalence and impacts of hospitalized malnutrition is critical for optimal management. The purpose of this study was to determine perceptions of malnutrition among pediatric HCP across two major academic health sciences centres, and to determine how the use of a standardized pediatric nutritional screening tool at one institution affects responses. Between 2020 and 2022, 192 HCPs representing nursing, dietetics, medicine, and other allied health were surveyed across McMaster Children's Hospital and The Hospital for Sick Children. 38% of respondents from both centres perceived rates of malnutrition between approximately one in three patients. Perceptions of the need for nutritional screening, assessment, and management were similar between centres. All respondents identified the need for better communication of hospitalized malnutrition status to community providers at discharge, and resource limitations affecting nutritional management of pediatric inpatients. This study represents the largest and most diverse survey of inpatient pediatric HCPs to date. We demonstrate high rates of baseline knowledge of hospital malnutrition, ongoing resource challenges, and the need for a systematic approach to pediatric nutritional management.

Allied health and nursing practices in pediatric solid organ transplantation: An international survey.

INTRODUCTION: With improved survival in pediatric solid organ transplantation (SOT) care has focused on optimizing functional, developmental, and psychosocial outcomes, roles often supported by Allied Health and Nursing professionals (AHNP). However, there is a scarcity of research examining frameworks of clinical practice. METHODS: The International Pediatric Transplant Association AHNP Committee developed and disseminated an online survey to transplant centers as a quality improvement project to explore AHNP practice issues. Participant responses were characterized using descriptive statistics, and free-text comments were thematically analyzed. Responses were compared across professional groups; Group 1: Advanced Practice Providers, Group 2: Nursing, Group 3: Allied Health. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 119 AHNP from across the globe, with responses predominantly (78%) from North America. Half of respondents had been working in pediatric transplant for 11+ years. Two-thirds of respondents were formally funded to provide transplant care; however, of these not funded, over half (57%) were allied health, compared to just 6% of advance practice providers. Advanced practice/nursing groups typically provided care to one organ program, with allied health providing care for multiple organ programs. Resource constraints were barriers to practice across all groups and countries. CONCLUSION: In this preliminary survey exploring AHNP roles, professionals provided a range of specialized clinical care. Challenges to practice were funding and breadth of care, highlighting the need for additional resources, alongside the development of clinical practice guidelines for defining, and supporting the role of AHNP within pediatric SOT. Professional organizations, such as IPTA, can offer professional advocacy.

An international survey of allied health & nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: Perspectives on facilitators of & barriers to care.

BACKGROUND: Allied health and nursing professionals (AHNP) are integral members of transplant teams. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they were required to adapt to changes in their clinical practices. The goal of the present study was to describe AHNP perceptions concerning the impact of the pandemic on their roles, practice, and resource allocation. METHODS: An online survey was distributed globally via email by the International Pediatric Transplant Association to AHNP at transplant centers from September to December 2020. Responses to open-ended questions were collected using an electronic database. Using a thematic analysis approach, coding was conducted by three independent coders who identified patterns in responses, and discrepancies were resolved through discussion. RESULTS: The majority of respondents (n = 119) were from North America (78%), with many other countries represented (e.g., the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Central and South America). Four main categories of impacts were identified: (1) workflow changes, (2) the quality of the work environment, (3) patient care, and (4) resources. CONCLUSIONS: Participants indicated that the pandemic heightened existing barriers and resource challenges frequently experienced by AHNP; however, the value of team connections and opportunities afforded by technology were also highlighted. Virtual care was seen as increasing healthcare access but concerns about the quality and consistency of care were also expressed. A notable gap in participant responses was identified; the vast majority did not identify any personal challenges connected with the pandemic (e.g., caring for children while working remotely, personal stress) which likely further impacted their experiences.

Implementing a Clinical Practice Change: Adopting the Nutrition Care Process.

The Nutrition Care Process (NCP), created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, provides a framework that encourages critical thinking and promotes uniform documentation by Registered Dietitians (RD). Additionally, it creates a link between the nutrition assessment, nutrition intervention, and the predicted or actual nutrition outcome. NCP has been integrated into a number of institutions in Canada and internationally. A committee of nonmanagement RDs at the Hospital for Sick Children led the Department of Clinical Dietetics in adopting the NCP. The committee developed and consecutively delivered a tailored education plan to 5 groups of RDs within the department. Additional resources were developed to complement the learning plan. The committee administered informal pre- and post-education surveys to measure outcomes. RDs reported receiving adequate training and felt confident implementing NCP into their practice. Adopting the NCP was well-received and RDs within the department continue to integrate it into their current practice.

Association between Practice Participation in a Pediatric-focused Medical Home Learning Collaborative and Reduction of Preventable Emergency Department Visits by Publicly-insured Children in Massachusetts.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates the impact of practice participation in a pediatric patient-centered medical home learning collaborative on preventable emergency department (ED) visits among children in MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program). METHODS: Claims and enrollment data were extracted for child MassHealth members (aged 3-18) comprising 2 groups: members enrolled in a group of 13 child-serving practices that participated in an intensive, 29-month long patient-centered medical home learning collaborative (intervention group), and members enrolled in a group of 12 comparison practices with roughly similar panel size, type, and geographic location (comparison group). Preventable ED visits were identified using a modified version of the New York University ED algorithm. Two analyses were then conducted: (1) a repeat cross-sectional analysis among children enrolled in intervention or comparison group practices during baseline (first half of 2011) and follow-up (second half of 2013) periods; and (2) a longitudinal analysis among a subset of children enrolled for the full study period (2011-2013). Both analyses tested whether the effect of the intervention differed for children with versus without chronic conditions (effect modification). RESULTS: Preventable ED visits declined from baseline to follow-up among children in both intervention and comparison practices. In the cross-sectional analysis, the decrease was the same in both practice groups, and for children with versus without chronic conditions. The longitudinal analysis shows a statistically significantly greater decrease among children with chronic conditions enrolled in the intervention practices (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Children with chronic conditions might receive the greatest benefit from receiving care in a medical home setting.

Blenderized Enteral Nutrition Diet Study: Feasibility, Clinical, and Microbiome Outcomes of Providing Blenderized Feeds Through a Gastric Tube in a Medically Complex Pediatric Population.

BACKGROUND: Chronically ill children often require feeding via gastrostomy tubes (G-tubes). Commercial formula is most commonly used for enteral feeding; however, caregivers have been requesting blenderized tube feeds (BTFs) as an alternative. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using BTFs in a medically complex pediatric population and assess their impact on clinical outcomes, as well as the microbiota. METHODS: Twenty pediatric participants were included. Participants were G-tube dependent and receiving ≥75% of their daily energy requirements from commercial formula. Over 4 weeks, participants were transitioned from commercial formula to BTF and were monitored for 6 months for changes in nutrient intake, gastrointestinal symptoms, oral feeding, medication use, and caregiver perceptions. Changes to intestinal microbiota were monitored by 16S rDNA-based sequencing. RESULTS: Transition onto BTF was feasible in 17 participants, and 1 participant transitioned to oral feeds. Participants required 50% more calories to maintain their body mass index while on BTFs compared with commercial formula. BTF micronutrient content was superior to commercial formula. Prevalence of vomiting and use of acid-suppressive agents significantly decreased on BTFs. Stool consistency and frequency remained unchanged, while stool softener use increased. The bacterial diversity and richness in stool samples significantly increased, while the relative abundance of Proteobacteria decreased. Caregivers were more satisfied with BTFs and unanimously indicated they would recommend BTFs. CONCLUSION: Initiation and maintenance of BTFs is not only feasible in a medically complex pediatric population but can also be associated with improved clinical outcomes and increased intestinal bacterial diversity.

Improvement in Touch Sensation after Stroke is Associated with Resting Functional Connectivity Changes.

BACKGROUND: Distributed brain networks are known to be involved in facilitating behavioral improvement after stroke, yet few, if any, studies have investigated the relationship between improved touch sensation after stroke and changes in functional brain connectivity. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify how recovery of somatosensory function in the first 6 months after stroke was associated with functional network changes as measured using resting-state connectivity analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. METHODS: Ten stroke survivors underwent clinical testing and resting-state fMRI scans at 1 and 6 months post-stroke. Ten age-matched healthy participants were included as controls. RESULTS: Patients demonstrated a wide range of severity of touch impairment 1 month post-stroke, followed by variable improvement over time. In the stroke group, significantly stronger interhemispheric functional correlations between regions of the somatosensory system, and with visual and frontal areas, were found at 6 months than at 1 month post-stroke. Clinical improvement in touch discrimination was associated with stronger correlations at 6 months between contralesional secondary somatosensory cortex (SII) and inferior parietal cortex and middle temporal gyrus, and between contralesional thalamus and cerebellum. CONCLUSION: The strength of connectivity between somatosensory regions and distributed brain networks, including vision and attention networks, may change over time in stroke survivors with impaired touch discrimination. Connectivity changes from contralesional SII and contralesional thalamus are associated with improved touch sensation at 6 months post-stroke. These functional connectivity changes could represent future targets for therapy.

Hypoalbuminemia and poor growth predict worse outcomes in pediatric heart transplant recipients.

Children with end-stage cardiac failure are at risk of HA and PG. The effects of these factors on post-transplant outcome are not well defined. Using the PHTS database, albumin and growth data from pediatric heart transplant patients from 12/1999 to 12/2009 were analyzed for effect on mortality. Covariables were examined to determine whether HA and PG were risk factors for mortality at listing and transplant. HA patients had higher waitlist mortality (15.81% vs. 10.59%, p = 0.015) with an OR of 1.59 (95% CI 1.09-2.30). Survival was worse for patients with HA at listing and transplant (p ≤ 0.01 and p = 0.026). Infants and patients with congenital heart disease did worse if they were HA at time of transplant (p = 0.020 and p = 0.028). Growth was poor while waiting with PG as risk factor for mortality in multivariate analysis (p = 0.008). HA and PG are risk factors for mortality. Survival was worse in infants and patients with congenital heart disease. PG was a risk factor for mortality in multivariate analysis. These results suggest that an opportunity may exist to improve outcomes for these patients by employing strategies to mitigate these risk factors.

Variation in feeding practices following the Norwood procedure.

OBJECTIVES: To assess variation in feeding practice at hospital discharge after the Norwood procedure, factors associated with tube feeding, and associations among site, feeding mode, and growth before stage II. STUDY DESIGN: From May 2005 to July 2008, 555 subjects from 15 centers were enrolled in the Pediatric Heart Network Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial; 432 survivors with feeding data at hospital discharge after the Norwood procedure were analyzed. RESULTS: Demographic and clinical variables were compared among 4 feeding modes: oral only (n = 140), oral/tube (n = 195), nasogastric tube (N-tube) only (n = 40), and gastrostomy tube (G-tube) only (n = 57). There was significant variation in feeding mode among sites (oral only 0%-81% and G-tube only 0%-56%, P < .01). After adjusting for site, multivariable modeling showed G-tube feeding at discharge was associated with longer hospitalization, and N-tube feeding was associated with greater number of discharge medications (R(2) = 0.65, P < .01). After adjusting for site, mean pre-stage II weight-for-age z-score was significantly higher in the oral-only group (-1.4) vs the N-tube-only (-2.2) and G-tube-only (-2.1) groups (P = .04 and .02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Feeding mode at hospital discharge after the Norwood procedure varied among sites. Prolonged hospitalization and greater number of medications at the time of discharge were associated with tube feeding. Infants exclusively fed orally had a higher weight-for-age z score pre-stage II than those fed exclusively by tube. Exploring strategies to prevent morbidities and promote oral feeding in this highest risk population is warranted.

Anthropometric growth and utilization of enteral feeding support in pediatric heart transplant recipients.

We sought to outline trends in anthropometric growth before and after cardiac transplantation and to document our experience with the use of EFS in this population. A total of 130 patients (59% male) were enrolled and followed for a median of 4.4 yr after transplantation. Negative changes over time in weight z-score (EST: -0.256 [0.160] z/yr, p = 0.01), height z-score (EST: -0.214 [0.096] z/yr, p = 0.03), and BMI z-score (EST: -0.287 [0.161] z/yr, p = 0.07) were observed prior to transplantation. Significant increases in weight z-score (EST: +0.342 [0.143] z/yr, p < 0.001) and BMI z-score (EST: +0.396 [0.140] z/yr, p = 0.005) were seen in the first 18 months following transplantation. No further increases in height, weight, or BMI z-score were seen beyond this. Forty-two (32%) patients received EFS. Prior to transplantation, it was not found to be associated with change in anthropomorphic growth. Post-transplantation exposure to EFS was associated with a faster increase in weight z-score (EST: +0.480 [0.231] z/yr, p = 0.04) and height z-score over time (EST: +0.366 [0.141] z/yr, p = 0.01). Normalization of weight and height z-scores was not achieved during the study follow-up period. This study suggests that further investigation into the role of EFS is warranted to identify strategies to improve growth in pediatric heart transplant recipients.

Safety and effectiveness of radiologic percutaneous gastrostomy and gastro jejunostomy in children with cardiac disease.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of radiologic percutaneous gastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy for providing nutritional support in children with cardiac disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 58 children with cardiac disease who underwent radiologic percutaneous gastrostomy from November 2001 to June 2005 was conducted. Patient data were collected until January 2007. The patients' weights were collected at the time of insertion and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after insertion, and weight-for-age z-scores were calculated. RESULTS: The mean weight-for-age z-score increased from -2.79 at the time of radiologic percutaneous gastrostomy insertion to -2.33 (p = 0.05) at 6 months after insertion, -1.89 (p = 0.001) at 12 months, -1.65 (p = 0.0002) at 18 months, and -1.40 (p = 0.0004) at 24 months. Repeated measures regression analysis showed a significant increase in weight-for-age z-score over time (p < 0.0001), with an estimated mean increase in weight-for-age z-score of 0.055 per month. No mortality was associated with the insertion or usage of radiologic percutaneous gastrostomy. Major complications included intestinal perforation (3.4%) and aspiration pneumonia (12.1%). CONCLUSION: Radiologic percutaneous gastrostomy is a safe method for providing long-term nutritional support in children with cardiac disease and is effective for improving growth and nutrition in this group of patients.

Impact of increasing adiposity in hyperlipidemic children.

Despite lifestyle management, children with high-risk hyperlipidemias may become overweight, and this may further adversely impact their lipid profile. Regression analysis was used to determine changes over time in adiposity and their association with lipid profiles and other risk factors for hyperlipidemic children followed in a lipid disorder clinic. 184 patients were included. Median age at presentation was 7 years (2-17 years), and median duration of follow-up was 9 years (5-20 years). Mean initial total cholesterol was 6.9+/-1.6 mmol/L, low-density lipoproteins were 5.2+/-1.7 mmol/L, high-density lipoproteins were 1.2 +/- 0.4 mmol/L, triglycerides were 1.1+/-0.8 mmol/L, and body mass index z score was +0.4+/-1.0. A significant increase in body mass index z score (+0.032/year, P< .001) was observed. There was an associated significant increase in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and decrease in high-density lipoprotein levels over time. Worsening adiposity is prevalent in hyperlipidemic children and adversely affects their lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk.

Resting energy expenditure in the parenterally fed pediatric population with Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a common sequela of Crohn's disease (CD) and may result in reduced skeletal muscle function and growth retardation. Energy requirements of parenterally fed hospitalized pediatric patients with active CD were measured using indirect calorimetry, to assess whether Food Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO)/United Nations University (UNU) equations provide appropriate estimations of energy requirements in this patient population. METHODS: Twenty hospitalized patients with active CD fed exclusively via parenteral nutrition (PN) were investigated. A chart review and patient interviews were conducted to assess disease duration, location, laboratory parameters, and symptomology associated with CD. Disease severity was quantified using the Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index. Each subject underwent indirect calorimetry, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and anthropometric assessment once the ordered PN met estimated macronutrient requirements of each patient (predicted resting energy expenditure x1.3). Predicted resting energy expenditure (REE) was determined using the FAO/WHO/UNU equations. RESULTS: REE showed a strong correlation with predicted REE (r(2) = .73, p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Measured REE did not significantly differ from predicted resting energy requirements. This indicates that REE for the parenterally fed pediatric patients with CD can be accurately predicted using the FAO/WHO/UNU equations.