Energy- and protein-enriched formula improves weight gain in infants with malnutrition due to cardiac and noncardiac etiologies.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess safety, tolerability, and improvement in weight gain with an energy- and protein-enriched formula (EPEF) in infants with poor growth. METHODS: Infants aged 1-8 months with poor growth received EPEF for 16 weeks. Our primary objective was improvement in weight as measured by change in weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) and weight gain velocity (grams per day) ≥ median for age. Secondary objectives included improvement in other anthropometric z-scores, formula tolerance, and safety. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients with poor growth due to congenital heart disease (n = 15), other organic causes (n = 9), and nonorganic causes (n = 2) completed the study per protocol. Mean daily energy intake was 123 ± 32 kilocalories per kilogram of body weight, with >90% of energy coming from EPEF. Weight gain velocity exceeded the median for 83% (20 of 24) and 67% (16 of 24) of infants at ≥1 time point and for the overall study period, respectively. Mean ± SD WAZ improved from -2.92 ± 1.04 at baseline to -2.01 ± 1.12 at 16 weeks (P = 0.0001). Z-scores for weight-for-length and head circumference (P = 0.0001) and for length-for-age (P = 0.003) improved significantly at 16 weeks. Compared with baseline, stool consistency was different at 2, 4, and 16 weeks (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in vomiting, fussiness, or daily number of stools while there was a decrease or no change in spit-up, flatulence, crying, or gassiness. CONCLUSION: EPEF is safe, well tolerated, and improves weight gain in infants with poor growth.

Assessment of Prehospital Monitor/Defibrillators for Clostridioides difficile Contamination.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine if Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) was present on the electrocardiogram (ECG) right arm leads, blood pressure cuffs, and fingertip pulse oximetry sensors of monitor/defibrillators used in the prehospital setting. METHODS: On March 22, 2019, a total of 20 prehospital monitor/defibrillators located at an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) station in Alabama (USA) were assessed for C. diff. The inside area of the fingertip pulse oximetry sensor, patient contact side of the blood pressure cuff, and right arm ECG lead of monitor/defibrillators (n = 60) were swabbed using a sterile cotton-tipped applicator saturated in a 0.85% Sodium Chloride solution. These cotton-tipped applicators were then inserted, scored, and released into Banana Broth vials. The vials were then sealed tightly and immediately transported to the laboratory, where they were incubated at 36°C for 72 hours. Colorimetric change from red to yellow was considered a positive indication for the presence of C. diff. RESULTS: Of 20 blood pressure cuffs, 15 had C. diff contamination (75%); C. diff was also present on 19 of 20 fingertip pulse oximeter sensors (95%) and 20 of 20 ECG right arm monitor leads (100%). CONCLUSION: Prehospital monitor/defibrillators may represent a significant reservoir of C. diff and other pathogenic bacteria. Improved disinfection protocols for reusable monitoring equipment and transition to disposable monitoring equipment used in the prehospital setting may reduce the risk of patient and EMS provider infection.

Corrigendum to "Emergency Medical Services resource capacity and competency amid COVID-19 in the United States: preliminary findings from a national survey" [Heliyon 6 (5) (May 2020) e03900].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03900.].

Erratum to "Emergency Medical Services resource capacity and competency amid COVID-19 in the United States: preliminary findings from a national survey" [Heliyon 6 (5) (May 2020) Article e03900].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03900.].

Emergency Medical Services resource capacity and competency amid COVID-19 in the United States: preliminary findings from a national survey.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate available resources, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) availability, sanitation practices, institutional policies, and opinions among EMS professionals in the United States amid the COVID-19 pandemic using a self-report survey questionnaire. METHODS: An online 42-question multiple choice survey was randomly distributed between April 1, 2020, and April 16, 2020 to various active Emergency Medical Services (EMS) paid personnel in all 50 U.S. states including the District of Columbia (n = 192). We approximate a 95% confidence interval (±0.07). RESULTS: An overwhelming number of EMS providers report having limited access to N95 respirators, receiving little or no benefits from COVID-19 related work, and report no institutional policy on social distancing practices despite CDC recommendations. For providers who do have access to N95 respirators, 31% report having to use the same mask for 1 week or longer. Approximately ⅓ of the surveyed participants were unsure of when a COVID-19 patient is infectious. The data suggests regular decontamination of EMS equipment after each patient contact is not a regular practice. DISCUSSION: Current practices to educate EMS providers on appropriate response to the novel coronavirus may not be sufficient, and future patients may benefit from a nationally established COVID-19 EMS response protocol. Further investigation on whether current EMS practices are contributing to the spread of infection is warranted. The data reveals concerning deficits in COVID-19 related education and administrative protocols which pose as a serious public health concern that should be urgently addressed.

Emergency Medical Services resource capacity and competency amid COVID-19 in the United States: Preliminary findings from a national survey

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to investigate available resources, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) availability, sanitation practices, institutional policies, and opinions among EMS professionals in the United States amid the COVID-19 pandemic using a self-report survey questionnaire. METHODSAn online 42-question multiple choice survey was randomly distributed between April 1, 2020, and April 12, 2020 to various active Emergency Medical Services (EMS) paid personnel in all 50 U.S. states including the District of Columbia (n=165). We approximate a 95% confidence interval ({+/-} 0.0755). RESULTSAn overwhelming number of EMS providers report having limited access to N95 respirators, receiving little or no benefits from COVID-19 related work, and report no institutional policy on social distancing practices despite CDC recommendations. For providers who do have access to N95 respirators, 31% report having to use the same mask for 1 week or longer. Approximately [1/3] of the surveyed participants were unsure of when a COVID-19 patient is infectious. The data suggests regular decontamination of EMS equipment after each patient contact is not a regular practice. DISCUSSIONCurrent practices to educate EMS providers on appropriate response to the novel coronavirus may not be sufficient, and future patients may benefit from a nationally established COVID-19 EMS response protocol. Further investigation on whether current EMS practices are contributing to the spread of infection is warranted. The data reveals concerning deficits in COVID-19 related education and administrative protocols which pose as a serious public health concern that should be urgently addressed. Key MessagesO_ST_ABSWhat is already known on this subjectC_ST_ABSO_LICOVID-19 presents as a national emergency in the United States, and all efforts to mitigate the spread of disease should be considered C_LIO_LIEmergency Medical Services personnel play a pivotal role in patient outcomes and are often the first healthcare providers to make contact with COVID-19 patients C_LIO_LIThe CDC has provided an Interim guidance for EMS professionals amid the COVID-19 pandemic C_LI What this study addsO_LIDue to varied decontamination practices and administrative protocols that are non-compliant with CDC recommendations, EMS providers may inadvertently contribute to the spread of infection C_LIO_LIDue to varied knowledge and opinions of EMS providers on COVID-19, current pandemic education approaches may need to be revisited C_LI

Novel Implementation of Genotype-Guided Proton Pump Inhibitor Medication Therapy in Children: A Pilot, Randomized, Multisite Pragmatic Trial.

The efficacy of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medications is highly dependent on plasma concentrations, which varies considerably due to cytochrome P450 (CYP2C19) genetic variation. We conducted a pragmatic, pilot study of CYP2C19 genotype-guided pediatric dosing of PPI medications. Children aged 5-17 years old with gastric-acid-related conditions were randomized to receive either conventional dosing of a PPI or genotype-guided dosing for a total of 12 weeks. Sixty children (30 in each arm) were enrolled and had comparable baseline characteristics. The mean daily omeprazole equivalent dose prescribed to participants across metabolizer phenotype groups was significantly different in the genotype-guided dosing arm (P < 0.001), but not in the conventional dosing arm. Prescribers waited for the genotype result before prescribing the PPI medication for 90% of the participants in the genotype-guided dosing arm. The number of participants who reported an infection was marginally lower in genotype-guided dosing vs. conventional dosing (20% vs. 44%; P = 0.07). Sinonasal symptoms were higher in the conventional dosing arm as compared with genotype-guided dosing arm: (2.6 (2.0, 3.4) vs. 1.8 (1.0, 2.3), P = 0.031). CYP2C19 genotype-guided PPI therapy is feasible in a clinical pediatric setting, well accepted by providers, resulted in differential PPI dosing, and may reduce PPI-associated infections. A future large scale randomized clinical trial of CYP2C19 genotype-guided pediatric dosing of PPI medications in children is warranted.

Vitamin D Status and Cardiovascular Risk in Obesity: Effect of Physical Activity in Nonvitamin D Supplemented Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The relationship among inadequate vitamin D status, obesity, and cardiometabolic risk and the potential impact of physical activity-based interventions on vitamin D status are poorly characterized in children. This study aimed to address these issues. METHODS: We studied a total of 21 adolescents (15 obese and 6 normal weight; age: 14-18 years; Tanner stage>IV). Adolescents with obesity (n = 15) underwent a randomized controlled (8 in the intervention group and 7 in the control group) 3-month physical activity-based lifestyle intervention. 25-Hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] by mass spectrometry, adiponectin, leptin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), insulin, and glucose were measured and body composition was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Analysis of covariance and mixed-effects model were used to compare mean change in 25(OH)D between intervention and nonintervention groups. Bootstrap method was used to validate the estimates and principle component analysis reduced the variables in the data for adjustment. RESULTS: 25(OH)D was lower (P < 0.001) in the obese versus lean adolescents. Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, CRP, fat mass (FM), and body mass index z-score were negatively correlated with baseline 25(OH)D, while adiponectin showed a positive correlation. After adjustment for baseline biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk, the concentration of 25(OH)D increased in the obese intervention group (P = 0.06), but not in the nonintervention group. Fat-free mass increased and FM decreased (P < 0.05 for both) in the intervention group. The magnitudes of increase in 25(OH)D and decrease in FM directly correlated (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in circulating 25(OH)D concentration by physical activity-based lifestyle-only intervention in adolescents with obesity, who did not receive vitamin D supplementation, suggests a putative independent role of physical activity-based interventions in the regulation of vitamin D status and potentially in the mitigation of risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

Engaging Adolescents Through Participatory and Qualitative Research Methods to Develop a Digital Communication Intervention to Reduce Adolescent Obesity.

BACKGROUND: The complexity of the childhood obesity epidemic requires the application of community-based participatory research (CBPR) in a manner that can transcend multiple communities of stakeholders, including youth, the broader community, and the community of health care providers. AIM: To (a) describe participatory processes for engaging youth within context of CBPR and broader community, (b) share youth-engaged research findings related to the use of digital communication and implications for adolescent obesity intervention research, and (c) describe and discuss lessons learned from participatory approaches. METHOD: CBPR principles and qualitative methods were synergistically applied in a predominantly African American part of the city that experiences major obesity-related issues. A Youth Research Advisory Board was developed to deeply engage youth in research that was integrated with other community-based efforts, including an academic-community partnership, a city-wide obesity coalition, and a primary care practice research network. Volunteers from the youth board were trained to apply qualitative methods, including facilitating focus group interviews and analyzing and interpreting data with the goal of informing a primary care provider-based obesity reduction intervention. RESULTS: The primary results of these efforts were the development of critical insights about adolescent use of digital communication and the potential importance of messaging, mobile and computer apps, gaming, wearable technology, and rapid changes in youth communication and use of digital technology in developing adolescent nutrition and physical activity health promotion. CONCLUSIONS: The youth led work helped identify key elements for a digital communication intervention that was sensitive and responsive to urban youth. Many valuable lessons were also learned from 3 years of partnerships and collaborations, providing important insights on applying CBPR with minority youth populations.

A.S.P.E.N. clinical guidelines: support of pediatric patients with intestinal failure at risk of parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Children with severe intestinal failure and prolonged dependence on parenteral nutrition are susceptible to the development of parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD). The purpose of this clinical guideline is to develop recommendations for the care of children with PN-dependent intestinal failure that have the potential to prevent PNALD or improve its treatment. METHOD: A systematic review of the best available evidence to answer a series of questions regarding clinical management of children with intestinal failure receiving parenteral or enteral nutrition was undertaken and evaluated using concepts adopted from the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group. A consensus process was used to develop the clinical guideline recommendations prior to external and internal review and approval by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Board of Directors. QUESTIONS: (1) Is ethanol lock effective in preventing bloodstream infection and catheter removal in children at risk of PNALD? (2) What fat emulsion strategies can be used in pediatric patients with intestinal failure to reduce the risk of or treat PNALD? (3) Can enteral ursodeoxycholic acid improve the treatment of PNALD in pediatric patients with intestinal failure? (4) Are PNALD outcomes improved when patients are managed by a multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation team?

Obesity-related increased γ' fibrinogen concentration in children and its reduction by a physical activity-based lifestyle intervention: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if elevated plasma γ'-fibrinogen, typically involved in the formation of fibrinolysis-resistant clots, confers an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and thrombosis in children as it does in adults. Although obesity-related hyperfibrinogenemia is frequently reported in children, the role of γ' fibrinogen and its response to physical activity-based lifestyle are less clear in this population. STUDY DESIGN: In a randomized controlled 3-month physical activity-based lifestyle intervention, γ' fibrinogen concentration was measured in 21 children (aged 14-18 years; Tanner stage > IV), including 15 in the obese group and 6 in the normal weight group, with body mass index percentiles for age and sex of >95 and <85, respectively. RESULTS: The relationships between γ' fibrinogen and other risk factors for CVD, such as markers of insulin resistance and subclinical inflammation, along with body composition (as measured by dual-energy X-ray absortiometry), were assessed before and after the intervention. γ' fibrinogen concentration was higher in the obese group compared with the normal weight group (P < .05) and was correlated with other risk factors for CVD (adjusted R(2) = 0.9; P < .05), and insulin emerged as the major predictor of γ' fibrinogen. The intervention reduced γ'-fibrinogen concentration (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Our data reveal: (1) elevated γ' fibrinogen concentrations in obese insulin-resistant children compared with normal lean controls; (2) a relationship between γ' fibrinogen and other CVD risk factors; and (3) physical activity-induced reduction in γ' fibrinogen in obese children.

Changes in circulating satiety hormones in obese children: a randomized controlled physical activity-based intervention study.

The aims of this study are to examine in children: (i) obesity-related alterations in satiety factors such as leptin, ghrelin, and obestatin; (ii) the link between satiety factors and cardiometabolic risk factors; and (iii) the impact of a physical activity-based lifestyle intervention on the levels of these satiety factors in the obese. We studied a total of 21 adolescents (BMI percentile, 99.0 +/- 0.6 for 15 obese and 56.2 +/- 1.1 for 6 lean). The obese subjects underwent a 3-month randomized controlled physical activity-based lifestyle intervention. Leptin, soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R), ghrelin, and obestatin levels were determined as the primary outcome measures. Other markers of cardiometabolic disease such as inflammation and insulin resistance were also determined. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The concentrations of ghrelin, obestatin, and sOB-R were significantly lower in the obese children compared to the lean controls, whereas that of leptin was higher (all P < 0.05). Although intervention led to a net increase in obestatin (P < 0.01) and no change in ghrelin levels, the balance between ghrelin and obestatin (ratio of ghrelin to obestatin, G/O) decreased (P < 0.02). Intervention reduced leptin and increased sOB-R (P < 0.01 for both). Significant associations between satiety factors and other cardiometabolic risk factors were also observed. Taken together, alterations in the levels of satiety factors are evident early in the clinical course of obesity, but physical activity-based lifestyle intervention either prevented their continued increase or normalized their levels. These beneficial effects appear to aid in the maintenance of body weight and reduction in cardiovascular risk.

Reduction of elevated serum retinol binding protein in obese children by lifestyle intervention: association with subclinical inflammation.

CONTEXT: Retinol binding protein (RBP4), secreted primarily from the liver and adipose tissues, was recently proposed as a link between obesity and insulin resistance. The role of RBP4 in pediatric obesity, its relationship with subclinical inflammation, and its response to lifestyle changes are not elucidated. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine in children: 1) the status of RBP4 levels in lean vs. obese; 2) the relationship between RBP4 levels and subclinical inflammation; and 3) the effect of lifestyle-only intervention on RBP4 levels. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Lean and obese children (n = 21) matched for age (>14 yr to < 18 yr) and maturity stage (Tanner IV) were studied at baseline and with lifestyle intervention in obese subjects only (n = 15). INTERVENTION: Patients received 3 months of randomized and controlled physical activity-based lifestyle intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: RBP4 levels in children before and after intervention and the relationship between RBP4 and subclinical inflammation were measured. RESULTS: Higher RBP4 levels were found in the obese group vs. lean group (P = 0.005). RBP4 correlated with not only indices of obesity and insulin resistance but also inflammatory factors (r = 0.63 and 0.64 for C-reactive protein and IL-6, respectively, P < 0.01). Intervention reduced RBP4 levels by approximately 30% (P = 0.001), and RBP4 reduction was correlated with the magnitude of decrease in inflammatory factors (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Alterations in serum RBP4 occur at an early age in the clinical course of obesity and appear to correlate with subclinical inflammation. Lifestyle intervention almost entirely reversed the raised RBP4 levels in obese children. Future studies should determine whether elevation of RBP4 is a direct trigger for the insulin resistance and subclinical inflammation implicated in the premature development of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Should single-stage PEG buttons become the procedure of choice for PEG placement in children?

BACKGROUND: Single-stage PEG buttons (PEG-B) allow initial placement of a skin-level gastrostomy device for children who require enteral access. They offer significant advantages over traditionally placed PEG tubes (PEG-T) but have not been widely accepted into practice. OBJECTIVE: To review our experience with PEG-Bs compared with PEG-Ts. HYPOTHESIS: PEG-B shares a similar safety profile with PEG-T but delays the need for an initial device change well beyond the change that usually occurs at 6 to 8 weeks after PEG-T placement. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Nemours Children's Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida. PATIENTS: All children undergoing both PEG procedures and attending our clinic from 1997 to 2002. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Age, sex, weight, indications, postoperative complications, interval until first tube change and first tube change complications. RESULTS: Totals of 145 and 93 patients were identified in the PEG-B and PEG-T groups, respectively. Patient characteristics were similar in the 2 groups with respect to age, weight, indications, and postoperative complications. The interval until first tube change, however, was significantly longer in the PEG-B group (314 days) than in the PEG-T (78 days) (P < .0001). In addition, the PEG-B was found to be as safe as the PEG-T for small infants who weighed less than 5 kg. CONCLUSIONS: PEG-B placement should be considered as the procedure of choice over PEG-T placement for children. It offers similar safety profiles, even for small patients and a significantly longer interval until first device change.

Reversal of obesity-related hypoadiponectinemia by lifestyle intervention: a controlled, randomized study in obese adolescents.

CONTEXT: Hypoadiponectinemia and chronic subclinical inflammation in adults are associated with the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The potential relationship between adiponectin and inflammation and its modulation by lifestyle intervention in the pediatric obese population remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to investigate in adolescents 1) the relationship between adiponectin and obesity-related inflammatory factors, C-reactive protein, and IL-6; and 2) the effect of a lifestyle intervention on adiponectin and whether these effects are related to changes in inflammatory factors. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Twenty-one obese and age-matched lean adolescents (age, 14-18 yr; Tanner stage, > or =IV) were studied cross-sectionally. Fifteen obese adolescents also underwent a randomized, controlled physical activity-behavior-diet-based lifestyle intervention for 3 months. Associations among adiponectin, fat mass, insulin resistance, and inflammatory factors at baseline as well as after the intervention were assessed. RESULTS: Plasma adiponectin concentration was lower (P < 0.001) in the obese vs. age-matched lean adolescents. Significant inverse relationships were observed between adiponectin and inflammatory factors, insulinemia, insulin resistance, and fat mass. Intervention produced a 34% increase in adiponectin concentration (P = 0.0004) despite negligible weight loss but with reductions in fat mass, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and inflammatory factors (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that in adolescents, obesity-related hypoadiponectinemia is associated with subclinical inflammation, and a short-term lifestyle intervention augments adiponectin concentrations. These effects appear to be related to reductions in fat mass and inflammatory factors. Based on our current understanding of adiponectin physiology, reversal of hypoadiponectinemia in obese adolescents may protect against risks for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Lifestyle-only intervention attenuates the inflammatory state associated with obesity: a randomized controlled study in adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: The primary goals were to understand the relationship among the inflammatory factors, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and fibrinogen, and indices of obesity in normoglycemic, insulin-resistant adolescents and to investigate the impact of a lifestyle-only intervention on these nontraditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled lifestyle-only intervention study in adolescents. Of the 21 adolescents studied, 15 obese subjects (body mass index [BMI] = 37.6 +/- 3.3 kg/m 2 ) were randomized to either a lifestyle intervention program or usual care. The lean controls were studied only at baseline. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures was used to study intervention effect and t test, one-way ANOVA, and discriminant function analysis for baseline comparisons. RESULTS: The intervention group maintained weight, whereas the control group gained weight (P = .02). A redistribution of body composition and a decrease in insulin resistance were observed. Elevated circulating concentrations of CRP, fibrinogen, and IL-6 were significantly reduced (all P