Incidence of and risk factors for perioperative blood transfusion in infants undergoing index pediatric surgery procedures.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data on the frequency of transfusion during pediatric surgery index cases and guidelines for pretransfusion testing, defined as type and screen and crossmatch testing, prior to operation are not standardized. This study aimed to determine the incidence of perioperative blood transfusions during index neonatal operations and identify risk factors associated with perioperative blood transfusion to determine which patients benefit from pretransfusion testing. METHODS: A retrospective review of infants who underwent index neonatal cases between 2013 and 2019 was performed. Data were collected for patients who underwent operations for Hirschsprung's disease, esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF), biliary atresia, anorectal malformation, omphalocele, gastroschisis, duodenal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (non-ECMO) or pulmonary lobectomy. Infants under 6 months were included except in the case of lobectomy where infants up to 12 months were included. RESULTS: Analysis was performed on 420 patients. Twenty-five (6.0%) patients received perioperative blood transfusion. Patients who received perioperative transfusion most commonly underwent EA/TEF repair. Patients who received perioperative transfusion had higher rates of structural heart disease (52.0% vs 17.7%, p<0.001), preoperative transfusion (48.0% vs 8.9%, p<0.001), and prematurity (52.0% vs 25.6%, p = 0.005). Presence of all three risk factors resulted in a 48% probability of requiring perioperative transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Blood transfusion during the perioperative period of neonatal index operations is rare. Factors associated with increased risk of perioperative transfusion include prematurity, structural heart disease, and history of previous blood transfusion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

To give or not to give? Blood for pediatric trauma patients prior to pediatric trauma center arrival.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the indications, safety and clinical outcomes associated with the administration of blood products prior to arrival at a pediatric trauma center (prePTC). METHODS: Children (≤ 18 years) who were highest level activations at an ACS level 1 pediatric trauma center (PTC) from 2009-2019 were divided into groups:(1) patients with transport times < 4 h who received blood prePTC(preBlood) versus (2) age matched controls with transport times < 4 h who only received crystalloid prePTC (preCrystalloid). RESULTS: Of 1269 trauma activations, 38 met preBlood and 38 met preCrystalloid inclusion criteria. A similar volume of prePTC crystalloid infusion was observed between cohorts (p = 0.311). PreBlood patients evidenced greater hemodynamic instability as demonstrated by higher prePTC pediatric age-adjusted shock index (SIPA) scores. PreBlood patients showed improvement in lactate (p = 0.038) and hemoglobin (p = 0.041) levels upon PTC arrival. PreBlood patients received less crystalloid within 12 h of PTC admission (p = 0.017). No significant differences were found in blood transfusion volumes within six (p = 0.293) and twenty-four (p = 0.575) hours of admission, nor in mortality between cohorts (p = 0.091). CONCLUSIONS: The administration of blood to pediatric trauma patients prior to arrival at a PTC is safe, transiently improves markers of shock, and was not associated with worse outcomes.

Not as simple as ABC: Tools to trigger massive transfusion in pediatric trauma.

BACKGROUND: Early and accurate identification of pediatric trauma patients who will receive massive transfusion (MT) is not well established. We developed the ABCD (defined as penetrating mechanism, positive focused assessment with sonography for trauma, shock index, pediatric age-adjusted [SIPA], lactate, and base deficit [BD]) and BIS scores (defined as a combination of BD, international normalized ratio [INR], and SIPA) and hypothesized that the BIS score would perform best in the ability to predict the need for MT in children. METHODS: Pediatric trauma patients (≤18 years old) admitted to our trauma center between 2008 and 2019 were identified. Using a receiver operator curve, we defined cutoff points for lactate (≥3.2), BD (≤-6.9), and INR (≥1.4). ABCD scores were calculated by combining penetrating mechanism; positive focused assessment with sonography for trauma examination; SIPA; lactate; and BD. BIS scores were calculated by combining BD, INR, and SIPA. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of each score were calculated based on receiving MT. RESULTS: Seven hundred seventy-two patients were included, of which 59 (7.6%) underwent MT. The best predictor of receiving MT was achieved by a BIS score of ≥2 that was 98% sensitive and 23% specific with an area under the curve of 0.81. The ABCD score of ≥2 was 97% sensitive and 20% specific with an area under the curve of 0.77. CONCLUSION: The BIS score, which takes into account derangements in acidosis, coagulopathy, and SIPA, is accurate and easy to perform and can be incorporated into a simple bedside screening tool for triggering MT in pediatric trauma patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Tests or Criteria, Level IV.

Pre-hospital and emergency department shock index pediatric age-adjusted (SIPA) "cut points" to identify pediatric trauma patients at risk for massive transfusion and/or mortality.

BACKGROUND: Shock index pediatric age-adjusted (SIPA) is a validated measure to identify severely injured children. Previous literature categorized SIPA as normal or elevated, but the relationship between specific SIPA values and outcomes has not been determined. We sought to determine specific SIPA cut points in the pre-hospital and Emergency Department (ED) settings to identify patients at risk for massive transfusion (MT) and/or mortality. METHODS: Patients ≤ 18 years old admitted to our Level I pediatric trauma center following trauma activation were included. Youdin J index was used to define pre-hospital and ED SIPA cut points to identify those at risk of MT and/or mortality for the following age groups: < 1 year, 1-6 years, 7-12 years, and > 12 years old. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated to determine SIPA threshold values associated with MT and/or mortality. RESULTS: Of 1,072 patients, 6.3% (n = 68) required MT and 8.4% (n = 90) died. For predicting MT, pre-hospital SIPA cut points performed best in the > 12 year-old age group (AUC = 0.86) and ED SIPA cut points performed best in the 6-12 year-old age group (AUC = 0.87). For predicting mortality, pre-hospital (AUC = 0.78) and ED SIPA cut points (AUC = 0.84) performed best in the > 12 year-old age group. CONCLUSION: Pre-hospital and ED SIPA cut points performed better at predicting MT and/or mortality in older pediatric patients compared to very young children. Age remains an important factor when determining the validity of SIPA to predict outcomes in pediatric trauma patients. STUDY TYPE/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Retrospective Cohort Study.

Novel tool (BIS) heralds the need for blood transfusion and/or failure of non-operative management in pediatric blunt liver and spleen injuries.

BACKGROUND: Non-operative management (NOM) is the standard of care for the majority of children with blunt liver and spleen injuries (BLSI). The shock index pediatric age-adjusted (SIPA) was previously shown to predict the need for blood transfusions in pediatric trauma patients with BLSI. We combined SIPA with base deficit (BD) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) to create the BIS score. We hypothesized that the BIS score would predict the need for blood transfusions and/or failure of NOM in pediatric trauma patients with BLSI. METHODS: Patients (≤ 18 years) who presented to our Level I pediatric trauma center with BLSI from 2009 to 2019 were identified. BIS scores were calculated by giving 1 point for each of the following: base deficit ≤ -8.8, INR ≥ 1.5, or elevated SIPA. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were generated for BIS scores ≥ 1, ≥ 2, and ≥ 3. Area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of each score were calculated for ability to predict need for blood transfusions and/or failure of NOM. RESULTS: Of 477 children included, 19.9% required a blood transfusion and 6.7% failed NOM. A BIS score ≥ 1 was the best predictor of the need for blood transfusions with an AUC of 0.81 and a sensitivity of 96.0%. A BIS score ≥ 1 was also the best predictor of failure of NOM with an AUC of 0.72 and a sensitivity of 97.0%. CONCLUSION: The BIS score is a highly sensitive tool that identifies pediatric patients with BLSI at risk for blood transfusions and/or failure of NOM. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective comparative study.

A surgeon's predicament: Clinical predictors of surgery and mortality in neutropenic enterocolitis.

BACKGROUND: Neutropenic enterocolitis is uncommon but potentially life-threatening, with the cornerstone of treatment being medical management (MM), and surgical intervention reserved for clinical deterioration or bowel perforation. We hypothesized that the Shock Index Pediatric Age-Adjusted (SIPA) is elevated in patients who are at greatest risk for surgical intervention and mortality. We also sought to identify computed tomography (CT) findings associated with surgical intervention and mortality. METHODS: A single-center cancer registry was reviewed for neutropenic enterocolitis patients from 2006 -2018. Survival models compared patients with normal versus elevated SIPA throughout their hospitalizations for the time to surgical management (SM), as well as in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients with neutropenic enterocolitis were identified; 7 underwent surgery. In-hospital mortality was 12% in MM and 29% in SM; mortality among patients with elevated SIPA was 4.7 times higher compared to those with normal SIPA (95% CI: 1.1, 19.83, p = 0.04). CT findings of bowel obstruction, pneumatosis, and a greater percentage of large bowel involvement were associated with surgical intervention (all ps < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Select pre-operative CT findings were associated with need for operative management. Elevated SIPA was associated with increased mortality. Elevated SIPA in pediatric cancer patients with neutropenic enterocolitis may help to identify those with more severe disease and expedite beneficial interventions.

It is time for TEG in pediatric trauma: unveiling meaningful alterations in children who undergo massive transfusion.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death in pediatric trauma patients. In adults, goal-directed thrombelastography (TEG) has been shown to reduce mortality when used to guide massive transfusion (MT) resuscitation. There remains a paucity of data on the utility of TEG in directing resuscitation of pediatric trauma patients. We hypothesize that abnormalities on admission TEG will differ in pediatric trauma patients who undergo MT, compared to those who do not. METHODS: Pediatric patients (≤ 18 years) who were highest level trauma activations at two trauma centers from 2015 to 2018 were analyzed. We included patients who had admission TEGs and excluded those who did not. Patients were stratified into two groups: those who received MT (> 40 cc/kg total blood product within 6 h of admission) and those who did not. We defined TEG abnormalities based on each institution's normative values and compared TEG abnormalities between the groups. RESULTS: Of 117 children included, 39 had MT. MT patients had higher injury severity scores (30 vs. 23, p = 0.0004), lactates levels (7.0 vs. 3.5, p < 0.001), base deficit levels ( - 12.2 vs. - 5.8, p < 0.001), and INR values (1.8 vs. 1.3, p < 0.001). MT patients had significantly shortened alpha-angles (35.9% vs. 15.4%, p = 0.023), maximum amplitude (MA) values (43.6% vs. 10.3%, p < 0.001), and significantly lower platelet counts (165 vs. 281, p < 0.001) compared to those who did not receive MT. There was no difference in the trends in R-time, LY30 (lysis or shutdown), or fibrinogen concentration between the groups. Logistic regression identified a decreased MA as a significant predictor for MT [OR 3.68 (CI 1.29-10.52)] CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric trauma patients who undergo MT are more likely to have lower alpha-angles and MA values, as well as lower platelet counts. These findings support the use of TEG to identify hemorrhaging pediatric trauma patients, who may benefit from cryoprecipitate and/or platelet transfusions. TEG provides real-time information on coagulation status, which may expedite the delivery of specific blood products during trauma resuscitation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: LEVEL III: Type of study: Retrospective comparative study.

Using deep learning and natural language processing models to detect child physical abuse.

BACKGROUND: The recognition of child physical abuse can be challenging and often requires a multidisciplinary assessment. Deep learning models, based on clinical characteristics, laboratory studies, and imaging findings, were developed to facilitate unbiased identification of children who may have been abused. METHODS: Level 1 pediatric trauma center registry data from 1/1/2010-1/31/2020 were queried for abused children and matched participants with non-abusive trauma. Observations were de-identified and divided into training and validation sets. Model 1 used patient demographics (age, gender, and insurance type) and clinical characteristics (vital signs, shock index pediatric age-adjusted, Glasgow Coma Score, lactate, base deficit, and international normalized ratio). Model 2 used the same features as Model 1, but with the text of the radiology reports of head computed tomography, brain MRIs, and skeletal surveys. Google's latest BERT Natural Language Processing (NLP) model, which was pre-trained on a large corpus, was used for fine-tuning Model 2. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, F1 scores, and positive predictive values were used to assess performance. RESULTS: Of 1,312 patients, 737 (56.2%) were abused. Model 1 had an accuracy of 86.3%, sensitivity of 87.2%, specificity of 85.1%, F1 score of 0.86, and positive predictive value (PPV) of 88.7% for the validation set with an area under the receiver Operating Curve (ROC AUC) of 0.86. NLP based Model 2 had an accuracy of 93.4%, sensitivity 92.5%, specificity of 94.6%, F1 score of 0.93, and PPV of 95.9% for the validation set, with a ROC AUC of 0.94. Most features had weak individual correlations with abuse (r < 0.3). CONCLUSIONS: Deep learning models accurately distinguished child physical abuse from non-abuse, and NLP further improved the accuracy of the models. Such models could be developed to run in real-time in the electronic medical record and alert clinicians when certain criteria are met, which would prompt them to pursue the diagnosis of abuse. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III STUDY TYPE: Diagnostic.

Comparison of non-invasive physiological assessment tools between simple and perforated appendicitis in children.

PURPOSE: The role of non-invasive measures of physiologic reserve, specifically the Compensatory reserve index (CRI) and the Shock index pediatric age-adjusted (SIPA), is unknown in the management of children with acute appendicitis. CRI is a first-in-class algorithm that uses pulse oximetry waveforms to continuously monitor central volume status loss. SIPA is a well-validated, but a discontinuous measure of shock that has been calibrated for children. METHODS: Children with suspected acute appendicitis (2-17 years old) were prospectively enrolled at a single center from 2014 to 2015 and monitored with a CipherOx CRI™ M1 pulse oximeter. CRI values range from 1 (normovolemia) to 0 (life-threatening hypovolemia). SIPA is calculated by dividing heart rate by systolic blood pressure and categorized as normal or abnormal, based on age-specific cutoffs. Univariate and multivariable regression models were developed with simple versus perforated appendicitis as the outcome. RESULTS: Almost half the patients (45/94, 48%) had perforated appendicitis. On univariate analysis, the median admission CRI value was significantly higher (0.60 versus 0.33, p < 0.001) and the ED SIPA values were significantly lower (0.90 versus 1.10, p = 0.002) in children with simple versus perforated appendicitis. In a multivariable model, only CRI significantly detected differences in the physiologic state between patients with simple and perforated appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS: CRI is a non-invasive measure of physiologic reserve that may be used to accurately guide early management of children with acute simple versus perforated appendicitis.

Gastrostomy Button Placement in Infants With Cyanotic Versus Acyanotic Congenital Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: Infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) may exhibit increased metabolic demands, and many will undergo placement of a gastrostomy to achieve adequate nutritional intake. There is a paucity of data, however, comparing the operative risks and overall complications of gastrostomy placement in cyanotic versus acyanotic infants with CHD. We hypothesized that patients with cyanotic CHD would have a higher rate of gastrostomy-associated complications than infants with acyanotic CHD. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent gastrostomy button placement after cardiac surgery for CHD between 2013 and 2018. Patients were stratified into cyanotic CHD and acyanotic CHD cohorts. Patient data were extracted from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database and merged with clinical data related to gastrostomy placement and complications from chart review. Unadjusted analyses were used to find covariates associated with cyanotic CHD and acyanotic CHD, using a t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous data, depending on normalcy, and χ2 or Fisher's exact tests for categorical data depending on the distribution. RESULTS: There were 257 infants with CHD who underwent gastrostomy placement during the study period, of which 86 had cyanotic CHD. There were no significant differences in baseline weight or preoperative albumin levels between the two groups. Patients with cyanotic CHD had a lower incidence of comorbid syndromes (P = 0.0001), higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery scores (P < 0.0001), and higher postoperative mortality rate (P = 0.0189). There was a higher rate of granulation tissue formation in patients with acyanotic CHD (48.5% versus 22.1%, P < 0.0001). There were no differences in other gastrostomy button-related complications, including leakage, wound infection, or dislodgement. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with acyanotic CHD demonstrated a higher incidence of granulation tissue. We found no difference in gastrostomy-specific complication rates between the two groups, with the notable exception of granulation tissue formation. Based on this study, the diagnosis of cyanotic CHD does not increase the risk of gastrostomy-related complications.

Combining Cribari matrix and Need For Trauma Intervention (NFTI) to accurately assess undertriage in pediatric trauma.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma targets undertriage (UT) rates of <5% to optimize the chances of survival. The Cribari Matrix (CM) has traditionally been employed to identify undertriage, but it likely overestimates actual undertriage. An innovative tool called "Need For Trauma Intervention" (NFTI), demonstrates a more accurate assessment of undertriage in adults. We hypothesized that using the combination of CM and NFTI would more accurately identify UT in pediatric trauma patients, compared to CM alone. METHODS: We reviewed undertriage rates using CM and NFTI criteria. Univariate analysis was used to compare the need for surgical management, transfusion requirements, ventilator days, ICU length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, and hospital costs between CM, NFTI, and the combination of CM and NFTI. RESULTS: Undertriage rates were 8.2% with CM and 4.6% with NFTI. When CM and NFTI were combined, the UT rate was 2.7%. Pediatric patients categorized as UT by the combination of CM and NFTI had significantly longer ICU Length of Stay (LOS) (p < 0.001), hospital LOS (p < 0.001), higher mortality rates (p = 0.004), and higher hospitalization costs (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of CM and NFTI identified UT in children, more accurately than CM or NFTI alone. Injured children who are undertriaged had higher mortality, morbidity, and cost of care. The use of CM in combination with NFTI to evaluate undertriage rates led to the identification of risk factors that may modify the activation criteria for highest and modified level trauma team activations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III STUDY TYPE: Retrospective study without negative criteria (Therapeutic/Care Management).

Why Delay? Early Enteral Nutrition in Pediatric Burn Patients Improves Outcomes.

Children who sustain moderate to large surface area burns present in a hypermetabolic state with increased caloric and protein requirements. A policy was implemented at our institution in 2017 to initiate enteral nutrition (EN) in pediatric burn patients within 4 hours of admission. The authors hypothesize that early EN (initiated within 4 hours of admission) is more beneficial than late EN (initiated ≥ 4 hours from admission) for pediatric burn patients and is associated with decreased rates of pneumonia, increased calorie and protein intake, fewer feeding complications, a shorter Intensive Care Unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), and a reduced hospital LOS. Children who sustained a total body surface area (TBSA) burn injury ≥ 10% between 2011 and 2018 were identified in a prospectively maintained burn registry at Children's Hospital Colorado. Patients were stratified into two groups for comparison: early EN and late EN. The authors identified 132 pediatric burn patients who met inclusion criteria, and most (60%) were male. Approximately half (48%) of the study patients were in the early EN group. The early EN group had lower rates of underfeeding during the first week (P = .014) and shorter ICU LOS (P = .025). Achieving and sustaining adequate nutrition in pediatric burn patients with moderate to large surface area burn injuries are critical to recovery. Early EN in pediatric burn patients is associated with decreased underfeeding and reduced ICU LOS. The authors recommend protocols to institute feeding for patients with burns ≥ 10% TBSA within 4 hours of admission at all pediatric burn centers.

Elevated pediatric age-adjusted shock-index (SIPA) in blunt solid organ injuries.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Shock index-pediatric age-adjusted (SIPA) is a proven tool to predict outcomes in blunt pediatric trauma. We hypothesized that an elevated SIPA in either the pre-hospital or in the emergency department (ED) would identify children with blunt liver or spleen injury (BLSI) needing a blood transfusion and those at risk for failure of non-operative management (NOM). METHODS: Pediatric patients (1-18 years) in the ACS pediatric-TQIP database (2014-2016) with a BLSI were included. Patients were stratified by the need for a blood transfusion and/or abdominal operation. RESULTS: A total of 3561 patients had BLSI, of which 4% received a blood transfusion, and 4% underwent an abdominal operation. Patients who received blood had higher ISS scores (27.0 vs. 5.0, p < 0.001) and mortality (22% vs. 0.4%, p < 0.001). Those who failed NOM had higher ISS scores (17.0 vs. 5.0, p < 0.001) and mortality (7.9% vs. 0.9%, p < 0.001). On multivariable regression, an elevated SIPA score in either pre-hospital or ED was significantly associated with blood transfusion (odds ratio (OR) 8.2, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 5.8-11.5, p < 0.001) and failure of NOM (OR 2.3, CI 1.5-3.4, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Hemodynamic instability, represented by an elevated pre-hospital or ED SIPA, accurately identifies children with BLSI who may need blood products or an operative intervention. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective Comparative Study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Decision-making in pediatric blunt solid organ injury: A deep learning approach to predict massive transfusion, need for operative management, and mortality risk.

BACKGROUND: The principal triggers for intervention in the setting of pediatric blunt solid organ injury (BSOI) are declining hemoglobin values and hemodynamic instability. The clinical management of BSOI is, however, complex. We therefore hypothesized that state-of-art machine learning (computer-based) algorithms could be leveraged to discover new combinations of clinical variables that might herald the need for an escalation in care. We developed algorithms to predict the need for massive transfusion (MT), failure of non-operative management (NOM), mortality, and successful non-operative management without intervention, all within 4 hours of emergency department (ED) presentation. METHODS: Children (≤18 years) who sustained a BSOI (liver, spleen, and/or kidney) between 2009 and 2018 were identified in the trauma registry at a pediatric level 1 trauma center. Deep learning models were developed using clinical values [vital signs, shock index-pediatric adjusted (SIPA), organ injured, and blood products received], laboratory results [hemoglobin, base deficit, INR, lactate, thromboelastography (TEG)], and imaging findings [focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) and grade of injury on computed tomography scan] from pre-hospital to ED settings for prediction of MT, failure of NOM, mortality, and successful NOM without intervention. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used to evaluate each model's performance. RESULTS: A total of 477 patients were included, of which 5.7% required MT (27/477), 7.2% failed NOM (34/477), 4.4% died (21/477), and 89.1% had successful NOM (425/477). The accuracy of the models in the validation set was as follows: MT (90.5%), failure of NOM (83.8%), mortality (91.9%), and successful NOM without intervention (90.3%). Serial vital signs, the grade of organ injury, hemoglobin, and positive FAST had low correlations with outcomes. CONCLUSION: Deep learning-based models using a combination of clinical, laboratory and radiographic features can predict the need for emergent intervention (MT, angioembolization, or operative management) and mortality with high accuracy and sensitivity using data available in the first 4 hours of admission. Further research is needed to externally validate and determine the feasibility of prospectively applying this framework to improve care and outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III STUDY TYPE: Retrospective comparative study (Prognosis/Care Management).

Enough is enough: Radiation doses in children with gastrojejunal tubes.

INTRODUCTION: Many children with gastric feeding intolerance require postpyloric tube feeding via a gastrojejunal (GJ) tube. Placement or positioning of these tubes is typically a procedure with a low dose of radiation. Although the risk of developing cancer from radiation exposure owing to computed tomography scans is well-documented in children, the risk of cumulative radiation exposure owing to frequent GJ tube replacement often goes unnoticed in the clinical decision-making process. We sought to define the frequency and cost of GJ tube replacement, quantify the radiation doses associated with the initial placement and replacements, and assess the number of conversions to surgical jejunostomies. METHODS: All pediatric patients who underwent GJ tube placement or replacement by Interventional Radiology (IR), surgery, and gastroenterology between 2010 and 2018 at a single center were reviewed. We evaluated the total cost of the initial placement and replacement of each GJ tube, the total number of replacements, and the cumulative radiation dose (mGy). RESULTS: We identified 203 patients who underwent GJ tube placement and/or replacement, of which 150 had radiation data available. Patients underwent a median of five GJ tube replacement procedures, and there was a wide range in the number of replacements per patient, from zero to 88. Patients were exposed to a median cumulative dose of 6.0 mGy (IQR: 2.2, 22.6). Nine percent of patients with available radiation data were exposed to more than 50 mGy, solely from GJ tube replacements. The median cost per replacement was $1170. The sum of the cost of the replacements for dislodged GJs translated to more than $1.4 million during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the average dose per GJ replacement was 3.50 mGy among all patients with available data. Nine percent of patients (14/150) were exposed to greater than 50 mGy cumulative radiation solely from GJ replacements. Patients who receive more than 50 mGy of cumulative radiation dose, who undergo seven GJ tube replacements in one year, or two consecutive GJ tube replacement procedures with radiation doses exceeding 10 mGy (per replacement) should be considered for a surgical jejunostomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV TYPE OF STUDY: Treatment study.

Meaningful viscoelastic abnormalities in abusive and non-abusivepediatric trauma.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: There remains a lack of data on the utility of viscoelastic tests in managing abused patients. We hypothesize that abnormalities on admission thrombelastography (TEG) will differ in abused patients compared to those accidentally injured. METHODS: Pediatric trauma patients (≤10 years old) who had an admission TEG at a Level I pediatric trauma center (2010-2020) were included and stratified into two cohorts: abuse versus accidental trauma. TEG abnormalities were based on the institution's normative values and compared between the groups. RESULTS: Of 41 children included, 21 sustained abuse. Five abused patients and three accidentally injured patients died. Abused children showed a hypercoagulable pattern on viscoelastic testing with TEG when compared to those accidentally injured, as demonstrated by a short R-time (67% vs. 30%, p = 0.040) and an increased alpha angle (47% vs. 0%, p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the MA and LY30 values between the two groups. In a multivariable model, only an abnormal alpha angle remained associated with abuse [odds ratio (OR) 0.17 (confidence intervals (CI) 0.02-0.92)]. In a separate multivariable model, only an abnormal MA was associated with mortality [OR 18.97 (CI 1.93-475.47), p = 0.025]. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that hemostasis is significantly different in abused children relative to those who are accidentally injured. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective Comparative Study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

A Pilot Study using the Compensatory Reserve Index to evaluate individuals with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome.

PURPOSE: The diagnosis of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome traditionally involves orthostatic vitals evaluation. The Compensatory Reserve Index is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared algorithm that analyses photoplethysmogram waveforms in real time to trend subtle waveform features associated with varying degrees of central volume loss, from normovolemia to decompensation. We hypothesised that patients who met physiologic criteria for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome would have greater changes in Compensatory Reserve Index with orthostatic vitals. METHODS: Orthostatic vitals and Compensatory Reserve Index values were assessed in individuals previously diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome and healthy controls aged 12-21 years. Adolescents were grouped for comparison based on whether they met heart rate criteria for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome (physiologic Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome). RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were included. Eighteen percent of patients with an existing Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome diagnosis met heart rate criteria, and these patients had significantly greater supine to standing change in Compensatory Reserve Index (0.67 vs. 0.51; p<0.001). The optimal change in Compensatory Reserve Index for physiologic Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome was 0.60. Patients with physiologic Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome were more likely to report previous diagnoses of anxiety or depression (p = 0.054, 0.042). CONCLUSION: An accurate diagnosis of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome may be confounded by related comorbidities. Only 18% (8/44) of previously diagnosed Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome patients met heart rate criteria. Findings support the utility of objective physiologic measures, such as the Compensatory Reserve Index, to more accurately identify patients with true autonomic dysfunction.

Guns, scalpels, and sutures: The cost of gunshot wounds in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Firearm injuries are the second leading cause of death among US children. While injury prevention has been shown to be effective for blunt mechanisms of injury, the rising incidence of accidental gunshot wounds, school shootings, and interpersonal gun violence suggests otherwise for firearm-related injuries. The purpose of the study is to describe the incidence, injury severity, and institutional costs of pediatric gun-related injuries in Colorado. METHODS: Pediatric patients (≤18 years), who sustained firearm injuries between 2008 and 2018, were identified from the trauma registries of three pediatric trauma centers in Colorado. Patients were stratified based on age: those younger than 14 years were defined as children and those 15 years to 18 years as adolescents. RESULTS: Our cohort (n = 308) was predominantly male (87%), with a median age of 14 years. The overall mortality rate was 11% (34/308), with significantly fewer children (5%) dying from their injuries when compared with adolescents (14%; p = 0.04). Sixty-five (21%) patients required blood product transfusions, with 23 (7.4%) patients receiving a massive transfusion. Overall, 52% (161/308) required a major operation, with 15% undergoing an exploratory laparotomy. One third (4/13) of the patients who had a thoracotomy in the emergency department survived to hospital discharge. Overall, 14.0% of patients had psychiatric follow-up at both 30 days and 1 year. The readmission rate for complications was 11.6% at 30 days and 14% at 1 year. The total cost of care for all pediatric firearm-related injuries was approximately US $26 million. CONCLUSION: The survivors of pediatric firearm injuries experience high operative and readmission rates, sustain long-term morbidities, and suffer from mental health sequelae. Combining these factors with the economic impact of these injuries highlights the immense burden of disease. This burden may be palliated by a multipronged approach, which includes the development and dissemination of injury prevention strategies and better follow-up care for these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiological, Level III.

Thromboelastography-guided management of coagulopathy in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

PURPOSE: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) can cause severe hemodynamic deterioration requiring support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). ECMO is associated with hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications. In 2015, we standardized anti-coagulation management on ECMO, incorporating thromboelastography (TEG) as an adjunct to manage hemostasis of CDH patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate our blood product utilization, choice of blood product use in response to abnormal TEG parameters, and the associated effect on bleeding and thrombotic complications. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all CDH neonates supported by ECMO between 2008 and 2018. Blood product administration, TEG data, and hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications data were collected. We divided subjects into two groups pre-2015 and post-2015. RESULTS: After 2015, platelet transfusion was administered for a low maximum amplitude (MA) more frequently (77% compared to 65%, p = 0.0007). Cryoprecipitate was administered less frequently for a low alpha-angle (28% compared to 41%, p = 0.0016). There was no difference in fresh frozen plasma use over time. After standardizing the use of TEG, we observed a significant reduction in hemothoraces (18% compared to 54%, p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: Institutional standardization of anti-coagulation management of CDH neonates on ECMO, including the use of goal-directed TEG monitoring may lead to improved blood product utilization and a decrease in bleeding complications in neonates with CDH supported by ECMO. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/TYPE OF STUDY: Level III, Retrospective comparative study.

The shock index, pediatric age-adjusted (SIPA) enhanced: Prehospital and emergency department SIPA values forecast transfusion needs for blunt solid organ injured children.

BACKGROUND: The elevated shock index, pediatric age-adjusted (SIPA) has been found to accurately predict the need for blood transfusion in severely injured children. We sought to determine the utility of monitoring sequential SIPA values from the prehospital setting through the emergency department to identify children with a blunt liver or spleen injury who will require a blood transfusion. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of children 1 to 18 years old admitted to a level-1 pediatric trauma center with any grade blunt liver or spleen injury between 2009 and 2019. Cohorts were stratified into those who received a blood transfusion within the first 24 hours after injury and those who did not. RESULTS: A total of 477 children had a blunt liver or spleen injury during the study period, of which 20% (95 of 477) received a blood transfusion within 24 hours of trauma center arrival. Of those who received a blood transfusion, 75% (71 of 95) were transfused within 6 hours of arrival at our center. Nearly 90% (84 of 95) of patients who received blood had at least 1 elevated SIPA score in either setting (prehospital or emergency department). Based on multivariable regression, an elevated SIPA score in either setting was significantly associated with blood transfusion (odds ratio 7.8 (confidence interval 4.7-12.9, P = .002). CONCLUSION: Elevated SIPA values in the prehospital setting and on emergency department arrival are associated with early blood transfusion. The importance of this finding is that after serial SIPA values may assist in the early identification of children with blunt liver or spleen injury who will require a blood transfusion.