Functional Neurologic Symptom Disorder in Children: Clinical Features, Diagnostic Investigations, and Outcomes at a Tertiary Care Children's Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the presenting symptoms and short-term outcomes of children diagnosed with functional neurologic symptom disorder and to compare the demographic and clinical characteristics of children who received neurodiagnostic testing to those who did not. STUDY DESIGN: Single center, retrospective review of 222 children who presented to the emergency department of a children's hospital, and diagnosed with functional neurologic symptom disorder, between 2010 and 2015. RESULTS: Out of 222 visits (females = 156, African Americans = 130, mean age = 13.9 years), neurodiagnostic tests were performed in 102/222 (46%) visits. The most commonly performed investigations were magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain (n = 37) and electroencephalogram (EEG) (n = 56) and were noted to be unremarkable in all instances. Neurodiagnostic tests were more likely to be performed in patients who (1) were non-African American (54% vs 40%; P = .03), (2) presented with new-onset symptoms (55% vs 31%; P < .01), (3) underwent hospitalization (61% vs 17%; P < .01), and (4) were evaluated by a neurologist (59% vs 9%; P < .01) or a psychiatrist (58% vs 28%; P < .01). Common clinical presentations included seizurelike or strokelike symptoms. Short-term follow-up was possible in 20%, with an alternate diagnosis of syncope, noted in only 1 child. CONCLUSIONS: Most children who presented with a functional neurologic symptom disorder in our study were noted to have seizurelike or strokelike presentations and were adolescent females. Caucasians were more likely to undergo neurodiagnostic investigations. Radiologic and neurophysiological tests were more commonly performed when neurology and psychiatry consultations were sought. Such investigations had low diagnostic utility.

Epidemiology of Invasive Fungal Infections at Two Tertiary Care Neonatal Intensive Care Units Over a 12-Year Period (2000-2011).

We conducted a retrospective review of 168 patients with invasive fungal infections from January 2000 to December 2011 in 2 neonatal intensive care units. Patients with Candida bloodstream infection (BSI, n = 152) were further analyzed. C albicans was the most common species overall (47%); however, there was an increase in non-albicans sp from 2006 to 2011. Candida BSI clearance rates were lower in extremely low birth weight infants (77% vs 93%, P = .01) and in patients with C albicans infections (77% vs 91%, P = .01). Clearance rates improved from 2000 to 2005 (70% - 90%) to 2006 to 2011 (86% -100%). Combination antifungal use increased during the later years (73% vs 49%, P < .05) and in patients with end-organ dissemination (83% vs 54%, P < .05). We concluded that extremely low birth weight infants and C albicans infection are factors associated with nonclearance of Candida BSI. Successful clearance of Candida BSI improved in 2006 to 2011, perhaps due to increase in non-albicans species and the use of combination antifungals.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux associated with duodenum inversum: two case reports and a review of the literature.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a very common paediatric disorder and the majority of patients are treated successfully by primary care physicians. Two infants aged 2 months with GORD which did not respond to conventional medical management are reported; they were diagnosed with duodenum inversum. The first infant failed medical management and required Nissen's fundoplication to control his symptoms. The second infant improved on maximizing medical management without the need for a surgical procedure. These two cases highlight the need for further work-up in patients who do not respond to conventional GORD therapy and/or present with atypical clinical symptoms.

How well are we preparing pediatricians to manage seizures and epilepsy? A single-center questionnaire-based pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge of pediatric residents regarding principles of management of seizures and epilepsy. METHODS: A 10-item multiple-choice questionnaire with single correct response each (scored as 1) was administered to pediatric residents at an academic hospital. RESULTS: Out of 92 questionnaires, 73 were returned (79.3%). The mean score was 5 ± 1.9 (range = 1 to 9). Most correct responses (53/70, 75.5%) were received for the question on diagnosis of epilepsy. Questions on febrile seizures and on pharmacology of valproic acid received <50% correct responses among senior as well as junior residents, with no significant improvement in the correct response rate of senior residents. CONCLUSIONS: Deficiencies exist in pediatric residents' knowledge of seizures and epilepsy, especially with respect to febrile seizures and pharmacology of antiepileptic medications. Improved mechanisms to promote understanding in these areas are needed during pediatric training.