Epidemiological Data on Anaphylaxis in French Emergency Departments.

BACKGROUND: Although anaphylaxis has been considered a priority public health issue in the world allergy community, epidemiological data on morbidity and mortality remain suboptimal. We performed the first multicenter epidemiological study in French emergency departments (EDs). The study covered 7 EDs over a period of 1 year. The objectives were to identify areas that are amenable to change and to support ongoing national and international efforts for better diagnosis, management, and prevention of anaphylaxis. METHODS: Ours was a descriptive study based on data routinely reported to French institutional administrative databases from 7 French public health institutions in the Lorraine region between January and December 2015. Data were collected based on the anaphylaxisrelated codes of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10, and cases were clinically validated as anaphylaxis. RESULTS: Of the 202 079 admissions to the EDs, 4817 had anaphylaxis-related codes; of these, 323 were clinically validated as anaphylaxis. Although 45.8% were severe, adrenaline was prescribed in only 32.4% of cases. Of the 323 cases, 57.9% were subsequently referred for an allergy work-up or evaluation (after or during hospitalization), and 17.3% were prescribed autoinjectable epinephrine. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight an urgent need for improved public health initiatives with respect to recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis. We flag key problems that should be managed in the coming years through implementation of national and international actions.

Epidemiological data on anaphylaxis in French emergency departments

BACKGROUND: Although anaphylaxis has been considered a priority public health issue in the world allergy community, epidemiological data on morbidity and mortality remain suboptimal. We performed the first multicenter epidemiological study in French emergency departments (EDs). The study covered 7 EDs over a period of 1 year. The objectives were to identify areas that are amenable to change and to support ongoing national and international efforts for better diagnosis, management, and prevention of anaphylaxis. METHODS: Ours was a descriptive study based on data routinely reported to French institutional administrative databases from 7 French public health institutions in the Lorraine region between January and December 2015. Data were collected based on the anaphylaxis-related codes of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10, and cases were clinically validated as anaphylaxis. RESULTS: Of the 202 079 admissions to the EDs, 4817 had anaphylaxis-related codes; of these, 323 were clinically validated as anaphylaxis. Although 45.8% were severe, adrenaline was prescribed in only 32.4% of cases. Of the 323 cases, 57.9% were subsequently referred for an allergy work-up or evaluation (after or during hospitalization), and 17.3% were prescribed autoinjectable epinephrine. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight an urgent need for improved public health initiatives with respect to recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis. We flag key problems that should be managed in the coming years through implementation of national and international actions

ANTECEDENTES: La anafilaxia es un problema prioritario de salud pública en la comunidad mundial alergológica. Sin embargo, los datos epidemiológicos disponibles de morbilidad y mortalidad son mejorables. Presentamos el primer estudio epidemiológico multicéntrico, realizado en siete departamentos de urgencias franceses durante un año, que tuvo como objetivo identificar las cuestiones relevantes para lograr cambios en futuras estrategias, nacionales e internacionales, que deriven en un mejor diagnóstico, tratamiento y prevención de la anafilaxia. MÉTODOS: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo que utilizó la información proveniente de las bases de datos de siete instituciones francesas de salud pública, de la región de Lorena, desde enero hasta diciembre de 2015. Se buscaron nomenclatura y códigos relacionados con la anafilaxia, de la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades (CIE-10), y los pacientes fueron validados clínicamente como casos de anafilaxia. RESULTADOS: De los 202.079 ingresos en urgencias, 4.817 tenían códigos relacionados con la anafilaxia CIE-10, 323 de los cuales se validaron clínicamente con el diagnóstico de anafilaxia. Aunque el 45,8% presentó criterios de gravedad, la adrenalina se prescribió solo en el 32,4% de estos casos. En total, 323 casos, el 57,9%, se remitieron posteriormente para un estudio o evaluación alergológica (después o durante la hospitalización) y el 17,3% recibió una receta de adrenalina autoinyectable . CONCLUSIÓN: Según los resultados de este estudio, existe una necesidad urgente e imperiosa de mejorar los planes de salud pública respecto al reconocimiento y tratamiento de la anafilaxia. Los problemas clave detectados en este trabajo, señalan el camino de la toma de decisiones e implementación de acciones de mejora, nacionales e internacionales, para una mejor atención de los pacientes con anafilaxia

Outcome of children born after pregnancy denial.

INTRODUCTION: Denial of pregnancy remains a phenomenon little known to healthcare professionals. Yet its repercussions are far from negligible. The aim of this study was to assess whether denial of pregnancy has an impact on the infant's development. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This prospective study included 51 full-term infants born in Nancy Regional Maternity Hospital between 1 January 2009 and 30 June 2015. In this study, the development of the children was followed longitudinally. We collected data during the neonatal period, at 9months, and at 2years of age from the infants' file and standardized medical certificates, and current data through a telephone questionnaire. Three fundamental aspects of the infants' development were analyzed: height and weight growth, psychomotor development, and the existence of pathologies. Given that this was a preliminary study aiming at exploring facts, no statistical tests were carried out. RESULTS: The rate of denial of pregnancy was one birth in 300 during the study period. These infants showed proportional intrauterine growth restriction, which leveled out later, with their height and weight growth normal by month 9. The full-term perinatal mortality rate was 5%. The infants showed no sign of increased morbidity; 20% of them presented with delayed psychomotor development at 9months of age, with an increased impact as they grew older. The rate reached 30% after 24months, half of which were language disorders. CONCLUSION: The results of this preliminary study point out the need for thorough monitoring of these infants throughout infancy.

[Severe acute White-Spirit poisoning with pulmonary hypertension]. / Un cas d'intoxication aiguë sévère au White-Spirit avec hypertension artérielle pulmonaire.

UNLABELLED: The Authors report a case of acute White-Spirit poisoning with pulmonary hypertension associated to respiratory distress syndrome. CASE REPORT: A 14-month-old infant drank an unknown quantity of White-Spirit while his parents were painting. After he spontaneously vomited, he presented a seizure at the emergency department. After a 36 h stay in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), acute lung injury required mechanical ventilation and vasoactive support. Cardiac ultrasounds showed pulmonary hypertension, which rapidly resolved with inhaled nitric oxide. The child was discharged of PICU after five days. Respiratory follow-up two months after poisoning was normal. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary hypertension should be checked for in case of White-Spirit ingestion complicated with severe acute lung injury.

[A case of atrial flutter after umbilical venous catheterization]. / Une observation de flutter auriculaire après pose de cathéter veineux ombilical.

UNLABELLED: Isolated atrial flutter is an extremely rare form of supraventricular tachycardia in the neonatal period. It may be initiated by central venous catheterization. CASE REPORT: A male infant was born at 35 weeks by cesarean section for placenta praevia. He was eutrophic. Apgar score was 10 at 1 and 5 minutes. He secondary developed a respiratory distress syndrome. He was then ventilated by nasal CPAP. Immediately after an umbilical venous catheterization, a tachycardia appeared without preexistent cardiac dysfunction. An intravenous dose of adenosine (Striadyne) showed a characteristic sawtooth pattern of P waves on inferior leads. The cardiac-US examination was normal. This atrial flutter was converted to normal sinus rhythm by transoesophageal pacing, without adjunction of antiarrhythmic drugs. The newborn was weaned from mechanical ventilation 48 hours later and discharged from hospital at seven days post natal age. His development and clinical examination were normal two months later. CONCLUSION: The isolated atrial flutter is rare in the neonate. It may be triggered by a venous catheterization. Transoesophageal atrial pacing is safe and effective for conversion.

[Prolonged length of stays in pediatric intensive care. Retrospective study of 100 stays]. / Les séjours prolongés en réanimation pédiatrique. Analyse rétrospective de 100 séjours.

UNLABELLED: New issues have arisen in pediatric intensive care units, especially concerning long-stay patients. The aims of the present study were to describe the etiologic factors of these long-stay patients and to recognize the comorbidities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-five patients who had a total of 100 hospitalizations of more than 30 days were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit at Robert-Debre Hospital during a 3-year period (1993-1995); this accounted for 9.1% of total admissions. We retrospectively reviewed these 100 long-stay hospitalizations. RESULTS: Most of these patients were newborns (65%). Patients with severe congenital anomalies (44 patients) and very premature infants (26 patients) constituted the majority of long-stay patients. The mean duration of mechanical ventilation for the 95 patients was 110 days (ranges 17-789 days). Two factors of comorbidity were found: gastroesophageal reflux (41% of cases) and nosocomial infections (89% of cases). CONCLUSION: In order to prevent long stays, pediatric intensive care units must be directed toward these factors.

Bone marrow transplantation as treatment for X-linked immunodeficiency with hyper-IgM.

We report a 10-year-old boy with a severe form of immunodeficiency with hyper-IgM who underwent successful bone marrow transplantation with his HLA-matched sister as donor. Busulfan (20 mg/kg) and cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) were used as conditioning. The post-transplant course was uneventful. He is alive 25 months later with full hematological and immunological reconstitution.