Oxygen Saturation Targets in Infants Hospitalized With Bronchiolitis: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine 2 hospital oxygen saturation target policies and clinical outcomes in infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis. METHODS: This multicenter cohort study used data collected from a randomized clinical trial of infants aged 4 weeks to 24 months, hospitalized with bronchiolitis at children's and community hospitals from 2016 to 2019. We modeled the association between hospital oxygen saturation target policy, either 90% while awake and 88% while asleep (90%/88%) or 90% while awake and asleep (90%/90%), and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 162 infants were enrolled at 4 hospitals using a 90%/88% oxygen saturation target and 67 infants at 2 hospitals using a 90%/90% target policy. No significant differences between the 90%/88% group and 90%/90% groups were observed for time to discharge (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-1.14; P = .25), initiation of supplemental oxygen (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.98; 95% CI, 0.47-2.02; P = .95), time to discontinuation of supplemental oxygen (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.44-1.27; P = .28), revisits (aOR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.52-3.71; P = .52), and parent days missed from work (aOR, 2.41; 95% CI, 0.90-6.41; P = .08). Three infants in the 90%/88% group and none in the 90%/90% group were transferred to the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: Among infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis, clinical outcomes were similar between a hospital oxygen saturation target policy of 90% while awake and 88% while asleep compared with 90% while awake and asleep. These findings may inform the design of future trials of oxygen saturation targets in bronchiolitis hospital care.

A Feeding Adequacy Scale for Children With Bronchiolitis: Prospective Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the measurement properties of the Feeding Adequacy Scale (FAS) in young children hospitalized with bronchiolitis. METHODS: Multicenter cohort study of infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis at children's and community hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Caregivers and nurses completed the FAS, a 10-cm visual analog scale anchored by "not feeding at all" (score 0) and "feeding as when healthy" (score 10). The main outcome measures were feasibility, reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the FAS. RESULTS: A total of 228 children were included with an average (SD) age of 6.3 (5.4) months. Completing the FAS was feasible for caregivers and nurses, with no floor or ceiling effects. Test-retest reliability was moderate for caregivers (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 2,1 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63-0.80) and good for nurses (ICC 2,1 0.75; 95% CI 0.62-0.83). Interrater reliability between 1 caregiver and 1 nurse was moderate (ICC 1,1 0.55; 95% CI 0.45-0.64). For construct validity, the FAS was negatively associated with length of hospital stay and positively associated with both caregiver and nurse readiness for discharge scores (P values <.0001). The FAS demonstrated clinical improvement from the first FAS score at admission to the last FAS score at discharge, with significant differences between scores for both caregivers and nurses (P values for paired t test <.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence of the feasibility, reliability, validity, and responsiveness of caregiver-completed and nurse-completed FAS as a measure of feeding adequacy in children hospitalized with bronchiolitis.

Factors associated with treatment failure of high-flow nasal cannula among children with bronchiolitis: a single-centre retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Bronchiolitis is the most common viral lower respiratory tract infection in children under age 2 for which high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is increasingly used. Understanding factors associated with HFNC failure is important to identify patients at risk for respiratory deterioration. The objective of this study was to evaluate patient characteristics associated with HFNC failure in bronchiolitis. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients aged 0 to 24 months, with bronchiolitis who received HFNC within a single tertiary paediatric intensive care unit, between January 2014 and December 2018 was conducted. HFNC treatment failure was defined as escalation to non-invasive positive pressure or invasive mechanical ventilation. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify demographic, clinical, and biochemical parameters associated with HFNC failure. RESULTS: Two hundred eight patients met inclusion criteria, of which 61 (29.33%) failed HFNC. Risk factors for HFNC failure included younger age (odds ratio [OR] 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03, 1.23; P=0.011) and a Modified Tal score greater than 5 at 4 hours of HFNC therapy (OR 2.81; 95% CI 1.04, 7.64; P=0.042). Duration of HFNC in hours was protective (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.92, 0.96; P<0.001), such that deterioration is less likely once patients have remained stable on HFNC for a prolonged time. CONCLUSION: This is the first study exploring predictors of HFNC failure among Canadian children with bronchiolitis. Patient age, HFNC duration, and Modified Tal score were associated with HFNC failure. These factors should be considered when initiating HFNC for bronchiolitis to identify patients at risk for deterioration.

Intermittent vs Continuous Pulse Oximetry in Hospitalized Infants With Stabilized Bronchiolitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: There is low level of evidence and substantial practice variation regarding the use of intermittent or continuous monitoring in infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis. Objective: To compare the effect of intermittent vs continuous pulse oximetry on clinical outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter, pragmatic randomized clinical trial included infants 4 weeks to 24 months of age who were hospitalized with bronchiolitis from November 1, 2016, to May 31, 2019, with or without supplemental oxygen after stabilization at community and children's hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Interventions: Intermittent (every 4 hours, n = 114) or continuous (n = 115) pulse oximetry, using an oxygen saturation target of 90% or higher. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was length of hospital stay from randomization to discharge. Secondary outcomes included length of stay from inpatient unit admission to discharge and outcomes measured from randomization: medical interventions, safety (intensive care unit transfer and revisits), parent anxiety and workdays missed, and nursing satisfaction. Results: Among 229 infants enrolled (median [IQR] age, 4.0 [2.2-8.5] months; 136 [59.4%] male; 101 [44.1%] from community hospital sites), the median length of hospital stay from randomization to discharge was 27.6 hours (interquartile range [IQR], 18.8-49.6 hours) in the intermittent group and 25.4 hours (IQR, 18.3-47.6 hours) in the continuous group (difference of medians, 2.2 hours; 95% CI, -1.9 to 6.3 hours; P = .17). No significant differences were observed between the intermittent and continuous groups in the median length of stay from inpatient unit admission to discharge: 49.1 (IQR, 37.2-87.0) hours vs 46.0 (IQR, 32.5-73.8) hours (P = .13) or in frequencies or durations of hospital interventions, such as oxygen supplementation initiation: 4 of 114 (3.5%) vs. 9 of 115 (7.8%) (P = .16) and median duration of oxygen supplementation: 20.6 (IQR, 7.6-46.1) hours vs. 21.4 (11.6-52.9) hours (P = .66). Similarly, there were no significant differences in frequencies of intensive care unit transfer: 1 of 114 (0.9%) vs 2 of 115 (2.7%) (P = .76); readmission to hospital: 3 of 114 (2.6%) in the intermittent group vs 4 of 115 (3.5%) in the continuous group (P > .99); parent anxiety: mean (SD) parent anxiety score, 2.9 (0.9) in the intermittent group vs 2.8 (0.9) in the continuous group (P = .40); or parent workdays missed: median workdays missed, 1.5 (IQR, 0.5-3.0) vs 1.5 (IQR, 0.5-2.5) (P = .36). Mean (SD) nursing satisfaction with monitoring was significantly greater in the intermittent group: 8.6 (1.7) vs 7.1 (2.8) of 10 workdays; the mean difference was 1.5 (95% CI, 0.9-2.2; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, among infants hospitalized with stabilized bronchiolitis with and without hypoxia and managed using an oxygen saturation target of 90% or higher, clinical outcomes, including length of hospital stay and safety, were similar with intermittent vs continuous pulse oximetry. Nursing satisfaction was greater with intermittent monitoring. Given that other important clinical practice considerations favor less intense monitoring, these findings support the standard use of intermittent pulse oximetry in stable infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02947204.

Persistence of Suspected Probiotic Organisms in Preterm Infant Gut Microbiota Weeks After Probiotic Supplementation in the NICU.

Probiotics are becoming a prevalent supplement to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in infants born preterm. However, little is known about the ability of these live bacterial supplements to colonize the gut or how they affect endogenous bacterial strains and the overall gut community. We capitalized on a natural experiment resulting from a policy change that introduced the use of probiotics to preterm infants in a single Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We used amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) derived from the v3 region of the 16S rRNA gene to compare the prevalence and abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the gut of preterm infants who were and were not exposed to a probiotic supplement in-hospital. Infants were followed to 5 months corrected age. In the probiotic-exposed infants, ASVs belonging to species of Bifidobacterium appeared at high relative abundance during probiotic supplementation and persisted for up to 5 months. In regression models that controlled for the confounding effects of age and antibiotic exposure, probiotic-exposed infants had a higher abundance of the suspected probiotic bifidobacteria than unexposed infants. Conversely, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus was similar between preterm groups over time. Lactobacillus abundance was inversely related to antibiotic exposure. Furthermore, the overall gut microbial community of the probiotic-exposed preterm infants at term corrected age clustered more closely to samples collected from 10-day old full-term infants than to samples from unexposed preterm infants at term age. In conclusion, routine in-hospital administration of probiotics to preterm infants resulted in the potential for colonization of the gut with probiotic organisms post-discharge and effects on the gut microbiome as a whole. Further research is needed to fully discriminate probiotic bacterial strains from endogenous strains and to explore their functional role in the gut microbiome and in infant health.

Concussion Management for Children Has Changed: New Pediatric Protocols Using the Latest Evidence.

Return to activity (RTA) and return to school (RTS) are important issues in pediatric concussion management. This study aims to update CanChild's 2015 RTA and RTS protocols, on the basis of empirical data and feedback collected from our recently completed prospective cohort study, focusing on concussed children and their caregivers; systematic review of evidence published since 2015; and consultation with concussion management experts. The new protocols highlight differences from the earlier versions, mainly, (1) symptom strata to allow quicker progression for those who recover most quickly; (2) a shortened rest period (24-48 hours) accompanied by symptom-guided activity; (3) the recommendation that children progress through the stages before they are symptom free, if symptoms have decreased and do not worsen with activity; (4) specific activity suggestions at each stage of the RTA protocol; (5) recommendations for the amount of time to spend per stage; and (6) integration of RTS and RTA.

Scholarly training objectives and requirements for paediatric residents in Canada.

In the absence of national standards for scholarly requirements, paediatric resident training varies significantly across Canadian programs. This variability may contribute to significant differences in trainee experiences and productivity. A panel of coordinators of paediatric resident research programs from across Canada met in 2014, to share experiences and identify barriers to successful resident scholarly activity. A survey of all programs was completed in 2015. A scoping review and series of meetings led to the development of a proposed list of expectations, timelines for successful completion and consequences for not completing a scholarly project. We propose a harmonized list of scholarly competencies and activities for paediatric residents in Canada to accomplish before completing their training. We also propose that programs implement standardized timelines and consequences in the event that a resident does not meet their program's scholarly expectations.

Intermittent versus continuous oxygen saturation monitoring for infants hospitalised with bronchiolitis: study protocol for a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Bronchiolitis is the most common reason for hospitalisation in infants in developed countries. The main focus of hospital care is on supportive care, such as monitoring for hypoxia and supplemental oxygen administration, as active therapies lack effectiveness. Pulse oximetry is used to monitor hypoxia in hospitalised infants and is used either intermittently or continuously. Observational studies have suggested that continuous pulse oximetry use leads to a longer length of hospital stay in stable infants. The use of continuous pulse oximetry may lead to unnecessary clinical intervention due to readings that are of little clinical significance, false-positive readings and less reliance on the clinical status. There is a lack of high-quality evidence to guide which pulse oximetry monitoring strategy, intermittent or continuous, is superior in infants hospitalised with bronchiolitis with respect to patient and policy-relevant outcomes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a multicentre, pragmatic randomised controlled trial comparing two strategies for pulse oximetry monitoring in infants hospitalised for bronchiolitis. Infants aged 1 month to 2 years presenting to Canadian tertiary and community hospitals will be randomised after stabilisation to receive either intermittent or continuous oxygen saturation monitoring on the inpatient unit until discharge. The primary outcome is length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes include additional measures of effectiveness, acceptability, safety and cost. We will need to enrol 210 infants in order to detect a 12-hour difference in length of stay with a type 1 error rate of 5% and a power of 90%. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Research ethics approval has been obtained for this trial. This trial will provide data to guide hospitals and clinicians on the optimal pulse oximetry monitoring strategy in infants hospitalised with bronchiolitis. We will disseminate the findings of this study through peer-reviewed publication, professional societies and meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02947204.

Examining the provisional guidelines for weight gain in twin pregnancies: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Weight gain during pregnancy has an important impact on maternal and neonatal health. Unlike the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations for weight gain in singleton pregnancies, those for twin gestations are termed "provisional", as they are based on limited data. The objectives of this study were to determine the neonatal and maternal outcomes associated with gaining weight below, within and above the IOM provisional guidelines on gestational weight gain in twin pregnancies, and additionally, to explore ranges of gestational weight gain among women who delivered twins at the recommended gestational age and birth weight, and those who did not. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of women who gave birth to twins at ≥20 weeks gestation, with a birth weight ≥ 500 g was conducted in Nova Scotia, Canada (2003-2014). Our primary outcome of interest was small for gestational age (<10th percentile). In order to account for gestational age at delivery, weekly rates of 2nd and 3rd trimester weight gain were used to categorize women as gaining below, within, or above guidelines. We performed traditional regression analyses for maternal outcomes, and to account for the correlated nature of the neonatal outcomes in twins, we used generalized estimating equations (GEE). RESULTS: A total of 1482 twins and 741 mothers were included, of whom 27%, 43%, and 30% gained below, within, and above guidelines, respectively. The incidence of small for gestational age in these three groups was 30%, 21%, and 20%, respectively, and relative to gaining within guidelines, the adjusted odds ratios were 1.44 (95% CI 1.01-2.06) for gaining below and 0.92 (95% CI 0.62-1.36) for gaining above. The gestational weight gain in women who delivered twins at 37-42 weeks with average birth weight ≥ 2500 g and those who delivered twins outside of the recommend ranges were comparable to each other and the IOM recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: While gestational weight gain below guidelines for twins was associated with some adverse neonatal outcomes, additional research exploring alternate ranges of gestational weight gain in twin pregnancies is warranted, in order to optimize neonatal and maternal outcomes.

Intrapleural Dornase and Tissue Plasminogen Activator in pediatric empyema (DTPA): a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: A randomized controlled trial of adults with empyema recently demonstrated decreased length of stay in hospital in patients treated with intrapleurally administered dornase alfa and fibrinolytics compared to fibrinolytics alone. Whether this treatment strategy is safe and effective in children remains unknown. METHODS/DESIGN: This study protocol is for a superiority, placebo-controlled, parallel-design, multicenter randomized controlled trial. The participants are previously well children admitted to a children's hospital with a diagnosis of empyema requiring chest tube insertion and fibrinolytics administered intrapleurally. Children will be randomized after the treating physician has decided that pleural drainage is required but prior to chest tube insertion. After chest tube insertion, participants in the treatment group will receive intrapleurally administered tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) 4 mg followed by dornase alfa 5 mg. Participants in the placebo group will receive tPA 4 mg followed by normal saline. Study treatments will be administered once daily for 3 days. All participants, parents or caregivers, clinicians, and research personnel will remain blinded. The primary outcome is length of stay from chest tube insertion to discharge from hospital. Secondary outcomes include time to meeting discharge criteria, chest tube duration, fever duration, need for additional procedures, adverse events, hospital readmission, cost of hospitalization, and mortality. DISCUSSION: This multicenter randomized controlled trial will assess the safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of combined treatment with dornase alfa and fibrinolytics compared to fibrinolytics alone for the treatment of empyema in children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01717742 . Registered on 8 October 2012.

Neonatal Outcomes in Women With Untreated Antenatal Depression Compared With Women Without Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

IMPORTANCE: Despite the prevalence of antenatal depression and the fact that only one-third of pregnant women with depression consider it acceptable to take antidepressants, the effect of untreated depression on neonatal outcomes remains to be addressed thoroughly. OBJECTIVE: To undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis to understand the effect of untreated depression on neonatal outcomes. DATA SOURCES: We executed our search strategy, with emphasis on its exhaustiveness, in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science. The search was conducted in July, 2015. STUDY SELECTION: We included randomized and nonrandomized studies that examined neonatal outcomes in women with depression receiving neither pharmacological nor nonpharmacological treatment compared with women without depression. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, assessed full-text articles, extracted data, and assessed their quality using a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We pooled data using random-effects meta-analyses, quantified heterogeneity using the I2 statistic, and explored it with subgroup analyses by type of assessment of depression, severity, reported conflicts of interest, and study quality. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary outcomes were preterm birth before 37 weeks and before 32 weeks, small and large for gestational age, low birth weight, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. RESULTS: Of the 6646 titles initially identified, 23 studies met inclusion criteria, all observational, with a total of 25 663 women. Untreated depression was associated with significantly increased risks of preterm birth (odds ratio [OR], 1.56; 95% CI, 1.25-1.94; 14 studies; I2, 39%) and low birth weight (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.24-3.10; 8 studies; I2, 48%), with a trend toward higher risks for exposure to more severe depression. While the odds of preterm birth more than doubled in studies reporting conflicts of interest (OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.70-3.67; 5 studies; I2, 0%), studies not reporting such conflicts showed more moderate results (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.08-1.66; 9 studies; I2, 30%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Our results contrast with what is, to our knowledge, the only previous systematic review that examined the question of untreated depression because we found significant risks of 2 key perinatal outcomes, preterm birth and low birth weight. These are important results for pregnant women and clinicians to take into account in the decision-making process around depression treatment.

Are some children with empyema at risk for treatment failure with fibrinolytics? A multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend that children with empyema be treated initially with chest tube insertion and intrapleural fibrinolytics. Some patients have poor outcomes with this approach, and it is unclear which factors are associated with treatment failure. METHODS: Possible risk factors were identified through a review of the literature. Treatment failure was defined as need for repeat pleural drainage and/or total length of stay greater than 2weeks. RESULTS: We retrospectively identified 314 children with empyema treated with fibrinolytics at The Hospital for Sick Children (2000-2013, n=195), Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre (2009-2013, n=39), and McMaster Children's Hospital (2007-2014, n=80). Median length of stay was 11days (range 5-69days). Thirteen percent of children required repeat drainage procedures, and 34% experienced treatment failure. There were no deaths. White blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, albumin, urea to creatinine ratio, and signs of necrosis on initial chest x-ray were not associated with treatment failure. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated increased risk with positive blood culture (odds ratio=2.7), immediate admission to intensive care (odds ratio=2.6), and absence of complex septations on baseline ultrasound (odds ratio=2.1). Male gender and platelet count were associated with treatment failure in the univariate analysis but not in the multivariable model. CONCLUSIONS: Predicting which children with empyema are at risk for treatment failure with fibrinolytics remains challenging. Risk factors include positive blood culture, immediate admission to intensive care, and absence of complex septations on ultrasound. Routine blood work and inflammatory markers have little prognostic value.

Weight Loss Instead of Weight Gain within the Guidelines in Obese Women during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of Maternal and Infant Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists about how much, if any, weight obese pregnant women should gain. While the revised Institute of Medicine guidelines on gestational weight gain (GWG) in 2009 recommended a weight gain of 5-9 kg for obese pregnant women, many studies suggested even gestational weight loss (GWL) for obese women. OBJECTIVES: A systematic review was conducted to summarize pregnancy outcomes in obese women with GWL compared to GWG within the 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines (5-9 kg). DESIGN: Five databases were searched from 1 January 2009 to 31 July 2014. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and the PRISMA Statement were followed. A modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess individual study quality. Small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA) and preterm birth were our primary outcomes. RESULTS: Six cohort studies were included, none of which assessed preterm birth. Compared to GWG within the guidelines, women with GWL had higher odds of SGA <10th percentile (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.45-2.14) and SGA <3rd percentile (AOR 1.62; 95% CI 1.19-2.20) but lower odds of LGA >90th percentile (AOR 0.57; 95% CI 0.52-0.62). There was a trend towards a graded relationship between SGA <10th percentile and each of three obesity classes (I: AOR 1.73; 95% CI 1.53-1.97; II: AOR 1.63; 95% CI 1.44-1.85 and III: AOR 1.39; 95% CI 1.17-1.66, respectively). CONCLUSION: Despite decreased odds of LGA, increased odds of SGA and a lack of information on preterm birth indicate that GWL should not be advocated in general for obese women.

A Balanced Protocol for Return to School for Children and Youth Following Concussive Injury.

BACKGROUND: Few protocols exist for returning children/youth to school after concussion. Childhood concussion can significantly affect school performance, which is vital to social development, academic learning, and preparation for future roles. The goal of this knowledge translation research was to develop evidence based materials to inform physicians about pediatric concussion. METHODS: The Return to School (RTS) concussion protocol was developed following the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence procedures. RESULTS: Based on a scoping review, and stakeholder opinions, an RTS protocol was developed for children/youth. This unique protocol focuses on school adaptation in 4 main areas: (a) timetable/attendance, (b) curriculum, (c) environmental modifications, and (d) activity modifications. CONCLUSION: A balance of cognitive rest and timely return to school need to be considered for returning any student to school after a concussion. Implementation of these new recommendations may be an important tool in prevention of prolonged absence from school and academic failure while supporting brain recovery.

Development of a conservative protocol to return children and youth to activity following concussive injury.

BACKGROUND: Consensus-based guidelines exist for adult athletes returning to play after concussion, but there are no protocols developed specifically for children. The goal of this knowledge translation research was to develop evidence-based materials to inform physicians about pediatric concussion. METHODS: A pediatric concussion protocol was developed based on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence procedures. RESULTS: This return to activity protocol was developed to guide management when children/youth sustain a concussion. The protocol incorporated 3 main themes: (a) a protocol must include return to all activity, including sport and school; (b) existing consensus-based adult protocols are not appropriate for children; and (c) a more conservative protocol is needed. After pilot testing, the developed protocol is being used across Ontario. CONCLUSION: Implementation of these new pediatric recommendations is an important addition to prevention of subsequent concussions during vulnerable recovery periods, with potential to facilitate recovery by preventing prolonged symptomatology, and secondary sequelae.

Conceptual framework for health-related quality of life assessment in acute gastroenteritis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To date, most trials in pediatric acute gastroenteritis have evaluated short-term clinical disease activity (eg, duration of diarrhea or vomiting, level of dehydration), laboratory outcomes (eg, rotavirus, norovirus), or a composite of these outcomes. Measuring health-related quality of life may also be important in evaluating the effect of interventions for acute gastroenteritis in children. The objectives of this study were to conduct individual interviews and, when possible, focus group discussions, with parents of children with acute gastroenteritis; to determine how parent and child quality of life is negatively affected by acute gastroenteritis; and, from the perspective of parents and children, to develop a conceptual framework for quality of life instrument specific to pediatric acute gastroenteritis. METHODS: We conducted interviews and focus groups with parents of children (3 months-5 years of age) given a diagnosis of gastroenteritis in a hospital emergency department. Interviews and focus groups were conducted to determine the effect of gastroenteritis on quality of life in parents and children (as perceived by the parents). RESULTS: Interviews and focus groups involving 25 parents suggested a conceptual framework that, for children, includes 2 domains (physical and emotional function) and 14 subdomains. For parents, our framework includes 3 domains (physical, emotional, and social function) with physical function including 4 subdomains, emotional function including 7 subdomains, and social function including 2 subdomains. The framework has been used to develop a preliminary quality of life questionnaire for parents and children. CONCLUSIONS: Acute gastroenteritis has an important adverse effect on health-related quality in both children and parents involving physical symptoms and restrictions in physical function and disturbed emotional function. Upon further research on the psychometric properties of the proposed questionnaires, future trials of effectiveness should consider measuring patient important outcomes such as health-related quality of life.

[Management of children after renal transplantation: highlights for general pediatricians].

The number of children undergoing successful renal transplantations has been increasing steadily and as a result, general pediatricians are now more likely to encounter children with a kidney allograft in their practice. Although the medical care immediately after transplantation is mostly provided by transplant teams, more and more outpatient care will eventually be performed at the patient's local community. Medical care from general pediatricians is particularly important, especially for children who are residing far from transplant centers. As these children require prolong immunosuppressive therapies and are susceptible to various specific clinical problems, it is imperative for their primary care providers and pediatricians to be knowledgeable about their specific needs and be competent in providing care. This article highlights the roles and common practice related issues that pertain to general pediatricians in the care of pediatric renal allograft recipients.

Management of children after renal transplantation: highlights for general pediatricians.

The number of children undergoing successful renal transplantations has been increasing steadily and as a result; general pediatricians are now more likely to encounter children with a kidney allograft in their practice. Although the medical care immediately after transplantation is mostly provided by transplant teams, more and more outpatient care will eventually be performed at the patient's local community. Medical care from general pediatricians is particularly important, especially for children who are residing far from transplant centers. As these children require prolong immunosuppressive therapies and are susceptible to various specific clinical problems, it is imperative for their primary care providers and pediatricians to be knowledgeable about their specific needs and be competent in providing care. This article highlights the roles and common practice related issues that pertain to general pediatricians in the care of pediatric renal allograft recipients.