A Cross-Sectional Study on Subjective Fever Assessment in Children by Palpation: Are Fathers as Reliable as Mothers?

BACKGROUND: Fever is common in pediatric patients. Often, parents rely solely on palpation when assessing their child's fever. The objective of the current study was to determine the accuracy of parents in detecting their child's fever by palpation. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary pediatric hospital. Infants and children, 0-4 years of age, presenting to the ED with both parents were included. Parents were separately asked if their child had a fever and, if so, were asked to assess the temperature by palpation. A nurse obtained the rectal temperature. The primary outcome measure was the accuracy of fathers and mothers in detecting fever. RESULTS: A total of 170 children with their parents were enrolled. The mean ages of the children, mothers, and fathers were 18.9 (SD 0.8) months, 31.1 (SD 6.4) years, and 33.7 (SD 6.9) years, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between mothers and fathers in the ability to assess fever by palpation (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.39,-1.08). Sensitivities for detecting fever by palpation for mothers and father were 86.4% and 88.2%, respectively (specificity among mothers: 54.2% and specificity among fathers: 43.1%). The overall negative and positive predictive values were 65.9% (95% CI 55%-75.7%) and 75.7% (95% CI 69.9%-80.8%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers and fathers do not differ in their ability to accurately assess their child's fever by palpation. The low positive and negative predictive values indicate that if temperature was not measured, physicians cannot rely on parents' reports.

Levels of evidence: a comparison between top medical journals and general pediatric journals.

BACKGROUND: Given the large number of publications in all fields of practice, it is essential that clinicians focus on the resources that provide the highest level of evidence (LOE). We sought to determine the LOE that exists in the field of pediatrics, present in the general pediatric as well as high impact clinical literature. METHODS: Clinical pediatric literature, published between April 2011 and March 2012 inclusive in high-impact clinical journals (HICJ) (New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association, & The Lancet) and the highest-impact general pediatric journals (GPJ) (Pediatrics, Journal of Pediatrics, & Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine), was assessed. In addition to the LOE, articles were evaluated on criteria including subspecialty within pediatrics, number of authors, number of centers, and other parameters. Eligible level I randomized control trials were appraised using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines. RESULTS: Of 6511 articles screened, 804 met inclusion criteria (68 in HICJ and 736 in GPJ). On average, LOE in pediatrics-focused articles within The Lancet were significantly higher than all GPJ (p < 0.05). Average CONSORT scores were significantly higher in HICJ vs. GPJ (15.2 vs. 13.6, respectively, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LOE and quality of randomized control trials within the pediatric field is highest within HICJ, however, only represent a small proportion of data published. Following CONSORT criteria, and promoting studies of high LOE may allow authors and readers to turn to journals and articles of greater clinical impact.

Intra-thyroidal hemangioma--a rare congenital anomaly: case presentation and literature review.

Infantile hemangiomas (IH) present and evolve in a predictable way. In certain cases, however, they can be of clinical significance. IHs in the airway can cause significant respiratory distress. We present the first reported case of an intrathyroidal hemangioma to cause significant respiratory distress, which was successfully treated with propranolol and dexamethasone. A review of the literature was also performed.

Perinephric abscesses in the pediatric population: case presentation and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Perinephric abscesses in children are rare. Infection can come from various areas, and clinical signs overlap with more common etiologies, such as pyelonephritis. Imaging modalities and laboratory investigations help lead to a definitive diagnosis. CASE-DIAGNOSIS/TREATMENT: We present a case of a 5-month-old infant presenting with a febrile illness and eventual diagnosis of a perinephric abscess causing abdominal compartment syndrome. The infant had no known risk factors, i.e., congenital genitourinal abnormalities or immunosuppression, and was treated successfully following initial resuscitation, appropriate antibiotics, and open surgical drainage. Cultures obtained from the abscess and peritoneal fluid were positive for S. aureus, while blood and urine cultures were negative. CONCLUSIONS: A literature review found 13 studies looking at diagnosis and/or treatment of idiopathic perinephric abscess. With non-specific clinical signs and symptoms, diagnosis can be delayed and rests heavily on clinical suspicion and appropriate imaging. Treatment includes antibiotics alone, or in conjunction with percutaneous or open surgical drainage. In summarizing these studies, a suggestion for diagnosis and basic treatment approach is outlined.

Through the eyes of a medical student.

As a medical student, I have come to appreciate the generosity of the patient time that I experience. This places me in a unique position as I can become truly immersed in the perspective of the patients I see. I have the time to engage and understand how they see their illness, their social barriers and many other factors that affect their overall wellbeing. In this particular encounter, I discuss one of the more memorable interviews I've had with a patient. We shared a connection that I hope will influence my interactions with patients in the future.

Mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect: crafting a positive process for health professionals and caregivers.

Health professionals working with children and their families are often required by law to report to governmental authorities any reasonable suspicion of child abuse and/or neglect. Extant research has pointed toward various barriers to reporting, with scant attention to positive processes to support the reporting process. This paper focuses on the context for mandatory reporting and evidence-informed practice for supporting a more structured and purposeful process of mandatory reporting. These practical strategies discusses: (1) the factors that positively influence the relationship between a child's caregivers and the mandated health professional reporter; (2) a framework and specific skills for discussing concerns about maltreatment and reporting to child protective services with the caregiver(s); and (3) the need for further training and education of health professionals.

Inflammatory bowel disease manifesting after surgical treatment for Hirschsprung disease.

Eight children developed chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) 4 to 21 years after surgery for Hirschsprung disease. Three had trisomy 21 and 6 experienced chronic or recurrent enterocolitis. Four had a family history of IBD. Clinical presentation included chronic diarrhea, hematochezia, abscess, and fistula formation. Three required surgery for fistula, stricture, and small bowel obstruction and the other 5 were managed medically. Recognition of this condition may be important in the long-term follow-up of children with Hirschsprung disease, and patients who have carried a diagnosis of chronic enterocolitis may warrant further investigation looking for evidence of IBD.