Utilization of an ITP quality improvement pathway improves adherence to management guidelines.

Despite availability of epidemiologic studies and national guidelines for the management of newly diagnosed pediatric immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), practice variation exists among and within hematology practices. We previously described the development of an ITP pathway guiding management based on bleeding symptoms. Over an 8-year period, integration of this iterative ITP pathway into management of newly diagnosed ITP increased observation rates in children with no or mild bleeding symptoms and improved consistency of laboratory evaluation and treatment strategies without increasing adverse outcomes. This quality improvement initiative has been sustainable, acceptable to providers, and increased adherence to guidelines.

Improving HPV Vaccination Rates in a Racially and Ethnically Diverse Pediatric Population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nationally, 54.2% of youth are fully vaccinated for human papilloma virus (HPV) with persistent gender and racial/ethnic disparities. We used a quality improvement approach to improve completion of the HPV vaccine series by age 13 years. As a secondary aim, we examined racial/ethnic and gender differences in vaccine uptake. METHODS: The study setting included 2 pediatric, academic, primary care practices in Massachusetts. We designed a multilevel patient-, provider-, and systems-level intervention addressing parental hesitancy, provider communication, and clinical operations. Rates of HPV series completion by age 13 were monitored using a control p chart. Bivariate and multivariate analyses evaluated vaccine completion differences on the basis of clinic size, gender, and race/ethnicity. RESULTS: Between July 1, 2014, and September 30, 2021, control p charts showed special cause variation with HPV vaccine initiation by age 9 years, increasing from 1% to 52%, and vaccine completion by 13 years, increasing from 37% to 77%. Compared with White and Black children, Hispanic children were more likely to initiate the HPV vaccine at age 9 (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = (1.4-2.6)] and complete the series by age 13 (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 2.3 (1.7-3.0). CONCLUSIONS: A multilevel intervention was associated with sustained HPV vaccine series completion by age 13 years. Hispanic children were more likely to be vaccinated. Qualitative family input was critical to intervention design. Provider communication training addressed vaccine hesitancy. Initiation of the vaccine at age 9 and clinicwide vaccine protocols were key to sustaining improvements.

A Quality Improvement Initiative to Reduce Abdominal X-ray use in Pediatric Patients Presenting with Constipation.

OBJECTIVE: To decrease the percentage of patients undergoing an abdominal radiograph for evaluation of constipation within 24 hours of their initial gastroenterology visit. STUDY DESIGN: In January 2015, we implemented a quality improvement, evidence-based guideline (EBG) aimed at standardizing the initial assessment of patients presenting for a new outpatient gastroenterology visit with a primary complaint of constipation. Over the subsequent 5 years, we followed the clinical impact of this guideline initiation with the goal of decreasing unnecessary abdominal radiograph use by 10% within 1 year of EBG launch. Patients older than 6 months and younger than 19 years were included. RESULTS: In total, 6723 patients completed new patient gastroenterology visits for a primary diagnosis of constipation between 2013 and 2019. Of these, 993 (14.8%) patients had abdominal radiographs taken within 24 hours of their initial visit. Over the 7 years of this project, a mean frequency of abdominal radiograph use decreased from 24% to less than 11%. In addition, a 57% decrease in hospital charges related to decreased radiograph use for constipation was found. No increases in subsequent emergency department visits or hospitalization for constipation within 30 days of patients' initial visits were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Through local adoption of an EBG, routine use of abdominal radiographs taken during a patient's initial outpatient gastroenterology visit for constipation decreased by more than 50%. This reduction was maintained over a subsequent 5-year period without any detrimental side effects.

A Quality Improvement Initiative to Reduce Gastrostomy Tube Placement in Aspirating Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Oropharyngeal dysphagia and aspiration may occur in infants and children. Currently, there is wide practice variation regarding when to feed children orally or place more permanent gastrostomy tube placement. Through implementation of an evidence-based guideline (EBG), we aimed to standardize the approach to these patients and reduce the rates of gastrostomy tube placement. METHODS: Between January 2014 and December 2018, we designed and implemented a quality improvement intervention creating an EBG to be used by gastroenterologists evaluating patients ≤2 years of age with respiratory symptoms who were found to aspirate on videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS). Our primary aim was to encourage oral feeding and decrease the use of gastrostomy tube placement by 10% within 1 year of EBG initiation; balancing measures included total hospital readmissions or emergency department (ED) visits within 6 months of the abnormal VFSS. RESULTS: A total of 1668 patients (27.2%) were found to have aspiration or penetration noted on an initial VFSS during our initiative. Mean gastrostomy tube placement in these patients was 10.9% at the start of our EBG implementation and fell to 5.2% approximately 1 year after EBG initiation; this improvement was sustained throughout the next 3 years. Our balancing measures of ED visits and hospital readmissions also did not change during this time period. CONCLUSIONS: Through implementation of this EBG, we reduced gastrostomy tube placement by 50% in patients presenting with oropharyngeal dysphagia and aspiration, without increasing subsequent hospital admissions or ED visits.

Improving rates of ferrous sulfate prescription for suspected iron deficiency anaemia in infants.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in infancy is prevalent and associated with impaired neurodevelopment; however, studies suggest that treatment and follow-up rates are poor. OBJECTIVES: To improve the rate of ferrous sulfate prescription for suspected IDA among infants aged 8-13 months to 75% or greater within 24 months. METHODS: We implemented a multidisciplinary process improvement effort aimed at standardising treatment for suspected IDA at two academic paediatric primary care clinics. We developed a clinical pathway with screening and treatment recommendations, followed by multiple plan-do-study-act cycles including provider education, targeted reminders when ferrous sulfate was not prescribed and development of standardised procedures for responding to abnormal lab values. We tracked prescription and screening rates using statistical process control charts. In post hoc analyses, we examined rates of haemoglobin (Hgb) recheck and normalisation for the preintervention versus postintervention groups. RESULTS: The prescription rate for suspected IDA increased from 41% to 78% following implementation of the intervention. Common reasons for treatment failure included prescription of a multivitamin instead of ferrous sulfate, and Hgb not flagged as low by the electronic medical record. Screening rates remained stable at 89%. Forty-one per cent of patients with anaemia in the preintervention group had their Hgb rechecked within 6 months, compared with 56% in the postintervention group (p<0.001). Furthermore, 30% of patients with anaemia in the postintervention group had normalised their Hgb by 6 months, compared with 20% in the preintervention group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A multipronged interdisciplinary quality improvement intervention enabled: (1) development of standardised practices for treating suspected IDA among infants aged 8-13 months, (2) improvement of prescription rates and (3) maintenance of high screening rates. Rates of Hgb recheck and normalisation also increased in the intervention period.​.

Calm in the midst of cytokine storm: a collaborative approach to the diagnosis and treatment of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and macrophage activation syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) were historically thought to be distinct entities, often managed in isolation. In fact, these conditions are closely related. A collaborative approach, which incorporates expertise from subspecialties that previously treated HLH/MAS independently, is needed. We leveraged quality improvement (QI) techniques in the form of an Evidence-Based Guideline (EBG) to build consensus across disciplines on the diagnosis and treatment of HLH/MAS. METHODS: A multidisciplinary work group was convened that met monthly to develop the HLH/MAS EBG. Literature review and expert opinion were used to develop a management strategy for HLH/MAS. The EBG was implemented, and quality metrics were selected to monitor outcomes. RESULTS: An HLH/MAS clinical team was formed with representatives from subspecialties involved in the care of patients with HLH/MAS. Broad entry criteria for the HLH/MAS EBG were established and included fever and ferritin ≥500 ng/mL. The rheumatology team was identified as the "gate-keeper," charged with overseeing the diagnostic evaluation recommended in the EBG. First-line medications were recommended based on the acuity of illness and risk of concurrent infection. Quality metrics to be tracked prospectively based on time to initiation of treatment and clinical response were selected. CONCLUSION: HLH/MAS are increasingly considered to be a spectrum of related conditions, and joint management across subspecialties could improve patient outcomes. Our experience in creating a multidisciplinary approach to HLH/MAS management can serve as a model for care at other institutions.

Réplica: Tratamiento de la encefalopatía inducida por ácido valproico con ácido carbaglúmico / Reply: Treatment of encephalopathy by means of valproic acid with carglumic acid

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Deterioro cognitivo como factor independiente de riesgo hospitalario: estudio DECOFIRH / Cognitive impairment as a predictor of functional decline after hospitalization: DECOFIRH Study

Objetivo. El deterioro cognitivo está infradiagnosticado. El estudio DECOFIRH pretende detectar la tasa de deterioro cognitivo no conocido y su impacto en la situación funcional de estos pacientes tras un ingreso hospitalario mediante cuestionarios realizados a un informador. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio observacional prospectivo realizado sobre una serie de casos, de pacientes comprendidos entre 70 y 85 años, que ingresan en el Servicio de Medicina Interna de un hospital terciario. Se excluyó a los pacientes con diagnóstico de demencia o enfermedades neurológicas graves, así como a los que habían sido hospitalizados recientemente. Los tests empleados en la detección de deterioro cognitivo fueron Alzheimer's Disease 8 (AD8) e Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Asimismo, se evaluó la situación funcional mediante el índice de Barthel en el momento del ingreso y tres meses después. Resultados. Durante los tres meses de seguimiento ingresaron 809 pacientes y cumplieron los criterios de inclusión 79 (9,7%) de ellos. Su edad media era de 80 años. Mediante el IQCODE se detectó una tasa de deterioro cognitivo del 30,3%, y con el AD8, del 34,1%. En el ingreso, el 37,9% de los pacientes era funcionalmente independiente. A los tres meses, este porcentaje cayó al 24%. Conclusiones. En nuestra muestra, casi un tercio de los ancianos sin comorbilidades sistémicas o neurológicas graves dio positivo para la detección de deterioro cognitivo según nuestros tests basados en el informador, sin ser éste conocido previamente. El deterioro funcional afecta casi a una cuarta parte de estos pacientes a los tres meses del ingreso (AU)

Aim. Cognitive impairment is underdiagnosed in the elderly. We aimed to study the rate of positive responses to an informant-based questionnaires and functional disability after hospital discharge. Patients and methods. Observational prospective case series of patients aged 70-85 years-old admitted for hospitalization in an Internal Medicine ward. All medical records were reviewed and those patients with no previous diagnosis of dementia or related neurological conditions, no previous recent hospitalization or not having a caregiver were evaluated after signing an informed consent. A medical interview including the Alzheimer's Disease 8 (AD8), the Informant Questionnaire. on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) and Barthel Index was completed. Barthel Index was obtained three months after discharge. Results. During a 3-month period a total of 809 admissions were screened and 79 (9.7%) fulfilled the study criteria. Patient’s mean age was 80 years-old. Common comorbidities were arterial hypertension (83.5%), major surgery (54.4%) and heart disorders (50.6%). The most frequent cause of admission was infectious disease (37.9%). Test positivity for cognitive impairment was 30.3% for IQCODE and 34.1% for AD8. At admission 37.9% of the patients were functionally independent. At three months this percentage dropped to 24%. Conclusions. In this small sample size, almost a third of older patients, without major comorbidities or neurological disorders, admitted to a general hospital showed an informant-based suggestion of cognitive impairment previously undiagnosed. Functional impairment affects almost a quarter of these patients three months after admission (AU)

Tratamiento de la encefalopatía por ácido valproico con ácido carbaglúmico: descripción de dos casos y revisión de la bibliografía / Treatment of encephalopathy by means of valproic acid with carglumic acid: two case reports and a review of the literature

Introducción. El ácido valproico (VPA) es un fármaco principalmente usado en la epilepsia. La encefalopatía hiperamoniémica por VPA es una complicación grave e infrecuente. El mecanismo por el que el VPA influye en la elevación del amonio es bloqueando el ciclo de la urea, inhibiendo la N-acetilglutamato sintasa y disminuyendo la acetil coenzima A. De forma general, el tratamiento que se ha empleado ha sido la suspensión del VPA y la administración de arginina, carnitina, antibióticos, glucosa y restricción proteica. La experiencia con ácido carbaglúmico se limita a comunicaciones de casos aislados de pacientes pediátricos. Casos clínicos. Descripción de dos casos de pacientes adultos con encefalopatía por VPA tratados, además de las medidas convencionales, con ácido carbaglúmico. Tras el tratamiento con el fármaco se aprecia una normalización de los niveles de amonio. En uno de los casos, al existir otra causa de encefalopatía, no se apreció mejora clínica. Conclusiones. Desde el punto de vista bioquímico es lógico tratar la encefalopatía por VPA con ácido carbaglúmico, ya que revierte el bloqueo del ciclo de la urea condicionado por el VPA. El mecanismo propuesto por el que se produce la toxicidad cerebral y, por tanto, la encefalopatía, es el paso de amonio en forma de glutamina al interior celular, que retorna a amonio y glutamato en la mitocondria y genera estrés oxidativo. El ácido carbaglúmico ha de considerarse como parte importante del tratamiento en pacientes adultos con encefalopatía hiperamoniémica por VPA, aunque es necesario realizar un ensayo clínico aleatorizado con el fármaco para comprobar su eficacia (AU)

Introduction. Valproic acid (VPA) is a drug mainly used to treat epilepsy. Hyperammonaemic encephalopathy due to VPA is a rare but serious complication. The mechanism by which VPA influences the increase in ammonia consists in blocking the urea cycle, thereby inhibiting N-acetylglutamate synthase and diminishing acetyl coenzyme A. Generally, the treatment employed has been to withdraw VPA and to administer arginine, carnitine, antibiotics, glucose and protein restriction. Previous experience with carglumic acid is limited to reports of isolated cases of paediatric patients. Case reports. We report the cases of two adult patients with encephalopathy due to VPA who were treated with carglumic acid, in addition to the conventional measures. Following treatment with the drug, ammonia levels can be seen to return to normal values. In one of the two cases, owing to the existence of another cause of encephalopathy, no clinical improvementwas observed. Conclusions. From the biochemical point of view, treating encephalopathy due to VPA with carglumic acid is a logical step, as it reverses the blockage of the urea cycle conditioned by VPA. The mechanism proposed as being the one by which brain toxicity and, therefore, encephalopathy are produced is the passage of ammonia in the form of glutamine to the inside of the cell, which then returns to ammonia and glutamate in the mitochondria and leads to oxidative stress. Carglumic acid must be considered an important part of the treatment in adult patients with hyperammonaemic encephalopathy due to VPA, although a randomised clinical trial needs to be conducted with the drug in order to test its efficacy (AU)

Premio Dr. Antonio Pérez Prado - XIV Congreso Argentino de Medicina Transfusional. Isoinmunización por anti-K1: manejo clínico e inmunohematológico de 30 casos / Dr. Antonio Pérez prado Award - XIV Argentine Congress of Transfusion Medicine. Anti K1 isoimmunization: clinical and immunohematological management of 30 cases

Introducción: La principal causa de anemia fetal es la inmunización por anticuerpos (Acs.) anti-D. La inmunización por anti-K1 es poco frecuente aunque puede producir un cuadro de anemia fetal muy grave. Su incidencia relativa ha aumentado en los últimos años por el aumento de las transfusiones sanguíneas y por disminución de la inmunización anti-D. Presentamos el seguimiento obstétrico e inmunohematológico de 30 casos de gestantes sensibilizadas por anti-Kl. Objetivo: mostrar nuestra experiencia en el manejo clínico e inmunohematológico de gestantes con anti-Kl. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de 30 gestantes con anti-Kl, controladas entre 2005-2012, sobre un N = 48.550 embarazadas. Se estudiaron: compromiso fetal. necesidad de terapéutica intragestacional y posparto, semanas de gestación en el momento del diagnóstico, estado perinatal y complicaciones de las terapéuticas. Además, ABO-Rh, fenotipo materno Rh/Kell, detección e identificación de Acs, título, score, fenotipo Rh/K paterno, seguimiento con ultrasonido para detectar signos de anemia, y desde 2008 control del Pico Sistólico Máximo en arteria cerebral media (PSM-ACM). Resultados: Del total de madres estudiadas, 30 (0,06%) tenían anti-Kl (solo o con anti-D+C, anti-D o anti-Klpa).Títulos de anti-Kl: entre 8 y 8192. De esas solamente 9 (30%) con antecedentes transfusionales. Todos los fetos nacieron vivos. En la mayoría, la inmunización fue leve, sin repercusión en el feto, salvo cuando asociado con Anti-D (quien requirió 5 transfusiones intraútero -TIU- y gammaglobulina intravenosa -lgIV ­entre semana 14 y 32). Todos los recién nacidos (RN) tuvieron peso y apgar adecuados. Hubieron 2 nacimientos prematuros (36 y 34 sem), 1 por diabetes + hipertensión y el otro con Enfermedad Hemolítica Perinatal (EHP) por anti-D+C. Los PSM-ACM fueron adecuados para cada edad gestacional, y nunca superaron el 1,49 múltiplo de la mediana. excepto en 1 paciente con Anti-D...

Introduction: The main cause of fetal anemia is caused by anti-D antibodies (Abs). Anti-K1 immunization is infrequent but can lead to asevere episode of fetal anemia. Its relative incidence has increased in the last few years due to increasing blood transfusions and diminishing anti-D immunization. We hereby present 30 cases of pregnant women with anti-K1. Objective: To show our experience in handling pregnant women with anti-K1.Materials and methods: Retrospective study of 30 pregnant women with anti-K1, under surveillance in the period 2005-2012, N= 48,550 women. Study outcome measures: fetal condition, peripartum (intravenous glob­ulin [IVlg], intrauterine transfusion [IUT]) therapy. Other measures: gestational age at the moment of diagnostic, perinatal status (abortion, fetal death, regular delivery, C­section or need for induction) and therapy complications. Immunohematology tests: ABO-Rh, maternal Rh/Kell phenotype, Ab screening and identification, titer, score,paternal Rh/K phenotype. In all cases of a mother with anti-K1 and a K+ father, confirmed or suspected, a detailed ultrasound follow-up was carried out to detect signs of ane­mia and, from 2008 onwards, a control of middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV). Immunization was rated as low when no antepartum treatment was necessary, and as severe when such treatment was needed. Results: Out of all the studied women, 30 (0,06%) presented anti-K1 (alone or accompanied by anti-D+C, anti-D or anti-K1 pa). Anti-K1 titers: 8 to 8192. Only 9 (30%) patients informed previous transfusional events. AII fetuses were born alive. ln most pregnancies immunization was low, without any effects on the fetus, except for a case related to Anti-D (requiring 5 IUT and Ivlg between weeks 14 and 32). AII newborns (NB) had adequate weight and apgar readings...

Premio Dr. Antonio Pérez Prado - XIV Congreso Argentino de Medicina Transfusional. Isoinmunización por anti-K1: manejo clínico e inmunohematológico de 30 casos / Dr. Antonio Pérez prado Award - XIV Argentine Congress of Transfusion Medicine. Anti K1 isoimmunization: clinical and immunohematological management of 30 cases

Introducción: La principal causa de anemia fetal es la inmunización por anticuerpos (Acs.) anti-D. La inmunización por anti-K1 es poco frecuente aunque puede producir un cuadro de anemia fetal muy grave. Su incidencia relativa ha aumentado en los últimos años por el aumento de las transfusiones sanguíneas y por disminución de la inmunización anti-D. Presentamos el seguimiento obstétrico e inmunohematológico de 30 casos de gestantes sensibilizadas por anti-Kl. Objetivo: mostrar nuestra experiencia en el manejo clínico e inmunohematológico de gestantes con anti-Kl. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de 30 gestantes con anti-Kl, controladas entre 2005-2012, sobre un N = 48.550 embarazadas. Se estudiaron: compromiso fetal. necesidad de terapéutica intragestacional y posparto, semanas de gestación en el momento del diagnóstico, estado perinatal y complicaciones de las terapéuticas. Además, ABO-Rh, fenotipo materno Rh/Kell, detección e identificación de Acs, título, score, fenotipo Rh/K paterno, seguimiento con ultrasonido para detectar signos de anemia, y desde 2008 control del Pico Sistólico Máximo en arteria cerebral media (PSM-ACM). Resultados: Del total de madres estudiadas, 30 (0,06%) tenían anti-Kl (solo o con anti-D+C, anti-D o anti-Klpa).Títulos de anti-Kl: entre 8 y 8192. De esas solamente 9 (30%) con antecedentes transfusionales. Todos los fetos nacieron vivos. En la mayoría, la inmunización fue leve, sin repercusión en el feto, salvo cuando asociado con Anti-D (quien requirió 5 transfusiones intraútero -TIU- y gammaglobulina intravenosa -lgIV ¡entre semana 14 y 32). Todos los recién nacidos (RN) tuvieron peso y apgar adecuados. Hubieron 2 nacimientos prematuros (36 y 34 sem), 1 por diabetes + hipertensión y el otro con Enfermedad Hemolítica Perinatal (EHP) por anti-D+C. Los PSM-ACM fueron adecuados para cada edad gestacional, y nunca superaron el 1,49 múltiplo de la mediana. excepto en 1 paciente con Anti-D...(AU)

Introduction: The main cause of fetal anemia is caused by anti-D antibodies (Abs). Anti-K1 immunization is infrequent but can lead to asevere episode of fetal anemia. Its relative incidence has increased in the last few years due to increasing blood transfusions and diminishing anti-D immunization. We hereby present 30 cases of pregnant women with anti-K1. Objective: To show our experience in handling pregnant women with anti-K1.Materials and methods: Retrospective study of 30 pregnant women with anti-K1, under surveillance in the period 2005-2012, N= 48,550 women. Study outcome measures: fetal condition, peripartum (intravenous glob¡ulin [IVlg], intrauterine transfusion [IUT]) therapy. Other measures: gestational age at the moment of diagnostic, perinatal status (abortion, fetal death, regular delivery, C¡section or need for induction) and therapy complications. Immunohematology tests: ABO-Rh, maternal Rh/Kell phenotype, Ab screening and identification, titer, score,paternal Rh/K phenotype. In all cases of a mother with anti-K1 and a K+ father, confirmed or suspected, a detailed ultrasound follow-up was carried out to detect signs of ane¡mia and, from 2008 onwards, a control of middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV). Immunization was rated as low when no antepartum treatment was necessary, and as severe when such treatment was needed. Results: Out of all the studied women, 30 (0,06%) presented anti-K1 (alone or accompanied by anti-D+C, anti-D or anti-K1 pa). Anti-K1 titers: 8 to 8192. Only 9 (30%) patients informed previous transfusional events. AII fetuses were born alive. ln most pregnancies immunization was low, without any effects on the fetus, except for a case related to Anti-D (requiring 5 IUT and Ivlg between weeks 14 and 32). AII newborns (NB) had adequate weight and apgar readings...(AU)

Crecimiento, desarrollo y lactancia materna de hijos de madres adolescentes / Growth, development and mother lactation of children of teen mothers

Desde hace veinte años en el Hospital Materno Infantil Ramón Sardá funciona un equipo de trabajo interdisciplinario para la atención de la embarazada adolescente y sus hijos, al que se denominó PROAMA (Programa asistencial para las madres adolescentes). La propuesta fue y es la atención y el acompañamiento vincular de estas jóvenes y su entorno, demostrando que la información, sin otro tipo de acercamiento, resulta ineficaz. Tiene como objetivo un cambio de actitud en los roles familiares, como organizador de la estructura familiar, eje fundamental de esta problemática. Objetivos. Analizar el crecimiento y desarrollo de los hijos de madres adolescentes de 16 años o menos, alimentados a pecho, seguidos por PROAMA hasta el año de edad. Describir las características socio-económicas y culturales de estas familias. Material y métodos. Diseño descriptivo, prospectivo. Fueron incluidas en este trabajo todas las adolescentes de 16 años o menos y sus hijos, ingresadas durante el período comprendido entre el 01/06/02 al 30/05/03, que reunían los criterios de inclusión fijados por PROAMA. Enfermeras integrantes del equipo de lactancia intervinieron durante el embarazo y luego del parto desde distintas áreas del hospital para prevenir dificultades en el amamantamiento. El crecimiento y desarrollo de sus hijos fueron evaluados por la escala de Lejarraga y col. Resultados. Ingresaron al estudio 102 niños. Media (DS) de edad gestacional: 38,8 semanas ± 1,44. Pretérminos: 5,6 por ciento. Sin depresión neonatal al primer y quinto minuto. Media (DS) del peso al nacer: 3.148 g ± 476. Media de la talla al nacer: 48,93 cm ± 1.81. Media del peso al año de vida: 9.894,7 g ± 1.056. Media de la talla al año de vida 74,28 cm ± 2,68...

An interdisciplinary team called PROAMA has been taking care of the pregnant teenagers and their children in the Sardá Maternity and Children Hospital for the last 20 years. The proposal of this program was and is to take care and to support the link between these young people and their environment, demostrating that information without any other type of approach is ineffective, having as objective a change of attitude in family roles as an organizer of family structure, cornerstone of this problern. During 2002 and 2003 the work of PROAMA with 100 adolescent mothers and their babies showed good result in terms of growth and development of the children, and a successful breastfeeding, despite socio-economical disparities. Objectives. To inform the growth and development of the breast fed children of teenager mothers aged 16 or less, followed up by PROAMA (Assistance Program for Adolescent Mothers). To describe certain characteristics of these families. Materials and methods. Descriptive and prospective design. Methodology. Early and personalized care of the teenager family from pregnancy, with 10 or more obstetric consultations, a course of preparation for parenting, prevention workshops exclusively for this population, companion in labor ward, monitoring of the child and his family on a monthly basis during the first year of life and then every 3 months to 3 years. The monitoring of breastfeeding was conducted with the assistance of the hospital nurses, trained members of the nursing program. Specialized follow-up of mothers and their children, exclusively breastfed till 6 months of age. Results. The characteristics of newborns showed that the average weight was 3.148 g ± 476 in both sexes and 94.4 per cent had more than 36 weeks gestational age, without any depression at the first and fifth minute of life. At one year of age the average height and weight were 9.894,7 kg (DS 1,056) and 74,28 cm (DS 2,68) respectively...

Crecimiento, desarrollo y lactancia materna de hijos de madres adolescentes / Growth, development and mother lactation of children of teen mothers

Desde hace veinte años en el Hospital Materno Infantil Ramón Sardá funciona un equipo de trabajo interdisciplinario para la atención de la embarazada adolescente y sus hijos, al que se denominó PROAMA (Programa asistencial para las madres adolescentes). La propuesta fue y es la atención y el acompañamiento vincular de estas jóvenes y su entorno, demostrando que la información, sin otro tipo de acercamiento, resulta ineficaz. Tiene como objetivo un cambio de actitud en los roles familiares, como organizador de la estructura familiar, eje fundamental de esta problemática. Objetivos. Analizar el crecimiento y desarrollo de los hijos de madres adolescentes de 16 años o menos, alimentados a pecho, seguidos por PROAMA hasta el año de edad. Describir las características socio-económicas y culturales de estas familias. Material y métodos. Diseño descriptivo, prospectivo. Fueron incluidas en este trabajo todas las adolescentes de 16 años o menos y sus hijos, ingresadas durante el período comprendido entre el 01/06/02 al 30/05/03, que reunían los criterios de inclusión fijados por PROAMA. Enfermeras integrantes del equipo de lactancia intervinieron durante el embarazo y luego del parto desde distintas áreas del hospital para prevenir dificultades en el amamantamiento. El crecimiento y desarrollo de sus hijos fueron evaluados por la escala de Lejarraga y col. Resultados. Ingresaron al estudio 102 niños. Media (DS) de edad gestacional: 38,8 semanas ± 1,44. Pretérminos: 5,6 por ciento. Sin depresión neonatal al primer y quinto minuto. Media (DS) del peso al nacer: 3.148 g ± 476. Media de la talla al nacer: 48,93 cm ± 1.81. Media del peso al año de vida: 9.894,7 g ± 1.056. Media de la talla al año de vida 74,28 cm ± 2,68...(AU)

An interdisciplinary team called PROAMA has been taking care of the pregnant teenagers and their children in the Sardá Maternity and Children Hospital for the last 20 years. The proposal of this program was and is to take care and to support the link between these young people and their environment, demostrating that information without any other type of approach is ineffective, having as objective a change of attitude in family roles as an organizer of family structure, cornerstone of this problern. During 2002 and 2003 the work of PROAMA with 100 adolescent mothers and their babies showed good result in terms of growth and development of the children, and a successful breastfeeding, despite socio-economical disparities. Objectives. To inform the growth and development of the breast fed children of teenager mothers aged 16 or less, followed up by PROAMA (Assistance Program for Adolescent Mothers). To describe certain characteristics of these families. Materials and methods. Descriptive and prospective design. Methodology. Early and personalized care of the teenager family from pregnancy, with 10 or more obstetric consultations, a course of preparation for parenting, prevention workshops exclusively for this population, companion in labor ward, monitoring of the child and his family on a monthly basis during the first year of life and then every 3 months to 3 years. The monitoring of breastfeeding was conducted with the assistance of the hospital nurses, trained members of the nursing program. Specialized follow-up of mothers and their children, exclusively breastfed till 6 months of age. Results. The characteristics of newborns showed that the average weight was 3.148 g ± 476 in both sexes and 94.4 per cent had more than 36 weeks gestational age, without any depression at the first and fifth minute of life. At one year of age the average height and weight were 9.894,7 kg (DS 1,056) and 74,28 cm (DS 2,68) respectively...(AU)

Hacia una estrategia para el abordaje de la salud integral de los adolescentes desde un hospital público / Towards a strategy for the approach of the integral health of the adolescents from a public hospital

En el año 1988 en el Hospital Materno Infantil Ramón Sardá se conformó un equipo de trabajo interdisciplinariopara la atención de las adolescentes y sus hijos, que se denominó PROAMA. El programa se vincula mayoritariamente con jóvenes que ya están embarazadas. Si bien se trabaja activamente en la prevención de patología perinatal, infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) y repitencia de los embarazos no programados, cuidado de sus hijos, los resultados obtenidos reflejan la necesidad de fortalecer los aspectos preventivos. Por lo tanto, el factor de mayor riesgo no corresponde directamente a la edad cronológica de la joven, si no a las características sociales de su entorno familiar. Objetivo: Realizar un programa con salida a la comunidad (6° grado EGB en un colegio del GCBA) para fortalecer la capacitación de los referentes adultos (docentes y padres) y de los alumnos, a fin de mejorar la salud integral de los adolescentes. Creando lazos sociales entre las instituciones educativas,asistenciales y familiares, para promover comportamientossaludables. Metodología: Talleres con lineamientos pedagógicos, con participación activa y continua, en un proceso de reflexión-acción. Utilizando técnicas de dinámica grupal como: charlas, talleres, videos, lluvia deideas, dramatización, encuestas, etc. Estrategias: Convocar y comprometer a las Autoridades de la Dirección de Educación para dar apoyo y al proyecto con difusión y promoción en distintos organismos. Resultados: Todos los estudios realizados por PROAMA, nos muestran que, con una atención precoz, personalizada y con contenidos de educación, disminuyen los riesgos de las embarazadas y sus hijos. Coincidiendo con la OMS/OPS. Conclusiones: La era posmoderna trajo grandes cambios socioculturales, produciendo crisis en las familias, en la sociedad y en las instituciones. Debemos restablecer el dialogo y la comunicación para poder prevenir.

Prevalence of overweight and risk of overweight among 3- to 5-year-old Chicago children, 2002-2003.

This article reports the first estimates of overweight prevalence in Chicago children entering school (aged 3-5 years). Chicago data are compared with those from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS). Data were from 2 separate convenience samples of children aged 3-5 years attending either 18 Chicago Public Schools or 10 Chicago Catholic School pre-K programs (n = 1517). Data were taken from students' Certificate of Child Health Examination (CCHE), completed by a health professional. Overall, the prevalence of overweight subjects (body mass index >or=95th percentile) was 24%, more than twice that of the national prevalence of 10% for 2- to 5-year olds documented by NHANES (1999-2002) and 3 times that of the 1998-1999 ECLS prevalence estimate of 8% for 5- to 7-year olds in the Midwest region. The data reported here document that nearly one quarter of children entering school in Chicago are already overweight. This clearly establishes a need for local schools to develop protocols and procedures to support the physical and mental health needs of affected and at-risk children. The findings also make it plain that ongoing weight status monitoring is needed and that current plans to implement this should go forward.

Developmental patterns of physiological response to a multisensory intervention in extremely premature and high-risk infants.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the developmental patterns of heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SaO2) of premature infants with and without central nervous system (CNS) injury, and evaluate whether a multisensory intervention altered this development. SAMPLE: Thirty-seven premature infants born at 23-26 weeks with normal head ultrasounds or at 24-32 weeks and diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and/or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) were studied at 33-35 weeks postconceptional age. DESIGN: Infants were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. The experimental group infants received auditory, tactile, visual, and vestibular (ATVV) multisensory intervention twice daily from 33 weeks postconceptional age (PCA) until hospital discharge. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HR, RR, and SaO2 were continuously monitored during baseline, intervention, and the 30-minute postintervention period. RESULTS: Between 33 and 35 weeks PCA, control group infants with and without CNS injury and experimental group infants without CNS injury had a significant decrease in resting mean HR, whereas RR and SaO2 remained stable. The infants with PVL who received the intervention showed increases in HR even at rest. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of a weekly decline in HR for experimental group infants with PVL suggests that PVL may affect maturation of the autonomic nervous system and increase risk of decelerative HR changes and associated clinical compromise. Infants diagnosed with PVL should be closely monitored during procedures or interventions that may be stressful or involve handling. Further research is needed to tailor multisensory interventions for infants with PVL.