Craniofacial risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea-systematic review and meta-analysis.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by temporary partial or complete constriction of the upper airway during sleep which leads to reduced blood oxygen and cardiovascular risks. Main symptoms vary between adults and children leading to misdiagnosis or delayed patient identification. To improve early diagnosis, lateral cephalograms can provide craniofacial measurements associated with a higher risk of OSA. In order to identify the most relevant craniofacial measurements, a systematic literature review with meta-analysis was conducted combining the terms 'orthodontic*', 'craniofacial', 'cephalometr*', 'cephalogram', 'OSA*', 'UARS', 'SDB', 'sleep disordered breathing', 'sleep apnea' and 'sleep apnoea'. Of 3016 publications, 19 were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, 15 with adult patients and four with children. A total of 16 measurements (six angles, 10 distances) were compared, nine showed a possible influence in patients with OSA compared to controls: NSBa angle (-0.28°), ANB angle (+0.33°), ML-NSL angle (+0.34°), Me-Go-Ar angle (+0.33°), SN distance (-0.70 mm), N-ANS distance (-0.36 mm), MP-H distance (+1.18 mm), uvula length (+1.07 mm) and thickness (+0.96 mm). Posterior airway measurements were not sufficiently described or comparably measured to be statistically analysed. There is some evidence for altered craniofacial anatomy in patients with OSA compared to controls. Lateral cephalograms should be screened for these aspects routinely to improve early diagnosis of OSA and craniofacial orthopaedics should complement the interdisciplinary treatment plan for young patients with OSA.

Lung ultrasound to predict the duration of respiratory support in newborn infants with respiratory distress.

AIM: Lung ultrasound (LU) and clinical parameters evaluated during the first postnatal hour potentially predict the length of CPAP therapy in newborns with respiratory distress. METHODS: In a single-centre, prospective observational pilot study, 130 newborns ≥36 weeks gestational age were assessed using standardised LU at 30 and 60 min postnatally. Various clinical parameters were evaluated influencing CPAP duration (<1 vs. ≥1 h) using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Lung ultrasound score >5, FiO2 > 0.21 and respiratory acidosis 30 min postnatally were associated with CPAP ≥1 h. Our model showed good diagnostic quality (ROC AUC = 0.87) and was confirmed by classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. Additional LU findings like double lung point and pleural line abnormalities were frequently observed, with good interrater reliability for LU interpretation (ICC = 0.76-0.77). CONCLUSION: Newborns with postnatal respiratory distress at risk for prolonged CPAP therapy can be identified based on specific LU and clinical parameters assessed 30 min postnatally. Despite the need for validation in an independent sample, these findings may lay the groundwork for a prediction tool. LU proved feasible and reliable for assessing respiratory status in this population, highlighting potential utility in clinical practice.

Antibody Binding and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Binding Inhibition Is Significantly Reduced for Both the BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron Variants.

BACKGROUND: The rapid emergence of the Omicron variant and its large number of mutations led to its classification as a variant of concern (VOC) by the World Health Organization. Subsequently, Omicron evolved into distinct sublineages (eg, BA.1 and BA.2), which currently represent the majority of global infections. Initial studies of the neutralizing response toward BA.1 in convalescent and vaccinated individuals showed a substantial reduction. METHODS: We assessed antibody (immunoglobulin G [IgG]) binding, ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) binding inhibition, and IgG binding dynamics for the Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants compared to a panel of VOCs/variants of interest, in a large cohort (N = 352) of convalescent, vaccinated, and infected and subsequently vaccinated individuals. RESULTS: While Omicron was capable of efficiently binding to ACE2, antibodies elicited by infection or immunization showed reduced binding capacities and ACE2 binding inhibition compared to wild type. Whereas BA.1 exhibited less IgG binding compared to BA.2, BA.2 showed reduced inhibition of ACE2 binding. Among vaccinated samples, antibody binding to Omicron only improved after administration of a third dose. CONCLUSIONS: Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 can still efficiently bind to ACE2, while vaccine/infection-derived antibodies can bind to Omicron. The extent of the mutations within both variants prevents a strong inhibitory binding response. As a result, both Omicron variants are able to evade control by preexisting antibodies.

Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Households with Children, Southwest Germany, May-August 2020.

Resolving the role of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission in households with members from different generations is crucial for containing the current pandemic. We conducted a large-scale, multicenter, cross-sectional seroepidemiologic household transmission study in southwest Germany during May 11-August 1, 2020. We included 1,625 study participants from 405 households that each had ≥1 child and 1 reverse transcription PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infected index case-patient. The overall secondary attack rate was 31.6% and was significantly higher in exposed adults (37.5%) than in children (24.6%-29.2%; p = <0.015); the rate was also significantly higher when the index case-patient was >60 years of age (72.9%; p = 0.039). Other risk factors for infectiousness of the index case-patient were SARS-CoV-2-seropositivity (odds ratio [OR] 27.8, 95% CI 8.26-93.5), fever (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.14-3.31), and cough (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.21-3.53). Secondary infections in household contacts generate a substantial disease burden.

Long-Term Effects of Inhaled Budesonide for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: The long-term effects on neurodevelopment of the use of inhaled glucocorticoids in extremely preterm infants for the prevention or treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia are uncertain. METHODS: We randomly assigned 863 infants (gestational age, 23 weeks 0 days to 27 weeks 6 days) to receive early (within 24 hours after birth) inhaled budesonide or placebo. The prespecified secondary long-term outcome was neurodevelopmental disability among survivors, defined as a composite of cerebral palsy, cognitive delay (a Mental Development Index score of <85 [1 SD below the mean of 100] on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition, with higher scores on the scale indicating better performance), deafness, or blindness at a corrected age of 18 to 22 months. RESULTS: Adequate data on the prespecified composite long-term outcome were available for 629 infants. Of these infants, 148 (48.1%) of 308 infants assigned to budesonide had neurodevelopmental disability, as compared with 165 (51.4%) of 321 infants assigned to placebo (relative risk, adjusted for gestational age, 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.09; P=0.40). There was no significant difference in any of the individual components of the prespecified outcome. There were more deaths in the budesonide group than in the placebo group (82 [19.9%] of 413 infants vs. 58 [14.5%] of 400 infants for whom vital status was available; relative risk, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.86; P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Among surviving extremely preterm infants, the rate of neurodevelopmental disability at 2 years did not differ significantly between infants who received early inhaled budesonide for the prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and those who received placebo, but the mortality rate was higher among those who received budesonide. (Funded by the European Union and Chiesi Farmaceutici; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01035190 .).

Effects of Liberal vs Restrictive Transfusion Thresholds on Survival and Neurocognitive Outcomes in Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants: The ETTNO Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Red blood cell transfusions are commonly administered to infants weighing less than 1000 g at birth. Evidence-based transfusion thresholds have not been established. Previous studies have suggested higher rates of cognitive impairment with restrictive transfusion thresholds. Objective: To compare the effect of liberal vs restrictive red blood cell transfusion strategies on death or disability. Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized clinical trial conducted in 36 level III/IV neonatal intensive care units in Europe among 1013 infants with birth weights of 400 g to 999 g at less than 72 hours after birth; enrollment took place between July 14, 2011, and November 14, 2014, and follow-up was completed by January 15, 2018. Interventions: Infants were randomly assigned to liberal (n = 492) or restrictive (n = 521) red blood cell transfusion thresholds based on infants' postnatal age and current health state. Main Outcome and Measures: The primary outcome, measured at 24 months of corrected age, was death or disability, defined as any of cognitive deficit, cerebral palsy, or severe visual or hearing impairment. Secondary outcome measures included individual components of the primary outcome, complications of prematurity, and growth. Results: Among 1013 patients randomized (median gestational age at birth, 26.3 [interquartile range {IQR}, 24.9-27.6] weeks; 509 [50.2%] females), 928 (91.6%) completed the trial. Among infants in the liberal vs restrictive transfusion thresholds groups, respectively, incidence of any transfusion was 400/492 (81.3%) vs 315/521 (60.5%); median volume transfused was 40 mL (IQR, 16-73 mL) vs 19 mL (IQR, 0-46 mL); and weekly mean hematocrit was 3 percentage points higher with liberal thresholds. Among infants in the liberal vs restrictive thresholds groups, the primary outcome occurred in 200/450 (44.4%) vs 205/478 (42.9%), respectively, for a difference of 1.6% (95% CI, -4.8% to 7.9%; P = .72). Death by 24 months occurred in 38/460 (8.3%) vs 44/491 (9.0%), for a difference of -0.7% (95% CI, -4.3% to 2.9%; P = .70), cognitive deficit was observed in 154/410 (37.6%) vs 148/430 (34.4%), for a difference of 3.2% (95% CI, -3.3% to 9.6%; P = .47), and cerebral palsy occurred in 18/419 (4.3%) vs 25/443 (5.6%), for a difference of -1.3% (95% CI, -4.2% to 1.5%; P = .37), in the liberal vs the restrictive thresholds groups, respectively. In the liberal vs restrictive thresholds groups, necrotizing enterocolitis requiring surgical intervention occurred in 20/492 (4.1%) vs 28/518 (5.4%); bronchopulmonary dysplasia occurred in 130/458 (28.4%) vs 126/485 (26.0%); and treatment for retinopathy of prematurity was required in 41/472 (8.7%) vs 38/492 (7.7%). Growth at follow-up was also not significantly different between groups. Conclusions and Relevance: Among infants with birth weights of less than 1000 g, a strategy of liberal blood transfusions compared with restrictive transfusions did not reduce the likelihood of death or disability at 24 months of corrected age. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01393496.

Effects of closed-loop automatic control of the inspiratory fraction of oxygen (FiO2-C) on outcome of extremely preterm infants - study protocol of a randomized controlled parallel group multicenter trial for safety and efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Most extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANS, postmenstrual age at birth (PMA) < 28 completed weeks) require supplemental oxygen and experience frequent intermittent hypoxemic and hyperoxemic episodes. Hypoxemic episodes and exposure to inadequately high concentrations of oxygen are associated with an increased risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), chronic lung disease of prematurity (BPD), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI), and death beyond 36 weeks PMA. Closed-loop automated control of the inspiratory fraction of oxygen (FiO2-C) reduces time outside the hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2) target range, number and duration of hypo- and hyperoxemic episodes and caregivers' workload. Effects on clinically important outcomes in ELGANs such as ROP, BPD, NEC, NDI and mortality have not yet been studied. METHODS: An outcome-assessor-blinded, randomized controlled, parallel-group trial was designed and powered to study the effect of FiO2-C (in addition to routine manual control (RMC) of FiO2), compared to RMC only, on death and severe complications related to hypoxemia and/or hyperoxemia. 2340 ELGANS with a GA of 23 + 0/7 to 27 + 6/7 weeks will be recruited in approximately 75 European tertiary care neonatal centers. Study participants are randomly assigned to RMC (control-group) or FiO2-C in addition to RMC (intervention-group). Central randomization is stratified for center, gender and PMA at birth (< 26 weeks and ≥ 26 weeks). FiO2-C is provided by commercially available and CE-marked ventilators with an FiO2-C algorithm intended for use in newborn infants. The primary outcome variable (composite of death, severe ROP, BPD or NEC) is assessed at 36 weeks PMA (or, in case of ROP, until complete vascularization of the retina, respectively). The co-primary outcome variable (composite outcome of death, language/cognitive delay, motor impairment, severe visual impairment or hearing impairment) is assessed at 24 months corrected age. DISCUSSION: Short-term studies on FiO2-C showed improved time ELGANs spent within their assigned SpO2 target range, but effects of FiO2-C on clinical outcomes are yet unknown and will be addressed in the FiO2-C trial. This will ensure an appropriate assessment of safety and efficacy before FiO2-C may be implemented as standard therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03168516 , May 30, 2017.

Early Inhaled Budesonide for the Prevention of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Systemic glucocorticoids reduce the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia among extremely preterm infants, but they may compromise brain development. The effects of inhaled glucocorticoids on outcomes in these infants are unclear. METHODS: We randomly assigned 863 infants (gestational age, 23 weeks 0 days to 27 weeks 6 days) to early (within 24 hours after birth) inhaled budesonide or placebo until they no longer required oxygen and positive-pressure support or until they reached a postmenstrual age of 32 weeks 0 days. The primary outcome was death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia, confirmed by means of standardized oxygen-saturation monitoring, at a postmenstrual age of 36 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 175 of 437 infants assigned to budesonide for whom adequate data were available (40.0%), as compared with 194 of 419 infants assigned to placebo for whom adequate data were available (46.3%), died or had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (relative risk, stratified according to gestational age, 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75 to 1.00; P=0.05). The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia was 27.8% in the budesonide group versus 38.0% in the placebo group (relative risk, stratified according to gestational age, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.91; P=0.004); death occurred in 16.9% and 13.6% of the patients, respectively (relative risk, stratified according to gestational age, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.91 to 1.69; P=0.17). The proportion of infants who required surgical closure of a patent ductus arteriosus was lower in the budesonide group than in the placebo group (relative risk, stratified according to gestational age, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.83; P=0.004), as was the proportion of infants who required reintubation (relative risk, stratified according to gestational age, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.96; P=0.03). Rates of other neonatal illnesses and adverse events were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among extremely preterm infants, the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia was lower among those who received early inhaled budesonide than among those who received placebo, but the advantage may have been gained at the expense of increased mortality. (Funded by the European Union and Chiesi Farmaceutici; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01035190.).

Effect of probiotics on vaginal health in pregnancy. EFFPRO, a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Preterm delivery is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and death. It often results from chorioamnionitis, which is a complication of bacterial vaginosis. Probiotics are effective in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis in women who were not pregnant; studies in pregnant woman are missing. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether an oral probiotic food supplement supports the maintenance or restoration of a normal vaginal microbiota during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind, parallel group trial. Oral Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1and L reuteri RC-14 (109 colony-forming units) or placebo were administered for 8 weeks to women with <12 completed weeks of pregnancy. Participants were enrolled at Tuebingen University Hospital and 10 recruiting gynecologic practices. Vaginal swabs were taken before and after intervention and analyzed according to the Nugent scoring system. Telephone interviews were performed before and after intervention and after delivery. Primary outcome was the proportion of swabs with normal Nugent score (<4) after intervention, compared by Fisher's exact test in an intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty pregnant women were enrolled. Vaginal swabs were analyzed from 290 women before and 271 women after intervention. The proportion of normal vaginal microbiota decreased from 82.6 to 77.8% in the treatment group and from 79.1 to 74.3% in the placebo group, with no significant difference across groups after intervention (P=.297). CONCLUSION: Oral probiotics may be suitable for implementation in antenatal care but, as administered here, had no effect on vaginal health during mid gestation. Other application routes or probiotic preparations may be more effective in supporting vaginal microbiota during pregnancy.

Gaseous nitric oxide to treat antibiotic resistant bacterial and fungal lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis: a phase I clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) receive antibiotics continuously throughout their entire life which leads to drug resistant microbial lung infections which are difficult to treat. Nitric oxide (NO) gas possesses antimicrobial activity against a wide variety of microorganisms in vitro, in vivo in animal models and a phase I study in healthy adults showed administration of intermittent 160 ppm NO to be safe. METHODS: We assessed feasibility and safety of inhaled NO in eight CF patients who received 160 ppm NO for 30 min, three times daily for 2 periods of 5 days. RESULTS: The NO treatment was safe and in none of the patients were serious drug-related adverse events observed which caused termination of the study. The intention-to-treat analysis revealed a significant mean reduction of the colony forming units of all bacteria and all fungi, while mean forced expiratory volume 1 s % predicted (FEV1) relative to baseline increased 17.3 ± 8.9 % (P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: NO treatment may improve the therapy of chronic microbial lung infections in CF patients, particularly concerning pathogens with intrinsic or acquired resistance to antibiotics.

Development of the CDISC Pediatrics User Guide: a CDISC and conect4children collaboration.

Introduction: The conect4children (c4c) project aims to facilitate efficient planning and delivery of paediatric clinical trials. One objective of c4c is data standardization and reuse. Interoperability and reusability of paediatric clinical trial data is challenging due to a lack of standardization. The Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC) standards that are required or recommended for regulatory submissions in several countries lack paediatric specificity with limited awareness within academic institutions. To address this, c4c and CDISC collaborated to develop the Pediatrics User Guide (PUG) consisting of cross-cutting data items that are routinely collected in paediatric clinical trials, factoring in all paediatric age ranges. Methods and Results: The development of the PUG consisted of six stages. During the scoping phase, subtopics (each containing several clinically relevant concepts) were suggested and debated for inclusion in the PUG. Ninety concepts were selected for the modelling phase. Concept maps describing the Research Topic and representation procedure were developed for the 19 concepts that had no (or partial) previous modelling in CDISC. Next, metadata and implementation examples were developed for concepts. This was followed by a CDISC internal review and a public review. For both these review stages, the feedback comments were either implemented or rejected based on budget, timelines, expert review, and scope. The PUG was published on the CDISC website on February 23, 2023. Discussion: The PUG is a first step in bridging the lack of child specific CDISC standards, particularly within academia. Several academic and industrial partners were involved in the development of the PUG, and c4c has undertaken multiple steps to publicize the PUG within its academic partner organizations - in particular, the European Reference Networks (ERNs) that are developing registries and dictionaries in 24 disease areas. In the long term, continued use of the PUG in paediatric clinical trials will enable the pooling of data from multiple trials, which is particularly important for medical domains with small populations.

Detailed statistical analysis plan for ALBINO: effect of Allopurinol in addition to hypothermia for hypoxic-ischemic Brain Injury on Neurocognitive Outcome - a blinded randomized placebo-controlled parallel group multicenter trial for superiority (phase III).

BACKGROUND: Despite therapeutic hypothermia (TH) and neonatal intensive care, 45-50% of children affected by moderate-to-severe neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) die or suffer from long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. Additional neuroprotective therapies are sought, besides TH, to further improve the outcome of affected infants. Allopurinol - a xanthine oxidase inhibitor - reduced the production of oxygen radicals and subsequent brain damage in pre-clinical and preliminary human studies of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion, if administered before or early after the insult. This ALBINO trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of allopurinol administered immediately after birth to (near-)term infants with early signs of HIE. METHODS/DESIGN: The ALBINO trial is an investigator-initiated, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, multi-national parallel group comparison for superiority investigating the effect of allopurinol in (near-)term infants with neonatal HIE. Primary endpoint is long-term outcome determined as survival with neurodevelopmental impairment versus death versus non-impaired survival at 2 years. RESULTS: The primary analysis with three mutually exclusive responses (healthy, death, composite outcome for impairment) will be on the intention-to-treat (ITT) population by a generalized logits model according to Bishop, Fienberg, Holland (Bishop YF, Discrete Multivariate Analysis: Therory and Practice, 1975) and ."will be stratified for the two treatment groups. DISCUSSION: The statistical analysis for the ALBINO study was defined in detail in the study protocol and implemented in this statistical analysis plan published prior to any data analysis. This is in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the International Conference on Harmonization Good Clinical Practice guidelines. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03162653. Registered on 22 May 2017.

Therapy of CF-patients with amitriptyline and placebo--a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase IIb multicenter, cohort-study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several recent studies revealed an accumulation of ceramide in bronchial, tracheal and intestinal epithelial cells of mice and patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Normalization of ceramide concentrations in lungs of CF mice employing the functional acid sphingomyelinase inhibitor amitriptyline also normalized mucociliary clearance, chronic inflammation and infection susceptibility to pulmonary P. aeruginosa in these mice. METHODS: To test for a beneficial effect of amitriptyline in vivo, we performed a phase IIb randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Twenty-one CF patients were treated with 25 mg/d amitriptyline twice daily for 28 days. The placebo consisted of 19 patients and was also treated twice per day. The primary endpoint was the change in lung function in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. Secondary endpoints were ceramide levels in epithelial cells and safety. RESULTS: After treatment, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec predicted (FEV1) increased 6.3 ± 11.5% (p=0.08) in the ITT population (36 of 40 CF patients) and 8.5 ± 10% (p=0.013) in the per protocol (PP) population (29 of 40 patients). Ceramide levels decreased in nasal epithelial cells after amitriptyline treatment. Amitriptyline had no severe and only mild and mostly transient adverse effects, i.e. xerostomia and tiredness. CONCLUSION: Amitriptyline is safe in CF-patients, increases FEV1 and reduces ceramide in lung cells of CF patients.

Determination of tissue tracer transit of Technetium-99m-mercaptoacetyltriglycine diuretic renography in infants with suspected ureteropelvic junction obstruction - A multicenter prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: There is an ongoing controversy regarding management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in infants, with a shift towards a non-operative approach. However, precise predictors of outcome are lacking. Recent studies postulated a high prognostic value of Technetium-99m-mercaptoacetyltriglycine tissue tracer transit with regard to the development of an impaired differential renal function and its potential improvement following pyeloplasty. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of Technetium-99m-mercaptoacetyltriglycine tissue tracer transit for the occurrence of changes in differential renal function in infants with suspected unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction in a prospective observational multicenter study. STUDY DESIGN: Infants below 3 months of age with a unilateral isolated hydronephrosis ≥ grade 3 received ultrasound and Technetium-99m-mercaptoacetyltriglycine diuretic renography at two different time points (timepoint 1 and timepoint 2). Data were analyzed at local centers and at the study center and were collected in an internet-based database system. Tissue tracer transit was determined for each diuretic renography, inter-observer variation for tissue tracer transit and standard parameters for judgement of differential renal function development were assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were analyzed. Median age was 11 weeks (7-15) at timepoint 1 and 26 weeks (19-33) at timepoint 2. A delayed tissue tracer transit at timepoint 1 was not associated with deterioration of differential renal function at timepoint 2 in both, locally (10/37 cases) and centrally (4/37) analyzed cases. However, sensitivity and specificity were poor. The intraclass correlation coefficient comparing local and central findings of tissue tracer transit and renal drainage demonstrated poor or fair agreement. Analysis of standard parameters for differential renal function development revealed a prognostic value only for the dichotomized anteroposterior renal pelvic diameter (APD, p = 0.03, 95%-CI 1.2-22.2). DISCUSSION: Regarding the primary endpoint of our study, we could not confirm the hypothesis that delayed tissue tracer transit reliably predicts a subsequent decline in differential renal function in the cohort of patients studied. Whether the low age of the patients, technical problems in the correct assessment of tissue tracer transit by the investigator in early infancy, the study design, or the parameter itself played a role is debated. CONCLUSION: In the presented setting tissue tracer transit was not useful as a predictive parameter for deterioration of differential renal function in infants with suspected unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Sensitivity and specificity of tissue tracer transit were not sufficient for risk stratification. Improved utility of tissue tracer transit as a marker might be achieved using a different study setting.

Adverse effects of cognitive behavioral therapy and cognitive remediation in schizophrenia: results of the treatment of negative symptoms study.

This study examined the frequency and extent of detrimental effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for psychosis. In a randomized clinical trial, we investigated the efficacy of CBT for the reduction of negative symptoms as compared with cognitive remediation (CR) in schizophrenia patients (n = 198). Safety was addressed through assessment of severe adverse events (SAEs), which were defined as suicides, suicide attempts, suicidal crises, and severe symptom exacerbations over a period of 12 months after inclusion in the study. Monthly assessments with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms allowed for the analysis of symptom increases during the treatment. There were no suicides in the trial. SAEs were observed in 10 CBT and 5 CR patients. Increases in negative symptoms occurred in 64 CBT and 58 CR patients. These differences were not significant. The maximum increase in negative symptoms under treatment, as compared with the baseline, was equal to an effect size of -0.66 in CBT patients and -0.77 in CR patients. Thus, the SAE rate was comparable between both interventions and was relatively low, given the severity of the psychotic disorder. Therapists should be aware of a subgroup of patients who show symptom increases with large effect sizes and might require more intensive care.

Does doctors' workload impact supervision and ward activities of final-year students? A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Hospital doctors face constantly increasing workloads. Besides caring for patients, their duties also comprise the education of future colleagues. The aim of this study was to objectively investigate whether the workload arising from increased patient care interferes with student supervision and is associated with more non-medical activities of final-year medical students. METHODS: A total of 54 final-year students were asked to keep a diary of their daily activities over a three-week period at the beginning of their internship in Internal Medicine. Students categorized their activities--both medical and non-medical--according to whether they had: (1) only watched, (2) assisted the ward resident, (3) performed the activity themselves under supervision of the ward resident, or (4) performed the activity without supervision. The activities reported on a particular day were matched with a ward specific workload-index derived from the hospital information system, including the number of patients treated on the corresponding ward on that day, a correction factor according to the patient comorbidity complexity level (PCCL), and the number of admissions and discharges. Both students and ward residents were blinded to the study question. RESULTS: A total of 32 diaries (59 %, 442 recorded working days) were handed back. Overall, the students reported 1.2 ± 1.3 supervised, 1.8 ± 1.6 medical and 3.6 ± 1.7 non-medical activities per day. The more supervised activities were reported, the more the number of reported medical activities increased (p < .0001). No relationship between the ward specific workload and number of medical activities could be shown. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant association between ward doctors' supervision of students and the number of medical activities performed by medical students. The workload had no significant effect on supervision or the number of medical or non-medical activities of final-year students.

MRI-based brain volumes of preterm infants at term: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: MRI allows a detailed assessment of brain structures in preterm infants, outperforming cranial ultrasound. Neonatal MR-based brain volumes of preterm infants could serve as objective, quantitative and reproducible surrogate parameters of early brain development. To date, there are no reference values for preterm infants' brain volumes at term-equivalent age. OBJECTIVE: Systematic review of the literature to determine reference ranges for MRI-based brain volumes of very preterm infants at term-equivalent age. METHODS: PubMed Database was searched on 6 April 2020 for studies reporting MR-based brain volumes on representative unselected populations of very preterm and/or very low birthweight infants examined at term equivalent age (defined as 37-42 weeks mean postmenstrual age at MRI). Analyses were limited to volumetric parameters reported in >3 studies. Weighted mean volumes and SD were both calculated and simulated for each parameter. RESULTS: An initial 367 publications were identified. Following application of exclusion criteria, 13 studies from eight countries were included for analysis, yielding four parameters. Weighted mean total brain volume was 379 mL (SD 72 mL; based on n=756). Cerebellar volume was 21 mL (6 mL; n=791), cortical grey matter volume 140 mL (47 mL; n=572) and weighted mean volume of unmyelinated white matter was 195 mL (38 mL; n=499). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis reports pooled data on several brain and cerebellar volumes which can serve as reference for future studies assessing MR-based volumetric parameters as a surrogate outcome for neurodevelopment and for the interpretation of individual or cohort MRI-based volumetric findings.

Catheter insertion depths in less-invasive surfactant administration.

INTRODUCTION: Less-invasive surfactant administration (LISA) under continuous positive airway pressure is increasingly used for the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress. Different procedures are described, but data on the optimal catheter insertion depth are sparse. OBJECTIVE: To generate data for recommending an optimal catheter insertion depth in LISA. METHODS: We examined 112 anterior-posterior chest X-rays from intubated infants and determined the carina's vertebral projection, whenever possible. After that, distances between the middle of cervical vertebra 4 (C4) and thoracic vertebra 2 and the middle of C4 to thoracic vertebra 3, respectively, were measured. Results were plotted against infant's weight. RESULTS: A weight-based chart and recommendations for the optimal intratracheal catheter position in infants with a body weight between 350 and 4000 g were created. CONCLUSIONS: Generated data offer standardisation and may thus help to find a balance between risk of surfactant reflux and unilateral surfactant administration.

Role of ABO Blood Group in SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Households.

An association between certain ABO/Rh blood groups and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection has been proposed for adults, although this remains controversial. In children and adolescents, the relationship is unclear due to a lack of robust data. Here, we investigated the association of ABO/Rh blood groups and SARS-CoV-2 in a multi-center study comprising 163 households with 281 children and 355 adults and at least one SARS-CoV-2 seropositive individual as determined by three independent assays as a proxy for previous infection. In line with previous findings, we found a higher frequency of blood group A (+ 6%) and a lower frequency of blood group O (-6%) among the SARS-CoV-2 seropositive adults compared to the seronegative ones. This trend was not seen in children. In contrast, SARS-CoV-2 seropositive children had a significantly lower frequency of Rh-positive blood groups. ABO compatibility did not seem to play a role in SARS-CoV-2 transmission within the families. A correction for family clusters was performed and estimated fixed effects of the blood group on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and symptomatic infection were determined. Although we found a different distribution of blood groups in seropositive individuals compared to the reference population, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity or symptomatic infection was not increased in children or in adults with blood group A or AB versus O or B. Increasing age was the only parameter positively correlating with the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In conclusion, specific ABO/Rh blood groups and ABO compatibility appear not to predispose for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility in children.

Long COVID symptoms in exposed and infected children, adolescents and their parents one year after SARS-CoV-2 infection: A prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Long COVID in children and adolescents remains poorly understood due to a lack of well-controlled studies with long-term follow-up. In particular, the impact of the family context on persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unknown. We examined long COVID symptoms in a cohort of infected children, adolescents, and adults and their exposed but non-infected household members approximately 1 year after infection and investigated clustering of persistent symptoms within households. METHODS: 1267 members of 341 households (404 children aged <14 years, 140 adolescents aged 14-18 years and 723 adults) were categorized as having had either a SARS-CoV-2 infection or household exposure to SARS-CoV-2 without infection, based on three serological assays and history of laboratory-confirmed infection. Participants completed questionnaires assessing the presence of long COVID symptoms 11-12 months after infection in the household using online questionnaires. FINDINGS: The prevalence of moderate or severe persistent symptoms was statistically significantly higher in infected than in exposed women (36.4% [95% CI: 30.7-42.4%] vs 14.2% [95% CI: 8.7-21.5%]), infected men (22.9% [95% CI: 17.9-28.5%] vs 10.3% [95% CI: 5.8-16.9%]) and infected adolescent girls (32.1% 95% CI: 17.2-50.5%] vs 8.9% [95%CI: 3.1-19.8%]). However, moderate or severe persistent symptoms were not statistically more common in infected adolescent boys aged 14-18 (9.7% [95% CI: 2.8-23.6%] or in infected children <14 years (girls: 4.3% [95% CI: 1.2-11.0%]; boys: 3.7% [95% CI: 1.1-9.6%]) than in their exposed counterparts (adolescent boys: 0.0% [95% CI: 0.0-6.7%]; girls < 14 years: 2.3% [95% CI: 0·7-6·1%]; boys < 14 years: 0.0% [95% CI: 0.0-2.0%]). The number of persistent symptoms reported by individuals was associated with the number of persistent symptoms reported by their household members (IRR=1·11, p=·005, 95% CI [1.03-1.20]). INTERPRETATION: In this controlled, multi-centre study, infected men, women and adolescent girls were at increased risk of negative outcomes 11-12 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Amongst non-infected adults, prevalence of negative outcomes was also high. Prolonged symptoms tended to cluster within families, suggesting family-level interventions for long COVID could prove useful. FUNDING: Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.