Dual diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding glycemic control in children and adolescents with a dual diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are limited. OBJECTIVE: To compare various aspects of diabetes control among youth with T1DM, between those with and without ADHD. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study of youth with T1DM, 39 had ADHD (mean age 14.1 ± 2.8 years) and 82 did not (control group, mean age 12.6 ± 3.3 years). Health-related quality of life was assessed by a Diabetes Quality of Life (DQOL) questionnaire submitted to their parents. Glycemic data were downloaded from glucometers, pumps, and continuous glucose monitoring systems. HbA1c levels, hospitalizations, and severe hypoglycemic and diabetes ketoacidosis events were retrieved from the medical files. RESULTS: Compared to the control group mean HbA1c level of the ADHD group was higher: 8.3 ± 1.1% versus 7.7 ± 1.0% (p = 0.005) and the percent of time that glucose level was in the target range (70-180 mg/dl) was lower: 48 ± 17% versus 59 ± 14% (p = 0.006). Mean glucose and glucose variability were higher in the ADHD group. Youth with ADHD who were not pharmacologically treated had worse HbA1c and more hospitalizations than those who were treated. DQOL did not differ between the control group, the treated ADHD group, and the untreated ADHD-Group. CONCLUSIONS: Dual diagnosis of T1DM and ADHD during childhood leads to worse diabetes control, which is more pronounced in the context of untreated ADHD. Healthcare providers should be aware of the difficulties facing youth with T1DM and ADHD in coping with the current intensive treatment of diabetes.

Comparing Insulin Pump Devices in Real Life: The AWeSoMe Study Group Prospective Experience.

BACKGROUND: The use of insulin pumps in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) has expanded; however, data comparing devices remain scarce. We compared glycemic control, technical difficulties, and quality of life (QOL) between pump devices of three companies. METHODS: This prospective observational trial is based on clinical data retrieved during 12 months of follow-up of pediatric patients who started pump therapy as part of their clinical care in four medical centers. The devices fully reimbursed by the national health insurance are as follows: MiniMed™ 640G, MiniMed® Veo™, Animas® Vibe®, and Abbott OmniPod®. Parameters investigated included discontinuation rate, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), mean self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), total daily dose of insulin (TDD), pump setting parameters, body mass index (BMI), frequency of technical difficulties, significant skin reactions, and QOL. RESULTS: Of 113 children (mean age 9.1 ± 4.1 years, 46% females), 68 (60%) used Medtronic devices, 33 (29%) OmniPod, and 12 (11%) Animas devices. Twelve percent of the cohort stopped using the pump during the study period, with no difference according to device. There were no differences between groups regarding mean SMBG values (P = 0.86), insulin TDD (P = 0.24), BMI (P = 0.87), level of insertion site pain or local reaction (P = 0.51), technical problems (P = 0.66), and QOL (P = 0.38). Changes in HbA1c from study initiation to end were also not statistically significant for any of the devices: from 7.99% ± 1.14% to 7.93% ± 0.99% for Medtronic, from 7.71% ± 1.29% to 7.92% ± 1.38% for OmniPod, and from 8.75% ± 1.3% to 7.70% ± 1.33% for Animas (P = 0.63). CONCLUSIONS: Pump devices were comparable regarding glycemic control, weight gain, and satisfaction among pediatric patients with T1D.

Pediatric jellyfish envenomation in the Mediterranean Sea.

BACKGROUND: Several species of jellyfish native to the western Indian Ocean have entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal. Since the late 1980s, each summer Rhopilema nomadica forms swarms as long as 100 km in the southeastern Levant and since the millennium aggregations of additional nonnative jellyfish have been sighted. The aim of this study was to evaluate children seen in the emergency department after jellyfish envenomations and to establish patterns of toxicity associated with this organism. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of all children presenting after jellyfish envenomations to the pediatric emergency department during the jellyfish swarming seasons (June-August) between 2010 and 2015. Extracted data included age, location of envenomation, pain scores, local and systemic manifestations, treatment provided in the emergency department and hospital, and disposition. RESULTS: Forty-one patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria; their ages ranged from 1 to 16 years and the median age was 9.4 years. Clinical manifestations were evident in all patients. Pain, present in 100% of patients, and an erythematous, whip-like, linear rash present in 87.8%, were the most common manifestations. The majority of 'burns' associated with jellyfish stings were first and second degree. The upper limb was affected in 34% and the lower limb was affected in 61% of cases. One patient suffered a sting to the abdomen and three patients suffered a sting to the face. Treatment in the emergency department included pain control, with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opiates, and antihistamines and topical corticosteroids in some cases. Nearly 49% of patients were seen during the summer of 2015 alone and seven patients in this group needed hospitalization. Reasons for hospitalization included systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, tachycardia, and muscle spasms. Two patients developed severe cellulitis, one patient had an anaphylactic reaction, and one was admitted to the ICU after suffering an anaphylactic reaction to a sting sustained while surfing. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of the jellyfish swarms and the severity of clinical manifestations because of their envenomations suggest that it should be considered as a health hazard in the Mediterranean Sea. We call for public health authorities in affected countries to initiate a health hazards database, familiarize medical and healthcare staff with the clinical syndromes, train medical and healthcare staff` in appropriate treatment, and initiate and continue public awareness campaigns.

Evaluation of antivenom therapy for Vipera palaestinae bites in children: experience of two large, tertiary care pediatric hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Antivenom has been successfully used to treat systemic and progressive, local manifestations of envenomation inflicted by Vipera (V.) palaestinae, the most common venomous snake in Israel. The objective of this study was to evaluate the fixed dose V. palaestinae monovalent (equine) immunoglobulin G antivenom used in two pediatric emergency departments. In particular, we wanted to assess the need for repeated antivenom administration and the rate of adverse antivenom effects in children. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for all children admitted with definite or probable signs of V. palaestinae envenomation to Chaim Sheba Medical Center and Kaplan Medical Center between 1 March 2008 and 1 March 2014. Extracted data included: age, location of bite, time to hospital arrival, time to antivenom administration if indicated, outcomes, and complications of the envenomation and adverse effects to the antivenom. RESULTS: 57 patients met inclusion criteria; they ranged from 1 to 17 years in age and median age was 9.5 years. Clinical manifestations were evident in 55 (96.4%) of victims: 18 presented with minimal local signs and 37 showed marked progressive, local features (rapidly progressing edema) and signs of systemic envenomation: tachycardia (20), vomiting (17), abdominal pain (11) and hypotension (6). Two patients developed compartment syndrome and underwent surgical decompression (both received only a loading dose of antivenom with no subsequent maintenance dose). One patient developed thrombocytopenia and three patients presented with mild coagulopathy. Antivenom was administered to 25 (42%) children. Indications for antivenom administration included moderate to severe local signs (19 patients) and systemic signs (6 patients). None of these patients developed adverse reactions, serum sickness, or other side effects to the antivenom. One patient received a single additional 30mL dose of antivenom, due to hypotension and syncope, with good response. CONCLUSIONS: In children, 50 ml dosing of V. palaestinae antivenom is efficacious and safe for the treatment of systemic and progressive local manifestations of envenomation by V. palaestinae.