Utility of Emergency Department Observation Units for Neurologically Intact Children With Head CT Abnormalities Secondary to Acute Closed Head Injury.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the utility of the emergency department observation unit (EDOU) for neurologically intact children with closed head injuries (CHIs) and computed tomography (CT) abnormalities. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of children aged 0 to 18 years with acute CHI, abnormal head CT, and a Glasgow Coma Scales score of 14 or higher admitted to the EDOU of a tertiary care children's hospital from 2007 to 2010. Children with multisystem trauma, nonaccidental trauma, and previous neurosurgical or coagulopathic conditions were excluded. Medical records were abstracted for demographic, clinical, and radiographic findings. Poor outcome was defined as death, intensive care unit admission, or medically/surgically treated increased intracranial pressure. RESULTS: Two hundred two children were included. Median (range) age was 14 (4 days-16 years) months; 51% were male. The most common CT findings were nondisplaced (136, 67%) or displaced (46, 23%) as well as skull fractures and subdural hematomas (38, 19%); 54 (27%) had less than 1 CT finding. The most common interventions included repeat CT (42, 21%), antiemetics (26, 13%), and pain medication (29, 14%). Eighty-nine percent were discharged in less than 24 hours. Inpatient admission from the EDOU occurred in 6 (3%); all were discharged in less than 3 days. One patient required additional intervention (corticosteroid therapy). She had a subdural hematoma, persistent vomiting, intractable headache, and a nonevolving CT. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologically intact patients on initial ED evaluation had a very low likelihood of requiring further interventions, irrespective of CT findings. Although prospective evidence is necessary, this supports reliance on clinical findings when evaluating a well-appearing child with an acute CHI.

Characteristics and diagnoses of neonates who revisit a pediatric emergency center.

OBJECTIVE: Families with neonates may utilize emergency centers (ECs) for nonurgent complaints. We sought to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of neonates evaluated in an urban tertiary children's EC more than once in a 5-day period and to determine the frequency of serious illnesses and admission at the second visit. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case series of neonates (aged <29 days) who visited the EC, were discharged home, and returned within 5 days during a 3-year period. RESULTS: There were 147 study neonates (2.4% of all newborn EC patients) with an average age of 16 days at the first visit and a median 3 days between visits. Sixteen patients (11% of returning patients) returned with fever (≥38 °C); 15 patients (10%) returned with respiratory distress or hypoxemia, and 56 (38%) required admission at the second visit. Patients diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux and/or vomiting at the first visit had a high frequency of admission (55%) and pyloric stenosis (26%) at the second visit. CONCLUSIONS: Of neonates discharged from the EC with nonurgent medical issues, more than a third of those revisiting the EC required admission within 5 days. The risk of fever, respiratory distress, and admission was higher in neonates who originally presented with infectious symptoms than neonates who presented with noninfectious process. Of neonates presenting twice with gastroesophageal reflux and/or vomiting, almost a third had pyloric stenosis, indicating that close follow-up of vomiting neonates is needed.

The diagnostic accuracy of an abdominal radiograph with signs and symptoms of intussusception.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of an abdominal ultrasound to that of a highly suggestive abdominal radiograph combined with signs and symptoms of intussusception. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of children 3 years or younger with signs and symptoms of intussusceptions who presented to a pediatric emergency department (ED). Univariate analysis, multivariate analysis, and diagnostic accuracy of clinical characteristics and radiographic findings were derived. RESULTS: A highly suggestive abdominal radiograph (14.80; 5.85-37.45), right upper quadrant mass (8.90; 1.14-69.47), vomiting (2.54; 1.36-4.76), and abdominal pain (2.45; 1.36-4.40) were found to be significantly associated with intussusception by univariate analysis. Vomiting (2.80; 1.34-5.85), abdominal pain (2.75; 1.33-5.69), and bloody stools (2.70; 1.07-6.81) were independently associated with intussusceptions by multivariate analysis. Bloody stools were time dependent. Bloody stools occurred in those patients with intussusception at a median time of 24 hours, from the time the patient started with signs and symptoms to the time of presentation to the ED, vs those without bloody stools presenting at a median time of 11 hours. The combination of a highly suggestive abdominal radiograph, abdominal pain, lethargy, and vomiting was highly specific (95%) for intussusception, comparable to that of an ultrasound (93%). In patients with this combination, all were found to have intussusception by enema or surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound is not needed before an enema for the diagnosis of intussusception for those with a highly suggestive abdominal radiograph, abdominal pain, lethargy, and vomiting.

Risk factors for admission in children with bronchiolitis from pediatric emergency department observation unit.

BACKGROUND: Patients with bronchiolitis are increasingly being admitted to emergency department observation units (EDOUs) but often require subsequent hospitalization. To better identify ED patients who should be directly admitted to the hospital rather than the EDOU, the predictors of admission must be identified. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the predictors of subsequent hospital admission from the EDOU in infants and young children with bronchiolitis. METHOD: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients younger than 2 years admitted to an EDOU with bronchiolitis between April 1, 2003, and March 31, 2007. Univariate analysis was followed by logistic regression to identify the significant predictors of hospital admission from the EDOU. RESULTS: There were 325 patients in the study: 67% were younger than 6 months, and 60% were male. Eighty-five (26%) were admitted to the hospital from the EDOU. Predictors for admission from the EDOU included parental report of poor feeding or increased work of breathing, oxygen saturation less than 93%, or ED treatment with racemic epinephrine (Vaponephrine) and intravenous fluids (IVFs). CONCLUSION: Patients with a history of increased work of breathing or oxygen saturation less than 93% and ED treatment with IVFs are at high risk for admission from the EDOU to the hospital. Direct admission to the hospital from the ED should be considered for these patients, particularly patients treated with IVFs and having an oxygen saturation less than 93% in the ED.

Urinary nitrate might be an early biomarker for pediatric acute kidney injury in the emergency department.

NO is involved in normal kidney function and perturbed in acute kidney injury (AKI). We hypothesized that urinary concentration of NO metabolites, nitrite, and nitrate would be lower in children with early AKI presenting to the emergency department (ED), when serum creatinine (SCr) was uninformative. Patients up to 19 y were recruited if they had a urinalysis and SCr obtained for routine care. Primary outcome, AKI, was defined by pediatric Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of function, End-stage renal disease (pRIFLE) criteria. Urinary nitrite and nitrate were determined by HPLC. A total of 252 patients were enrolled, the majority (93%) of whom were without AKI. Although 18 (7%) had AKI by pRIFLE, 50% may not have had it identified by the SCr value alone at the time of visit. Median urinary nitrate was lower for injury versus risk (p = 0.03); this difference remained significant when the injury group was compared against the combined risk and no AKI groups (p = 0.01). Urinary nitrite was not significantly different between groups. Thus, low urinary nitrate is associated with AKI in the pediatric ED even when SCr is normal. Predictive potential of this putative urinary biomarker for AKI needs further evaluation in sicker patients.

Evaluation of Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen for Pediatric Laceration Repair: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Laceration repair is a common procedure, and causes pain and distress in children. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of hydrocodone/acetaminophen elixir in reducing both pain and anxiety in children undergoing sutured laceration repair in the emergency department. METHODS: The authors conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in children aged 2 to 17 years, stratified by age younger than 8 years, with topical lidocaine-treated lacerations requiring sutured repair in the emergency department. The primary outcome was pain score at 5 minutes of laceration repair. Secondary outcomes included progression to procedural sedation and anxiety scores in older children. RESULTS: Eighty-five children were randomized, 43 to the hydrocodone/acetaminophen group and 42 to the placebo group. Median 5-minute pain scores in children aged 2 to 7 years were significantly lower in the medication group (5.0; interquartile range, 4.0 to 6.50) compared with the placebo group (7.0; interquartile range, 5.25 to 10.0; p = 0.01). Three patients (12 percent) in the placebo group proceeded to procedural sedation. For children aged 8 to 17 years, there was no significant difference in pain scores between the treatment (0.5; interquartile range, 0.0 to 0.1; p = 0.81) and placebo groups (0.1; interquartile range, 0.01 to 0.4) or in anxiety scores using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant oral hydrocodone/acetaminophen is more effective than placebo in reducing pain in children younger than 8 years undergoing topical lidocaine-treated laceration repair, but it does not decrease pain or anxiety in older children. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.

The prevalence of neonatal herpes simplex virus infection compared with serious bacterial illness in hospitalized neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) relative to other viral infections and serious bacterial illnesses (SBIs) in hospitalized neonates admitted from a pediatric emergency department over a 5-year period. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective prevalence study of laboratory-confirmed viral infections and culture-proven SBIs, with electronic databases and medical record review. RESULTS: A total 5817 neonates were included: 8.4% with viral infection, 4.6% with SBIs. Of 960 neonates with documented fever, 17.2% had viral infections (0.3% HSV infection) and 14.2% had SBIs (1.3% bacterial meningitis). Of 204 neonates with fever and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis, 1.0% had HSV infection and 5.4% had bacterial meningitis. Of 124 neonates with fever and mononuclear CSF pleocytosis, 1.6% had HSV and 0.8% had bacterial meningitis. Of 187 neonates with hypothermia, 1.1% had HSV infection presenting as a sepsis-like syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: In febrile neonates admitted to the hospital from the emergency department, the prevalence of HSV infection was similar to that of bacterial meningitis, suggesting that HSV infection be considered in the differential diagnosis of neonatal fever, especially in the presence of mononuclear CSF pleocytosis. HSV infection should also be considered in neonates with hypothermia and a sepsis-like syndrome.

Clinical and laboratory features of neonatal herpes simplex virus infection: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection can cause significant morbidity and mortality but can be difficult to identify, particularly in neonates without vesicular rash. OBJECTIVE: To determine the unique clinical and laboratory features of neonates with and without HSV infection admitted to Texas Children's Hospital during a 14-year period. METHODS: An historic case-control study of all hospitalized neonates with laboratory-confirmed HSV infection and a restricted sample (ratio 1:4) of HSV test-negative hospitalized neonates. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify clinical and laboratory factors associated with neonatal HSV infection. RESULTS: Forty cases and 160 comparison subjects were identified. The following factors were associated with neonatal HSV infection by univariate analysis: maternal primary HSV infection, maternal fever, vaginal delivery, prematurity, postnatal HSV contact, vesicular rash, hypothermia, lethargy, seizures, severe respiratory distress, hepatosplenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, elevated hepatic enzymes, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocyosis and proteinosis. Factors not associated with neonatal HSV infection were fever, total peripheral white blood cell count, and red blood cells in the CSF. For neonates presenting without vesicular rash, maternal fever, respiratory distress requiring mechanical ventilation, and CSF pleocytosis were independently associated with HSV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Inclusion of the newly appreciated features of maternal fever, respiratory distress, and thrombocytopenia might improve the detection of neonatal HSV infection. Clinical and laboratory factors typically associated with neonatal HSV infection were confirmed to be maternal primary HSV infection, vaginal delivery, prematurity, neonatal seizures, vesicular rash, elevated hepatic enzymes, and CSF pleocytosis.

Hearing Trajectory in Children with Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection.

Objectives To compare hearing trajectories among children with symptomatic and asymptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection through age 18 years and to identify brain abnormalities associated with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in asymptomatic case patients. Study Design Longitudinal prospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary medical center. Subjects and Methods The study included 96 case patients (4 symptomatic and 92 asymptomatic) identified through hospital-based newborn cytomegalovirus screening from 1982 to 1992 and 72 symptomatic case patients identified through referrals from 1993 to 2005. We used growth curve modeling to analyze hearing thresholds (0.5-8 kHz) by ear with increasing age and Cox regression to determine abnormal findings on head computed tomography scan associated with SNHL (hearing threshold ≥25 dB in any audiometric frequency) among asymptomatic case patients. Results Fifty-six (74%) symptomatic and 20 (22%) asymptomatic case patients had SNHL: congenital/early-onset SNHL was diagnosed in 78 (51%) and 10 (5%) ears, respectively, and delayed-onset SNHL in 25 (17%) and 20 (11%) ears; 49 (32%) and 154 (84%) ears had normal hearing. In affected ears, all frequency-specific hearing thresholds worsened with age. Congenital/early-onset SNHL was significantly worse (severe-profound range, >70 dB) than delayed-onset SNHL (mild-moderate range, 26-55 db). Frequency-specific hearing thresholds were significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic case patients at 0.5 to 1 kHz but not at higher frequencies (2-8 kHz). Among asymptomatic case patients, white matter lucency was significantly associated with SNHL by age 5 years (hazard ratio, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.3-15.6). Conclusion Congenital/early-onset SNHL frequently resulted in severe to profound loss in symptomatic and asymptomatic case patients. White matter lucency in asymptomatic case patients was significantly associated with SNHL by age 5 years.

Impact of Enterovirus Testing on Resource Use in Febrile Young Infants: A Systematic Review.

CONTEXT: Enterovirus infection commonly causes fever in infants aged 0 to 90 days and, without testing, is difficult to differentiate from serious bacterial infection. OBJECTIVE: To determine the cost savings of routine enterovirus testing and identify subgroups of infants with greater potential impact from testing among infants 0 to 90 days old with fever. DATA SOURCES: Studies were identified systematically from published and unpublished literature by using Embase, Medline, the Cochrane database, and conference proceedings. STUDY SELECTION: Inclusion criteria were original studies, in any language, of enterovirus infection including the outcomes of interest in infants aged 0 to 90 days. DATA EXTRACTION: Standardized instruments were used to appraise each study. The evidence quality was evaluated using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria. Two investigators independently searched the literature, screened and critically appraised the studies, extracted the data, and applied the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria. RESULTS: Of the 257 unique studies identified and screened, 32 were completely reviewed and 8 were included. Routine enterovirus testing was associated with reduced hospital length of stay and cost savings during peak enterovirus season. Cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis was a poor predictor of enterovirus meningitis. The studies were all observational and the evidence was of low quality. CONCLUSIONS: Enterovirus polymerase chain reaction testing, independent of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, can reduce length of stay and achieve cost savings, especially during times of high enterovirus prevalence. Additional study is needed to identify subgroups that may achieve greater cost savings from testing to additionally enhance the efficiency of testing.

Hearing Loss in Children With Asymptomatic Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence, characteristics, and risk of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection identified through hospital-based newborn screening who were asymptomatic at birth compared with uninfected children. METHODS: We included 92 case-patients and 51 controls assessed by using auditory brainstem response and behavioral audiometry. We used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to estimate the prevalence of SNHL, defined as ≥25 dB hearing level at any frequency and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses to compare SNHL risk between groups. RESULTS: At age 18 years, SNHL prevalence was 25% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17%-36%) among case-patients and 8% (95% CI: 3%-22%) in controls (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.0; 95% CI: 1.2-14.5; P = .02). Among children without SNHL by age 5 years, the risk of delayed-onset SNHL was not significantly greater for case-patients than for controls (HR: 1.6; 95% CI: 0.4-6.1; P = .5). Among case-patients, the risk of delayed-onset SNHL was significantly greater among those with unilateral congenital/early-onset hearing loss than those without (HR: 6.9; 95% CI: 2.5-19.1; P < .01). The prevalence of severe to profound bilateral SNHL among case-patients was 2% (95% CI: 1%-9%). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed-onset and progression of SNHL among children with asymptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection continued to occur throughout adolescence. However, the risk of developing SNHL after age 5 years among case-patients was not different than in uninfected children. Overall, 2% of case-patients developed SNHL that was severe enough for them to be candidates for cochlear implantation.

Intelligence and Academic Achievement With Asymptomatic Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection.

OBJECTIVES: To examine intelligence, language, and academic achievement through 18 years of age among children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection identified through hospital-based newborn screening who were asymptomatic at birth compared with uninfected infants. METHODS: We used growth curve modeling to analyze trends in IQ (full-scale, verbal, and nonverbal intelligence), receptive and expressive vocabulary, and academic achievement in math and reading. Separate models were fit for each outcome, modeling the change in overall scores with increasing age for patients with normal hearing (n = 78) or with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) diagnosed by 2 years of age (n = 11) and controls (n = 40). RESULTS: Patients with SNHL had full-scale intelligence and receptive vocabulary scores that were 7.0 and 13.1 points lower, respectively, compared with controls, but no significant differences were noted in these scores among patients with normal hearing and controls. No significant differences were noted in scores for verbal and nonverbal intelligence, expressive vocabulary, and academic achievement in math and reading among patients with normal hearing or with SNHL and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with asymptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection identified through newborn screening with normal hearing by age 2 years do not appear to have differences in IQ, vocabulary or academic achievement scores during childhood, or adolescence compared with uninfected children.

Increasing prevalence of emergency department visits for pediatric dental care, 1997-2001.

BACKGROUND: Hospital emergency department (ED) visits for non-urgent care have been increasing since the late 1950s. This study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of pediatric ED visits for dental problems during a five-year period. METHODS: This retrospective study included newborns through 17-year-olds with dental complaints identified from the electronic register of the ED of Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, between January 1997 and December 2001. The authors described patient characteristics, diagnoses, factors associated with ED use for nontraumatic problems and annual changes in ED visits for dental and nondental complaints. RESULTS: Of the 1,102 subjects, 809 (73.4 percent) had nontraumatic and 293 (26.6 percent) had traumatic dental complaints. The study revealed a 121 percent increase in ED visits for dental complaints and a 66-fold increase in admissions between 1997 and 2001. Of the inpatient admissions, 68 percent were the result of caries and its sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a substantial increase in ED visits and hospital admissions for dental problems during the study period. The majority of dental problems were nontraumatic in nature. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Dental care experts should be available in ED settings in which increases in such visits are seen. Studies must be conducted to explore ways of keeping patients from seeking care in EDs inappropriately.

Nitric oxide metabolites as biomarkers for influenza-like acute respiratory infections presenting to the emergency room.

AIMS: Nitric oxide (NO) is increased in the respiratory tract in pulmonary infections. The aim was to determine whether nasal wash NO metabolites could serve as biomarkers of viral pathogen and disease severity in children with influenza-like illness (ILI) presenting to the emergency department (ED) during the 2009 influenza A H1N1 pandemic. METHODS: Children ≤18 years old presenting to the ED with ILI were eligible. Nasal wash specimens were tested for NO metabolites, nitrate and nitrite, by HPLC and for respiratory viruses by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients with ILI were prospectively enrolled during Oct-Dec, 2009. In the entire cohort, nasal wash nitrite was low to undetectable (interquartile range [IQR], 0 - 2 µM), while median nitrate was 3.4 µM (IQR 0-8.6). Rhinovirus (23%), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (20%), novel H1N1 (19%), and adenovirus (11%) were the most common viruses found. Children with RSV subtype B-associated ILI had higher nitrate compared to all other viruses combined (P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Concentration of NO-derived nitrate in nasal secretions in children in the ED is suggestive of viral pathogen causative for ILI, and thus might be of clinical utility. Predictive potential of this putative biomarker for ILI needs further evaluation in sicker patients in a prospective manner.

Mobile pediatric emergency response team: patient satisfaction during the novel H1N1 influenza outbreak.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to determine child caregiver satisfaction with a nontraditional pediatric emergency department (ED) venue during the 2009 novel H1N1 influenza outbreak. METHODS: Between May 1 and 7, 2009, the Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) ED used a six-bed outdoor facility, the Mobile Pediatric Emergency Response Team (MPERT), to evaluate patients with suspected novel H1N1 influenza. Parents and caregivers of patients evaluated in the MPERT were surveyed by telephone using a validated questionnaire to evaluate satisfaction with the facility. RESULTS: Of 353 patients, 155 caregivers (44%) completed questionnaires; 127 had wrong numbers, 71 did not answer, and 15 were on a no-call list. Survey responders felt that nurses and doctors explained concepts well (nurses 92%, doctors 94%), 91% felt TCH prepared them well for taking care of their children at home, 94% were satisfied with the medical care received, and 88% were not bothered by the outdoor setting. When asked to rate their MPERT experience on a scale of 0 (worst possible) to 10 (best possible), the median score was 9 (range 1 to 10). CONCLUSIONS: The MPERT facility alleviated patient volume surge and potentially prevented transmission during H1N1 outbreak. While these were health care provider goals, caregiver expectations were also met. Caregivers perceived MPERT as an acceptable alternative to receiving care in the regular ED, felt that physicians and nurses communicated well, and felt that medical care was good to excellent. Use of the MPERT did not negatively affect overall caregiver satisfaction with TCH. These findings suggest that families of pediatric patients are amenable to nontraditional ED venues during periods of ED crowding.

Mortality and clinical outcomes in HIV-infected children on antiretroviral therapy in Malawi, Lesotho, and Swaziland.

OBJECTIVE: To determine mortality and immune status improvement in HIV-infected pediatric patients on antiretroviral treatment (ART) in Malawi, Lesotho, and Swaziland. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients aged <12 years at ART initiation at 3 sites in sub-Saharan Africa between 2004 and 2009. Twelve-month and overall mortality were estimated, and factors associated with mortality and immune status improvement were evaluated. RESULTS: Included in the study were 2306 patients with an average follow-up time on ART of 2.3 years (interquartile range 1.5-3.1 years). One hundred four patients (4.5%) died, 9.0% were lost to follow-up, and 1.3% discontinued ART. Of the 104 deaths, 77.9% occurred in the first year of treatment with a 12-month mortality rate of 3.5%. The overall mortality rate was 2.25 deaths/100 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.84-2.71). Increased 12-month mortality was associated with younger age; <6 months (hazard ratio [HR] = 8.11, CI 4.51-14.58), 6 to <12 months (HR = 3.43, CI 1.96-6.02), and 12 to <36 months (HR = 1.92, CI 1.16-3.19), and World Health Organization stage IV (HR = 4.35, CI 2.19-8.67). Immune status improvement at 12 months was less likely in patients with advanced disease and age <12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Despite challenges associated with pediatric ART in developing countries, low mortality and good treatment outcomes can be achieved. However, outcomes are worse in younger patients and those with advanced disease at the time of ART initiation, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Risk factors for complications in hospitalized young infants presenting with uncomplicated pertussis.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify risk factors for complications in hospitalized young infants with uncomplicated pertussis. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of hospitalized infants 0 to 6 months of age with confirmed pertussis from 2005 to 2009. Subjects presenting without complications or need for initial intensive care admission were deemed to have uncomplicated pertussis. Complications during hospitalization were defined as apnea, pneumonia, seizures, or encephalopathy. Univariate analysis was performed by estimating odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between each variable and the occurrence of complications. Multivariable analysis was performed using logistic regression. Clinical variables included demographics, historical, laboratory, and imaging data. RESULTS: Of 126 study subjects, 46 (36.5%) developed complications in the hospital: 43 with apnea (two required endotracheal intubation), seven with pneumonia, and three with seizures; there were no cases of encephalopathy and no deaths. Age less than 60 days (OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.08-6.82), cough duration less than 7 days (OR, 5.38; 95% CI, 1.79-16.18), history of color change (OR, 5.24; 95% CI, 1.14-24.07), parental intervention (OR, 10.05; 95% CI, 1.67-60.39), and need for oxygen in the emergency department (OR. 3.94; 95% CI. 1.37-11.36) were associated with development of complications. The median duration of cough at the time of complication was 9 days (range 2-30 days). Initial complete blood cell count and radiographic findings were not associated with complications. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with uncomplicated pertussis may be at low risk for developing respiratory failure or death. Historical information may assist practitioners in determining risk for serious complications.

Direct immunofluorescence assay compared to cell culture for the diagnosis of mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus infections in children.

BACKGROUND: Direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA) is commonly used for the rapid identification of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in mucocutaneous lesions, yet little is known about its diagnostic accuracy. OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic yield and accuracy of HSV DFA for the diagnosis of mucocutaneous HSV infection in pediatric patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study of all patients who underwent HSV DFA testing by the Texas Children's Hospital Diagnostic Virology between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2005. HSV DFA sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LRs), and negative LRs were estimated using viral culture as the reference standard. RESULTS: 659 specimens were submitted for HSV DFA with concurrent viral cultures. Viral cultures were positive for HSV type 1 in 158 (24%) and HSV type 2 in 2 (0.3%). There were 433 different patients with a median age of 8.6 years. Types of lesions were as follows: 50% ulcerative, 26% vesicular, 8% erythema or purpura, 5% pustular, and 11% missing. Of the 659 specimens submitted for HSV DFA, 160 (24%) were inconclusive due to inadequate cells. Of the 499 adequate specimens, overall HSV DFA test accuracy was: sensitivity 61%, specificity 99%, LR positive 40, and LR negative 0.39. CONCLUSIONS: A quarter of specimens submitted for HSV DFA testing are not adequate for DFA testing. When HSV DFA can be performed, it is specific, but not sensitive, for the identification of mucocutaneous HSV infection in children.

Performance of a rapid influenza test in children during the H1N1 2009 influenza a outbreak.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of a rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT) in detecting H1N1 2009 influenza A virus in respiratory samples from pediatric patients in comparison to that of real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) and viral culture. Methodology. This was a cross-sectional diagnostic-accuracy study conducted at a tertiary care children's hospital. Patients for whom the RIDT (BinaxNOW [Binax, Inc, Portland, ME]), viral culture, and rRT-PCR results were known were included. Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios (LRs) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 3030 specimens had RIDT results paired with both rRT-PCR and viral culture results. With rRT-PCR as the reference, overall test sensitivity was 45% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 43.3%-46.3%) and specificity was 98.6% (95% CI: 98.1%-99%). Positive and negative LRs were 32.9 (95% CI: 22.9-45.4) and 0.56 (95% CI: 0.54-0.58), respectively. RIDT sensitivity was significantly higher in young infants and children younger than 2 years than in older children. Using viral culture as the reference standard, RIDT sensitivity was 55.5% (95% CI: 51.9%-95.6%) and specificity was 95.6% (95% CI: 95%-96.1%). The positive and negative LRs were 12.6 and 0.47, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The RIDT had relatively poor sensitivity but excellent specificity in this consecutive series of respiratory specimens obtained from pediatric patients. Although a positive RIDT result was highly accurate in predicting infection with influenza type A H1N1 2009 in children, a negative RIDT result did not preclude a child having H1N1. Therefore, for children at high risk with influenza-like illnesses during high-prevalence periods of influenza, empiric initiation of antiviral therapy should be considered for patients with a negative RIDT result.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of herpes simplex virus testing and treatment strategies in febrile neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of testing for and empirically treating herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in neonates with fever aged from birth to 28 days. DESIGN: Cost-effectiveness analysis. SETTING: Decision model. PATIENTS: Neonates with fever with no other symptoms and neonates with fever with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis. INTERVENTIONS: Four clinical strategies: (1) HSV testing and empirical treatment while awaiting test results; (2) HSV testing and treatment if test results were positive for HSV or the patient had symptoms of HSV; (3) treatment alone without testing; or (4) no HSV testing or treatment unless the patient exhibited symptoms. The 2 HSV testing methods used were CSF HSV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and comprehensive evaluation with blood HSV PCR, CSF HSV PCR, and multiple viral cultures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Twelve-month survival and quality-adjusted life expectancy with a cost-effectiveness threshold of $100,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. RESULTS: Clinical strategy 1, when applied in febrile neonates with CSF pleocytosis, saved 17 lives per 10,000 neonates and was cost-effective using CSF HSV PCR testing ($55,652/QALY gained). The cost-effectiveness of applying clinical strategy 1 in all febrile neonates depended on the cost of the CSF HSV PCR, prevalence of disease, and parental preferences for neurodevelopmental outcomes. Clinical strategies using comprehensive HSV testing were not cost-effective in febrile neonates ($368,411/QALY gained) or febrile neonates with CSF pleocytosis ($110,190/QALY gained). CONCLUSIONS: Testing with CSF HSV PCR and empirically treating with acyclovir sodium saves lives and is cost-effective in febrile neonates with CSF pleocytosis. It is not a cost-effective use of health care resources in all febrile neonates.