Digital Commons Network^™

Open Lab Vs. Radiologic Students Final Practical Grades, Navdeep Kaur, Safraz Harun, Katie Tam, Robert O'Brien

Publications and Research

Open Lab provides the students of the Radiologic Technology & Medical Imaging Department the opportunity outside regular class time to practice communicating effectively in a health care setting, and grants the students the freedom to craft critical thinking skills in a radiologic environment. Our research aims to analyze the correlation between hourly time spent in Open Lab, and its contributing factor to a student's overall Radiographic Procedures grade. The amount of time spent in Open Lab can additionally contribute to a student's grasp of didactic concepts, and their integration into the clinical setting. Additional time spent in the laboratory can …

Family Medicine Pediatric Education Needs Assessment, Nadia Abraham M.D., Aleisha Nabower M.D.

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background

The majority of pediatric patients in Nebraska are cared for by Family Medicine physicians but there has been minimal analysis done to show whether current resident training is adequate to prepare these physicians. The previous unpublished study was presented at the Pediatric Academic Society meeting in 2006 which was conducted prior to residency work restrictions being enacted. These restrictions significantly changed many clinical experiences. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge and confidence of Family Medicine residents in the diagnosis and management of common pediatric clinical scenarios to determine if adjustments in curriculum are necessary.

Methods …

Novel M4 Pediatrics Chief Program Utilizing Near-Peer Teaching And Mentoring To Enhance Clerkship Curricula, Lindsey E. Beard Md, Nicholas R. Braukmann Md, Joslynn M. Hoburg Md, Emily A. Leyden Md, John W. Schmidt Md

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Introduction: Near-peer teachers add many benefits to the academic, clinical performance, and enjoyment of near-peer learners in medical education. This enterprise describes and examines how the Creighton University School of Medicine M4 Pediatrics Chief Program fills a gap in medical education by offering an organized and formal methodology for near-peer teaching. The Creighton University M4 Pediatrics Chief Program utilizes select fourth year medical students to orient, teach basic clinical skills, mentor, and participate in curriculum development for the third year Pediatric clerkship students.

Methods: Third year students (n=43) in their Pediatrics clerkship from September 2020 to February 2021 …

Heterotaxy In A Newborn With Transposition Of The Great Arteries: A Case Study, Lucas Betts, Terence Zach

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Heterotaxy is a rare congenital condition that involves abnormal arrangement of the thoracic and abdominal organs across the left-right axis and often includes complex cardiac malformations. A case of heterotaxy with concurrent transposition of the great arteries, situs inversus totalis, and coarctation of the aorta is presented in a newborn male who had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery at 39 weeks gestation. The infant was started on continuous positive airway pressure due to low oxygen saturations, and intravenous prostaglandin E1 was administered to maintain ductus patency. After 5 days, the infant underwent a successful arterial switch, ductus arteriosus ligation, atrial septal …

Vincristine Side Effects With Concomitant Fluconazole Use During Induction Chemotherapy In Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Caleb A. Cave, Reyna C. Ramirez, Robin High, James B. Ford, Chittalsinh M. Raulji, Jill C. Beck

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

As a mainstay of treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), vincristine’s side effect profile is well known. Parallel administration of the antifungal fluconazole has been shown to interfere with the metabolism of vincristine, potentially resulting in increased side effects. We conducted a retrospective chart review to determine whether concomitant administration of vincristine and fluconazole during pediatric ALL therapy impacted side effects of vincristine, namely, hyponatremia and peripheral neuropathy. We also evaluated whether the incidence of opportunistic fungal infections was impacted by fluconazole prophylaxis. Medical charts of all pediatric ALL patients treated with induction chemotherapy at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center …

Impact Of The Filmarray® Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel On Clinical Practice In Pediatrics; A Multicentered Study, John Chatterton, Aleisha Nabower, Nathan Gollehon, Nathaniel Goodrich, Prabi Rajbhandari, Jaclyn Eisenberg, Kimberly Martin, Megan Woslager, Maheswari Ekambaran, Krow Ampofo, Elizabeth Lyden, Jessica Snowden

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background

The FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel (MEP) is a rapid multiplex assay that tests cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for 14 common central nervous system (CNS) pathogens, with results available in hours as opposed to days with the gold standard CSF culture. Current literature on the impact of MEP testing on length of stay (LOS) and antimicrobial use in pediatric patients is from only single site studies with variable results.

Hypothesis

MEP testing in pediatric patients would be associated with a decreased LOS, time on IV antibiotics, and time to narrowing antibiotics.

Design/Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of 5 sites. Inclusion criteria …

Oral Antibiotics And Early Discharge For Febrile Neutropenia In Pediatric Oncology, Alex Ciurej, Melissa Acquazzino

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background

Febrile neutropenia is defined as a temperature of ≥38.0°C with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <1500. This is a common reason for hospital admission in pediatric cancer patients given the myelosuppressive effects of many chemotherapeutic agents. In one study, nearly 20% of emergency department visits in pediatric cancer patients were due to fever, and periods of severe neutropenia (ANC < 500) present the highest risk of morbidity and mortality due to infection. For this reason, pediatric oncology patients with fever and severe neutropenia are admitted to the hospital for management. These hospital stays lead to risks of nosocomial infection, mounting healthcare costs, and lessened quality of life. We aim to observe the safety and impact on length of stay for early discharge (prior to count recovery) on oral antibiotics in the treatment of febrile neutropenia in pediatric oncology patients.

Methods

This retrospective case-control study compares 1) unplanned readmission rates within 96 hours and 2) length of stay in pediatric oncology patients with febrile neutropenia who were discharged home on oral levofloxacin before count recovery (cases) or stayed until evidence of count recovery (controls). Study patients had an oncologic diagnosis admitted with or developed febrile neutropenia at Children’s Hospital Omaha, without history of Trisomy 21, acute myeloid leukemia, bone marrow transplant, and without discharge home on IV antibiotics.

Results

Cases (n=32) were an average …

Two Patients With Klinefelter Syndrome Fortuitously Diagnosed By Non-Invasive Prenatal Test, Sarah Craven, Terence Zach

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

BACKGROUND

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) uses cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in maternal blood to screen for fetal aneuploidy. Maternal and fetal cfDNA are both present in maternal blood; however, fragmentation patterns are different. This allows the fetal fraction to be identified and screened for autosomal chromosome aneuploidy, specifically Trisomy 13, 18, and 21. Although not currently recommended for routine use, NIPT can also be used to screen for sex chromosome abnormalities. This practice is increasingly common, as allows parents to determine the baby’s sex earlier than ultrasound. Klinefelter syndrome (XXY karyotype) is one sex chromosome aneuploidy that NIPT may recognize. Currently, …

Assessing Body Fat In Pediatric Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Preliminary Comparison Of Anthropometric Techniques, Arianna Dalamaggas, Megan Gillespie, Adriano Dellapolla, Kaeli Samson, Elizabeth Strudthoff, Vincent Eaton, Maegen Wallace

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background: Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder causing brittle bones, extremity deformities, short stature, and scoliosis, resulting in decreased physical function. Body Mass Index (BMI) is used as a proxy for body fat in the general population, however, it is particularly inaccurate measure to gauge body fat in OI patients due to skeletal deformities and short stature. There is a critical need to identify the anthropometric and body composition characteristics that contribute to important health outcomes and improve disease management in patients with OI. Current literature is lacking data on percent body fat (% BF) composition in patients …

Assessing The Safety And Efficacy Of Tranexamic Acid Usage In Osteogenesis Imperfecta Patients, Vincent Eaton, Makayla Schissel, Elizabeth Strudthoff, Maegen Wallace

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background: This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) usage to reduce blood loss in surgeries in children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI). We want to assess the potential benefits, risks, and complications involved in the usage of TXA in this pediatric orthopedic population.

Significance of Problem: Due to increased fracture burden and bone deformity caused by OI, patients tend to have numerous operations throughout their life. In addition to these skeletal manifestations, there is a potential increase in susceptibility to bleeding due to the increased frequency of orthopedic procedures. Increased blood loss during orthopedic procedures …

Quantifying Intraoperative Blood Loss In Osteogenesis Imperfecta Patients, Vincent Eaton, Kaeli Samson, Elizabeth Strudthoff, Adriano Dellapolla, Maegen Wallace

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background: Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a collagen disorder with numerous multisystemic manifestations, including potential for increased vascular fragility and, consequently, increased bleeding. Since these patients are prone to fractures and multiple surgeries, the associated risk of increased intraoperative blood loss is potentially elevated compared to the general population.

Significance: Knowing if OI type, bone, or the number of bones operated on simultaneously is associated with more intraoperative blood loss can aid in preoperative planning in this population.

Hypothesis: We aim to investigate intraoperative blood loss in OI patients undergoing intramedullary rodding of lower extremity long bones to assess quantitative differences …

Retrospective Study On Maternal Bmi And Length Of Stay For Neonates With Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Treated With Hypothermia, Sonya Flaten, Emily Poellinger, Terence Zach

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background

Neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) causes significant morbidity and mortality. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is an important treatment in HIE. There is a need to better understand the antepartum factors associated with HIE. Maternal obesity has been previously identified as a risk factor for HIE. There is likely a positive correlation between the severity of HIE, abnormal MRI results, and the length of a neonate’s NICU stay before discharge.

Purpose

This retrospective study compares the maternal BMI at delivery to the MRI results of the newborn at 4-7 days after birth and to the NICU length of stay with HIE …

Tocopherol Content Of Maternal Breast Milk And Impact On Neonatal Growth, Alyssa Freeman, Alex Hergenrader, Olivia Paetz, Sarah Sweeney, Lauren Wegner, Nicole Bender, Ridhi Chaudhary, Khadijjta Ali, Matthew Van Ormer, Maranda Thompson, Rebecca Slotkowski, Corrine K. Hanson, Melissa K. Thoene, Ann Anderson-Berry

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background: Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient consisting of α-, β-, δ-, and γ-tocopherol isoforms that has established effects on neonatal growth in utero. Higher maternal plasma tocopherol concentrations in pregnancy are associated with increased neonatal weight, length, and head circumference percentiles at birth. However, less is known about the impacts of tocopherols on post-natal growth. Since many neonates consume maternal breast milk as their post-natal nutrient source, it is important to understand the tocopherol content of breast milk and associations with neonatal growth.

Significance of Problem: Although the tocopherols demonstrate positive associations with neonatal growth in utero, the role …

Evaluation Of Tocopherol Isoforms In Maternal Breast Milk And Their Relationship With Maternal Dietary Intake, Alyssa Freeman, Alex Hergenrader, Olivia Paetz, Sarah Sweeney, Lauren Wegner, Nicole Bender, Ridhi Chaudhary, Khadijjta Ali, Matthew Van Ormer, Maranda Thompson, Rebecca Slotkowski, Corrine K. Hanson, Melissa K. Thoene, Ann Anderson-Berry

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background: Vitamin E is an essential, fat-soluble nutrient with four isoforms: α-, β-, δ-, and γ-tocopherol. These isoforms differentially modulate inflammation and show variable associations with perinatal outcomes, such as preterm delivery and Apgar scores. However, little is known about the role of these isoforms on post-natal outcomes and their presence in maternal breast milk, a neonate’s ideal nutrition source.

Significance of Problem: To analyze the role of tocopherols on post-natal growth and inflammation, it is critical to first assess their presence in maternal breast milk. Relating these measures to maternal dietary intake can advance our understanding of breast milk …

Omega-3 And Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Levels In Placental Tissue And Association With Maternal Dietary Intake, Alexandra Hergenrader, Matthew Van Ormer, Maranda Thompson, Rebecca Slotkowski, Alyssa Freeman, Olivia Paetz, Sarah Sweeney, Lauren Wegner, Khadijjta Ali, Nicole Bender, Ridhi Chaudhary, Melissa K. Thoene, Corrine K. Hanson, Ann Anderson-Berry

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background: Omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are precursors to lipid mediators that modulate inflammation throughout the body. Derivatives of n-3 PUFAs have anti-inflammatory properties and promote growth and neurodevelopment in the fetus. Conversely, n-6 PUFA metabolites exert pro-inflammatory effects and may contribute to adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. Studies have shown that maternal dietary intakes of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs are associated with their levels in maternal serum, but less is known about the association between PUFA intake and placental levels of these nutrients. A fetus must obtain essential PUFAs from their mother through the placenta, …

Assessing The Impact Of Socioeconomic Status On Maternal And Cord Serum Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Levels, Alexandra Hergenrader, Matthew Van Ormer, Maranda Thompson, Rebecca Slotkowski, Alyssa Freeman, Olivia Paetz, Sarah Sweeney, Lauren Wegner, Khadijjta Ali, Nicole Bender, Ridhi Chaudhary, Melissa K. Thoene, Corrine K. Hanson, Ann Anderson-Berry

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background: Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) modulate inflammation throughout the lifespan and are essential in fetal growth and development. Previous studies have demonstrated that individuals with lower socioeconomic status (SES) may be at risk for low intake of n-3 PUFAs; however, no research has compared the concentrations of these nutrients present in maternal and cord serum between markers of SES.

Significance of Problem: Individuals with low serum levels of n-3 PUFAs may suffer from unfavorable birth and pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, it is important to identify populations who may have decreased serum levels of these nutrients in order to provide …

Phm Triage Curriculum Enhances Residents’ Skills And Comfort Of Leading Triage Calls, Sheridan Jost, Jason Burrows, Michelle Howell-Smith

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background: Though hospital triage is typically considered a role of pediatric hospitalists, these skills are important for residents to learn for any pediatric subspeciality. Additionally, many of these skills are addressed in the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s (ACGME) Pediatric Milestones and the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA) as competencies expected of residency graduates. Currently, the pediatric residents at our medium-sized midwestern program do not participate in hospital triage, leaving this as a large gap in their education.

Objective: To evaluate how a Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) Triage Curriculum enhances pediatric residents’ knowledge, skills, and …

Health Care Access And Use Among Children & Adolescents With History Of Parental Incarceration — United States, 2019, Rohan Khazanchi, Nia Heard-Garris, Tyler N.A. Winkelman

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background: Children and adolescents exposed to parental incarceration (PI) have suboptimal health care access, utilization, and outcomes in adulthood. However, very little is known about health care access and use during childhood itself for children and adolescents exposed to PI.

Significance: The United States incarcerates more people and at a higher rate than any other country in the world, with stark spillover impacts on the lives of over 5 million children who have had an incarcerated parent.

Objective: Using the nationally representative 2019 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Child Sample, we examined the relationship between PI and key measures …

Mechanism Of Cyclophosphamide-Induced Ovarian Follicle Loss In The Prepubertal Mouse, Yi Luan, Seok-Yeong Yu, Ibrahim F. Elesh, Rosemary Dong, Amirhossein Abazarikia, So-Youn Kim

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background: Cancer therapies cause serious side effects, affecting the quality of life for young cancer survivors. The ovary is affected by cancer therapies, causing premature ovarian insufficiency, leading to endocrine dysfunction, infertility, and ovarian aging. Thus, maintaining ovarian function against cancer treatment is an unmet need for female cancer patients. Cyclophosphamide (CPA), a common chemotherapeutic agent, forms DNA crosslinks to induce apoptosis in rapidly proliferating tumor cells. However, the underlying mechanism of the CPA-induced oocyte death in ovarian reserve remains unclear.

Experimental design: This study aims to investigate the mechanism of oocyte death in primordial follicles by generating …

A King’S Secret: The Reason For Regression In A 14-Month-Old Male, Kelli Mans, Whitney Bossert, Nathaniel Goodrich, Terri L. Love

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

A 14-month-old male with constipation and a recent viral exanthem presents with 8 weeks of progressive gross motor regression. He no longer walks, crawls, or sits unassisted. No loss of social, speech, or fine motor milestones. No fever, rash, cough, congestion, or diarrhea. No known trauma. Family history negative for muscle, nerve, autoimmune, and developmental conditions. He was born abroad and lived on a dairy farm in New Zealand until 5 months ago. Vaccines up to date. Recently exposed to raw honey and a petting zoo.

Neurologic and musculoskeletal exams pertinent for refusal to bear weight or crawl. Resists sitting …

Crisis In The Nicu And The Medley With Midazolam, Nghi M. Nguyen, Jordan Hernandez, Adrian Flores, Jina Yi, Reeyan Bhakat, Neetha N. Vellichiramma, Chittibabu Guda, Sowmya V. Yelamanchili, Gurudutt Pendyala

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Epidemiologic studies of human patients have revealed a correlation between childhood exposure to general anesthetic and sedative agents and subsequent cognitive deficits. This association is supported by data from animal models, which shows that developmental exposure to both anesthetics and sedatives causes lasting impairments in learning. This study focused on midazolam (MDZ), a common benzodiazepine regularly used as a sedative agent on neonates in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). However, a knowledge gap that remains is how long-term exposure to MDZ during very early stages of life impacts synaptic alterations and neurobiological mechanisms. Elucidation of these mechanisms is of …

Sap30, A Novel Oncogenic Transcription Factor In High-Risk Neuroblastoma: Clinical Significance And Role In Tumor-Progression, Survival, And Drug Resistance, Anup Pathania, Philip Prathipati, Nagendra K. Chaturvedi, Subash Gupta, Don W. Coulter, Kishore Challagundla

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Neuroblastoma is the most common devastating extracranial solid malignancy in children, accounting for 15% of childhood cancer-related mortality. Despite an intense treatment regimen, approximately 50% of children treated for high-risk neuroblastoma have more aggressive tumor relapse with less than 20% five-year overall survival. Amplification of the oncogene MYCN is associated with a high risk of relapse. However, only 25% of high-risk neuroblastomas are MYCN-amplified, indicating that the rest are driven by factors other than MYCN. Therefore, it is essential to identify novel driver transcription factors but not passenger genes that improve prediction efficacy of therapy response and association with high-risk, …

Case Report Of Rare Mycobacterium Isolated From Mediastinal Abscess, Olivia Person, Andrew S. Huang Pacheco, Hana Niebur, Melissa Suh, Kari Neemann

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Introduction

Mycobacterium arupense, a member of the Mycobacterium terrae complex identified in 2016, rarely causes infections despite isolation from multiple environmental sources, including water, soil and fish tanks.¹ Case reports have described tenosynovitis, osteomyelitis and disseminated infection in an immunocompromised host.^1-3 Here we describe a case of M. arupense identified in a polymicrobial mediastinal abscess in a pediatric patient subsequently diagnosed with autosomal dominant hyper-IgE syndrome (AD-HIES).

Case Description

A 4-year-old female with a history of pneumonia, herpetic skin infection, orbital cellulitis, and eczema presented in respiratory distress with concern for pneumonia. Imaging revealed a posterior mediastinal …

Exploring Nonlinearity In The Association Between Birth Defect Rates And Agrichemicals In Groundwater In An Agricultural State, Martha G. Rhoades, Debora L. Barnes-Josiah, Roy F. Spalding, Leslie M. Howard, Colleen E. Steele, Cheryl L. Beseler

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background: Agricultural practices over the last 70 years have led to increased agrichemical contamination in some drinking water supplies. Studies report an elevated risk of birth defects associated with exposure to nitrate or atrazine, but little is known about effects of co-exposure. This ecological study evaluated the relationship between the concomitant presence of nitrate and atrazine in Nebraska drinking water supplies and risk for birth defects.

Methods: County birth data were combined with water chemistry data retrieved from a state-sponsored agrichemical contaminant database. Segmented linear regression was used to examine associations between percentage of wells with nitrate and atrazine (separately …

Feasibility And Application Of Early Enteral Feeding Initiation In Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants, Lauren Ridgway, Melissa K. Thoene, Ann Anderson-Berry

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background: Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants (< 1000g) have specialized nutritional needs to promote best outcomes, so identifying optimal nutrition therapies is critical. Previous studies indicate that late initiation of enteral feeds (>3 days) is associated with increased inflammation and adverse neonatal outcomes. Delayed breastfeeding after the first hour of life in term infants has also been associated with increased mortality. In consideration of these factors and the heterogeneity that exists between enteral feeding initiation in an ELBW population, there is a lack of studies examining the hour of life in which enteral feeds are initiated in ELBW infants. This study evaluates the feasibility of early initiation of enteral feeds in ELBW infants and describes the impact on time to reach full enteral feeds. …

Slurred, Blurred, And A Hard-To-Find Word: Acute Progressive Neurologic Changes In A Pediatric Patient, Lauren Ridgway, Amelia Sneve, Andrew Nguyen, Aleisha Nabower

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is typically a viral sequelae, with a 1-3% mortality rate. ADEM has been described as a consequence of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. This case report describes a child diagnosed with ADEM in the setting of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection with the clinical course complicated by co-infection with Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). HHV-6 positivity in the CSF is often considered an incidental finding, but it has been shown to cause encephalopathy, seizures, and demyelinating disease. This case is unique in that the dual infection with SARS-CoV-2 and HHV-6 may have contributed to the development of ADEM, poor clinical …

Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy Are Associated With Differences In Maternal Serum Concentrations Of Arachidonic Acid Metabolites, Rebecca Slotkowski, M. Van Ormer, M. Thompson, T. Nordgren, M. Thoene, E. Lyden, M. Mukherjee, A. Yuil-Valdes, A. Ulu, S. Nataragan, T. Hahka, A. Akbar, C. Hanson, A. Anderson Berry

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), including gestational hypertension, chronic hypertension, and preeclampsia, are a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States. Dysregulation of inflammation is thought to play a role in the development of HDP. Maternal diet has the potential to alter the risk of HDP by modulating inflammation. Arachidonic acid (AA) is a dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid which can be metabolized into both pro- and anti-inflammatory bioactive metabolites.

Significance of Problem: HDP places women and their infants at risk for potentially severe pregnancy complications including placental abruption, embolism, end-organ failure, or death. Few treatments …

Maternal And Cord Β-Carotene Levels And Their Association With Newborn Hearing Screen Results, O. Paetz, R. Slotkowski, A. Freeman, A. Hergenrader, S. Sweeney, K. Ali, N. Bender, R. Chaundary, M. Vanormer, M. Thompson, M. Thoene, C. Hanson, A. Anderson-Berry

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background. β-carotene is one of the few carotenoids that can be endogenously converted to vitamin A, a nutrient essential for inner ear development. While previous studies have identified a protective effect of carotenoids on hearing in adults, the impact of β-carotene on hearing outcomes in neonates is not well understood. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between maternal β-carotene intake, maternal plasma, and umbilical cord plasma β-carotene levels and abnormal Newborn Hearing Screen (NHS) results.

Significance of Problem. The prenatal period is critical for auditory development; thus, effectors of auditory development may significantly impact long-term hearing …

Thematic Analysis Of Third-Year Medical Student Reflections On Social Determinants Of Health During Their Pediatric Clerkship: Emergent Themes And Topic Interconnectedness, Paul Witt, Michelle Howell Smith, Shirley F. Delair, Nathan Gollehon, Sharon R. Stoolman, Jason Burrows

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background. Social determinants of health (SDOH), as defined by the World Health Organization, are the “non-medical factors that influence health outcomes… the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life.” Studies have estimated that SDOH account for 30-55% of health outcomes. Understanding the impact of SDOH can be integrated into medical education in different formats, here we explore student reflections.

Methods. In the 2021-2022 academic year, third-year medical students at a midwestern medical school submitted discussion board reflections on their experiences …

Therapeutic Potential Of Suvorexant On Intergenerational Maternal Oxycodone Exposure, Jina Yi, Sneh Koul, Gurudutt Pendyala, Sowmya V. Yelamanchili

Child Health Research Institute Pediatric Research Forum

Background:

Maternal opioid misuse is a rising public health concern. Our lab previously published findings that in-utero oxycodone exposure (IUO) has detrimental impacts that persist to the F2 generation, including abnormal genetic expression, increased anxiety, and a difference in phenotypic measurements. The estimated cost of hospital admissions for infants suffering from Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome was $316 million in 2012 and is still rising. This figure does not take into account long-term costs, nor does it consider lasting effects on the F2 generation. Thus, it is critical to find a way to mitigate the negative impacts of IUO.

Suvorexant (suvo) is …