Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Acute Cerebellar Ataxia: An Unusual Pediatric Case., Thanhnga T. Doan, Clifford P. Masom Md, Richard J. Mazzaccaro Md, Kathleen E. Kane Md

Kathleen E Kane MD

BACKGROUND: Acute cerebellar ataxia is a clinical syndrome with sudden onset of uncoordinated gait and normal mental status in young children. Although it has a benign clinical course, it often requires an exhaustive diagnostic work-up in order to rule out potentially life-threatening etiologies that present similarly. The wide differential encompasses causes from infections, brain masses, drugs, toxins, trauma, paraneoplastic syndromes, as well as hereditary or congenital disorders.

CASE REPORT: We report on a 4-year-old boy with recent hand-foot-mouth disease who presented with acute cerebellar ataxia. In addition to his marked truncal ataxia and wide-based, staggering gait, he had slowness of …

Life-Threatening Retropharyngeal Hemorrhage Secondary To Rupture Of The Inferior Thyroid Artery., Cristina G Calogero, Andrew C. Miller Do, Marna R. Greenberg Do, Mph, Facep

Marna R Greenberg DO, MPH, FACEP

Inferior thyroid artery (ITA) rupture is rare and may progress to life-threatening conditions. We present a patient who visited the emergency department after an episode of syncope and dizziness in which he had a mechanical fall that resulted in abrasions and a hematoma to his left forehead. The patient presented with dysphagia and anterior neck swelling that progressed rapidly into airway compromise requiring endotracheal intubation. Emergent computed tomography revealed a large retropharyngeal hematoma, with active arterial extravasation that was thought to be arising from the thyrocervical trunk on the left. The hematoma measured approximately 6.7 cm transversely and 3.2 cm …

Late-Occurring Vancomycin-Associated Acute Kidney Injury In Children Receiving Prolonged Therapy, Chad Knoderer, Allison Gritzman, Kristen Nichols, Amy Wilson

Chad A. Knoderer

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients receiving vancomycin has been associated with trough concentrations ≥15 mg/L and longer therapy duration. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and factors associated with late AKI in children receiving ≥8 days of vancomycin therapy. Methods: Children aged 30 days to 17 years who were admitted to our institution and received intravenous vancomycin for at least 8 days during January to December of 2007 and 2010 and had a suspected or proven gram-positive infection were included. Late AKI was categorized as AKI occurring after the first 7 days of therapy …

Optimized Antimicrobial Dosing Strategies: A Survey Of Pediatric Hospitals, Chad Knoderer, Kristen Nichols, Elaine Cox

Chad A. Knoderer

Background Extended-interval aminoglycoside (EIAG) and extended- and continuous-infusion β-lactam (EIBL and CIBL) dosing strategies are increasingly used in adults, but pediatric literature is limited. Objective The objective of this study was to describe the use of EIAG, EIBL, and CIBL dosing in pediatric hospitals in the USA. Study Design, Setting, and Participants A national survey of children’s hospitals was conducted. A single practitioner from each target hospital was identified through the Children’s Hospital Association. Practice-based survey questions identified whether hospitals utilize EIAG, EIBL, and CIBL dosing. Main Outcome Measure The main outcome measure was the percentage utilization of the dosing …

Got Milk?, Sanjeev Vasishtha

Sanjeev Vasishtha MD

No abstract provided.

Acute Interstitial Nephritis Associated With Iga Nephropathy In Children., Sanjeev Vasishtha, B Gauthier, E Valderrama, H Trachtman

Sanjeev Vasishtha MD

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a relatively common glomerulopathy in children and adolescents. The etiology of this disease is uncertain. We previously reported a child with IgAN who developed acute interstitial nephritis. We now describe three pediatric patients, including the index case, who had IgAN and who developed concomitant acute interstitial nephritis in association with renal functional impairment. We suggest that this histopathological lesion be considered in any child with IgAN and unexpectedly severe kidney dysfunction.

Nephrotic Syndrome As The Initial Manifestation Of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome., Sanjeev Vasishtha, H Trachtman, B Gauthier, E Valderrama

Sanjeev Vasishtha MD

No abstract provided.

Emergence Of Candida Parapsilosis As The Predominant Species Causing Candidemia In Children., I Levy, L G Rubin, Sanjeev Vasishtha, V Tucci, S K Sood

Sanjeev Vasishtha MD

An increase in the rate of isolation of Candida parapsilosis, relative to other Candida species, in our children's hospital led us to analyze the clinical and epidemiological variables associated with candidemia. We sought to determine if these variables are different for patients infected with C. parapsilosis. All episodes of candidemia occurring over a 7-year period were analyzed retrospectively. Of 81 episodes in 80 patients, 35 (43%) were in neonates, and 46 (57%) were in nonneonates. C. parapsilosis was isolated in 40 episodes (49%). C. parapsilosis was significantly more likely than non-C. parapsilosis species to be associated with prematurity (P = …

Gemella Morbillorum As A Cause Of Septic Shock., Sanjeev Vasishtha, H D Isenberg, S K Sood

Sanjeev Vasishtha MD

The gram-positive bacterium Gemella morbillorum has been recovered from patients with endocarditis but has rarely been associated with acute fulminant infections. We describe two children with a rapid onset of septic shock, which was fatal in one, following infection with this organism. G. morbillorum is a commensal organism of the upper respiratory tract; it gained access to the bloodstreams in these patients, and bacteremia occurred. A clinical drawback is that the initial colonial morphology of this organism leads to presumptive identification as a viridans streptococcus, an organism not commonly associated with septic shock syndrome. Resistance of G. morbillorum to penicillin …

Medical, Developmental, And Mental Health Considerations, Heather Forkey, Linda Sagor

Heather Forkey

Citation: Forkey, H., Sagor, L. Medical, Developmental and Mental Health Considerations: Adoption from Foster Care (Chapter 7). In M. Henry (ed.) Adoption in the US: A Reference for Families, Professionals and Students. Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books, 2009. Link to book on publisher's website

Prepubertal Organochlorine Pesticide Concentrations And Age Of Pubertal Onset Among Russian Boys, Thuy Lam, Paige Williams, Mary Lee, Susan Korrick, Linda Birnbaum, Jane Burns, Oleg Sergeyev, Boris Revich, Larisa Altshul, Donald Patterson, Wayman Turner, Russ Hauser

Mary M. Lee

BACKGROUND: In animal studies, organochlorine pesticide (OCP) exposure alters pubertal development; however, epidemiological data are limited and inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the associations of serum OCP concentrations [hexachlorobenzene (HCB), beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE)] with male pubertal onset. METHODS: In Chapaevsk, Russia, a town environmentally contaminated with OCPs, 350 8-9 year old boys with measured OCPs were enrolled during 2003-2005 and were followed annually for eight years. We evaluated three measures of pubertal onset: testicular volume (TV) > 3 mL in either testis, or stage 2 or greater for genitalia (G2+), or pubic hair (P2+). We used multivariable interval-censored models to …

Engaging Teens And Parents In Collaborative Practice: Perspectives On Diabetes Self-Management, Susan Sullivan-Bolyai, Carol Bova, Kimberley Johnson, Karen Cullen, Carol Jaffarian, Diane Quinn, Edwin Aroke, Sybil Crawford, Mary Lee, Olga Gupta

Mary M. Lee

PURPOSE: The purpose of this exploratory focus group study was to describe the perspectives of teens and their parents about self-management knowledge, behaviors (including division of labor associated with T1D management), and resources used to manage T1D. The overall goal is to use this information to develop a teen-family transition clinic.

METHODS: The self and family management behaviors framework undergirded the separate teen-parent focus groups that were conducted concurrently. Note-based qualitative content analysis was used, resulting in several important messages. RESULTS: From the teens' perspective there was variation in interest in learning more about T1D and management. Those teens who …

Association Between Chlorinated Pesticides In The Serum Of Prepubertal Russian Boys And Longitudinal Biomarkers Of Metabolic Function, Jane Burns, Paige Williams, Susan Korrick, Russ Hauser, Oleg Sergeyev, Boris Revich, Thuy Lam, Mary Lee

Mary M. Lee

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been linked to adult metabolic disorders; however, few studies have examined these associations in childhood. We prospectively evaluated the associations of baseline serum OCPs (hexachlorobenzene, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane, and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene) in Russian boys with subsequent repeated measurements of serum glucose, insulin, lipids, leptin, and calculated homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (IR). During 2003-2005, we enrolled 499 boys aged 8-9 years in a prospective cohort; 318 had baseline serum OCPs and serum biomarkers measured at ages 10-13 years. Multivariable generalized estimating equation and mediation regression models were used to examine associations and direct and indirect (via body mass …

Development And Validation Of A Seizure Prediction Model In Critically Ill Children, Amy Yang, Daniel Arndt, Robert Berg, Jessica Carpenter, Kevin Chapman, Dennis Dlugos, William Gallentine, Christopher Giza, Joshua Goldstein, Cecil Hahn, Jason Lerner, Tobias Loddenkemper, Joyce Matsumoto, Kendall Nash, Eric Payne, Ivan Fernandez, Justine Shults, Alexis Topjian, Korwyn Williams, Courtney Wusthoff, Nicholas Abend

Ivan J. Fernandez

No abstract provided.

Acid-Suppressing Agents And Risk For Clostridium Difficile Infection In Pediatric Patients, Katelyn Brown, Chad Knoderer, Kristen Nichols, Ashley Crumby

Chad A. Knoderer

Background. Acid-suppressing agents have been associated with increased Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in adults. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of acid-suppressing therapy with the development of CDI in the pediatric population. Methods. This was a retrospective case-control study. Children aged 1 through 17 years with a positive C difficile polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result obtained between June 1, 2008, and June 1, 2012, were randomly matched to a control population selected from patients with negative PCR. Results. A total of 458 children were included. No difference was observed in acid-suppressive therapy prior to PCR in …

Pediatric Stroke Presenting As A Seizure., Katie Ahmadzadeh, Vartika Bhardwaj, Steven A Johnson, Kathleen Kane

Kathleen E Kane MD

Background. Childhood arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) is rare and may be difficult to diagnose. Management of acute stroke in any age group is time sensitive, so awareness of the manifestations and appropriate diagnostic procedures for pediatric AIS is vital to establishing care. We present a pediatric case of arterial ischemic stroke that presented to the emergency department (ED) after two seizures. Case Report. A five-year-old female with an existing seizure disorder presented to a pediatric ED after having two seizures. Postictal upon arrival, she underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan of her head. Family reported that she had complained of …

Linezolid-Associated Thrombocytopenia In Children With Renal Impairment, Sara Jones, Kristen Nichols, Heather Deyoung, Elaine Cox, Chad Knoderer

Chad A. Knoderer

Impaired renal function has been associated with an increased risk of thrombocytopenia in adults receiving linezolid. Findings from this retrospective cohort demonstrate an association between thrombocytopenia and lower creatinine clearance in children receiving linezolid.

Linezolid-Associated Thrombocytopenia In Children With Renal Impairment, Sara Jones, Kristen Nichols, Heather Deyoung, Elaine Cox, Chad Knoderer

Kristen R. Nichols

Impaired renal function has been associated with an increased risk of thrombocytopenia in adults receiving linezolid. Findings from this retrospective cohort demonstrate an association between thrombocytopenia and lower creatinine clearance in children receiving linezolid.

Cinacalcet Administration By Gastrostomy Tube In A Child Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis, Kristen Nichols, Chad Knoderer, Bethanne Johnston, Amy Wilson

Kristen R. Nichols

A 2-year-old male with chronic kidney disease with secondary hyperparathyroidism developed hypercalcemia while receiving calcitriol, without achieving a serum parathyroid hormone concentration within the goal range. Cinacalcet 15 mg (1.2 mg/kg), crushed and administered via gastrostomy tube, was added to the patient’s therapy. This therapy was effective in achieving targeted laboratory parameters in our patient despite instructions in the prescribing information that cinacalcet should always be taken whole.

Assessment Of The Validity Of Reported Antibiotic Allergic Reactions In Pediatric Patients, Lauren Miller, Chad Knoderer, Elaine Cox, Martin Kleinman

Chad A. Knoderer

Study Objective. To determine whether a reported antibiotic allergy was likely to have been immunologically mediated. Design. Questionnaire-based study. Setting. Tertiary care, freestanding children's hospital. Patients. One hundred patients aged 1 month-18 years for whom guardians reported an allergy to an antibiotic at the time of hospital admission between October 2009 and March 2010. Intervention. Guardians of the patients were interviewed by using a standardized allergy assessment questionnaire. Measurements and Main Results. Based on answers to the questionnaire, the reported allergic reactions were categorized to determine if they were true allergies or adverse reactions. Among the 100 patients, reported allergies …

Outcomes Of Extended-Infusion Piperacillin/Tazobactam In Pediatric Patients., Kristen Nichols, Katie Andricopulos, Ashley Crumby, Elaine Cox, Chad Knoderer

Chad A. Knoderer

Poster presented at: ID Week 2013, October 2013, San Francisco, California.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Are An Important Cause Of Acute Kidney Injury In Children, Jason Misurac, Chad Knoderer, Jeffrey Leiser, Corina Nilescu, Amy Wilson, Sharon Andreoli

Chad A. Knoderer

Objective To characterize nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) in children. Study design We conducted a retrospective chart review of children diagnosed with AKI through the use of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnosis code 584.5 or 584.9 from January 1999 to June 2010. Medical records were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis of AKI and to quantify NSAID administration. Pediatric RIFLE criteria were used to codify AKI. Patients were not classified as having NSAID-associated AKI if they had a diagnosis explaining AKI or comorbid clinical conditions predisposing to AKI development. Results Patients (N = 1015) were identified …

Sildenafil For The Treatment Of Pulmonary Hypertension In Pediatric Patients, Alice Huddleston, Chad Knoderer, Jennifer Morris, Eric Ebenroth

Chad A. Knoderer

Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor widely used for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in children. Despite limited available safety and efficacy evidence, use of sildenafil continues to increase. To date, sildenafil use for pediatric pulmonary hypertension has been characterized for 193 children through 16 studies and 28 case series and reports. The primary efficacy data suggest that sildenafil is beneficial for facilitating the weaning of inhaled nitric oxide in children after cardiac surgery. Compiled safety data suggest that sildenafil is well tolerated among children with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease. This …

Pharmacokinetics Of Cefuroxime Are Not Significantly Altered By Cardiopulmonary Bypass In Children, Chad Knoderer, Sarah Saft, Scott Walker, Daniel Healy, Kevin Sowinski

Chad A. Knoderer

Poster presented at: SPA/AAP PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIOLOGY 2010 - Winter Meeting; April 2010; San Antonio, TX.

Efficacy Of Limited Cefuroxime Prophylaxis In Pediatric Patients After Cardiovascular Surgery, Chad Knoderer, Elaine Cox, Michelle Berg, Andrea Webster, Mark Turrentine

Chad A. Knoderer

Purpose The efficacy of limited cefuroxime prophylaxis in pediatric patients after cardiovascular surgery was evaluated. Methods All patients age 18 years or younger who underwent cardiovascular surgery and received postoperative care from the cardiovascular surgery team between February and July 2006 (preintervention group) and between August 2006 and January 2007 (postintervention group) were eligible for study inclusion. Patients were excluded if they did not receive cefuroxime as postoperative prophylaxis, had a preexisting infection, underwent cardiac transplantation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or underwent delayed sternal closure. The preintervention group received prolonged cefuroxime prophylaxis, and the postintervention group received 24 hours of …

Evaluation Of Short And Tall Stature In Children, Benjamin Nwosu, Mary Lee

Mary M. Lee

Children and adolescents whose heights and growth velocities deviate from the normal percentiles on standard growth charts present a special challenge to physicians. Height that is less than the 3rd percentile or greater than the 97th percentile is deemed short or tall stature, respectively. A growth velocity outside the 25th to 75th percentile range may be considered abnormal. Serial height measurements over time documented on a growth chart are key in identifying abnormal growth. Short or tall stature is usually caused by variants of a normal growth pattern, although some patients may have serious underlying pathologies. A comprehensive history and …

Hepatic Dysfunction Is Associated With Vitamin D Deficiency And Poor Glycemic Control In Diabetes Mellitus, Benjamin Nwosu, Zheni Stavre, Louise Maranda, Karen Cullen, Mary Lee

Mary M. Lee

Background/Aims: The effect of the rising prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease on the 25-hydroxylation of pre-vitamin D in the liver, and consequent glycemic control in children with diabetes mellitus is not known. Our aim was to determine whether mild hepatic dysfunction was associated with impaired 25-hydroxylation of pre-vitamin D, and if this vitamin D deficiency was associated with impaired glycemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (TIDM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods: We analyzed simultaneously measured HbA1c, ALT, AST, and 25OHD levels and clinical parameters in 121 children and adolescents with T1DM (n=81) and T2DM …

Social Support To Empower Parents (Step): An Intervention For Parents Of Young Children Newly Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes, Susan Sullivan-Bolyai, Carol Bova, Katherine Leung, Allison Trudeau, Mary Lee, Philip Gruppuso

Mary M. Lee

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a social support intervention with parents of children <13 years old newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus>(T1DM).

METHODS: For this randomized, controlled clinical trial, 10 parent mentors of children diagnosed with T1DM >or=1 year and 60 parent participants were recruited from 2 pediatric diabetes centers. Mentors were trained to provide social support (home visits and phone calls) for 12 months to families in the experimental arm (32 mothers). Control group parents (28 mothers) received the phone number of an experienced parent (not trained to give social support) to call as needed.

FINDINGS: Mothers in the experimental …

Parent Mentor Perspectives On Providing Social Support To Empower Parents, Susan Sullivan-Bolyai, Mary Lee

Mary M. Lee

PURPOSE: To describe the experience of parent mentors providing a social support intervention to parents of children < 13 years old newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS: Qualitative descriptive interviews were conducted with 6 parent mentors (all mothers) who provided social support to 34 mothers and 19 fathers of children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus over a 12-month period. The mentors were trained to provide informational, affirmational, and emotional social support through home visits, phone calls, and/or e-mail. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify themes guided by the Ireys social support framework.

FINDINGS: The parent mentors described support activities that could be categorized into the 3 …

Infant Formula, Autoimmune Triggers, And Type 1 Diabetes, David Harlan, Mary Lee

Mary M. Lee

No abstract provided.