Pediatrics Commons^™

A Single Center Qualitative Study To Improve Coordination Of Follow-Up Care For Patients Diagnosed With Abusive Head Trauma, Ruairi Smith-Dewey, Elise Wright, Daniella Donofrio, Hannah Goebel, Sara Kilbride

Research Days

Background/Project Intent: Review of cases identified 16 possible follow-up needs. A single patient had a maximum of 12 potential needs. Needs not being addressed included written documentation for need of follow-up without subsequent referral placed/appointment scheduled or need not addressed at all. The goal of this project was to have all follow-up needs addressed for at least 50% of children diagnosed with AHT by January 2025.

Methods: All children admitted to CMH from January 2024-December 2024 and diagnosed with AHT by the Safety, Care & Nurturing (SCAN) team were included. Interventions were designed and implemented by a multidisciplinary team to …

Implementing Balanced Fluid Resuscitation For Sepsis Patients In A Tertiary Care Pediatric Emergency Department, Grace E. Arends Md, Christopher Kaberline, Ibad Siddiqi, Sarah Nienhaus, Viktoriya Stoycheva Mha, Rn, Cpn, Leslie Hueschen

Research Days

Background

National data supports balanced fluid during volume resuscitation in the setting of sepsis as it improves morbidity and mortality, particularly preventing acidosis and kidney injury. Despite this recommendation, the CMH ED still has not implemented balanced fluid resuscitation.

Aim

The aim of the project is to increase the percentage of patients with positive sepsis screen treated in the CMH Adele Hall Emergency Department receiving lactated ringer’s fluid resuscitation from 4.6% to 15% by June 2024.

Methods

Primary outcome measures were percentage of patients with suspected sepsis who received at least one LR fluid bolus, as well as percentage of …

Ecmo Without Compressions Versus Ecpr For Lcos Following Cardiac Surgery, Amjad Halloum, Apurva Panchal, Sarah Tabbutt, Martina Steurer, Mousumi Banerjee, John Charpie, Javi Lasa, Amy Mccammond, Katie Moynihan, Nancy Ghanayem, Tia Raymond

Research Days

A retrospective study looking into ECMO vs eCPR outcomes in the CICU. By refining the approach to postoperative ECMO initiation, this study aims to contribute valuable insights that could improve survival and reduce complications in pediatric cardiac surgery patients.

Respiratory Failure In Pediatric Hematology And Oncology Patients On Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Comparative Analysis, Michelle Brown Do, Jenna Miller, Asdis Finnsdottir Wagner, Erin Hall, Maya Dewan Md, Christopher Dandoy Md, Kalee Grassia Md, Bin Zhang Phd

Research Days

This project was a retrospective comparative analysis between two tertiary care pediatric institutions. The primary objective entailed examining survival outcomes in the oncologic and hematopoetic stem cell transplant patient populations with respiratory failure in the presence and absence of ECMO support.

A Case Of Heterotaxy And Common Atrioventricular Canal With Bradycardia, Mohamed Aashiq Abdul Ghayum, Jenna Schermerhorn, Hayley S. Hancock, Kelsey Brattrud, Melanie Kathol, Maria Kiaffas

Research Days

Background

Heterotaxy-polysplenia syndrome (otherwise known as left atrial isomerism) should be suspected in the presence of complete atrioventricular canal defect (CAVC) with interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC), atrioventricular block (AVB), and viscero-cardiac heterotaxy. The prognosis remains dismal for the fetus with such entity, especially in the presence of major structural heart disease and high-grade atrioventricular block. Early diagnosis, close follow up, and appropriate delivery planning, allows for effective stabilization of the baby after birth and might improve survival.

Methods

A 26-year-old mother at 26 weeks gestational age was referred for cardiac evaluation of cardiomegaly, suspected CAVC and bradycardia. …

Utilization Of Physical Activity As A Vital Sign (Pavs) To Improve Personalized Exercise Assessment And Counseling In Pediatric Cardiology Patients, Lavina Desai, Josh Holbert, Jessica S. Watson, Amanda Mcintosh, David A. White, Megan Jensen

Research Days

Background: Physical activity is a known preventative effort that has a clear role in improving cardiorespiratory fitness and health outcomes. Low levels of habitual physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD) leads to various negative health outcomes, yet review of the literature indicates that physicians, caregivers, and patients restrict physical activity owing to safety concerns [1]. Root cause analysis (Fig 1.1) identified a lack of readily available data to provide assessment of baseline PA in patients presenting to the cardiology clinic. Therefore, this project aims to implement physical activity as vital sign (PAVS) via a …

Bisphosphonate Treatment In Pediatric Patients With Rare Ovarian Malignancy And Hypercalcemia: A Case Series, Samhita Bhattarai, Seth Lamb, Jennifer W. Boyd

Research Days

Objectives

To describe the presentation, management, and outcomes of severe hypercalcemia in two adolescent females secondary to ovarian malignancy.

Methods

The case series includes two adolescent female patients, aged 11 and 16, diagnosed with rare ovarian malignancies and associated hypercalcemia. Both patients presented with abdominal pain, nausea and constipation. The 11-year-old received zoledronic acid while the 16-year-old received pamidronate. Serum calcium levels, symptoms and medication side effects were monitored before and after bisphosphonate therapy.

Results

Both girls presented with severe hypercalcemia. Patient 1 was an 11-year old girl who presented with serum calcium of 15.0 mg/dL. She began hyperhydration with …

Assessing Ecg Abnormalities In Pediatric Athletes: A Retrospective Study On Incidence And Implications For Screening Protocols, Arkadeep Ghosh, Mark Gelatt, Lindsey Malloy-Walton, Ashley K. Sherman

Research Days

Background: Utilization of Electrocardiogram (ECG) screening in pediatric athletes remains controversial. The American Heart Association (AHA) hasn't supported the use of mandatory ECG screening for pediatric sports evaluations. The financial burden universal ECG screening in pediatric athletes poses on the healthcare system has supported that screening may not be justified given the low incidence of significant cardiac disease.

Objectives/Goal: This study aimed to examine the incidence, type of ECG abnormalities, and associated risk factors in healthy pediatric athletes.

Methods/Design: A single center retrospective cohort study was conducted on a local male youth competitive soccer program, ages 11-18. Exempt status was …

Temperature Monitoring In The Cardiac Operating Room, Abby Pint, Clint Humpherys, Dave Stubler, Nathaniel Lata

Research Days

Background: The goal of this project is to improve the accuracy of temperature readings in the cardiac operating room and, in turn, improve patient safety.

Methods: The project obtained nasopharyngeal, tympanic, and bladder/rectal temperature measurements from twenty CPB cases. Measurements were obtained at six critical points: time of incision, initiation of CPB, aortic cross clamping, removal of aortic cross clamping, CPB termination, sternal closure. Data was analyzed to determine discrepancies among methods of measuring temperature for each type of probe utilized. Plan: Tympanic probes are unreliable and provide lower temperature measurements when compared to other probes Do: Temperatures recorded from …

Academic Half Days Dedicated To Phone Triage Improves Resident Confidence To Independently Triage Calls, Sarah Gwazdacz, Kelsey Gavin, Cati Kral

Research Days

We aim to improve Children’s Mercy residents’ confidence and competence to independently triage admission phone calls, and to help residents develop a system to obtain information during a transport phone call through dedicated academic half days.

A needs assessment at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year was completed to assess the need for triage education. Then, curriculum design, goals & objectives, educational strategies, and implementation of the half day were discussed with leaders in medical education, admission hub physicians, and hospital medicine. Pediatric residents of all training levels were divided into 5 cohorts of 10-15 participants, which rotated through …

Favorability Of Progesterone With Estrogen Among Physicians In Transgender Adolescents: A Survey, Samhita Bhattarai, Michelle Knoll

Research Days

To evaluate the current perspective and clinical practices of physicians regarding the use of synthetic progestins as an adjunct to estrogen therapy in transfeminine adolescents. The survey focuses on perceived benefits, risks and overall efficacy in gender affirming hormone therapy.

Low-Dose Bevacizumab Treatment For Retinopathy Of Prematurity, Makayla Ayres, Katherine Brown Md

Research Days

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an eye disease that affects very premature infants and causes blindness. Treatment for ROP consists of anti-VEGF intravitreal injections (e.g., bevacizumab), laser therapy, and cryotherapy. The concern of anti-VEGF intravitreal injections is systemic toxicity and potential detrimental effects on these developing infants. In research trials, doses as low as 0.031 mg of bevacizumab have been shown to be effective in treating ROP. However, in clinical practice, the most common doses used are 0.125-0.25 mg.

Objectives/Goal: At CMKC, 0.075 mg doses of bevacizumab have been used to treat Type 1 ROP since 2022. We aim …

Navigating The Fallout: How Pediatric Spine Surgeons Cope, Recover, And Persevere After Major Surgical Complications, Sandeep Yanamala, Richard M. Schwend, Hannah Geoffroy, Gary Sutkin

Research Days

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that surgeons who continue practicing after a major complication are more likely to have strong institutional and peer support, a growth mindset, and access to coping mechanisms that mitigate distress and legal pressures. Study Design:
Qualitative study using Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT) based on semi-structured interviews with pediatric spine surgeons who have experienced major surgical complications.
Introduction:
Complications in pediatric spine surgery have significant emotional, ethical, and legal
consequences. However, little is known about the factors that differentiate surgeons who continue performing spine surgery from those who transition away.
Methods:
33 pediatric spine surgeons were interviewed (28 …

Early Cholestasis And Vitamin K Deficiency Secondary To Biliary Atresia Presenting As Coagulopathy And Thymic Hemorrhage, Abbey Elsbernd, Lauren Amos Md

Research Days

Background

Bleeding and progressive coagulopathy are established symptoms of early cholestasis, including extrahepatic biliary atresia. We present a patient with bleeding secondary to vitamin K deficiency and cholestasis-induced fat malabsorption with unusual presentation of mediastinal mass.

Objective

Describe a case of late-onset vitamin K deficiency and cholestasis presenting as jaundice and coagulopathy with associated bleeding into thymic structures Design/Method

Case report

Results

A 4-week-old term male infant was brought to the ED with fussiness and bruising. Prior to presentation, he was afebrile and followed regularly with his primary care provider for jaundice below phototherapy thresholds. Infant received vitamin K at …

Pain Outcomes In Adolescents With Surgically Confirmed Endometriosis: A Single Site Retrospective Cohort Analysis, Madeline Ross, Samantha Janssen, Priya Suvarna, Adam Booser, Ashli Lawson

Research Days

Background: In adolescents with significant dysmenorrhea, empiric therapy via analgesics and hormonal medications is considered gold standard. However, those with refractory pain may have endometriosis. Thus, it is recommended to engage in shared medical decision making with these patients regarding diagnostic laparoscopy. If endometriosis is detected intraoperatively, these lesions are often fulgurated or excised. There currently is a paucity of data regarding the benefits of diagnostic laparoscopy and destruction of lesions in the adolescent population.

Objectives/Goal: To evaluate long-term pain management outcomes and care patterns in adolescent patients undergoing surgical evaluation for endometriosis.

Methods/Design: This was a single-site, retrospective cohort …

Association Of Respiratory Viral Testing And Antibiotic Use For Pediatric Patients Admitted For Acute Respiratory Illness Between 2017-2021 At Children’S Mercy-Kansas City, Edward Lyon, Brian Lee, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Jennifer Schuster

Research Days

Retrospective comparison of hospitalized pediatric patients who did or did not have clinical viral respiratory testing performed to understand if antibiotics were used differently between these groups.

Transition Skills Lab: A Telehealth Intervention For Improving Healthcare Transition In Youth With Special Health Care Needs, Angela Combs, Alaina Linafelter, Jordan Sevart, Michele H. Maddux

Research Days

The goal of this abstract is to evaluate youth skill-building and confidence across health care tasks through the virtual Transition Skills Lab.

Long-Term Physical And Emotional Functioning In Children Following Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment For Amplified Pain Syndrome, Sabrina Ung, Jacqueline Pabis Phd, Jenny Scheurich Phd, Dustin Wallace Phd

Research Days

The current study aimed to examine the efficacy of pediatric interdisciplinary pain treatment (IIPT) several years after treatment completion by exploring mean-level changes of physical and mental health functioning pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at follow-up 2 to 6 years after IIPT completion.

Comparing Bilateral And Unilateral Metal Stabilizers: Incision Complications In Pectus Repair, Seth Saylors, Shawn D. St Peter, Tolulope A. Oyetunji Md Mph, Nelimar Cruz-Centeno, Nitin Nadella

Research Days

Introduction: The use of metal stabilizers in minimally invasive pectus excavatum repair (MIPER) has been previously associated with multiple postoperative complications. We aimed to identify if bilateral metal stabilizers increase the risk of incision complications when compared to unilateral stabilizers.

Methods: Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Patients that underwent MIPER with metal stabilizers from 2019 to 2022 and currently had the bar in place, at a single tertiary care pediatric center, were included. A telephone survey evaluated if they had incision-associated symptoms, and if the location was congruent with the stabilizer site. A retrospective chart review was performed to …

Rare Complications Associated With Use Of Bovine Pericardium, Mohamed Aashiq Abdul Ghayum, Nitin Madan, William J. Gibson, Sanket Shah

Research Days

Background

Bovine Pericardium (BP), with numerous and improving preparation techniques, has been used extensively for over 50 years in repair of simple and complex congenital heart defects. It has several advantages over other surgical materials. However, there is a paucity of data in the pediatric population regarding complications associated with BP. Herein, we report two rare complications noted with BP use.

Case Description

Case 1. A 14-month-old male, with trisomy 21 and complete Atrioventricular canal defect, repaired using BP. A routine surveillance echocardiogram showed a mass attached to the atrial septum and atrial aspect of the left atrioventricular valve (Figure …

Exploring The Role Of Pain On Physical Activity Among Youth With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Using The Biopsychosocial Model, Anna E. Van Asselt, Renee Gilbert, Meghan Tokala, Jacee Weber, Meredith L. Dreyer Gillette, Robert C. Gibler, Carolyn R. Bates, Keith August

Research Days

The Role of Pain on Physical Activity in Pediatric ALL

Keywords: Biopsychosocial model, pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, pain, physical activity

Introduction: Engaging in physical activity (PA) during cancer treatment benefits a child’s physical and mental well-being (McLaughlin et al., 2021). However, engaging in PA may be challenging due to treatment and disease-related pain (Uhl et al., 2020). Pediatric cancer research has primarily focused on management of procedural and chronic pain, with fewer studies examining how pain may interfere with PA during treatment (Clews et al., 2022). The current study qualitatively investigated the impact of pain on PA using a …

Reducing Sharps Disposal In The Operating Room, Kasey Brooks, Brandon Layton

Research Days

Used an education program to reduce the amount of sharps waste in the operating room within the anesthesia department.

Delirium On Admission To The Cicu, Spencer Wittmeyer, Jaime Silva-Gburek, Kelly S. Tieves

Research Days

Background: Delirium is increasingly recognized in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) with an incidence up to 67% and is associated with worse outcomes including increased mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and increased rates of intubation and mechanical circulatory support. The Cornell Assessment for Pediatric Delirium (CAPD) is the only validated tool for the diagnosis of delirium in the pediatric population. The CAPD may be limited in children with developmental disabilities as it does not account for baseline ability in scoring. Prior work has identified low specificity for the CAPD in children with developmental disabilities and those requiring mechanical ventilation. This …

Pain Management In Perforated Appendicitis: Transitioning To A Minimal Narcotic Strategy, Seth Saylors, Meredith Elman, Pablo Aguayo, Rebecca M. Rentea, Richard J. Hendrickson, David Juang, Charles L. Snyder, Jason D. Fraser, Tolulope A. Oyetunji Md Mph, Shawn D. St Peter, Nelimar Cruz-Centeno, Charles Marchese

Research Days

Introduction: Patient controlled analgesia (PCA) was previously standard for postoperative pain control in children with perforated appendicitis at our institution. We previously reported the equivocal outcome of intravenous (IV) acetaminophen as a pain control adjunct used to transition from PCA to oral narcotics. We have since transitioned to a PCA-free, multi-modal pain control regimen postoperatively in perforated appendicitis. Through observational study, we aim to describe the impact of our new pain control regimen on postoperative narcotic use.

Methods: Children– June 2020 at a single freestanding children’s hospital were reviewed. Details of their hospitalization, including demographic, operative, anesthesia, pain management, and …

Double Aortic Arch With Atresia Of The Left Aortic Arch Proximal To The Left Common Carotid Artery In A Patient With Phace Syndrome – A Management Conundrum, Mohamed Aashiq Abdul Ghayum, Anmol Goyal, Aliessa P. Barnes, Sanket Shah

Research Days

Background Cardiac anomalies in PHACE syndrome (P: posterior fossa anomalies, H: hemangiomas, A: arterial lesions, C: cardiac abnormalities, E: abnormalities of the eye) often consists of complex aortic arch anomalies with double aortic arch (DAA) being an uncommon association. Atresia of the proximal segment of the left arch in DAA is extremely rare and can pose a diagnostic and management conundrum due to formation of a loose vascular ring and asymptomatic nature as seen in our case.

Case Description A 5-year-old male, diagnosed with PHACE syndrome, at a different center was noted to have an incidental finding on head imaging …

Parents’ Perception Of An Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment For Amplified Pain Syndrome, Jacqueline Pabis Phd, Sabrina Ung Ma, Jenny Scheurich Phd, Dustin Wallace Phd

Research Days

This study examines overall parent satisfaction with Intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment for youth with amplified pain syndrome. Additionally, it evaluates the relationship between parent-provider communication and satisfaction, as well as with perceived child outcomes.

The Impact Of Childhood Opportunity Index On Treatment Outcomes Of Osteochondritis Dissecans Of The Knee, Colton Schwarz, Kennedy J. Morey, Brian R. Lee, Angie Vanderpool, Kevin Latz, Natalie C. Stork, Donna Pacicca, Brian Harvey

Research Days

This study aims to explore the relationship that Childhood Opportunity Index (COI), a validated measure of socioeconomic status, has on the outcomes of treatment of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the medial femoral condyle (MFC) of the knee in pediatric patients age 0-18 years.

The Impact Of Health-Related Social Needs On Health Outcomes Among Youth Presenting To A Midwest Pediatric Diabetes Clinic Network, Jasmine Roghair, Emily Dewit, Katelyn Evans, Mitchell Barnes, Heather Feingold, Samantha Jacob, Courtney M. Winterer, Jeffrey D. Colvin, Mark A. Clements, Shilpi Relan, Kelsee Halpin

Research Days

Screening for health-related social needs (HRSNs) is recommended as part of routine diabetes care given the impact of social factors on health outcomes.

Youth presenting to a tertiary diabetes center will have different diabetes-related health outcomes based on positive or negative HRSNs screenings at routine clinic visits.

Baseline data were collected from patients whose parent/guardian completed a HRSN screen as part of their child’s diabetes clinic intake from 9/1/21 to 8/30/22. The screen is a 6-item questionnaire adapted from the Accountable Health Communities HRSNs Screening Tool to screen for HRSNs in 4 domains (housing, utilities, transportation, and food). Longitudinal data …

Thyroid Dysfunction In Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors, Emily Metzinger, Jennifer Boyd, Julia Broussard, Christopher Klockau

Research Days

The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is increasing in the treatment of different cancers. This study investigates ICI and thyroid dysfunction in pediatric patients at Children's Mercy Kansas City. This is a retrospective chart review that looked at development of thyroid disorders in patients who received PD-1 inhibitors, PD-L1 inhibitors, or CTLA-4 inhibitors in 19 pediatric patients. Results showed that hypothyroidism developed in 3 patients who received any of these medications. Additionally, 2 patients had thyroid dysfunction prior to starting ICI therapy, and 1 of these patients developed hyperthyroidism shortly after beginning ICI therapy. Thyroid dysfunction can be seen …

Simultaneous Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy And Deceased Donor Liver Transplant In A Pediatric Patient With Cirrhosis And Class 3 Obesity, Lakshmi Kunam, Voytek Slowik, Brooke Sweeney, Ryan T. Fischer, Jason D. Fraser, Bhargava Mullapudi, Richard J. Hendrickson

Research Days

Background: Liver transplantation is a life saving procedure for children with end-stage liver disease with the goal of returning to a normal healthy life. Obesity and weight gain can lead to post-transplant steatosis and contribute to patient morbidity and mortality. In patients with obesity, simultaneous bariatric surgery can lead to reduced body mass index (BMI) and decrease allograft steatosis and patient metabolic syndrome.

Methods: After obtaining patient and family assent/consent, patient records were reviewed and analyzed.

Results: The patient was initially evaluated at 8 years of age for right upper quadrant pain. Imaging consistent with cirrhosis and portal hypertension prompted …