Pediatrics Commons^™

Challenges In Paediatric Xenotransplantation: Ethical Components Requiring Distinct Attention In Children And Obligations To Patients And Society, Anthony Merlocco, Daniel J Hurst

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

The transplantation of non-human organs into humans, or xenotransplantation (XTx), has recently garnered new attention and is being developed to help address the problem of organ scarcity in transplantation. Ethical issues surrounding XTx have been studied since initial interest arose decades ago and have experienced renewed discussion in the literature. However, the distinct and relevant differences when applied to children has largely been overlooked with few groups attending to the concerns that XTx in children raises. In this paper, we explore ethical challenges to be expected in paediatric XTx, in particular exploring organ sizing concerns, infectious risks, psychological burdens, and …

Rapid Evolution Of Mitochondrion-Related Genes In Haplodiploid Arthropods, Yiyuan Li, Gregg W C Thomas, Stephen Richards, Robert M Waterhouse, Xin Zhou, Michael E Pfrender

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Mitochondrial genes and nuclear genes cooperate closely to maintain the functions of mitochondria, especially in the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway. However, mitochondrial genes among arthropod lineages have dramatic evolutionary rate differences. Haplodiploid arthropods often show fast-evolving mitochondrial genes. One hypothesis predicts that the small effective population size of haplodiploid species could enhance the effect of genetic drift leading to higher substitution rates in mitochondrial and nuclear genes. Alternatively, positive selection or compensatory changes in nuclear OXPHOS genes could lead to the fast-evolving mitochondrial genes. However, due to the limited number of arthropod genomes, the rates of evolution for nuclear …

Pandemic Perspectives From Detained Youth During Covid-19: Bridging The Knowledge Gap For Future Safeguards., April Mcneill-Johnson, Zuri Hudson, Brittany Moore, Dumebi Okocha, Megha Ramaswamy, Kimberly Randell

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Despite the worsening health disparities among youth in detention during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been minimal exploration into the pandemic experiences of detained youth and opportunities for pandemic mitigation. This paper analyzes the perspectives of youth in detention on the pandemic, including the effect of the pandemic on their detention experience and their perceptions about COVID-19 vaccination. The study used purposive sampling to recruit 16 participants (aged 14-17 years) from two juvenile detention centers in the urban Midwest. We conducted semi-structured interviews and analyzed verbatim transcripts using a hybrid deductive-inductive approach and thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: 1) personal …

Gender And Sexuality Awareness In Medical Education And Practice: Mixed Methods Study, Rola Khamisy-Farah, Eden Biras, Rabie Shehadeh, Ruba Tuma, Hisham Atwan, Anna Siri, Manlio Converti, Francesco Chirico, Łukasz Szarpak, Carlo Biz, Raymond Farah, Nicola Bragazzi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: The integration of gender and sexuality awareness in health care is increasingly recognized as vital for patient outcomes. Despite this, there is a notable lack of comprehensive data on the current state of physicians' training and perceptions in these areas, leading to a gap in targeted educational interventions and optimal health care delivery.

OBJECTIVE: The study's aim was to explore the experiences and perceptions of attending and resident physicians regarding the inclusion of gender and sexuality content in medical school curricula and professional practice in Israel.

METHODS: This cross-sectional survey targeted a diverse group of physicians across various specializations …

Monte Carlo Simulations Of Cefepime In Children Receiving Continuous Kidney Replacement Therapy Support Continuous Infusions For Target Attainment., H Rhodes Hambrick, Nieko Punt, Kathryn Pavia, Tomoyuki Mizuno, Stuart L. Goldstein, Sonya Tang Girdwood

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a leading cause of acute kidney injury requiring continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) and CKRT can alter drug pharmacokinetics (PK). Cefepime is used commonly in critically ill children and is cleared by CKRT, yet data regarding cefepime PK and pharmacodynamic (PD) target attainment in children receiving CKRT are scarce, so we performed Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) of cefepime dosing strategies in children receiving CKRT.

METHODS: We developed a CKRT "module" in the precision dosing software Edsim++. The module was added into a pediatric cefepime PK model. 1000-fold MCS were performed using six dosing strategies in patients aged …

Adhd Update, Robert W. Steele, Simone Moody

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Simone Moody leads a discussion focusing on ADHD, and the recent advancements in diagnosing, as well as management and treatment options.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

General Surgery Overview For Pediatricians, Robert W Steele, Tolulope A. Oyetunji

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Tolu Oyetunji leads a discussion focusing on a general overview of surgery practices for pediatricians.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Supporting Patients Transitioning To Adult Care, Robert W. Steele, Stephanie Pratt

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

In this episode, transition program manager Stephanie Pratt leads a discussion focusing on ways to support patients as they transition from pediatric to adult care.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Back To School Illnesses, Robert W Steele, Edward Lyon

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Eddie Lyon will lead a discussion focusing on back to school illnesses, and the preventative methods, including vaccinations, parents can take during this school year.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Genomics Of Natural Populations: Gene Conversion Events Reveal Selected Genes Within The Inversions Of Drosophila Pseudoobscura, Stephen W Schaeffer, Stephen Richards, Zachary L Fuller

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

When adaptive phenotypic variation or quantitative trait loci map within an inverted segment of a chromosome, researchers often despair because the suppression of crossing over will prevent the discovery of selective target genes that established the rearrangement. If an inversion polymorphism is old enough, then the accumulation of gene conversion tracts offers the promise that quantitative trait loci or selected loci within inversions can be mapped. The inversion polymorphism of Drosophila pseudoobscura is a model system to show that gene conversion analysis is a useful tool for mapping selected loci within inversions. D. pseudoobscura has over 30 different chromosomal arrangements …

Implementation Study Of The Carra Uveitis Consensus Treatment Plans: Feasibility For Clinical Practice And Applicability For Research., Margaret H. Chang, Fatima Barbar-Smiley, Shoghik Akoghlanian, Joanne Drew, Sheila T. Angeles-Han, Megan Quinlan-Waters, John F. Bohnsack, Ashley M. Cooper, Barbara Edelheit, Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, Melissa A. Lerman, Kabita Nanda, C Egla Rabinovich, Mindy S. Lo, Carra Uveitis Workgroup And The Carra Registry Investigators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Chronic anterior uveitis (CAU) carries a significant risk for eye complications and vision loss. The Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) introduced consensus treatment plans (CTPs) to standardize treatment for CAU and facilitate future comparative effectiveness studies. Two CTPs were developed to address: 1) initiation of methotrexate (MTX) in patients with CAU naïve to steroid-sparing therapy, and 2) initiation of a TNF inhibitor (TNFi) in patients with severe uveitis or uveitis refractory to MTX. We evaluated implementation of the uveitis CTPs using existing CARRA Registry infrastructure and assessed feasibility of the CTPs for comparative effectiveness research.

METHODS: This …

Maternal Cortisol Concentration Is Associated With Reduced Brain Activation To Infant Cry And More Intrusive Parenting Behavior, Andrew Erhart, Sarah Enos Watamura, Aviva K. Olsavsky, Alexander J. Dufford, Rebekah C. Tribble, Tom Yeh, Pilyoung Kim

Psychology: Faculty Scholarship

Previous research indicates that maternal cortisol function and maternal brain response to infant are each in turn related to variations in parenting behavior. However, little is known about how maternal cortisol and maternal brain function are associated, thus studying these two mechanisms together may improve our understanding of how maternal cortisol assessed during interactions with own infant is associated with brain response to infant cry. First-time mothers (N = 59) of infants aged 3-4 months old were recruited to participate. Mothers' cortisol concentration was measured during a naturalistic interaction with their infant and their behavior was coded for two parenting …

Penicillin Susceptibility Among Staphylococcus Aureus Skin And Soft Tissue Infections At A Children’S Hospital, J Chase Mcneil, Lauren M Sommer, Marritta Joseph, Kristina G Hulten, Sheldon L Kaplan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Shortly after its introduction into clinical practice, Staphylococcus aureus isolates gained resistance to penicillin via the acquisition of β-lactamases. A number of centers have recently described an increase in the proportion of invasive methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), which are also susceptible to penicillin (PSSA). Little data are available regarding the prevalence or impact of PSSA in skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Community-acquired MSSA SSTI isolates were obtained through a surveillance study at Texas Children’s Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021. A total of 200 random isolates underwent PCR for blaZ β-lactamase; blaZ-negative isolates then underwent penicillin susceptibility …

Pulse Oximetry Accuracy In Children With Dark Skin Tones: Relevance To Acute Lower Respiratory Infection Care In Low- And Middle-Income Countries, Shubhada Hooli, Tim Colbourn, Manish I Shah, Kristy Murray, Anna Mandalakas, Eric D Mccollum

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) are the leading post-neonatal cause of death in children under 5 years old. There is a high prevalence of pediatric ALRI-related hypoxemia in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO defines clinically meaningful hypoxemia in children as a SpO2 (peripheral oxygen saturation) < 90%. Multiple studies put this convention into question and found SpO2 of 90% to 92% to be associated with child ALRI mortality. An evolving body of evidence suggests that pulse oximeters systematically overestimate oxygen saturation in individuals with dark skin tones. We conducted a narrative review of pediatric studies evaluating pulse oximeter accuracy in children without COVID-19. Four studies, one prospective, examined pulse oximeter accuracy in children of varying ages with dark skin tones. All studies had limitations that affect their generalizability. There is evidence that certain pulse oximeters may overestimate oxygen saturation in children with dark skin tones. Further prospective research is urgently needed to identify affected populations and clinical implications. Despite recognized challenges, we strongly urge continued and expanded use of pulse oximetry as its use will save lives.

Microfluidic Affinity Selection Of B-Lineage Cells From Peripheral Blood For Minimal Residual Disease Monitoring In Pediatric B-Type Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients., Malgorzata A. Witek, Nicholas E. Larkey, Alena Bartakova, Mateusz L. Hupert, Shalee Mog, Jami K. Cronin, Judy Vun, Keith August, Steven A. Soper

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD) is the most powerful predictor of outcome in B-type acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). MRD, defined as the presence of leukemic cells in the blood or bone marrow, is used for the evaluation of therapy efficacy. We report on a microfluidic-based MRD (MF-MRD) assay that allows for frequent evaluation of blood for the presence of circulating leukemia cells (CLCs). The microfluidic chip affinity selects B-lineage cells, including CLCs using anti-CD19 antibodies poised on the wall of the microfluidic chip. Affinity-selected cells are released from the capture surface and can be subjected to immunophenotyping to enumerate …

Early Versus Staged Repair Of Pulmonary Atresia With Ventricular Septal Defect Without Mapcas: A Phis Analysis, Mohamed Aashiq Abdul Ghayum, Brian R. Lee, James O'Brien, Edo Bedzra

Presentations

Objective: The management of Pulmonary Atresia and Ventricular Septal Defect (PA/VSD) without Major Aortopulmonary Collaterals (MAPCAs) is variable. This study aims to describe the practice patterns, choice of interventions, and outcomes of patients treated using various surgical strategies. Methods: Data from the Public Health Information System (PHIS) database was analyzed for patients with a diagnosis of PA/VSD without MAPCAs who followed a two-ventricle strategy between 2003 and 2023. Patients were categorized based on the initial surgical approach into four groups: single-stage early repair, ductal stent, systemic to pulmonary artery shunt, and right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV-PA) connection. Outcomes, including …

Sinusitis: Acute Bacterial, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Clinical Pathways

No abstract provided.

Peritonsillar Abscess, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Clinical Pathways

No abstract provided.

Child Maltreatment And Behavioral Health Outcomes In Child Welfare: Exploring The Roles Of Severity And Polyvictimization, Lauren Malthaner, Jill Mcleigh, Gregory Knell, Katelyn Jetelina, Folefac Atem, Sarah Messiah

Behavioral Health/Developmental Delay

Child maltreatment and polyvictimization are known risk factors for long-term detrimental health and development outcomes, including behavioral health challenges. However, effects from specific types and combinations of maltreatments are unclear. This study examined the association between maltreatment or polyvictimization and behavioral health in a child welfare sample.

For questions about this study or others, please email [email protected]

childrens.com/fostercare

Sex Differences In Metabolic Adaptation In Infants With Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease, Tina O Findley, Ana Carolina Palei, Kyung Serk Cho, Zhongming Zhao, Caleb Shi, Gouri Mahajan, Antonio Francesco Corno, Jorge Salazar, Louise Mccullough

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Female infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) face significantly higher postoperative mortality rates after adjusting for cardiac complexity. Sex differences in metabolic adaptation to cardiac stressors may be an early contributor to cardiac dysfunction. In adult diseases, hypoxic/ischemic cardiomyocytes undergo a cardioprotective metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis which appears to be regulated in a sexually dimorphic manner. We hypothesize sex differences in cardiac metabolism are present in cyanotic CHD and detectable as early as the infant period.

METHODS: RNA sequencing was performed on blood samples (cyanotic CHD cases, n = 11; controls, n = 11) and analyzed …

Intraoperative Status Asthmaticus In A Morbidly Obese Preteen Undergoing Concomitant Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy And Orthotopic Liver Transplant, Abigail Pint, Neal Campbell, Preethi Tumati

Posters

10-year-old morbidly obese male with cirrhotic ESLD secondary to vertically transmitted Hepatitis C presented for liver transplantation and concomitant vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Other history included moderate persistent asthma, OSA, and presumed HPS with baseline SpO2 of 94%. Induction was smooth; intubation with an armored ETT was easy. During invasive monitor placement, bronchospasm worsened SpO2. Continuous albuterol nebulization provided reasonable reversal, and all stakeholders agreed to proceed. Postoperative course was complicated by status asthmaticus and dramatic extubation on POD3 when patient bit and kinked armored ETT. To date, patient has good graft function and a 16% reduction from his peak BMI.

Thioredoxin: An Antioxidant, A Therapeutic Target And A Possible Biomarker, Tara Sudhadevi, Anantha Harijith

Faculty Scholarship

Study by Haga et al. on the utility of neonatal serum thioredoxin-1 (TRX-1) levels as a biomarker of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)/ retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the first of its kind. A biomarker is considered to enable the detection of a pathological condition or its severity and ideally, should have the capacity to be detected in the pre-disease state or during the diseased state. Premature infants who develop BPD are exposed to supplemental O2 and show marked evidence of oxidant stress as suggested by elevated glutathione disulfide (GSSG) concentrations.1 Upon preterm delivery, an infant breathing even atmospheric oxygen of 21% …

Variables Affecting Neurodevelopmental Outcome In Infants With Critical Congenital Heart Disease, Elizabeth Loughman, Marcie G. Files, Julie Weiner

Posters

Background: The mortality of cardiac conditions in infancy is improving with advances in surgical planning and medical management. Neurologic morbidity remains significant. Clinically correlating an infant with their neurologic exam, MRI/EEG, and subsequent developmental testing remains a challenge. Counseling regarding neurologic outcomes after cardiac intervention is difficult due to the wide range of findings that can sometimes be clinically irrelevant. Purpose: The goal of this study is to identify factors associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants with critical congenital heart defects (CCHD) as assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Edition IV (Bayley). Methods: This is …

Increased Red Cell Distribution Width (Rdw) Is Associated With Culture Positive Sepsis And With Increased Need Of Escalation In Respiratory Support In Very Low Birth Weight Infants More Than Seven Days Of Life Undergoing Sepsis Workup Secondary To Vitals Instability In The Form Of Multiple Episodes Of True Apneas Or Bradycardia And Desaturations Associated With Apnea, Kedar Tilak, Aashka Patel, Anna Zylak

Posters

Background Apnea of prematurity is nearly universal among very low birth weight infants (VLBW). In VLBW infants, changes in clinical status usually occur due to sepsis or non-infectious causes and it is challenging to differentiate between the two. We as clinicians use irregularities in vital signs as an early warning sign of sepsis to facilitate early treatment and improve patient outcomes. Adults have used RDW as a marker of worsening respiratory status and mortality from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In this study, we seek to investigate elevations in Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) as markers for culture positive sepsis …

The Fallacy Of Electronic Cigarettes For Tobacco Dependence, Harold J Farber, Carlos Rábade Castedo, Carlos A Jimenez-Ruiz, Manuel Conrado Pacheco

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

The Association Between Vaso/Pressin And Adverse Kidney Outcomes In Children And Young Adults Requiring Vasopressors On Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy, Denise C Hasson, Katja M Gist, Jangdong Seo, Erin K Stenson, Aaron Kessel, Taiki Haga, Sara Lafever, Maria Jose Santiago, Matthew Barhight, David Selewski, Zaccaria Ricci, Nicholas J Ollberding, Natalja L Stanski, The Worldwide Exploration Of Renal Replacement Outcomes Collaborative In Kidney Disease (We-Rock) Collaborative

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVES: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and shock are both associated with high morbidity and mortality in the ICU. Adult data suggest renoprotective effects of vasopressin vs. catecholamines (norepinephrine and epinephrine). We aimed to determine whether vasopressin use during CRRT was associated with improved kidney outcomes in children and young adults.

DESIGN: Secondary analysis of Worldwide Exploration of Renal Replacement Outcomes Collaborative in Kidney Disease (WE-ROCK), a multicenter, retrospective cohort study.

SETTING: Neonatal, cardiac, PICUs at 34 centers internationally from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2021.

PATIENTS/SUBJECTS: Patients younger than 25 years receiving CRRT for acute kidney injury and/or …

Acute Changes In Liver Function Tests During Initiation Of Ketogenic Diet, Akshat Katyayan, Anuranjita Nayak, Gloria Diaz-Medina, Maureen Handoko, James John Riviello

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Ketogenic diet is an effective therapy for patients with medically refractory epilepsy. It is generally well tolerated, with the most common side effects being gastrointestinal. Hepatic toxicity has been described as an uncommon side effect of ketogenic diet, usually with long-term use. However, there are limited data to implicate ketogenic diet in acute liver toxicity.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed all patients who underwent elective inpatient ketogenic diet initiation at our institution from June 2019 to June 2022. Of the 25 patients reviewed, we found 6 patients who showed acute, asymptomatic changes in liver function tests during initiation, in …

Update On Recommendations For Surveillance For Children With Predisposition To Hematopoietic Malignancy, Luke D Maese, Marcin W Wlodarski, Sun Young Kim, Alison A Bertuch, Gaelle Bougeard, Vivian Y Chang, Lucy A Godley, Payal P Khincha, Roland P Kuiper, Harry Lesmana, Rose B Mcgee, Lisa J Mcreynolds, Julia Meade, Sharon E Plon, Sharon A Savage, Sarah R Scollon, Hamish S Scott, Michael F Walsh, Kim E Nichols, Christopher C Porter

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Children harboring certain germline gene variants have an increased risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and other hematopoietic malignancies (HM), such as leukemias and lymphomas. Recent studies have identified an expanding number of these predisposition genes, with variants most prevalent in children with MDS but also found in children with other HM. For some hematopoietic malignancy predispositions (HMP), specifically those with a high risk of MDS, early intervention through hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can favorably impact overall survival, providing a rationale for rigorous surveillance. A multidisciplinary panel of experts at the 2023 AACR Childhood Cancer Predisposition Workshop reviewed the latest …

Tau Is Required For Glial Lipid Droplet Formation And Resistance To Neuronal Oxidative Stress, Lindsey D Goodman, Isha Ralhan, Xin Li, Shenzhao Lu, Matthew J Moulton, Ye-Jin Park, Pinghan Zhao, Oguz Kanca, Ziyaneh S Ghaderpour Taleghani, Julie Jacquemyn, Joshua M Shulman, Kanae Ando, Kai Sun, Maria S Ioannou, Hugo J Bellen

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a common feature of tauopathies, defined by Tau accumulations in neurons and glia. High ROS in neurons causes lipid production and the export of toxic peroxidated lipids (LPOs). Glia uptake these LPOs and incorporate them into lipid droplets (LDs) for storage and catabolism. We found that overexpressing Tau in glia disrupts LDs in flies and rat neuron-astrocyte co-cultures, sensitizing the glia to toxic, neuronal LPOs. Using a new fly tau loss-of-function allele and RNA-mediated interference, we found that endogenous Tau is required for glial LD formation and protection against neuronal LPOs. Similarly, …

Assessment And Management Of Vitamin Status In Children With Ckd Stages 2-5, On Dialysis And Post-Transplantation: Clinical Practice Points From The Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce., Caroline E. Anderson, Jetta Tuokkola, Leila Qizalbash, Matthew Harmer, Christina L. Nelms, Stella Stabouli, Barry Toole, Nonnie Polderman, An Desloovere, Jose Renken-Terhaerdt, Molly R Wong Vega, Evelien Snauwaert, Johan Vande Walle, Dieter Haffner, Fabio Paglialonga, Rukshana Shroff, Vanessa Shaw, Larry A. Greenbaum, Bradley A. Warady

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at risk for vitamin deficiency or excess. Vitamin status can be affected by diet, supplements, kidney function, medications, and dialysis. Little is known about vitamin requirements in CKD, leading to practice variation.The Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce (PRNT), an international team of pediatric kidney dietitians and pediatric nephrologists, was established to develop evidence-based clinical practice points (CPPs) to address challenges and to serve as a resource for nutritional care. Questions were formulated using PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes), and literature searches undertaken to explore clinical practice from assessment to management of vitamin status in …