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BMC Public Health Jun 2024Acute otitis media (AOM) is a prevalent childhood acute illness, with 13.6 million pediatric office visits annually, often stemming from upper respiratory tract...
BACKGROUND
Acute otitis media (AOM) is a prevalent childhood acute illness, with 13.6 million pediatric office visits annually, often stemming from upper respiratory tract infections (URI) and affected by environmental factors like air pollution and cold seasons.
METHODS
Herein, we made use of territory-wide hospitalization data to investigate the relationships between meteorological factors, air pollutants, influenza infection, and AOM for children observed from 1998 to 2019 in Hong Kong. Quasi-Poisson generalized additive model, combined with a distributed-lag non-linear model, was employed to examine the relationship between weekly AOM admissions in children and weekly influenza-like illness-positive (ILI +) rates, as well as air pollutants (i.e., oxidant gases, sulfur dioxide, and fine particulate matter), while accounting for meteorological variations.
RESULTS
There were 21,224 hospital admissions due to AOM for children aged ≤ 15 years throughout a 22-year period. The cumulative adjusted relative risks (ARR) of AOM were 1.15 (95% CI, 1.04-1.28) and 1.07 (95% CI, 0.97-1.18) at the 95th percentile concentration of oxidant gases (65.9 ppm) and fine particulate matter (62.2 μg/m) respectively, with reference set to their medians of concentration. The ARRs exhibited a monotone increasing trend for all-type and type-specific ILI + rates. Setting the reference to zero, the cumulative ARRs of AOM rose to 1.42 (95% CI, 1.29-1.56) at the 95th percentile of ILI + Total rate, and to 1.07 (95% CI, 1.01-1.14), 1.19 (95% CI, 1.11-1.27), and 1.22 (95% CI, 1.13-1.32) for ILI + A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggested that policy on air pollution control and influenza vaccination for children need to be implemented, which might have significant implications for preventing AOM in children.
Topics: Humans; Otitis Media; Influenza, Human; Hospitalization; Child, Preschool; Child; Air Pollutants; Infant; Hong Kong; Female; Male; Adolescent; Seasons; Acute Disease; Particulate Matter; Air Pollution
PubMed: 38867184
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18962-4 -
Acta Oto-laryngologica Jun 2024Factors related to surgical outcomes of type I tympanoplasty for tympanic membrane (TM) perforation in children are controversial.
BACKGROUND
Factors related to surgical outcomes of type I tympanoplasty for tympanic membrane (TM) perforation in children are controversial.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate factors related to anatomical results of type I tympanoplasty for TM perforation 1 year after surgery.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We examined 68 ears. Anatomical results were determined based on the presence or absence of re-perforation, atelectasis, and otitis media with effusion. We retrospectively analyzed factors based on age (≤8 and >8 years), cause and size of TM perforation (<50% and ≥50%), history of asthma and cleft palate, and size of mastoid air cell system in bilateral ears before tympanoplasty. Audiological prognosis was evaluated in ears with anatomical success 1 year after surgery.
RESULTS
Anatomical success was achieved in 80.9% (55/68) of the ears. No significant differences were observed between these factors and anatomical results. All children with cleft palate had anatomical success. Mean pure-tone average (0.5-4 kHz) was 16.25 dB HL for ears with both TM perforations <50% and ≥50%.
CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE
We observed no significant relationship between factors considered and surgical outcomes. However, audiological prognosis was favorable for anatomical success regardless of TM perforation size. Accordingly, type I tympanoplasty is considered useful for TM perforation in children.
PubMed: 38864843
DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2024.2360970 -
The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery Jun 2024Cleft lip and/or palate, a treatable congenital condition, affects around 1 in 700 births, placing a large burden of care on those affected. A multidisciplinary approach...
Cleft lip and/or palate, a treatable congenital condition, affects around 1 in 700 births, placing a large burden of care on those affected. A multidisciplinary approach to treating the patient involves not only cleft surgery but also a wide array of treatments and preventative therapies to prevent further disease. In this review, the otolaryngology subspecialties, otology and audiology, are discussed in relation to orofacial clefts. As patients with clefts carry a higher risk of permanent hearing loss and speech complications caused by the pathology of their cleft, management of additional diseases such as otitis media with effusion, conductive hearing loss, or infections requires timely evaluation, treatment, and follow-up. The current practice in otology and audiology is discussed with the challenges faced in delivering timely care-in any setting, low or higher income. Lack of consensus and controversies surrounding the use and timing of tympanostomy tubes are reviewed, as well as the palatoplasty types that show significant benefit for otitis media with effusion, audiometry, and speech outcomes. Lastly, a call for further research in clefts and otology and the urgency for its awareness and advocacy in low and middle-income countries is imperative.
PubMed: 38861335
DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000010396 -
The Journal of Manual & Manipulative... Jun 2024An international taskforce of clinician-scientists was formed by specialty groups of World Physiotherapy - International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
An international taskforce of clinician-scientists was formed by specialty groups of World Physiotherapy - International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) & International Organisation of Physiotherapists in Paediatrics (IOPTP) - to develop evidence-based practice position statements directing physiotherapists clinical reasoning for the safe and effective use of spinal manipulation and mobilisation for paediatric populations (<18 years) with varied musculoskeletal or non-musculoskeletal conditions.
METHOD
A three-stage guideline process using validated methodology was completed: 1. Literature review stage (one scoping review, two reviews exploring psychometric properties); 2. Delphi stage (one 3-Round expert Delphi survey); and 3. Refinement stage (evidence-to-decision summative analysis, position statement development, evidence gap map analyses, and multilayer review processes).
RESULTS
Evidence-based practice position statements were developed to guide the appropriate use of spinal manipulation and mobilisation for paediatric populations. All were predicated on clinicians using biopsychosocial clinical reasoning to determine when the intervention is appropriate.1. It is not recommended to perform:• Spinal manipulation and mobilisation on infants.• Cervical and lumbar spine manipulation on children.•Spinal manipulation and mobilisation on infants, children, and adolescents for non-musculoskeletal paediatric conditions including asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, breastfeeding difficulties, cerebral palsy, infantile colic, nocturnal enuresis, and otitis media.2. It may be appropriate to treat musculoskeletal conditions including spinal mobility impairments associated with neck-back pain and neck pain with headache utilising:• Spinal mobilisation and manipulation on adolescents;• Spinal mobilisation on children; or• Thoracic manipulation on children for neck-back pain only.3. No high certainty evidence to recommend these interventions was available.Reports of mild to severe harms exist; however, risk rates could not be determined.
CONCLUSION
Specific directives to guide physiotherapists' clinical reasoning on the appropriate use of spinal manipulation or mobilisation were identified. Future research should focus on trials for priority conditions (neck-back pain) in children and adolescents, psychometric properties of key outcome measures, knowledge translation, and harms.
Topics: Humans; Manipulation, Spinal; Child; Adolescent; Infant; Child, Preschool; Physical Therapists; Evidence-Based Practice; Pediatrics; Delphi Technique; Musculoskeletal Diseases
PubMed: 38855972
DOI: 10.1080/10669817.2024.2332026 -
Vaccine Jun 2024To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) compared to 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for the pediatric...
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) compared to 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for the pediatric population in Korea, where the four-dose vaccine coverage rate is over 97%.
METHODS
We constructed a Markov model to calculate the cost and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) over 10 years. The health states were susceptible states; disease states, which included invasive pneumococcal diseases such as meningitis, bacteremia, pneumonia, and acute otitis media; and death attributable to pneumococcal disease. The annual incidence and mortality due to pneumococcal diseases were estimated based on the serotypes covered by PCV13 and PCV20, vaccine coverage rate, vaccine effectiveness, and population size. Vaccine, administration, and disease costs were included in the model.
RESULTS
In the total population (n = 51,431,305), PCV20 prevented more pneumococcal diseases and deaths, resulting in a gain of 74,855 QALY over PCV13. Meanwhile, the PCV20 group spent $275,136,631 less than the PCV13 group. As PCV20 gained more QALYs but spent less on total medical costs than PCV13, PCV20 was dominant over PCV13.
CONCLUSIONS
In the Korean population, PCV20 is a cost-effective and dominant option over PCV13. Our findings provide evidence for decision-making regarding the introduction of PCV20 in countries with high vaccine coverage.
PubMed: 38845302
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.05.048 -
European Journal of Clinical... Jun 2024Group A streptococcal(GAS) meningitis is a severe disease with a high case fatality rate. In the era of increasing GAS meningitis, our understanding about this disease... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Group A streptococcal(GAS) meningitis is a severe disease with a high case fatality rate. In the era of increasing GAS meningitis, our understanding about this disease is limited.
PURPOSE
To gain a better understanding about GAS meningitis.
METHODS
Five new cases with GAS meningitis were reported. GAS meningitis related literatures were searched for systematic review in PUBMED and EMBASE. Case reports and case series on paediatric cases were included. Information on demographics, risk factors, symptoms, treatments, outcomes, and emm types of GAS was summarized.
RESULTS
Totally 263 cases were included. Among 100 individuals, 9.9% (8/81) had prior varicella, 11.1% (9/81) had anatomical factors, and 53.2% (42/79) had extracranial infections. Soft tissue infections were common among infants (10/29, 34.5%), while ear/sinus infections were more prevalent in children ≥ 3 years (21/42, 50.0%). The overall case fatality rate (CFR) was 16.2% (12/74). High risk of death was found in patients with shock or systemic complications, young children(< 3 years) and cases related to hematogenic spread. The predominate cause of death was shock(6/8). Among the 163 patients included in case series studies, ear/sinus infections ranged from 21.4 to 62.5%, while STSS/shock ranged from 12.5 to 35.7%, and the CFR ranged from 5.9 to 42.9%.
CONCLUSIONS
A history of varicella, soft tissue infections, parameningeal infections and CSF leaks are important clinical clues to GAS in children with meningitis. Young children and hematogenic spread related cases need to be closely monitored for shock due to the high risk of death.
PubMed: 38842766
DOI: 10.1007/s10096-024-04863-2 -
The Cleft Palate-craniofacial Journal :... Jun 2024To characterize and compare microbiological profiles in tympanostomy tube otorrhea for children with and without cleft palate.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize and compare microbiological profiles in tympanostomy tube otorrhea for children with and without cleft palate.
DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study.
SETTING
Pediatric otolaryngology and multidisciplinary cleft/craniofacial clinic at a single tertiary care center.
PATIENTS
Children with and without cleft palate <18 years of age who underwent tympanostomy tube placement between 2017-2021.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Otopathogen profiles and antibiotic resistance patterns in ear culture specimens obtained in children presenting for treatment of recalcitrant post-tympanostomy tube otorrhea.
RESULTS
Of the 886 children with tympanostomy tubes placed between 2017-2021, 345 (38.9%) had clinically significant otorrhea defined as requiring at least one otolaryngology visit for treatment. Children with cleft palate had higher rates of otorrhea (50.0% versus 35.7%; < .01). In the 128 cultures obtained, was the most common organism in both groups present in 39.8% of cultures; 49% were methicillin-resistant (. was also frequently isolated (20.0% versus 23.4%, = .69) in children with and without cleft palate. Collectively, fluoroquinolone resistance was observed in 68.6% and 27.6% of the and isolates, respectively, however, no differences in fluoroquinolone resistance were observed between cleft and non-cleft cohorts. species were isolated more frequently in children with cleft palate (26.7% versus 6.1%, < .01), a finding of unclear significance.
CONCLUSIONS
Recalcitrant post-tympanostomy tube otorrhea is more common in children with cleft palate. was the most common isolate, which was commonly resistant to first-line fluoroquinolone therapy.
PubMed: 38841772
DOI: 10.1177/10556656241258567 -
Cureus May 2024We present a rare case of meningitis in a 51-year-old immunocompetent woman after surgical resection of a fourth ventricle ganglioma. Notably, the patient had no...
We present a rare case of meningitis in a 51-year-old immunocompetent woman after surgical resection of a fourth ventricle ganglioma. Notably, the patient had no history of sinusitis or otitis media, which are typical predisposing factors for infection. She developed symptoms including headache, altered mental status, and neurological deficits three days post discharge, leading to her diagnosis confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid culture. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges and management complexities of atypical meningitis post neurosurgery. The occurrence emphasizes the necessity of considering in differential diagnoses, particularly following neurosurgical procedures. This instance contributes to the scarce documentation of such infections in immunocompetent adults, underscoring the importance of vigilant microbiological evaluation and tailored antimicrobial therapy in postoperative settings.
PubMed: 38841018
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59689 -
International Journal of Pediatric... Jun 2024Studies suggest that children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have increased healthcare utilization patterns in comparison to matched controls. However, the effect of...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Studies suggest that children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have increased healthcare utilization patterns in comparison to matched controls. However, the effect of adenotonsillectomy (AT) on utilization patterns in these children is poorly understood. Additionally, no previous studies have compared the effect of AT on healthcare utilization patterns across different OSA severity groups. The aim of this retrospective cohort study is to assess the effects of surgical treatment on the level of healthcare utilization among children with OSA at a large integrated multicenter healthcare system.
METHODS
Retrospective analysis was performed of children aged 3-12 diagnosed with OSA via an attended polysomnogram (PSG) between December 2016 and February 2019. Demographic variables including age (at time of PSG), body mass index (BMI), race, and ethnicity were obtained. Variables for healthcare utilization were assessed for 12 months prior to PSG, and for 12 months after PSG (or after AT, delayed for the first 30 days after surgery to account for surgery-related visits). Healthcare utilization variables assessed included the total number of outpatient visits, inpatient, and emergency department (ED) visits, visits involving diagnostic codes associated with upper respiratory infection (URI), otitis media (OM), and allergic rhinitis (AR), prescription data involving intranasal steroids or leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA), and communication data such as secure message load and specialty referrals. Repeated measure linear difference-in-difference (D-I-D) models were used to assess the causal impact of AT on healthcare utilization outcomes. Sensitivity analyses were performed using modeling with a Poisson distribution and as an unadjusted model, with statistical significance set to p < 0.05.
RESULTS
Analysis elicited 577 children identified with OSA. Of these, 336 (58.2 %) underwent observation while 241 (41.8 %) underwent AT. The mean age was 6.4 years, with a slight male predominance (60.5 %). Analysis of baseline healthcare utilization patterns revealed that the treatment group had a significantly higher number of baseline inpatient/ED visits and OM visits in comparison to the observation group, but no differences in regards to baseline outpatient visits, or in visits involving URI or AR. Analysis of the entire OSA cohort via D-I-D modelling showed a significantly larger reduction in outpatient visits, secure messages, specialty referrals, and the use of intranasal steroid and LTRA in the treatment group compared to the observation group. Stratification of children based on OSA severity showed that the significant differences in healthcare utilization attributed to surgical treatment were primarily driven by the severe OSA group. Children with severe OSA who underwent AT showed significant reductions in most variables including outpatient visits, inpatient/ED visits, and OM visits. Alternatively, the only significant reductions in healthcare utilization among children with mild OSA treated with AT were in AR visits, intranasal steroid use, and LTRA use. Pattern changes among children with moderate OSA compared similarly to those with mild OSA.
CONCLUSION
To the authors' knowledge this study represents the largest available study assessing the impact of AT on healthcare utilization in children with OSA that also considers the effect of OSA severity on utilization patterns. AT appears to decrease healthcare utilization patterns, particularly in children with severe OSA. Alternatively, children with mild or moderate OSA treated with AT had only modest reductions in healthcare utilization patterns.
Topics: Humans; Tonsillectomy; Adenoidectomy; Male; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Retrospective Studies; Female; Child; Child, Preschool; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Polysomnography
PubMed: 38838474
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2024.111987 -
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal Jun 2024Bacterial etiologies of acute otitis media (AOM) have shifted from the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), antibiotic selection and competition among...
BACKGROUND
Bacterial etiologies of acute otitis media (AOM) have shifted from the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), antibiotic selection and competition among species. We characterized Streptococcus pneumoniae ( Spn ), Haemophilus influenzae ( Hflu ) and Moraxella catarrhalis ( Mcat ) in the nasopharynx during well-child healthy visits and at the onset of AOM, and in middle ear fluid (MEF) of children with AOM to assess anticipated effects of higher-valency PCVs (PCV15 and PCV20).
METHODS
From September 2021 to September 2023, we conducted a prospective longitudinal cohort study of PCV13 immunized children 6-36 months old. MEF was collected via tympanocentesis. Serotyping and antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed on Spn , Hflu and Mcat isolates.
RESULTS
We obtained 825 nasopharyngeal and 216 MEF samples from 301 children. The order of frequency of nasopharyngeal colonization was Mcat , Spn and Hflu ; Hflu was the predominant otopathogen in MEF. Among Spn isolates, non-PCV15, non-PCV20 serotypes predominated in the nasopharynx and in MEF; the most frequent serotype was 35B. Among MEF samples, 30% of Spn isolates were amoxicillin nonsusceptible; 23% of Hflu isolates and 100% of Mcat isolates were β-lactamase-producing.
CONCLUSION
The majority of Spn isolates among young children were non-PCV15, non-PCV20 serotypes, especially serotype 35B; therefore, the impact of higher-valency PCVs in reducing pneumococcal colonization or AOM is expected to be limited. Hflu continues to be the most frequent AOM pathogen. Antibiotic susceptibility data suggest a high dose of amoxicillin/clavulanate or alternative drugs that are effective against contemporary mix of otopathogens could be considered for optimal empiric selection to provide the best efficacy.
PubMed: 38838209
DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004413