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Przeglad Epidemiologiczny Jun 2024Respiratory tract infections in children are an interdisciplinary problem that pediatricians, allergists, laryngologists and immunologists encounter on a daily basis. In...
INTRODUCTION
Respiratory tract infections in children are an interdisciplinary problem that pediatricians, allergists, laryngologists and immunologists encounter on a daily basis. In the youngest children, these diseases are caused by the structure of the respiratory tract, which is shorter and narrower than in an adult, as well as the immaturity of the immune system. Among all children under 5 years of age hospitalized due to respiratory diseases, 20% of cases are acute respiratory infections.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study is to discuss selected respiratory diseases in children aged 0-18 years hospitalized at the Pediatric Hospital in Bielsko-Biała.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
In June 2023, statistical data from the Pediatric Hospital was received regarding the number of hospitalized children aged 0-18 in 2015-2022. This article covers the following respiratory diseases: acute laryngitis, acute pharyngitis, pneumonia, bronchitis and bronchiolitis, bronchial asthma, adenoid hypertrophy and palatine tonsil hypertrophy coexisting with adenoid hypertrophy. Then, a table was prepared illustrating the trends of individual disease entities in the discussed time period.
RESULTS
A total of 5,573 hospitalizations were analyzed for the period from 2015-2022. The largest group of children (1,583) were hospitalized due to acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis (28.41%), due to hypertrophy of the adenoid (1,093) and palatine tonsils (1,039), which is 19.6% and 18.64% respectively. The smallest number of children and adolescents were hospitalized due to acute laryngotracheitis (474) and pharyngitis (361), which is 8.51% and 6.47%, respectively, and due to asthma (54), which is 0.97%. It has been observed that from 2017 to 2022 the number of hospitalized patients is constantly increasing due to acute pharyngitis and pneumonia, and from 2018 to 2022 due to acute laryngotracheitis.
CONCLUSIONS
In the analyzed Pediatric Hospital in Bielsko-Biała, the number of hospitalized children (from 0 to 18 years of age) due to pharyngitis, laryngotracheitis and pneumonia increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022). The number of hospitalized patients due to pneumonia increased by as many as 70 from 2021 (197) to 2022 (267). In the case of hospitalizations for pharyngitis during the COVID-19 period, the number ranged from 46 in 2019 to 69 in 2022. Also in the case of acute laryngotracheitis in the period 2019-2022, the number of hospitalized young patients increases and ranges from 61 to 76. Respiratory tract infections are an important and common health problem for children. The vast majority of respiratory infections are caused by viruses.
Topics: Humans; Child; Child, Preschool; Infant; Adolescent; Poland; Infant, Newborn; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Hospitalization; Male; Female; Hospitals, Pediatric; Respiratory Tract Infections; Pneumonia; Asthma
PubMed: 38904312
DOI: 10.32394/pe.77.49 -
Cureus May 2024Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) affects premature low birth-weight infants with potentially blinding complications. Early diagnosis and treatment for indicated cases...
BACKGROUND
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) affects premature low birth-weight infants with potentially blinding complications. Early diagnosis and treatment for indicated cases are essential to prevent unfavorable effects of the disease.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the awareness and the level of knowledge of ROP among pediatricians in all regions of Saudi Arabia who worked at neonatal intensive care units.
DESIGN AND SETTING
This was a cross-sectional study. This study was undertaken in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A semi-self-structured online questionnaire was designed to study the awareness and knowledge of ROP. The questionnaire contained items related to demographic data, participants' level of understanding and knowledge of ROP, and items related to hospital facilities, the availability of a trained ophthalmologist, and the source of knowledge.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The awareness and knowledge of ROP among pediatricians of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
SAMPLE SIZE
The study included 145 pediatricians.
RESULTS
Awareness of ROP was found in 138 participants (95.2%). Seven participants (4.8%) were not aware of ROP and were excluded from further analysis. Of the participants, 116 (84.0%), 127 (92.0%), and 130 (94.3%) had knowledge about the stages, treatment, and precautions of treatment of ROP, respectively. Of the participants, 77 (55.8%), 63 (45.7%), 113 (81.9%), and 56 (40.6%) gave the correct answer about the indications of fundus examination, exact time of the first fundus examination, place of fundus examination, and minimum number of screening fundus examination for ROP, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The awareness and knowledge of ROP among pediatricians of Saudi Arabia is good, but knowledge about the indications and proper time of first referral to an ophthalmologist should be improved.
PubMed: 38903318
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60754 -
Minerva Pediatrics Jun 2024
PubMed: 38903018
DOI: 10.23736/S2724-5276.24.07636-5 -
Italian Journal of Pediatrics Jun 2024Food supplements are defined as foodstuffs the purpose of which is to supplement the normal diet and which are concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances with...
Food supplements are defined as foodstuffs the purpose of which is to supplement the normal diet and which are concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect, often referred to as nutraceuticals, may exert benefit to the human body. Their use is increasing worldwide, including Europe and in Italy. However, some doctors are skeptical about their effectiveness and safety. This reluctance may depend on poor knowledge of the mechanisms of action and clinical evidence in literature. The Italian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (SIAIP) promoted the institution of an ad hoc Committee. The first initiative performed by this Committee was the administration of a questionnaire to the members of SIAIP.The results of this survey provided interesting results. Most pediatricians know the food supplement concept but frequently need help understanding the mechanisms of action. Most prescribe food supplements, mainly for preventing infections or enhancing immune defense. In addition, they prefer to use food supplements as cycles or add-on therapy. Finally, most participants like to attend events on this issue and contribute to new evidence through trials.In conclusion, this survey underscores the relevance of food supplement issues and attests to interest in this topic. However, there is a need to provide information and promote studies on this matter.
Topics: Humans; Dietary Supplements; Italy; Societies, Medical; Surveys and Questionnaires; Attitude of Health Personnel; Child; Allergy and Immunology; Pediatrics; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Male; Pediatricians; Female
PubMed: 38902744
DOI: 10.1186/s13052-024-01687-w -
Parental knowledge and attitudes to infant immunization in the context of RSV: All about confidence?Vaccine Jun 2024Recently, the first RSV vaccines have been approved, but vaccine hesitancy still poses great challenges to immunization programs.
BACKGROUND
Recently, the first RSV vaccines have been approved, but vaccine hesitancy still poses great challenges to immunization programs.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate this phenomenon in the context of the new RSV vaccines and an increased virus activity in 2022/23, we assessed parental knowledge and attitudes towards general childhood and RSV vaccines.
METHODS
Parents of infants from 0-36 months completed an online questionnaire on demographics, socio-economic status, mental well-being, knowledge on RSV and perceptions of disease, attitudes to general childhood and RSV vaccines. The survey was conducted from February-June 2023 in the region of Regensburg, Germany. We compared continuous or categorical data with two-sided t-tests or Chi-square tests, respectively. Linear and logistic regression models were used to adjust for confounders.
RESULTS
From 191 survey participants, 84 % had never refused any recommended vaccination and 91 % trusted their paediatrician's information. 11 % felt that children should have fewer vaccinations or rather get over the illness. Parents who were supportive or undecided about RSV vaccination were less likely to be vaccine hesitant in general (OR 0.03, p < 0.001; OR 0.13, p = 0.003). 58 % reported to have basic or good knowledge on RSV, correlating with a higher socioeconomic index (p = 0.049). 24 % were undecided about RSV immunization, while all parents rated its benefit high in the child's first year of life. Parents who refused RSV vaccination were less concerned about the infection compared to vaccine supporters (OR 0.44, p < 0.001). Parents with previously hospitalized (OR 3.88, p = 0.017) or preterm born children (OR 5.12, p = 0.026) were generally more concerned.
CONCLUSION
Many factors influence parental decision-making leading to three main groups of attitudes: vaccine acceptors, refusers and hesitant but accessible parents. They (24%) represent the "target group" to increase vaccine uptake. Information on the vaccine-preventable disease reduces vaccine hesitancy, underlining the importance of healthcare professionals who remain an important source of trust.
PubMed: 38902186
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.06.018 -
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal Jul 2024To assess the burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related bronchiolitis in primary care and at 15 days and 6 months after a primary care visit.
Assessing the Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-related Bronchiolitis in Primary Care and at 15-Day and 6-Month Follow-up Before Prophylaxis in France: A Test-negative Study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related bronchiolitis in primary care and at 15 days and 6 months after a primary care visit.
STUDY DESIGN
In this test-negative study, children <2 years old with a first episode of bronchiolitis were prospectively enrolled by 45 ambulatory pediatricians in France from February 2021 to April 2023. RSV was assessed with a rapid antigen detection test. The burden of the disease was assessed with a questionnaire, including quality of life (PedsQL 1.0 Infant Scales), at 15-day and 6-month follow-up. Children with a positive RSV test result (RSV+) were compared to those with a negative test result (RSV-).
RESULTS
Among the 1591 children enrolled, 750 (47.1%) were RSV+. At 15 days follow-up (data availability: 69%), as compared with RSV- children, RSV+ children more frequently had fever (20.5% vs. 13.7%, P = 0.004) and decreased food intake (27.0% vs. 17.4%, P < 0.001) during the last 3 days. They had higher rates of hospitalization (11.8% vs. 5.8%, P < 0.001), childcare absenteeism (83.5% vs. 66.1%, P < 0.001) and parents who had to stop working to care for them (59.1% vs. 41.0%, P < 0.001) as well as lower quality of life (median PedsQL score 76.2 vs. 78.4, P = 0.03). At 6 months (data availability: 48.5%), the 2 groups did not differ in proportion of medical attendance, hospitalization, antibiotic treatment or quality of life.
CONCLUSION
RSV+ children experienced much more severe disease and follow-up family and societal burden than RSV- children. These data may be used as baseline data as RSV prophylaxis is about to be implemented.
Topics: Humans; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; France; Infant; Primary Health Care; Female; Male; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Follow-Up Studies; Cost of Illness; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Bronchiolitis; Infant, Newborn; Surveys and Questionnaires; Antiviral Agents
PubMed: 38900603
DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004360 -
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal Jun 2024During autumn/winter 2022, UK pediatricians reported an unseasonal increase in invasive group A streptococcal infections; a striking proportion presenting with pneumonia...
BACKGROUND
During autumn/winter 2022, UK pediatricians reported an unseasonal increase in invasive group A streptococcal infections; a striking proportion presenting with pneumonia with parapneumonic effusion.
METHODS
Clinicians across the United Kingdom were requested to submit pseudonymized clinical data using a standardized report form for children (<16 years) admitted between September 30, 2022 and February 17, 2023, with microbiologically confirmed group A streptococcal pneumonia with parapneumonic effusion.
RESULTS
From 185 cases submitted, the median patient age was 4.4 years, and 163 (88.1%) were previously healthy. Respiratory viral coinfection was detected on admission for 101/153 (66.0%) children using extended respiratory pathogen polymerase chain reaction panel. Molecular testing was the primary method of detecting group A streptococcus on pleural fluid (86/171; 50.3% samples). Primary surgical management was undertaken in 171 (92.4%) children; 153/171 (89.4%) had pleural drain inserted (96 with fibrinolytic agent), 14/171 (8.2%) had video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Fever duration after admission was prolonged (median, 12 days; interquartile range, 9-16). Intravenous antibiotic courses varied in length (median, 14 days; interquartile range, 12-21), with many children receiving multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics, although evidence for additional bacterial infection was limited.
CONCLUSIONS
Most cases occurred with viral coinfection, a previously well-recognized risk with influenza and varicella zoster, highlighting the need to ensure routine vaccination coverage and progress on vaccines for other common viruses (eg, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus) and for group A streptococcus. Molecular testing is valuable to detect viral coinfection and confirm invasive group A streptococcal diagnosis, expediting the incorporation of cases into national reporting systems. Range and duration of intravenous antibiotics administered demonstrated the need for research on the optimal duration of antimicrobials and improved stewardship.
PubMed: 38900036
DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004418 -
Surgical Case Reports Jun 2024Ovarian endometriomas (OEs) are rarely found in the pediatric population, especially before menstruation. We report a 6-year-old girl who was postoperatively diagnosed...
BACKGROUND
Ovarian endometriomas (OEs) are rarely found in the pediatric population, especially before menstruation. We report a 6-year-old girl who was postoperatively diagnosed with OE before menstruation.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 6-year-old girl presented to a local pediatrician with abdominal pain and vomiting. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a multilocular cystic lesion to the left of the bladder. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed similar findings, with the contents of the cyst showing a low signal on T1-weighted imaging and a high signal on T2-weighted imaging. The patient was referred to our institution for further examination. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a multilocular cystic lesion sized 56 × 44 × 30 mm with partial calcification. The left ovarian vein was dilated, suggesting the origin of the tumor to be the left ovary. Extirpation of the lesion was performed under laparoscopic assistance. Pathological findings indicated an ovarian endometrioma. To our knowledge, this is the youngest report of an OE diagnosed in a patient prior to menstruation.
CONCLUSIONS
OEs in children before menstruation are extremely rare; thus, the long-term prognosis is yet to be determined.
PubMed: 38898208
DOI: 10.1186/s40792-024-01951-5 -
Current Problems in Pediatric and... Jun 2024
PubMed: 38897839
DOI: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2024.101639 -
Archives of Disease in Childhood Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Evidence-Based Medicine; Pediatrics; Pediatricians; Child
PubMed: 38897646
DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2024-327427