Etiology of hospital mortality in children living in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

In 2019, 80% of the 7.4 million global child deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Global and regional estimates of cause of hospital death and admission in LMIC children are needed to guide global and local priority setting and resource allocation but are currently lacking. The study objective was to estimate global and regional prevalence for common causes of pediatric hospital mortality and admission in LMICs. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify LMIC observational studies published January 1, 2005-February 26, 2021. Eligible studies included: a general pediatric admission population, a cause of admission or death, and total admissions. We excluded studies with data before 2,000 or without a full text. Two authors independently screened and extracted data. We performed methodological assessment using domains adapted from the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool. Data were pooled using random-effects models where possible. We reported prevalence as a proportion of cause of death or admission per 1,000 admissions with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Our search identified 29,637 texts. After duplicate removal and screening, we analyzed 253 studies representing 21.8 million pediatric hospitalizations in 59 LMICs. All-cause pediatric hospital mortality was 4.1% [95% CI 3.4%-4.7%]. The most common causes of mortality (deaths/1,000 admissions) were infectious [12 (95% CI 9-14)]; respiratory [9 (95% CI 5-13)]; and gastrointestinal [9 (95% CI 6-11)]. Common causes of admission (cases/1,000 admissions) were respiratory [255 (95% CI 231-280)]; infectious [214 (95% CI 193-234)]; and gastrointestinal [166 (95% CI 143-190)]. We observed regional variation in estimates. Pediatric hospital mortality remains high in LMICs. Global child health efforts must include measures to reduce hospital mortality including basic emergency and critical care services tailored to the local disease burden. Resources are urgently needed to promote equity in child health research, support researchers, and collect high-quality data in LMICs to further guide priority setting and resource allocation.

Epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of S. aureus pediatric infections in Colombia 2018-2021, a national multicenter study (Staphylored Colombia).

Background: Staphylococcus aureus infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric populations worldwide. The Staphylo Research Network conducted an extensive study on pediatric patients across Colombia from 2018 to 2021. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of S. aureus in this patient group. Methods: We analyzed S. aureus isolates from WHONET-reporting centers. An "event" was a positive culture isolation in a previously negative individual after 2 weeks. We studied center characteristics, age distribution, infection type, and antibiotic susceptibilities, comparing methicillin sensitive (MSSA) and resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates. Results: Isolates from 20 centers across 7 Colombian cities were included. Most centers (80%) served both adults and children, with 55% offering oncology services and 85% having a PICU. We registered 8,157 S. aureus culture isolations from 5,384 events (3,345 MSSA and 1,961 MRSA) in 4,821 patients, with a median age of 5 years. Blood (26.2%) and skin/soft tissue (18.6%) were the most common infection sources. Most isolates per event remained susceptible to oxacillin (63.2%), clindamycin (94.3%), and TMP-SMX (98.3%). MRSA prevalence varied by city (<0.001), with slightly higher rates observed in exclusively pediatric hospitals. In contrast, the MRSA rate was somewhat lower in centers with Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP). MRSA was predominantly isolated from osteoarticular infections and multiple foci, while MSSA was more frequently associated with recurrent infections compared to MRSA. Conclusions: This is the largest study of pediatric S. aureus infections in Colombia. We found MSSA predominance, but resistance have important regional variations. S. aureus remains susceptible to other commonly used antibiotics such as TMP-SMX and clindamycin. Ongoing monitoring of S. aureus infections is vital for understanding their behavior in children. Prospective studies within the Staphylored LATAM are underway for a more comprehensive clinical and genetic characterization.

Effectiveness of non-immersive virtual reality in the management of procedure-related pain in preschool children: a randomized clinical trial.

The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of non-immersive virtual reality as a pain-distraction measure in children between the ages of 3 and 5 years undergoing painful injection procedures in an outpatient setting. We carried out a randomized, unmasked clinical trial in children undergoing venipuncture or intramuscular injection procedures. Patients were randomized to a distraction virtual reality video or standard care. After the procedure, three independent observers (parents, researchers, nursing staff) rated pain on the LLANTO pain scale. We recruited 122 subjects, half of which were randomized to virtual reality. The median age was of approximately 60 months (IQR: 15 months), and the sample was balanced with regard to sex. There were significant differences in LLANTO scales scores between the VR subjects and controls of - 3.34 (95% CI - 4.15; - 2.54), - 3.02 (95% CI - 3.90; - 2.14), and - 2.98 (95% CI - 3.87; - 2.09), as rated by parents, researchers, and nursing staff, respectively. Agreement between raters was high for all three types of observers, with Cohen Kappas over 0.79 in all cases. Bivariate analysis showed reductions in the risk of obtaining higher scores in the LLANTO scale. Linear regression models showed a reduction of approximately 3 points in the scale, regardless of the type of observer. These models were adjusted for sex, age, kind of procedure, use of prior analgesia, and recruitment center. CONCLUSIONS: Non-immersive virtual reality is an effective adjunctive therapy for the reduction of pain in children undergoing painful injection procedures in an outpatient setting. This strategy may be used to improve the quality of care in pediatric outpatient services. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03985930 (Registered June 14, 2019). WHAT IS KNOWN: •The use of immersive virtual reality (VR) has been described as an effective adjunctive distraction method during painful procedures in children over 5 years. WHAT IS NEW: •The utility of non-immersive VR in children below that age is not yet clear. This randomized clinical trial comparing non-immersive VR vs. standard care showed an average reduction of three points in the LLANTO pain scale favoring non-immersive VR. Non-immersive VR is an effective and inexpensive non-pharmacological technique that reduces fear and pain in pediatric patients.

Self-limited epilepsy with autonomic seizures: A case report.

Self-limited epilepsy with autonomic seizures, formerly known as benign occipital epilepsy of childhood or Panayiotopoulos syndrome is a focal epilepsy that is part of the epileptic syndromes with onset during childhood. The objective of this report is to raise awareness about its importance and describe the clinical manifestations, timely diagnosis, and treatment. A pediatric patient admitted with gastrointestinal manifestations is presented. The autonomic manifestations must be considered as part of the clinical spectrum that includes this disease and the digestive and autonomic manifestations that mask the diagnosis, sometimes even in the absence of motor seizures themselves. Electroencephalographic confirmation was performed, avoiding cataloging it in other differential diagnoses.

Probióticos: una mirada al mecanismo de acción y aplicaciones clínicas en Pediatría

Introducción: Los probióticos son microorganismos vivos que brindan beneficios al huésped mediante diversos mecanismos de acción. Han sido fuente de estudio en diversas patologías pediátricas, mostrando algunos resultados prometedores. Objetivo: Elaborar una revisión de la literatura sobre los mecanismos de acción y la evidencia actual que tienen los probióticos sobre la salud infantil. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó una revisión narrativa de la literatura con estrategia de búsqueda sistemática de la literatura con términos MESH acerca de los mecanismos de acción de los probióticos y su uso. Se incluyeron metaanálisis, revisiones sistemáticas y ensayos clínicos aleatorizados. Resultados: Los probióticos son una nueva herramienta terapéutica usada para mejorar la salud infantil. Se ha encontrado efecto benéfico en diarrea, en enterocolitis necrosante con una disminución significativa de la mortalidad y se ha mostrado evidencia significativa en las horas de llanto en cólico del lactante. Conclusión: Se requieren más estudios en otro tipo de enfermedades como estreñimiento y en algunos procesos alérgicos e inflamatorios. Los ensayos revisados ofrecen un panorama prometedor, pero la elección de un probiótico debe ser personalizado de acuerdo con la edad, enfermedad, cepa y dosis, dado que cada uno de ellos tiene múltiples mecanismos de acción que impactan de manera diferente en la eficacia clínica.

Introduction: Prebiotics are living microorganisms that provide benefits to the host through various mechanisms of action. They have been a source of study in various pediatric pathologies showing some promising results. Objective: To prepare a review on the mechanisms of action and current evidence that prebiotics have on child health. Materials and methods: A narrative review of the literature was carried out with a systematic literature search strategy with MESH terms about the mechanisms of action of probiotics and their use. Meta-analyzes, systematic reviews, and randomized clinical trials were included. Results: Probiotics are a new therapeutic tool used to improve children's health. A beneficial effect has been found in diarrhea, in necrotizing enterocolitis with a significant decrease in mortality and significant evidence has been shown in the hours of crying in colic in infants. Conclusion: The trials reviewed offer a promising picture, but the choice of a probiotic must be customized according to the age, disease, bacterial strain and dose, since each one has different action mechanisms and clinical effectiveness. More studies are required in some allergic and inflammatory diseases.

Differences Between Methicillin-susceptible Versus Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Pediatrics: Multicenter Cohort Study Conducted in Bogotá, Colombia, 2014-2018.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) has changed in recent years. The present article is intended to establish differences between clinical, laboratory and imaging findings and outcomes of MSSA and MRSA infections, as well as among subgroups of infection such as skin and soft tissue infection, osteoarticular, bacteremia or pneumonia in a pediatric population from Bogota, Colombia. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study using clinical records of patients under 18 years of age treated at the participating centers in Bogota, Colombia, between 2014 and 2018. The first positive S. aureus culture was studied. MSSA and MRSA were compared. The χ2 test, Fisher exact test, and Kruskal-Wallis test were calculated, and the statistical significance was presented using the difference and its 95% CI. RESULTS: Five hundred fifty-one patients were included; 211 (38%) corresponded to MRSA and 340 (62%) to MSSA for a total of 703 cultures. A significantly higher probability of having an MSSA infection than MRSA was found in patients with previous heart disease (3.3% vs. 0.5%), neurologic disease (5.9% vs. 2.5%), recent major surgeries (11% vs. 5%) or who has an implanted device (11% vs. 4%). In contrast, in severe MRSA infections (bacteremia, osteoarticular infections and pneumonia), a higher rate of complications was seen (admission to the pediatric intensive care unit, mechanical ventilation and vasoactive support), and in osteoarticular MRSA, more than 1 surgery per case was seen (89% vs. 61%). Laboratory results and mortality were similar. CONCLUSIONS: MRSA was associated with a more severe course in bacteremia, osteoarticular infections and pneumonia. Some classical risk factors associated with MRSA infections were found to be related to MSSA. In general, with the exception of skin and soft tissue infection, there was an increased risk of pediatric intensive care unit admission and mechanical and inotropic support with MRSA in a pediatric population.

Use of the ReSVinet Scale for parents and healthcare workers in a paediatric emergency service: a prospective study.

Introduction: Most scales for acute respiratory infection (ARI) are limited to healthcare worker (HCW) use for clinical decision-making. The Respiratory Syncytial Virus network (ReSVinet) Scale offers a version for parents that could potentially help as an early warning system. Objective: To determine whether or not the ReSVinet Scale for ARI in infants can be reliably used by HCWs and parents in an emergency service. Methods: A prospective study was done of infants with ARI who were admitted to a paediatric emergency room to assess the ReSVinet Scale when used by faculty (paediatric doctor-professors), residents (doctors doing their first specialty in paediatrics) and parents. Spearman's correlation and a weighted kappa coefficient were used to measure interobserver agreement. Internal consistency was also tested by Cronbach's alpha test. Results: Overall, 188 patients, 58% male, were enrolled. A Spearman's correlation of 0.92 for faculty and resident scoring and 0.64 for faculty or resident and parent scoring was found. The weighted kappa coefficients were 0.78 for faculty versus residents, 0.41 for faculty versus parents, and 0.41 for residents versus parents. Cronbach's alpha test was 0.67 for faculty, 0.62 for residents and 0.69 for parents. Conclusion: There was good correlation in the ReSVinet scores between health professionals when used in the paediatric emergency area. Agreement between parents and health professionals was found to be more variable. Future studies should focus on finding ways to improve its reliability when used by parents before the scale is used in the emergency room.

Extended-Spectrum b-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae Causing Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infections in Children in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the pediatric patients presenting at the two pediatric centers in Bogotá, with first isolate urine culture of community-acquired extended-spectrum b-lactamase (ESBL)-producing enterobacteriaceae. METHODS: Review of microbiological data of children between January, 2012 and December, 2018, obtained using the WHONET software. RESULTS: A total of 2657 Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp and Proteus mirabilis - positive urine cultures were obtained within a 6-year period; data of 132 patients were finally selected. Frequency of ESBL-producing bacteria infections in community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTI) was 5%: 123 E. coli (93.2%), 7 K. pneumoniae (5.2%), 1 K. oxytoca (0.8%), and 1 P. mirabilis (0.8%). CONCLUSION: A predominance of female sex, preschool children, and lower tract urinary infections were found, as well as a low frequency of comorbidities. Adequate sensitivity to amikacin and nitrofurantoin was found in this study.

Microbiota intestinal en pediatría / Intestinal microbiota in the pediatric population

La microbiota intestinal es el conjunto de millones de microrganismos vivos ubicados en el tracto gastrointestinal. Es indispensable en múltiples funciones del organismo, regulación de la inmunidad, en aspectos nutricionales y procesos de inflamación sistémica entre otros. La disbiosis es la alteración del equilibrio de la microbiota normal, debido a cambios en la composición, funcionamiento, orden o su distribución; esto puede predisponer al individuo a la adquisición de enfermedades gastrointestinales, alérgicas y metabólicas, entre otras. El objetivo del presente artículo es realizar una revisión narrativa de la literatura sobre los conceptos claves de la microbiota intestinal, sus asociaciones fisiopatológicas con desórdenes gastrointestinales, alérgicos y metabólicos en pediatría.

ntestinal microbiota are the millions of living microbial communities that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. It is essential for multiple functions of the human organism, such as, immune-regulation, in nutritional aspects, and systemic inflammatory processes, among others. Dysbiosis refers to the alteration of the equilibrium of normal microbiota due to shifts in its composition, functioning, order or distribution; this can predispose the individual to develop gastrointestinal, allergic and metabolic diseases among others. The aim of this article was to conduct a narrative review of the literature on the key concepts of intestinal microbiota, and its pathophysiological associations with gastrointestinal, allergic and metabolic disorders in pediatrics.

Difference in the duration of pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis: Comparison of new-onset to known type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the duration (hours until HCO3- ≥ 15 mmol/L) of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) episodes that are the first manifestation of new type 1 diabetes (NT1D) and those that are a complication in patients with previously diagnosed type 1 diabetes (PT1D). METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was designed. The duration of DKA was measured from the start of the treatment. The primary outcome was the comparison of the time needed in each group to reach HCO3- ≥ 15 mmol/L. The secondary outcomes were the comparison of the time to reach pH ≥ 7.3 and length of hospital stay in each group. Data were analyzed with a bivariate analysis of the variables vs primary outcome. Then, a regression model was analyzed. Results There were 305 episodes included (NT1D: 115, PT1D: 190). DKA in the NT1D group lasted longer (NT1D 20 (16-19) vs PT1D 12 (8-16), hours, P < .01) with a significant difference in each level of DKA severity. This group also took longer to reach pH ≥ 7.3 (NT1D 16 (12-22) vs PT1D 9 (6-12), hours, P < .01) and had a longer hospital stay (NT1D 9 (6-12) vs PT1D 7 (4-10), hours, P < .01). CONCLUSION: The duration of DKA is longer in patients with NT1D regardless of characteristics like DKA severity, duration of symptoms, and type of treatments received.

Lemierre's Syndrome Caused by Streptococcus anginosus Presenting as Postseptal Cellulitis in a Pediatric Patient.

Lemierre's syndrome is an infrequent disease characterized by septic thrombosis of the internal jugular vein followed by pulmonary embolism generally occurring after upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tract infections. We present the case of a 15-year-old female patient with postseptal cellulitis and cervical abscess who developed pulmonary embolism and pleural effusion secondary to internal jugular vein thrombosis. Cultures were positive for Streptococcus anginosus, antibiotic treatment was established with satisfactory clinical outcome. High clinical suspicion is required for a diagnosis. The mainstay of treatment is a multidisciplinary approach based on two essential pillars: antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage. This is an important case because of the unusual presentation, the isolation of an infrequent pathogen, and the primary infection site (postseptal cellulitis), which are rare characteristics of this condition in the pediatric population.

Alteraciones urinarias en niños con primera infección urinaria e infección urinaria recurrente / Urinary disorders in children with first urinary infection and recurrent urinary tract infection

Introducción: las infecciones del tracto urinario son un problema frecuente en la población pediátrica. La infección del tracto urinario recurrente tiene mayor riesgo de cicatrices renales y daño glomerular. Objetivo: describir la frecuencia de hematuria, presencia de proteínas en orina, elevación en tensión arterial y hallazgos ecográficos en pacientes pediátricos desde 1 mes hasta 14 años de edad, con diagnóstico de infección del tracto urinario. Métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal, realizado entre octubre de 2014 y febrero de 2016, en pacientes que asistieron al servicio de urgencias pediátricas del Hospital de San José, con diagnóstico de infección del tracto urinario. Resultados: se diagnosticaron 125 pacientes con infección del tracto urinario, la mediana de edad fue de 2,75 años, más frecuente en mujeres (75,2 por ciento) y la mayoría recibió tratamiento intrahospitalario (58,4 por ciento). Se observó que en el grupo de infección del tracto urinario recurrente fue más frecuente el hallazgo de hematuria, que en la infección del tracto urinario primer episodio (21,9 vs. 11,8 por ciento), al igual que las malformaciones renales (32,0 vs. 14,5 %). En la tensión arterial no se observaron grandes diferencias entre los grupos, con una frecuencia de tensión arterial elevada en hospitalizados de 19,6 por ciento para primer episodio, y 18,2 por ciento en recurrentes. La presencia anormal de proteínas en orina fue de 35,4 por ciento en el grupo de infección del tracto urinario primer episodio. Conclusiones: son frecuentes la presencia de hematuria, malformaciones renales y elevación de la tensión arterial en pacientes con infección del tracto urinario. Se encuentra una frecuencia inusual de pacientes con elevación de la presión arterial y proteínas en orina, probablemente por falsos positivos. Se debe insistir en seguimiento ambulatorio del uroanálisis y la tensión arterial, para garantizar que esta se normalice o para detectar daños permanentes(AU)

Introduction: urinary tract infections are a frequent problem in the pediatric population. Recurrent urinary tract infection has a higher risk of kidney scars and glomerular damage. Objective: to describe frequency of hematuria, presence of proteins in urine, increase of blood pressure, and ultrasound findings in pediatric patients from 1 month to 14 years old with a diagnosis of urinary tract infection. Methods: cross-sectional descriptive study conducted from October 2014 to February 2016, in patients who attended the pediatric emergency´s service of the Hospital of San José with a diagnosis of urinary tract infection. Results: 125 patients with urinary tract infection were diagnosed, the median age was 2.75 years, it was more frequent in women (75.2 percent) and the majority of them received intrahospital treatment (58.4 percent). It was observed that in the recurrent urinary tract infection group the finding of hematuria was more frequent, than in the group of urinary tract infection as a first episode (21.9 vs. 11.8 percent), as well as the renal malformations (32,0 vs. 14.5percent). In blood pressure, there were no large differences among the groups, with a rate of high blood pressure frequency in hospitalized patients of 19.6 percent for first episode, and 18.2 percent in recurrent patients. The abnormal presence of proteins in urine was of 35.4 percent in the group of urinary tract infection first episode(AU) Conclusions: the presence of hematuria, renal malformations and increase of blood pressure in patients with urinary tract infection are frequent. There is an unusual frequency of patients with high blood pressure and proteins in the urine, probably due to false positives. It must be addressed the ambulatory monitoring of urinalysis and blood pressure to ensure that it normalizes or to detect permanent damage

Alteraciones urinarias en niños con primera infección urinaria e infección urinaria recurrente / Urinary disorders in children with first urinary infection and recurrent urinary tract infection

Introducción: las infecciones del tracto urinario son un problema frecuente en la población pediátrica. La infección del tracto urinario recurrente tiene mayor riesgo de cicatrices renales y daño glomerular. Objetivo: describir la frecuencia de hematuria, presencia de proteínas en orina, elevación en tensión arterial y hallazgos ecográficos en pacientes pediátricos desde 1 mes hasta 14 años de edad, con diagnóstico de infección del tracto urinario. Métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal, realizado entre octubre de 2014 y febrero de 2016, en pacientes que asistieron al servicio de urgencias pediátricas del Hospital de San José, con diagnóstico de infección del tracto urinario. Resultados: se diagnosticaron 125 pacientes con infección del tracto urinario, la mediana de edad fue de 2,75 años, más frecuente en mujeres (75,2 por ciento) y la mayoría recibió tratamiento intrahospitalario (58,4 por ciento). Se observó que en el grupo de infección del tracto urinario recurrente fue más frecuente el hallazgo de hematuria, que en la infección del tracto urinario primer episodio (21,9 vs. 11,8 por ciento), al igual que las malformaciones renales (32,0 vs. 14,5 %). En la tensión arterial no se observaron grandes diferencias entre los grupos, con una frecuencia de tensión arterial elevada en hospitalizados de 19,6 por ciento para primer episodio, y 18,2 por ciento en recurrentes. La presencia anormal de proteínas en orina fue de 35,4 por ciento en el grupo de infección del tracto urinario primer episodio. Conclusiones: son frecuentes la presencia de hematuria, malformaciones renales y elevación de la tensión arterial en pacientes con infección del tracto urinario. Se encuentra una frecuencia inusual de pacientes con elevación de la presión arterial y proteínas en orina, probablemente por falsos positivos. Se debe insistir en seguimiento ambulatorio del uroanálisis y la tensión arterial, para garantizar que esta se normalice o para detectar daños permanentes(AU)

Introduction: urinary tract infections are a frequent problem in the pediatric population. Recurrent urinary tract infection has a higher risk of kidney scars and glomerular damage. Objective: to describe frequency of hematuria, presence of proteins in urine, increase of blood pressure, and ultrasound findings in pediatric patients from 1 month to 14 years old with a diagnosis of urinary tract infection. Methods: cross-sectional descriptive study conducted from October 2014 to February 2016, in patients who attended the pediatric emergency´s service of the Hospital of San José with a diagnosis of urinary tract infection. Results: 125 patients with urinary tract infection were diagnosed, the median age was 2.75 years, it was more frequent in women (75.2 percent) and the majority of them received intrahospital treatment (58.4 percent). It was observed that in the recurrent urinary tract infection group the finding of hematuria was more frequent, than in the group of urinary tract infection as a first episode (21.9 vs. 11.8 percent), as well as the renal malformations (32,0 vs. 14.5percent). In blood pressure, there were no large differences among the groups, with a rate of high blood pressure frequency in hospitalized patients of 19.6 percent for first episode, and 18.2 percent in recurrent patients. The abnormal presence of proteins in urine was of 35.4 percent in the group of urinary tract infection first episode(AU) Conclusions: the presence of hematuria, renal malformations and increase of blood pressure in patients with urinary tract infection are frequent. There is an unusual frequency of patients with high blood pressure and proteins in the urine, probably due to false positives. It must be addressed the ambulatory monitoring of urinalysis and blood pressure to ensure that it normalizes or to detect permanent damage

Erratum: Erratum: Multiple Hereditary Exostoses: Report of an EXT2 Gene Mutation in a Colombian Family.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1636998.].