Outbreak of severe community-acquired bacterial infections among children in North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany), October to December 2022.

PURPOSE: In late 2022, a surge of severe S. pyogenes infections was reported in several European countries. This study assessed hospitalizations and disease severity of community-acquired bacterial infections with S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis, and H. influenzae among children in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, during the last quarter of 2022 compared to long-term incidences. METHODS: Hospital cases due to bacterial infections between October and December 2022 were collected in a multicenter study (MC) from 59/62 (95%) children's hospitals in NRW and combined with surveillance data (2016-2023) from the national reference laboratories for streptococci, N. meningitidis, and H. influenzae. Overall and pathogen-specific incidence rates (IR) from January 2016 to March 2023 were estimated via capture-recapture analyses. Expected annual deaths from the studied pathogens were calculated from national death cause statistics. RESULTS: In the MC study, 153 cases with high overall disease severity were reported with pneumonia being most common (59%, n = 91). IRs of bacterial infections declined at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and massively surged to unprecedented levels in late 2022 and early 2023 (overall hospitalizations 3.5-fold), with S. pyogenes and S. pneumoniae as main drivers (18-fold and threefold). Observed deaths during the study period exceeded the expected number for the entire year in NRW by far (7 vs. 0.9). DISCUSSION: The unprecedented peak of bacterial infections and deaths in late 2022 and early 2023 was caused mainly by S. pyogenes and S. pneumoniae. Improved precautionary measures are needed to attenuate future outbreaks.

Anatomical investigations on the upper airway in premature and newborn babies.

Safe intubation of newborns remains a challenge. This investigates the upper airway anatomy of (pre-)term infants was investigated to improve airway management and the development of airway devices. Angles and diameters of both oral and nasal intubation pathways of 22 cadavers of premature and term stillborn infants were measured, relative to their gestational age (GA) and tested for statistical significance. The systematic influence of sex on the distribution of values was examined. Cast models of the oral and nasal intubation pathway were (produced using a silicone dental impression material) 3D-scanned. No significant correlation with GA was seen in the angles studied. However, four distances around the hard and soft palate did show statistically significant positive correlations with GA. Regarding differences between the sexes, only the angle between the entrance of the trachea and the esophagus was greater for male cadavers. The angles of the ventilation pathway of (pre-)term infants do not depend systematically on GA. Anatomically, laryngeal masks might therefore also be well-suited ventilators for preterm infants. Alterations in the size but not the shape of laryngeal masks for small preterm infants is recommended. The data obtained may thus be used as a basis for the development of airway devices and airway simulators for medical education and clinical training.

Pediatric ICU Admissions After Adolescent Suicide Attempts During the Pandemic.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The worldwide severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic challenges adolescents' mental health. In this study, we aim to compare the number of pediatric ICU (PICU) admissions after suicide attempts during the first German lockdown and one year later during a second, prolonged lockdown with prepandemic years. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted among 27 German PICUs. Cases <18 years admitted to the PICU because of accidents or injuries between March 16 and May 31 of 2017 to 2021 were identified based on International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes (German modification) and patient data entered into a database. This study is a subset analysis on suicide attempts in adolescents aged 12 to 17.9 years. The Federal Statistics Office was queried for data on fatal suicides, which were available only for 2020 in adolescents aged 10 to 17.9 years. RESULTS: Total admissions and suicide attempts declined during the first lockdown in 2020 (standardized morbidity ratio 0.74 (95% confidence interval; 0.58-0.92) and 0.69 (0.43-1.04), respectively) and increased in 2021 (standardized morbidity ratio 2.14 [1.86-2.45] and 2.84 [2.29-3.49], respectively). Fatal suicide rates remained stable between 2017 to 2019 and 2020 (1.57 vs 1.48 per 100 000 adolescent years) with monthly numbers showing no clear trend during the course of 2020. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a strong increase in serious suicide attempts among adolescents during the course of the pandemic in Germany. More research is needed to understand the relation between pandemic prevention measures and suicidal ideation to help implement mental health support for adolescents.

Impact of the First COVID Lockdown on Accident- and Injury-Related Pediatric Intensive Care Admissions in Germany-A Multicenter Study.

Children's and adolescents' lives drastically changed during COVID lockdowns worldwide. To compare accident- and injury-related admissions to pediatric intensive care units (PICU) during the first German COVID lockdown with previous years, we conducted a retrospective multicenter study among 37 PICUs (21.5% of German PICU capacities). A total of 1444 admissions after accidents or injuries during the first lockdown period and matched periods of 2017-2019 were reported and standardized morbidity ratios (SMR) were calculated. Total PICU admissions due to accidents/injuries declined from an average of 366 to 346 (SMR 0.95 (CI 0.85-1.05)). Admissions with trauma increased from 196 to 212 (1.07 (0.93-1.23). Traffic accidents and school/kindergarten accidents decreased (0.77 (0.57-1.02 and 0.26 (0.05-0.75)), whereas household and leisure accidents increased (1.33 (1.06-1.66) and 1.34 (1.06-1.67)). Less neurosurgeries and more visceral surgeries were performed (0.69 (0.38-1.16) and 2.09 (1.19-3.39)). Non-accidental non-suicidal injuries declined (0.73 (0.42-1.17)). Suicide attempts increased in adolescent boys (1.38 (0.51-3.02)), but decreased in adolescent girls (0.56 (0.32-0.79)). In summary, changed trauma mechanisms entailed different surgeries compared to previous years. We found no evidence for an increase in child abuse cases requiring intensive care. The increase in suicide attempts among boys demands investigation.

Morbidity of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infections: RSV Compared With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infections in Children Aged 0-4 Years in Cologne, Germany.

The aim of this retrospective analysis was to provide information on how infections with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) differ in symptoms, clinical course, outcome, and utilization of hospital care. We investigated 748 polymerase chain reaction results from symptomatic children aged 0-4 years in Cologne, Germany. One hundred sixty-nine patients tested positive for RSV (22.6%) and 24 children for SARS-CoV-2 (3.2%). Symptomatic patients with RSV infection were hospitalized significantly longer. RSV-positive patients needed oxygen supplementation significantly more often as well as high-flow therapy. With regard to care efforts, RSV-infected patients put higher pressure on the hospital and utilized more hospital resources.

Anatomic accuracy, physiologic characteristics, and fidelity of very low birth weight infant airway simulators.

BACKGROUND: Medical simulation training requires realistic simulators with high fidelity. This prospective multi-center study investigated anatomic precision, physiologic characteristics, and fidelity of four commercially available very low birth weight infant simulators. METHODS: We measured airway angles and distances in the simulators Premature AirwayPaul (SIMCharacters), Premature Anne (Laerdal Medical), Premie HAL S2209 (Gaumard), and Preterm Baby (Lifecast Body Simulation) using computer tomography and compared these to human cadavers of premature stillbirths. The simulators' physiologic characteristics were tested, and highly experienced experts rated their physical and functional fidelity. RESULTS: The airway angles corresponded to those of the reference cadavers in three simulators. The nasal inlet to glottis distance and the mouth aperture to glottis distance were only accurate in one simulator. All simulators had airway resistances up to 20 times higher and compliances up to 19 times lower than published reference values. Fifty-six highly experienced experts gave three simulators (Premature AirwayPaul: 5.1 ± 1.0, Premature Anne 4.9 ± 1.1, Preterm Baby 5.0 ± 1.0) good overall ratings and one simulator (Premie HAL S2209: 2.8 ± 1.0) an unfavorable rating. CONCLUSION: The simulator physiology deviated significantly from preterm infants' reference values concerning resistance and compliance, potentially promoting a wrong ventilation technique. IMPACT: Very low birth weight infant simulators showed physiological properties far deviating from corresponding patient reference values. Only ventilation with very high peak pressure achieved tidal volumes in the simulators, as aimed at in very low birth weight infants, potentially promoting a wrong ventilation technique. Compared to very low birth weight infant cadavers, most tested simulators accurately reproduced the anatomic angular relationships, but their airway dimensions were relatively too large for the represented body. The more professional experience the experts had, the lower they rated the very low birth weight infant simulators.

Improving Pediatric Drug Safety in Prehospital Emergency Care-10 Years on.

OBJECTIVES: The Pediatric Emergency Ruler (PaedER) is a height-based drug dose recommendation tool that was reported to reduce life-threatening medication errors by 90%. The PaedER was introduced into the Cologne Emergency Medical Service (EMS) in 2008 along with educational measures, publications, and lectures for pediatric drug safety. We reviewed the impact of these continuously ongoing measures on medication errors after 10 years. METHODS: The PaedER was introduced and distributed to all 14 emergency ambulances and 2 helicopters staffed with emergency physicians in the city of Cologne in November 2008. Electronic records and medical protocols of the Cologne EMS over two 20-month periods from March 2007 to October 2008 and March 2018 to October 2019 data sets were retrieved. The administered doses of either intravenous, intraosseous, intranasal, or buccal fentanyl, midazolam, ketamine, or epinephrine were recorded. Primary outcome measure was the rate of severe drug dosing errors with a deviation from the recommended dose of greater than 300%. RESULTS: A total of 59 and 443 drug administrations were analyzed for 2007/08 and 2018/19, respectively. The overall rate of drug dosing errors decreased from 22.0% to 9.9% (P = 0.014; relative risk reduction, 55%). Four of 5 severe dosing errors for epinephrine were avoided (P < 0.021; relative risk reduction, 78%). Documentation of patient's weight increased from 3.2% in 2007/08 to 30.5% in 2018/19 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of the PaedER combined by educational measures significantly reduced the rates of life-threatening medication errors in a large EMS. Those results should motivate further initiatives on pediatric drug safety in prehospital emergency care.

Finding alternative sites for intraosseous infusions in newborns.

AIM: Intraosseous (IO)-access plays an alternative route during resuscitation. Our study in preterm and term stillborns was performed to find alternative IO puncture sites beside the recommended proximal tibia. METHODS: The cadavers used were legal donations. 20 stillborns (mean: 29.2weeks, IQR 27.1-39.6) were investigated. Spectral-CT were analysed to calculate the diameter and circumferences of: i) proximal humerus ii) distal femur iii) proximal tibia iv) diaphyseal tibial. Contrast medium was applied under video documentation to investigate the drainage into the vascular system. RESULTS: In term newborns, diameter of the cortex of the proximal humeral head is 12.1 ±â€¯1.8 mm, distal end of the femur 11.9 ±â€¯3.4 mm and the proximal tibial bone 12.0 ±â€¯2.4 mm with cross-sectional diameter of 113.5 ±â€¯19.7 mm2, 120.6 ±â€¯28.2 mm2 and 111.6 ±â€¯29.5 mm2, respectively. Regarding the preterm groups, there is a strong age-related growth in diameter and cross -sectional size. The diaphyseal area is the smallest in all measured bones with an age-dependent increase and is about half of that of metaphyseal diameters (proximal and distal) and about one third of that of metaphyseal cross sectional areas. The proximal femoral head region has the largest diameter of all measured bones with an egg-shaped formation with an extensive joint capsula. All investigated metaphyseal areas lack a clearly enclosed bone marrow cavity. Infusion of contrast medium into the distal femoral end and the proximal humerus head demonstrate the drainage of contrast medium into the central venous system within seconds. CONCLUSION: Proximal humeral head and distal femoral end might be alternative IO areas which may lead to further IO puncture sites in neonates.

On-board emergency medical equipment of European airlines.

BACKGROUND: Medical emergencies frequently occur in commercial airline flights, but valid data on causes and consequences are rare. Therefore, optimal extent of onboard emergency medical equipment remains largely unknown. Whereas a minimum standard is defined in regulations, additional material is not standardized and may vary significantly between airlines. METHODS: European airlines operating aircrafts with at least 30 seats were selected and interviewed with a 5-page written questionnaire including 81 items. Besides pre-packed and required emergency medical material, drugs, medical devices, and equipment lists were queried. If no reply was received, airlines were contacted up to three times by email and/or phone. Descriptive analysis was used for data interpretation. RESULTS: From a total of 305 European airlines, 253 were excluded from analysis (e.g., no passenger transport). 52 airlines were contacted and data of 22 airlines were available for analysis (one airline was excluded due to insufficient data). A first aid kit is available on all airlines. 82% of airlines (18/22) reported to have a "doctor's kit" (DK) or an "Emergency Medical Kit" (EMK) onboard. 86% of airlines (19/22) provide identical equipment in all aircraft of the fleet, and 65% (14/22) airlines provide an automated external defibrillator. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas minimal required material according to European aviation regulations is provided by all airlines for medical emergencies, there are significant differences in availability of the additional material. The equipment of most airlines is not sufficient for treatment of specific emergencies according to published in-flight medical guidelines (e.g., for CPR or acute myocardial infarction).

More Than 500 Kids Could Be Saved Each Year! Ten Consensus Actions to Improve Quality of Pediatric Resuscitation in DACH-Countries (Austria, Germany, and Switzerland).

• Quality and outcome of pediatric resuscitation often does not achieve recommended goals. • Quality improvement initiatives with the aim of better survival rates and decreased morbidity of resuscitated children are urgently needed. • These initiatives should include an action framework for a comprehensive, fundamental, and interprofessional reorientation of clinical and organizational structures concerning resuscitation and post-resuscitation care of children. • The authors of this DACH position statement suggest the implementation of 10 evidence-based actions (for out-of-hospital and in-house cardiac arrests) that should improve survival rates and decrease morbidity of resuscitated children with better neurological outcome and quality of life.

Post-mortem estimation of gestational age and maturation of new-borns by CT examination of clavicle length, femoral length and femoral bone nuclei.

Various parameters can be used for the estimation of gestational age and maturity with arising challenges in the assessment of decomposed bodies. In order to assess gestational age and thus maturity, the study measured the femoral length, the diameter of the distal femoral epiphysis and the presence of the proximal tibial epiphysis compared to a known clavicle length. The resulting gestational ages were compared and statistically evaluated. As a result, discrepancies between the estimated gestational ages became apparent in some cases when comparing the individual structures to be measured. However, there was a clear tendency towards a lower gestational age calculated based on clavicle length and a higher gestational age calculated based on femoral length and distal femoral epiphysis. With regard to the assessment of maturity, it has been concluded that, if the proximal tibial epiphysis is present, maturity can also be assumed based on the diameter of the distal femoral epiphysis and the length of the femur.

Length, weight and head circumference as reliable signs of maturity in a modern German birth collective.

Signs of maturity such as weight, length and head circumference are still a measure used to investigate cases of suspected neonaticides as they help to differentiate between newborns born dead or alive. However, limit values for these signs have not changed for a long time. Our study considers whether limit values should have changed and which validity the current ones have. We investigated the cases of 3162 newborns, dividing them into a mature and an immature collective on the basis of the gestational week. Application of these signs of maturity (2500g, 48cm, 34cm) had a high predictive value concerning maturity (>99%), and even applying only one sign of maturity gave a predictive value over 97%. Clinically the mature collective showed a slightly lower rate of ventilation (2% compared to 2.4% for the non-mature collective). Coherences between maternal age/weight and postnatal ventilation could be shown. Coherences with reanimation could not be investigated since the case number was too low. Our results show that, for valid forensic investigation, these numeric signs of maturity have to be supplemented by further investigations and other influencing factors have to be considered. Therefore, clinical instruments such as the Petrussa-Index, clavicule length measuring and foot length measuring must be considered.

Anatomical investigations on intraosseous access in stillborns - Comparison of different devices and techniques.

AIM: Intraosseous (IO)-access plays an alternative route during resuscitation. Our study was performed to investigate the successful rate of IO-access in preterm and term stillborns using different devices and techniques. METHODS: The cadavers used were legal donations. 16 stillborns, median: 29.2 weeks (IQR 27.2-38.4) were investigated. Two different needles (a: Butterfly needle, 21G, Venofix® Fa.Braun; b: Arrow®EZ-IO®15G, Teleflex, Dublin, Ireland) were used. Needles were inserted i: manually, using a Butterfly needle; ii: manually, using EZ-IO® needle or iii: using a battery-powered semi-automatic drill (Arrow®EZ-IO®). Spectral-CT's were performed. The diameter of the corticalis was determined from the CT-images. Successful hit rates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and odds ratios between the three methods were estimated using a generalised linear mixed model (GLMM). RESULTS: Estimated success rate was 61.1% (95%CI:39.7%-78.9%) for the Butterfly needle, 43.0% (95%CI:23.4%-65.0%) for hand-twisted EZ-IO® screwing and 39.7% (95%CI:24.1-57.7%) for the semi-automatic drill (Arrow®EZ-IO®), all referring to an average diameter of the corticalis of 1.2 mm. The odds of a correct position were 2.4 times higher (95%CI:0.8-7.6) when using the Butterfly needle than with the drill. In contrast, the odds of correct positioning when inserting the needle by hand were not significantly different from using the drill (odds ratio 1.1, 95%CI: 0.4-3.3). Neither of these effects nor the diameter of the corticalis with an odds ratio near one were significant in the model. Median diameter of the bone marrow cavity was 4.0 mm [IQR 3.3-4.7]. CONCLUSION: Intraosseous access for premature and neonatal infants could be best achieved by using a manually twisted Butterfly needle.

The pericardial reflection and the tip of the central venous catheter - topographical analysis in stillborn babies.

BACKGROUND: Central venous cannulation is widely used in neonatal critical care. Pericardial tamponade caused by vessel wall perforation can occur if the catheter tip induces extravasation at the level of the pericardium. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the level of the superior pericardial reflection in stillborn babies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We dissected 20 bodies (11 female, mean gestational age 33 6/7 weeks, range 25-43 weeks), with careful opening of the thoracic area. After injecting contrast medium into the pericardial sac, we introduced a catheter through the right internal jugular vein. We then took radiographs to analyse the relationship between visual osseous landmarks and the pericardium. RESULTS: Mean distance between the pericardial reflection at its upper end and the first thoracic vertebra was 1.3 cm (standard deviation [SD]: 0.3 cm) and did not extend over the 3rd intercostal space. The mean distance from the entry of the superior vena cava into the pericardial sac and the 1st thoracic vertebra was 2.3 cm (SD: 0.5). CONCLUSION: The upper end of the pericardial reflection in neonates at autopsy lies below the middle of the 3rd thoracic vertebra. The tip of an upper inserted catheter should not extend below the level of the 3rd intercostal space.

Neonatal mouse ileum: functional properties and protein composition of the contractile machinery.

BACKGROUND: Immature motility of the ileum may contribute to life-threatening diseases. Little is known about the normal biomechanics of the neonatal ileum in relation to the protein composition of its contractile machinery. METHODS: We analyzed the tissue architecture, the biomechanics in intact and ß-escin-permeabilized preparations, and the protein composition in neonatal (P0) and adult murine ileum. RESULTS: Muscle thickness of the P0 ileum was -50% of the adult ileum and passive compliance was higher. Carbachol- and KCl-elicited contractions were tonic rather than phasic as in the adult. Ca(2+) sensitivity was higher and relaxation rate was slower in ß-escin-permeabilized P0 compared with adult ileum. The expression level of ß-actin relative to α-actin was higher, and those of total actin, myosin, myosin light chain kinase, the catalytic subunit of myosin phosphatase and telokin were lower compared with the adult. The expression level of MYPT1 was similar, but P0 ileum expressed only the M133; the adult ileum also expressed the M130 isoform. CONCLUSION: The mechanical features and protein composition of the P0 ileum are similar to those of adult tonic smooth muscles. We propose that this is highly adaptive during fetal life allowing the small intestine to act predominantly as a container.

Anatomical examination of the great inguinal blood vessels in preterm and term neonates.

It is generally accepted that vessel cannulation is technically more difficult and results in more complications in neonates. A sound anatomical knowledge of the inguinal area is therefore important in the selection of appropriately sized central line catheters as well as the approach to central vessel access. Eleven stillborns were investigated. Birth weight (mean: 2,414 g, 900-4,100 g) and gestational age (mean 34 1/7 weeks', 27 6/7-42 1/7) varied within normal range. The outer diameters of the femoral artery (FA), femoral vein (FV), and great saphenous vein (GSV) were determined. The distance between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic tubercle was set as 100% and the vessel intersection points were calculated as percentage values of the inguinal ligament length, starting at the iliac spine. The FA has a diameter of 1.9 ± 0.5 mm without correlation to gestational age. The FA crosses the inguinal ligament centrally. The FV has a diameter of 3.1 ± 1.0 mm and does have correlation to gestational age. The FV crosses the inguinal ligament at 63-64%. The GSV has a diameter of 1.4 ± 0.7 mm. Its point of intersection at the level of the inguinal ligament is 68-70%. We conclude that cannulation of the femoral artery or vein should not be performed too far (<1 cm) from the inguinal ligament. The course of the GSV is not suitable for catheter insertion.

Baclofen intoxication: a "fun drug" causing deep coma and nonconvulsive status epilepticus--a case report and review of the literature.

UNLABELLED: The number of reports on baclofen intoxication has increased in recent years. We report a 15-year-old boy who was referred in a state of deep coma (Glasgow Coma Scale = 3). On clinical examination, he showed sinus bradycardia with normal blood pressure. On admission to the hospital, he presented intermittent short episodes of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. While results of imaging procedures and initial toxicological screening (including standard HPLC analysis and urine test) were negative, a nonconvulsive status epilepticus was diagnosed by electroencephalography (EEG). Identification of baclofen as causative agent was possible after the boy's father reported abusive baclofen intake. Subsequent toxicological target analysis of blood and urine samples confirmed the excessive intake of baclofen and showed a typical elimination pattern with a secondary release. Following 112 h of mechanical ventilation, the boy rapidly regained consciousness and recovered normal neurological behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The present case demonstrates the importance of considering baclofen overdosage in cases of severe coma in combination with an abnormal EEG pattern and sinus bradycardia with normal blood pressure levels, in particular as the substance is popular in internet reports promoting baclofen as a rather harmless "fun drug." Furthermore, it underlines the difficulty to identify baclofen as a causative agent without anamnestic information. Nevertheless, by reviewing existing literature on oral baclofen overdosage, it is possible to picture a nearly specific pattern of clinical symptoms in baclofen intoxication.