ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The Brussels Infants and Toddlers Stool Scale (BITSS) was developed for the assessment of stool consistency in non-toilet-trained children. This study aimed to (1) investigate the intra-rater reliability of the BITSS among health care professionals (HCPs) and caregivers (CGs); (2) study a potential learning curve; (3) explore the impact of photo quality on intra-rater reliability. METHODS: Photos of diapers containing stool were assessed twice by 4 HCP (2432 photos) and 8 CGs (492 photos) using the BITTS. Intra-rater reliability was calculated by the percentage of exact agreement and a κ-value. A learning effect and the impact of photo quality was explored using mixed linear model and generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: HCPs generated 24,320 stool consistency ratings: 12.1% were scored as watery, 31.0% loose, 29.4% formed, and 27.6% hard. CGs performed 7872 ratings: 9.2% classified as watery, 34.6% loose, 28.9% formed, and 27.3% hard. Intra-rater reliability (κ) for HCPs ranged from 0.64 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.61-0.66] to 0.78 (95% CI = 0.76-0.80) and from 0.68 (95% CI = 0.63-0.73) to 0.94 (95% CI = 0.91-0.97) in the CG group. Both groups had <1% improvement in the odds of identical classification per 50 photos. The percentage of absolute agreement was higher in photos rated as good quality than those that were not (HCPs: 80.3% vs 69.5%, P < 0.001; CGs: 90.4% vs 86.3%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The BITSS has an excellent intra-rater reliability for the stool consistency scoring of photographs of stools in diapers, but can be influenced by photo quality. A clinically meaningless learning effect was found.
Subject(s)
Caregivers , Infant , Humans , Child, Preschool , Reproducibility of Results , Feces , Observer VariationABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Ménétrier disease (MD) was first described in 1888, and 50 cases have been reported until now. We aimed to discuss the etiology, diagnostics, and management of MD in children. METHODS: We searched for case reports published from 2014 till 2019 in English using PubMed. Articles were selected using subject headings and key words of interest to the topic. Interesting references of the included articles were also included. RESULTS: The pathophysiology of MD is still uncertain. However, overexpression of transforming growth factor alpha with transformation of the gastric mucosa has been observed, which may be mediated by genetics and provoked by an infectious trigger. Clinically, MD is diagnosed by abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia, and edema secondary to hypoalbuminemia. A gastroscopy with biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of MD. In children, the disease is self-limiting and only requires supportive treatment. In general, children have a good prognosis and recover spontaneously within a few weeks. CONCLUSION: Few pediatric cases of MD have been described in recent years, and with all different etiology. Endoscopy with biopsy remains the golden standard for the diagnosis of MD, and in children, the disease is self-limiting.
ABSTRACT
Background. A novel coronavirus identified in 2019 leads to a pandemic of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome with important morbidity and mortality. Initially, children seemed minimally affected, but there were reports of cases similar to (atypical) Kawasaki disease or toxic shock syndrome, and evidence emerges about a complication named paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporarily associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Case Presentations. Two cases were compared and discussed demonstrating varying presentations, management, and evolution of MIS-C. These cases are presented to increase awareness and familiarity among paediatricians and emergency physicians with the different clinical manifestations of this syndrome. Discussion. MIS-C may occur with possible diverse clinical presentations. Early recognition and treatment are paramount for a beneficial outcome.
