Scientific publication speed and retractions of COVID-19 pandemic original articles.

Objective: To describe the editorial processing time of published COVID-19 research articles and compare this with a similar topic, human influenza, and analyze the number of publications, withdrawals, and retractions. Methods: A descriptive-analytical study using PubMed on research articles with the MeSH terms human influenza and COVID-19. Time to acceptance (from submission to acceptance) and time to publication (from acceptance to publication) were compared. Retractions and withdrawals were reviewed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Results: There were 31 319 research articles on COVID-19 and 4 287 on human influenza published during 2020. The median time to acceptance for COVID-19 was lower than that for human influenza (8 vs. 92 days). The median time to publication for COVID-19 articles was shorter than those on human influenza (12 vs. 16 days); 47.0% of COVID-19 research articles were accepted within the first week of submission, and 19.5% within one day. There were 82 retractions and withdrawals for COVID-19 articles, 1 for human influenza, and 5 for articles that contain both terms; these were mainly related to ethical misconduct, and 27 (31.0%) were published by the same group of authors in one highest-quartile journal. Conclusions: The conundrum between fast publishing and adequate standards is shown in this analysis of COVID-19 research articles. The speed of acceptance for COVID-19 manuscripts was 11.5 times faster than for human influenza. The high number of acceptances within a day or week of submission and the number of retractions and withdrawals of COVID-19 papers might be a warning sign about the possible lack of a quality control process in scientific publishing and the peer review process.

Scientific publication speed and retractions of COVID-19 pandemic original articles

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To describe the editorial processing time of published COVID-19 research articles and compare this with a similar topic, human influenza, and analyze the number of publications, withdrawals, and retractions. Methods. A descriptive-analytical study using PubMed on research articles with the MeSH terms human influenza and COVID-19. Time to acceptance (from submission to acceptance) and time to publication (from acceptance to publication) were compared. Retractions and withdrawals were reviewed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Results. There were 31 319 research articles on COVID-19 and 4 287 on human influenza published during 2020. The median time to acceptance for COVID-19 was lower than that for human influenza (8 vs. 92 days). The median time to publication for COVID-19 articles was shorter than those on human influenza (12 vs. 16 days); 47.0% of COVID-19 research articles were accepted within the first week of submission, and 19.5% within one day. There were 82 retractions and withdrawals for COVID-19 articles, 1 for human influenza, and 5 for articles that contain both terms; these were mainly related to ethical misconduct, and 27 (31.0%) were published by the same group of authors in one highest-quartile journal. Conclusions. The conundrum between fast publishing and adequate standards is shown in this analysis of COVID-19 research articles. The speed of acceptance for COVID-19 manuscripts was 11.5 times faster than for human influenza. The high number of acceptances within a day or week of submission and the number of retractions and withdrawals of COVID-19 papers might be a warning sign about the possible lack of a quality control process in scientific publishing and the peer review process.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Describir el tiempo de procesamiento editorial de los artículos de investigación sobre la COVID-19 publicados, compararlo con un tema similar, la gripe humana, y analizar el número de publicaciones realizadas, el de artículos retirados y el de retractaciones. Métodos. Usando PubMed, se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo y analítico sobre artículos de investigación con los términos en inglés correspondientes a “gripe humana” y “COVID-19” en el MeSH. Se compararon el tiempo de aceptación (desde la presentación hasta la aceptación) y el tiempo de publicación (desde la aceptación hasta la publicación). Se examinaron las publicaciones retiradas y las retractaciones de manera cualitativa y cuantitativa. Resultados. Hubo 31 319 artículos de investigación sobre la COVID-19 y 4 287 sobre la gripe humana publicados en el año 2020. La mediana del tiempo de aceptación de los artículos sobre la COVID-19 fue inferior que la mediana de la gripe humana (8 días en contraste con 92 días). La mediana del tiempo de publicación de los artículos sobre la COVID-19 fue menor que la de los artículos sobre la gripe humana (12 días en contraste con 16 días). El 47,0 % de los artículos de investigación sobre la COVID-19 se aceptaron en la primera semana de presentación, y el 19,5 %, en un día. Hubo 82 retractaciones y retiradas de artículos sobre la COVID-19, una sobre la gripe humana y 5 de artículos que contenían ambos términos; estas retractaciones y retiradas estuvieron relacionadas principalmente con faltas de conducta ética. Además, hubo 27 artículos (31,0 %) publicados por el mismo grupo de autores en una revista de cuartil más alto. Conclusiones. El dilema entre la publicación rápida y unas normas adecuadas se muestra en este análisis de artículos de investigación sobre la COVID-19. La velocidad de aceptación de los manuscritos sobre la COVID-19 fue 11,5 veces mayor que la velocidad de aceptación de los artículos sobre la gripe humana. El alto número de aceptaciones en un día o una semana desde la presentación y el número de retractaciones y retiradas de artículos sobre la COVID-19 podría ser un signo de advertencia acerca de la posible falta de un proceso de control de calidad en las publicaciones científicas y especialmente en el proceso de arbitraje.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Descrever o tempo de processamento editorial dos artigos de pesquisa publicados sobre COVID-19, compará-lo com o de artigos sobre um tema semelhante (gripe humana) e analisar o número de publicações, suspensões e retratações. Métodos. Estudo descritivo-analítico. Foi realizada uma busca no PubMed usando os descritores MeSH “human influenza” e “COVID-19”. O tempo até a aceitação (da submissão à aceitação) e o tempo até a publicação (da aceitação à publicação) foram comparados. Retratações e suspensões foram analisadas qualitativa e quantitativamente. Resultados. Foram publicados 31 319 artigos de pesquisa sobre a COVID-19 e 4 287 sobre a gripe humana em 2020. O tempo médio de aceitação de artigos sobre COVID-19 foi menor que o de artigos sobre gripe humana (8 versus 92 dias). O tempo médio até publicação dos artigos sobre COVID-19 foi menor que o de artigos sobre gripe humana (12 versus 16 dias); 47,0% dos artigos sobre COVID-19 foram aceitos na primeira semana após a submissão, e 19,5%, dentro de um dia. Houve 82 retratações e suspensões de artigos sobre COVID-19, 1 sobre gripe humana, e 5 de artigos que continham ambos os termos, principalmente relacionadas a má conduta ética; 27 (31,0%) desses artigos foram publicados pelo mesmo grupo de autores, em uma revista do mais alto quartil. Conclusões. O dilema entre publicar rapidamente e manter padrões adequados fica claro nesta análise de artigos sobre COVID-19. Manuscritos sobre COVID-19 foram aceitos 11,5 vezes mais rapidamente do que artigos sobre gripe humana. O alto número de aceitações em um dia ou semana após a submissão e o número de retratações e suspensões de artigos sobre COVID-19 alertam sobre uma possível falta de controle de qualidade na publicação científica e no processo de revisão por pares.

[Psychomotor development trajectories according to nutritional status in breastfed children]. / Trayectoria del desarrollo psicomotor según estado nutricional en niños alimentados con lactancia materna.

OBJECTIVE: To describe psychomotor development (PMD) trajectories and nutrition in children fed with breastfeeding (BF) and to evaluate possible associations. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Prospective co hort of full-term infants, without known pathologies, fed with BF. The intake of BF was evaluated with an isotopic technique at three months. At six successive ages, the nutritional status was evaluated according to the body mass index (BMI) for age and the PMD using the Ages and Stages Questionnai re (ASQ-3). Children who had at least two follow-up evaluations were included. Multivariate analysis of the trajectories by the PMD domain was performed according to BMI/A and BF, controlled by bio- socio-demographic variables. RESULTS: 53 children were included (60% male), 76 % were eutrophic, and 62% and 38% were fed exclusively or predominantly with BF, respectively. The nutritional and PMD trajectories were stable and within the normal range; there were no infants in the obesity ran ge. In the multivariate analysis, the Communication domain was significantly associated with BMI (p = 0.049) and BF (p = 0.032). Problem Solving domain was associated with BMI (p = 0.040). No significant associations were found in the trajectories of motor and socio-individual domains. Con clusion: The nutritional trajectories and each PMD domains were stable and within normal ranges. Exclusive BF was associated with a better Communication trajectory, while the BMI was associated with better Communication and Problem-Solving.

Scientific publication speed and retractions of COVID-19 pandemic original articles / Velocidad de publicación y retractación de artículos originales sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 / Velocidade de publicação científica e retratação de artigos originais sobre a pandemia de COVID-19

ABSTRACT Objective. To describe the editorial processing time of published COVID-19 research articles and compare this with a similar topic, human influenza, and analyze the number of publications, withdrawals, and retractions. Methods. A descriptive-analytical study using PubMed on research articles with the MeSH terms human influenza and COVID-19. Time to acceptance (from submission to acceptance) and time to publication (from acceptance to publication) were compared. Retractions and withdrawals were reviewed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Results. There were 31 319 research articles on COVID-19 and 4 287 on human influenza published during 2020. The median time to acceptance for COVID-19 was lower than that for human influenza (8 vs. 92 days). The median time to publication for COVID-19 articles was shorter than those on human influenza (12 vs. 16 days); 47.0% of COVID-19 research articles were accepted within the first week of submission, and 19.5% within one day. There were 82 retractions and withdrawals for COVID-19 articles, 1 for human influenza, and 5 for articles that contain both terms; these were mainly related to ethical misconduct, and 27 (31.0%) were published by the same group of authors in one highest-quartile journal. Conclusions. The conundrum between fast publishing and adequate standards is shown in this analysis of COVID-19 research articles. The speed of acceptance for COVID-19 manuscripts was 11.5 times faster than for human influenza. The high number of acceptances within a day or week of submission and the number of retractions and withdrawals of COVID-19 papers might be a warning sign about the possible lack of a quality control process in scientific publishing and the peer review process.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Describir el tiempo de procesamiento editorial de los artículos de investigación sobre la COVID-19 publicados, compararlo con un tema similar, la gripe humana, y analizar el número de publicaciones realizadas, el de artículos retirados y el de retractaciones. Métodos. Usando PubMed, se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo y analítico sobre artículos de investigación con los términos en inglés correspondientes a "gripe humana" y "COVID-19" en el MeSH. Se compararon el tiempo de aceptación (desde la presentación hasta la aceptación) y el tiempo de publicación (desde la aceptación hasta la publicación). Se examinaron las publicaciones retiradas y las retractaciones de manera cualitativa y cuantitativa. Resultados. Hubo 31 319 artículos de investigación sobre la COVID-19 y 4 287 sobre la gripe humana publicados en el año 2020. La mediana del tiempo de aceptación de los artículos sobre la COVID-19 fue inferior que la mediana de la gripe humana (8 días en contraste con 92 días). La mediana del tiempo de publicación de los artículos sobre la COVID-19 fue menor que la de los artículos sobre la gripe humana (12 días en contraste con 16 días). El 47,0 % de los artículos de investigación sobre la COVID-19 se aceptaron en la primera semana de presentación, y el 19,5 %, en un día. Hubo 82 retractaciones y retiradas de artículos sobre la COVID-19, una sobre la gripe humana y 5 de artículos que contenían ambos términos; estas retractaciones y retiradas estuvieron relacionadas principalmente con faltas de conducta ética. Además, hubo 27 artículos (31,0 %) publicados por el mismo grupo de autores en una revista de cuartil más alto. Conclusiones. El dilema entre la publicación rápida y unas normas adecuadas se muestra en este análisis de artículos de investigación sobre la COVID-19. La velocidad de aceptación de los manuscritos sobre la COVID-19 fue 11,5 veces mayor que la velocidad de aceptación de los artículos sobre la gripe humana. El alto número de aceptaciones en un día o una semana desde la presentación y el número de retractaciones y retiradas de artículos sobre la COVID-19 podría ser un signo de advertencia acerca de la posible falta de un proceso de control de calidad en las publicaciones científicas y especialmente en el proceso de arbitraje.

RESUMO Objetivo. Descrever o tempo de processamento editorial dos artigos de pesquisa publicados sobre COVID-19, compará-lo com o de artigos sobre um tema semelhante (gripe humana) e analisar o número de publicações, suspensões e retratações. Métodos. Estudo descritivo-analítico. Foi realizada uma busca no PubMed usando os descritores MeSH "human influenza" e "COVID-19". O tempo até a aceitação (da submissão à aceitação) e o tempo até a publicação (da aceitação à publicação) foram comparados. Retratações e suspensões foram analisadas qualitativa e quantitativamente. Resultados. Foram publicados 31 319 artigos de pesquisa sobre a COVID-19 e 4 287 sobre a gripe humana em 2020. O tempo médio de aceitação de artigos sobre COVID-19 foi menor que o de artigos sobre gripe humana (8 versus 92 dias). O tempo médio até publicação dos artigos sobre COVID-19 foi menor que o de artigos sobre gripe humana (12 versus 16 dias); 47,0% dos artigos sobre COVID-19 foram aceitos na primeira semana após a submissão, e 19,5%, dentro de um dia. Houve 82 retratações e suspensões de artigos sobre COVID-19, 1 sobre gripe humana, e 5 de artigos que continham ambos os termos, principalmente relacionadas a má conduta ética; 27 (31,0%) desses artigos foram publicados pelo mesmo grupo de autores, em uma revista do mais alto quartil. Conclusões. O dilema entre publicar rapidamente e manter padrões adequados fica claro nesta análise de artigos sobre COVID-19. Manuscritos sobre COVID-19 foram aceitos 11,5 vezes mais rapidamente do que artigos sobre gripe humana. O alto número de aceitações em um dia ou semana após a submissão e o número de retratações e suspensões de artigos sobre COVID-19 alertam sobre uma possível falta de controle de qualidade na publicação científica e no processo de revisão por pares.

Predictive Validity of Developmental Screening Questionnaires for Identifying Children With Later Cognitive or Educational Difficulties: A Systematic Review.

Context: Parent/caregiver completing developmental screening questionnaires (DSQs) for children before 5 years of age is currently recommended. The DSQs recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) are the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ), Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS), and the Survey of Well-being of Young Children (SWYC). Nevertheless, their predictive validity has not been well-established. Objective: To assess in the current literature, the value of AAP-recommended DSQs (ASQ, PEDS, SWYC) administered between 0 and 5 years of age, for predicting long-term cognitive achievement and/or school performance (CA/SP), after 1 year or more of evaluation and at/or after age 5 years, in the general population. Data Sources: Cochrane, MEDLINE PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scielo, and Scopus databases (until March 2021). Study Selection: Two authors selected the studies. Forward and backward citation follow-up was done; authors of DSQ were contacted to identify additional studies. Data Extraction: Cohorts were identified, and authors of selected studies were contacted to corroborate and complete extracted data. Results: Thirty-two publications, corresponding to 10 cohorts, were included. All cohorts used ASQ. Only cohort using PEDS was identified but did not meet the inclusion criteria. No cohorts conducted with SWYC were identified. Associations between ASQ and CA/SP were extracted for eight cohorts. The odds ratios were >3, and the area under the curve was 0.66-0.87. A trade-off between sensitivity and specificity was observed. Limitations: Heterogeneity in population characteristics and in DSQ adaptations. Conclusions: A positive association between ASQ and later CA/SP was found in different social, cultural, and economic settings. Additional studies are necessary to determine the impact factors in the predictive capacity of DSQs. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42020183883.

Asociación entre morbilidad neonatal, edad gestacional y déficit de desarrollo psicomotor en prematuros moderados y tardíos / Association between neontal morbidity, gestational age and developmental delays in moderate to late preterm children

Introducción: Existe evidencia respecto a que los niños que nacen prematuros moderados y tardíos (PMT) tendrían mayor riesgo de hospitalización, morbilidad neonatal y deficiencias del desarrollo psicomotor (DSM). Objetivo: Determinar, en PMT, la asociación entre el déficit de DSM, edad gestacional y la morbilidad neonatal. Pacientes y método: Estudio caso control anidado en una cohorte de niños nacidos PMT entre los años 2006 y 2009, en una institución privada de la Región Metropolitana. Los niños fueron evaluados con la Escala de Bayley-III de desarrollo infantil a los 8 o 18 meses de edad corregida, o a los 30 meses de edad cronológica. Retrospectivamente se revisaron los registros neonatales. Se generó un modelo de análisis de asociación multivariado para conocer el efecto de la morbilidad neonatal sobre el desarrollo alcanzado. Resultados: Se estudiaron 130 PMT, 25 casos y 105 controles. El 83,8% fue hospitalizado en el periodo neonatal. Hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre casos y controles solo en relación con la edad materna y la hipoglucemia sintomática (OR cruda 3,5, OR ajustada 8,18); se encontró que las variables que afectan de forma negativa el coeficiente de desarrollo son el género masculino, la gemelaridad y la menor edad gestacional. Conclusiones: La hipoglucemia sintomática es el principal factor de riesgo de déficit del DSM, mientras que la gemelaridad, el género masculino y la edad gestacional influyen en el coeficiente de desarrollo global obtenido. Es fundamental desarrollar estrategias de prevención, pesquisa y manejo precoz de esta alteración metabólica para prevenir dificultades del DSM posteriores.

Introduction: There is evidence that children born moderate-to-late preterm (MLP) have a higher risk of hospitalisation, neonatal morbidity, and developmental delay (DD). Objective: To determine the association between DD, gestational age, and neonatal morbidity in MLP children. Patients and method: A case control study design nested in a cohort of MLP children born between 2006 and 2009 at a private hospital located in the Metropolitan area of Santiago. The children were assessed with the Bayley-III Scales of Infant Development at 8 or 18 months corrected age, or at 30 months of chronological age. Neonatal records were retrospectively reviewed. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine the effect of neonatal morbidity on development. Results: A total of 130 MLP children, 25 cases and 105 controls, were studied. Most of them (83.8%) were hospitalised during the neonatal period. Significant differences between cases and controls regarding maternal age and symptomatic hypoglycaemia were observed (crude OR 3.5, adjusted OR 8.18). It was concluded that the variables that negatively affect the rate of development are male gender, being a twin, and gestational age. Conclusions: Symptomatic hypoglycaemia is the main risk factor for DD, while being a twin, male gender, and gestational age influenced the total development rate obtained. It is essential to develop strategies for prevention, screening, and early management of this metabolic disorder to prevent future DD.

Validation of the Chilean version of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-CL) in Community Health Settings.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the translated and cross culturally adapted Chilean version of the 8 and 18month Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-CL) in a community sample. PARTICIPANTS: Parents of 1572 term children (82.9%) and 324 children at risk for developmental delay (17.1%) were included. INSTRUMENT: ASQ-3rd edition translated and culturally adapted for Chilean urban population. MAIN MEASURES: 8 and 18months ASQ-CL reliability, validity and mean scores. Feasibility was assessed using qualitative methods in healthcare professionals and mothers. RESULTS: ASQ-CL mean scores were comparable to U.S. normative data. The overall total score and all domains were reliable (Cronbach alpha 0.66-0.85). Test-retest and inter-rater reliability were high (Pearson's r range 0.73-0.94; intraclass correlation r range 0.68-0.93). Early preterm infants were more likely to fail on several criteria. Qualitative methods confirmed ASQ-CL as a feasible tool in this Chilean urban community. CONCLUSIONS: ASQ-CL is a valid, reliable and feasible tool for assessing development in children at 8 and 18months in Chilean urban population.

[Association between neontal morbidity, gestational age and developmental delays in moderate to late preterm children]. / Asociación entre morbilidad neonatal, edad gestacional y déficit de desarrollo psicomotor en prematuros moderados y tardíos.

INTRODUCTION: There is evidence that children born moderate-to-late preterm (MLP) have a higher risk of hospitalisation, neonatal morbidity, and developmental delay (DD). OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between DD, gestational age, and neonatal morbidity in MLP children. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A case control study design nested in a cohort of MLP children born between 2006 and 2009 at a private hospital located in the Metropolitan area of Santiago. The children were assessed with the Bayley-III Scales of Infant Development at 8 or 18 months corrected age, or at 30 months of chronological age. Neonatal records were retrospectively reviewed. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine the effect of neonatal morbidity on development. RESULTS: A total of 130 MLP children, 25 cases and 105 controls, were studied. Most of them (83.8%) were hospitalised during the neonatal period. Significant differences between cases and controls regarding maternal age and symptomatic hypoglycaemia were observed (crude OR 3.5, adjusted OR 8.18). It was concluded that the variables that negatively affect the rate of development are male gender, being a twin, and gestational age. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic hypoglycaemia is the main risk factor for DD, while being a twin, male gender, and gestational age influenced the total development rate obtained. It is essential to develop strategies for prevention, screening, and early management of this metabolic disorder to prevent future DD.

[Pediatric intervertebral disc calcification: A rare cause of acquired torticollis. Case report]. / Discopatía calcificante de la infancia: una infrecuente causa de tortícolis adquirida. Caso clínico.

INTRODUCTION: Pain and cervical muscle spasm are common reasons why parents bring children to the pediatric emergency department. The first steps are the gathering of medical history of the patient and a physical examination. If musculoskeletal damage is suspected, cervical spine x-rays should be obtained. An intervertebral disc calcification finding, in the absence of other radiological lesions should suggest pediatric intervertebral disc calcification. OBJECTIVE: To present a case of intervertebral disc calcification, a rare condition that must be considered in the differential diagnosis of torticollis and neck pain in childhood. CASE REPORT: A seven-year-old male patient without morbid history and no history of trauma or rough sport practice. He consulted the emergency room for pain and cervical contracture for the last six days. C reactive protein and red cell sedimentatio rates were slightly elevated. Imaging studies showed calcification of the C5-C6 intrvertebral disc and anterior disc protrusion. The patient was hospitalized for evaluation and pain management, with good clinical response and continue afterwards with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and a soft collar. At the 6-month-follow up, the patient had resolved symptoms and calcifications. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric intervertebral disc calcification is a rare cause of acquired torticollis, with a benign and self-limited outcome. Conservative management, as well as clinical and imaging follow-up is recommended.

Discopatía calcificante de la infancia: una infrecuente causa de tortícolis adquirida. Caso clínico / Pediatric intervertebral disc calcification: A rare cause of acquired torticollis. Case report

Introducción: El dolor y la contractura muscular cervical son motivos de consulta usuales en los servicios de urgencia pediátrica. El primer enfrentamiento es la anamnesis y examen físico minucioso. Ante la sospecha de etiología musculoesquelética se debe solicitar radiografía de columna cervical. El hallazgo de calcificación de los discos intervertebrales, en ausencia de otras lesiones radiológicas, nos debe hacer sospechar de una discopatía calcificante de la infancia. Objetivo: Presentar un caso de discopatía calcificante de la infancia, enfermedad infrecuente, que se debe tener en cuenta como diagnóstico diferencial de tortícolis y dolor cervical en la infancia. Caso clínico: Paciente varón de 7 años, sin antecedentes mórbidos ni historia de traumatismo o deportes bruscos. Consultó por historia de dolor y contractura cervical de 6 días de evolución. La velocidad de eritrosedimentación y proteína C reactiva estaban discretamente elevadas. La radiografía de columna cervical y la tomografía computarizada mostraron calcificación discal C5-C6 y protrusión discal anterior. Se hospitalizó para estudio y tratamiento del dolor, con buena respuesta clínica, continuando el manejo ambulatorio con antiinflamatorios no esteroidales y collar blando. Evolucionó con resolución de la sintomatología clínica y de las calcificaciones a 6 meses de seguimiento. Conclusiones: El hallazgo de calcificaciones de los discos intervertebrales es una infrecuente causa de tortícolis adquirida, de evolución benigna y autolimitada. Se recomienda manejo conservador por tiempo acotado y seguimiento clínico e imagenológico.

Introduction: Pain and cervical muscle spasm are common reasons why parents bring children to the pediatric emergency department. The first steps are the gathering of medical history of the patient and a physical examination. If musculoskeletal damage is suspected, cervical spine x-rays should be obtained. An intervertebral disc calcification finding, in the absence of other radiological lesions should suggest pediatric intervertebral disc calcification. Objective: To present a case of intervertebral disc calcification, a rare condition that must be considered in the differential diagnosis of torticollis and neck pain in childhood. Case report: A seven-year-old male patient without morbid history and no history of trauma or rough sport practice. He consulted the emergency room for pain and cervical contracture for the last six days. C reactive protein and red cell sedimentatio rates were slightly elevated. Imaging studies showed calcification of the C5-C6 intrvertebral disc and anterior disc protrusion. The patient was hospitalized for evaluation and pain management, with good clinical response and continue afterwards with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and a soft collar. At the 6-month-follow up, the patient had resolved symptoms and calcifications. Conclusions: Pediatric intervertebral disc calcification is a rare cause of acquired torticollis, with a benign and self-limited outcome. Conservative management, as well as clinical and imaging follow-up is recommended.

Gestational age and developmental risk in moderately and late preterm and early term infants.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between gestational age (GA) at birth and risk of developmental delay at 8 and 18 months of corrected postnatal age. METHODS: During 2008 to 2011, infants at a corrected postnatal age of 8 or 18 months attending health centers in Santiago, Chile, were recruited. Participants completed a form on biographical and demographic characteristics and the Chilean validated version of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ). Logistic regression was used to detect the capacity of GA to predict scores < -2 SDs on the basis of the Chilean ASQ reference group, in at least 1 ASQ domain, adjusted by different control variables. RESULTS: A total of 1667 infants were included in the analysis. An inverse "dose response" relationship between developmental delay risk and GA at birth was found, both in the crude and adjusted models. Compared with those born full term, the odds ratio for developmental delay risk was 1.56 for those born early term (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-2.06), 2.58 for infants born late preterm (95%CI: 1.66-4.01), and 3.01 for those born moderately preterm (95%CI: 1.59-5.71). CONCLUSIONS: An inverse dose-response relationship between GA and risk of developmental delay was found in the tested population. Future prospective studies and predictive models are needed to understand whether this higher developmental risk in moderately and late preterm infants is transient and modifiable or persists throughout life, allowing for better targeting of early-intervention strategies.

Validity of the ages and stages questionnaires in term and preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the concurrent validity of the parent-completed developmental screening measure Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ-3) compared with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) in children born term, late preterm, or extremely preterm at 8, 18, or 30 months of corrected gestational ages (CGA). METHODS: Data were collected from 306 term and preterm children ages 8, 18, and 30 months' CGA recruited from an ambulatory well-child clinic in Santiago, Chile. Parents completed the ASQ-3 in their homes, and afterward a trained professional administered the Bayley-III in a clinic setting. On the ASQ-3, the presence of any domain screened <2 SDs below the mean area score was considered a positive screen (indicating failure or delay). A Bayley-III score less than ≤1 SD indicated mild or severe delay. RESULTS: ASQ-3 showed adequate psychometric properties (75% sensitivity and 81% specificity) and modest agreement with the Bayley-III (r = 0.56). Sensitivity, specificity, and correlations between measures improved with testing age and in children who were born extremely preterm. CONCLUSIONS: Considering its psychometric properties, the ASQ-3 can be recommended for routine use in screening low-risk children at 8, 18, and 30 months' CGA and is advisable to be included in follow-up programs for children with biological risk factors such as those born preterm.

Programa de pediatría ambulatoria: desarrollo de competencias para atender integralmente al niño y su proceso de salud-enfermedad / Ambulatory pediatrics program

En los últimos años, la docencia de pediatría para alumnos y becarios ha incorporado como enfoque preponderante la atención integral biopsicosocial del paciente y ha modificado los programas, reconociendo que la mayoría destinará gran parte de su tiempo a la atención ambulatoria.