Extensively Hydrolyzed Formula and Infant Colic Symptoms: Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Cohort Study.

Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) affects 2% to 3% of infants and is managed with hypoallergenic formulas. The 2022 recalls of infant formulas due to factors including contamination led to specialty formula shortages, highlighting CMPA management challenges. Understanding health care providers' (HCPs) decision-making in transitioning to alternative formulas during shortages is crucial. Limited attention has been given to how pediatric physicians make these choices. This study utilized US HCPs' de-identified survey data to assess driving factors when switching extensively hydrolyzed formulas during shortages. A total of 104 eligible HCPs participated, including general pediatrics, pediatric allergy/immunology, and pediatric gastroenterology specialists. Safety, tolerability, and efficacy were identified as top factors for switching formulas. Formula 1 was considered well-tolerated, patient-accepted, and safe by all HCPs. Most expressed strong belief in Formula 1's safety and effectiveness. Findings inform CMPA management during shortages, offering guidance to HCPs for suitable formula selection and enhanced infant care.

Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis for Critical Asthma.

BACKGROUND: Children hospitalized for critical asthma (CA) in the pediatric ICU (PICU) are commonly prescribed stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) to mitigate risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. We sought to describe trends for SUP prescribing and explore for differences in rates of GI bleeding, gastritis, and SUP-related complications for those with and without SUP exposure. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, multicenter cohort study using the Pediatric Hospital Information System registry among 42 children's hospitals from 2010 to 2019 including children 3 to 17 years of age admitted to the PICU for CA. Primary outcomes were chronologic and regional variation in SUP prescribing assessed by Joinpoint regression and Pearson's correlation. Rates of GI bleeding, gastritis, enteric ulceration, and SUP-related complications (C. difficile colitis, necrotizing enterocolitis, and thrombocytopenia) were compared for those with and without SUP exposure. RESULTS: Of 30 177 children studied, 10 387 (34.4%) received SUP. No episodes of GI bleeding were recorded. One subject developed gastric ulceration and 32 (0.1%) gastritis. Linear trends for SUP were observed with rates increasing from 25.5% in 2010 to 42.1% in 2019 (+1.9% annually). Prescribing varied by institution (range: 5.5% to 97.2%) without correlation to admission volumes. Extremely rare rates of SUP-related complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Although children hospitalized for CA routinely receive SUP, no episodes of GI bleeding were noted over a 10-year period. SUP solely for corticosteroid exposure may be unwarranted. We advocate for a targeted approach to SUP considering alternative risk factors for GI bleeding.

Same-Day versus Overnight Observation after Outpatient Pediatric Percutaneous Liver Biopsy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: Percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB), a diagnostic procedure to identify several hepatobiliary disorders, is considered safe with low incidence of associated complications. While postoperative monitoring guidelines are suggested for adults, selection of procedural recovery time for children remains at the discretion of individual operators. We aim to determine if differences exist in frequency of surgical complications, unplanned admissions, and healthcare cost for children undergoing outpatient PLB for cohorts with same-day vs. overnight observation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in children 1 month to 17 years of age undergoing ultrasound-guided PLB from January 2009 to August 2017 at a tertiary care, pediatric referral center. Cohorts were defined by postprocedural observation duration: same-day (≤8 hours) vs. overnight observation. Outcomes included surgical complications, medical interventions, unscheduled hospitalization within 7 days, and total encounter costs. RESULTS: One hundred and twelve children met study criteria of which 18 (16.1%) were assigned to same-day observation. No differences were noted in demographics, anthropometrics, comorbidities, biopsy indications, or preoperative coagulation profiles. No major complications or acute hospitalizations after PLB were observed. Administration of analgesia and fluid boluses were isolated and given within 8 hours. Compared to overnight monitoring, same-day observation accrued less total costs (US $992 less per encounter). CONCLUSION: Same-day observation after PLB in children appears well-tolerated with only minor interventions and complications observed within 8 hours of procedure. We recommend a targeted risk assessment prior to selection of observation duration. Same-day observation appears an appropriate recovery strategy in otherwise low-risk children undergoing outpatient PLB.