Development of a Consensus-Based Definition of Focused Assessment With Sonography for Trauma in Children.

Importance: The wide variation in the accuracy and reliability of the Focused Assessment With Sonography for Trauma (FAST) and the extended FAST (E-FAST) for children after blunt abdominal trauma reflects user expertise. FAST and E-FAST that are performed by experts tend to be more complete, better quality, and more often clinically valuable. Objective: To develop definitions of a complete, high-quality, and accurate interpretation for the FAST and E-FAST in children with injury using an expert, consensus-based modified Delphi technique. Design, Setting, and Participants: This consensus-based qualitative study was conducted between May 1 to June 30, 2021. It used a scoping review and iterative Delphi technique and involved 2 rounds of online surveys and a live webinar to achieve consensus among a 26-member panel. This panel consisted of international experts in pediatric emergency point-of-care ultrasonography. Main Outcomes and Measures: Definitions of complete, high-quality, and accurate FAST and E-FAST studies for children after injury. Results: Of the 29 invited pediatric FAST experts, 26 (15 men [58%]) agreed to participate in the panel. All 26 panelists completed the 2 rounds of surveys, and 24 (92%) participated in the live and asynchronous online discussions. Consensus was reached on FAST and E-FAST study definitions, and the panelists rated these 5 anatomic views as important and appropriate for a complete FAST: right upper-quadrant abdominal view, left upper-quadrant abdominal view, suprapubic views (transverse and sagittal), and subxiphoid cardiac view. For E-FAST, the same FAST anatomic views with the addition of the lung or pneumothorax view were deemed appropriate and important. In addition, the panelists rated a total of 32 landmarks as important for assessing completeness. Similarly, the panelists rated 14 statements on quality and 20 statements on accurate interpretation as appropriate. Conclusions and Relevance: This qualitative study generated definitions for complete FAST and E-FAST studies with high image quality and accurate interpretation in children with injury. These definitions are similar to those in adults with injury and may be used for future education, quality assurance, and research. Future research may focus on interpretation of trace volumes of abdominal free fluid and the use of serial FAST.

Peritoneal fluid localization on FAST examination in the pediatric trauma patient.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the location of intraperitoneal free fluid on FAST exam in pediatric patients undergoing evaluation for trauma. METHODS: Retrospective review of all FAST exams positive for intraperitoneal free fluid performed in patients sustaining trauma between August 2009 and February 2016 in an urban pediatric emergency department. Positive results were categorized into one of nine potential intraperitoneal locations; 4 each in the right and left upper quadrants, and the pelvis. RESULTS: One hundred and three complete positive studies were reviewed. The median age of patients was 10years (IQR 7-14) with 66% being male. Ninety-five percent had fluid present in the pelvis, 35% had fluid present in the RUQ, and 16.5% had fluid present in the LUQ. Overall, the most frequent location of fluid outside of the pelvis was found at the inferior tip of the liver, present in 83.3% of patients with fluid in the RUQ and 29% of all patients with a positive FAST. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of pediatric trauma patients with a positive FAST exam will exhibit free fluid in the pelvis. Particular attention should be directed to the inferior tip of the liver in children as this represents the most common location for fluid collection outside the pelvis.

Pediatric emergency medicine asynchronous e-learning: a multicenter randomized controlled Solomon four-group study.

OBJECTIVES: Asynchronous e-learning allows for targeted teaching, particularly advantageous when bedside and didactic education is insufficient. An asynchronous e-learning curriculum has not been studied across multiple centers in the context of a clinical rotation. We hypothesize that an asynchronous e-learning curriculum during the pediatric emergency medicine (EM) rotation improves medical knowledge among residents and students across multiple participating centers. METHODS: Trainees on pediatric EM rotations at four large pediatric centers from 2012 to 2013 were randomized in a Solomon four-group design. The experimental arms received an asynchronous e-learning curriculum consisting of nine Web-based, interactive, peer-reviewed Flash/HTML5 modules. Postrotation testing and in-training examination (ITE) scores quantified improvements in knowledge. A 2 × 2 analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) tested interaction and main effects, and Pearson's correlation tested associations between module usage, scores, and ITE scores. RESULTS: A total of 256 of 458 participants completed all study elements; 104 had access to asynchronous e-learning modules, and 152 were controls who used the current education standards. No pretest sensitization was found (p = 0.75). Use of asynchronous e-learning modules was associated with an improvement in posttest scores (p < 0.001), from a mean score of 18.45 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 17.92 to 18.98) to 21.30 (95% CI = 20.69 to 21.91), a large effect (partial η(2) = 0.19). Posttest scores correlated with ITE scores (r(2) = 0.14, p < 0.001) among pediatric residents. CONCLUSIONS: Asynchronous e-learning is an effective educational tool to improve knowledge in a clinical rotation. Web-based asynchronous e-learning is a promising modality to standardize education among multiple institutions with common curricula, particularly in clinical rotations where scheduling difficulties, seasonality, and variable experiences limit in-hospital learning.

Intravenous hypertonic saline use in the pediatric emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to describe the use, dosing, and administration of intravenous hypertonic saline (IHS) use in a pediatric emergency department. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of patients 0 to 18 years receiving IHS as part of their management in a pediatric ED with an annual volume of more than 50,000 visits. RESULTS: Over 4 years, 56 patients received IHS as part of their management in the emergency department. Clinical scenarios for IHS administration included traumatic brain injury with concern for increased intracranial pressure in 19 patients (34%), diabetic ketoacidosis with altered mental status in 18 (32%), hyponatremia without seizure activity in 6 (10.7%), hyponatremic seizure in 3 (5.4%), and altered mental status secondary to a nontraumatic, non-diabetic ketoacidosis cause in 10 (17.9%). The median age of the patients was 11.3 years (interquartile range, 6-13.9 years) receiving a median dose of 4.1 mL/kg (interquartile range, 3.08-5 mL/kg) of IHS. The median time for administration of the IHS was 17 minutes, with 87% of doses given via peripheral intravenous catheters. Approximately one fourth (26.8%) of patients received their dose in 10 minutes or less, with 7.2% of patients receiving a bolus of IHS in 3 minutes or less. We found no evidence of adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous hypertonic saline use is increasing within the pediatric emergency department. Within this institution, it is most frequently used at a dosing range of 3 to 5 mL/kg and does not require central venous access for rapid infusion.

Nasal foreign body removal in children.

Nasal foreign bodies in children are often managed in the pediatric emergency department. The child is usually between 2 and 4 years old, and the foreign body is most commonly a plastic toy or bead. Nasal foreign bodies are removed by a number of techniques. Positive-pressure expulsion is accomplished by orally applied pressure via a parent's mouth or an Ambu bag or by nasally applied pressure via a catheter or an oxygen source. The object can be washed out with nasally applied saline. Direct mechanical extraction is possible with a variety of tools, including forceps, hooks, or balloon-tipped catheters. Each method carries its own risks and benefits. Serious complications of nasal foreign bodies include posterior dislodgement and aspiration, trauma caused by the object itself or removal attempts, infection, and choanal stenosis. Magnets and button batteries require emergent removal as they carry the risk of septal perforation or necrosis, which may develop within a relatively short time.

Ocular foreign bodies in children.

While usually considered in conjunction with obvious ophthalmic trauma, ocular foreign bodies can also present subtly. Early identification of this common complaint is crucial to preserve optimal ocular function, minimize morbidity and reduce discomfort in patients. We review a systemic approach to both the identification and management of foreign bodies in the eye.