Harnessing the power of telemedicine to accomplish international pediatric outcome research during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic occurred during planned neurodevelopmental follow-up of Colombian children with antenatal Zika-virus exposure. The objective of the study was to leverage the institution's telemedicine infrastructure to support international clinical child outcome research. In a prospective cohort study of child neurodevelopment (NCT04398901), we used synchronous telemedicine to remotely train a research team and perform live observational assessments of children in Sabanalarga, Colombia. An observational motor and conceptional standardized tool kit was mailed to Colombia; other materials were translated and emailed; team training was done virtually. Children were recruited by team on the ground. Synchronous activities were video-recorded directly to two laptops, each with a telehealth Zoom link to allow simultaneous evaluation of “table” and “standing” activities, and backup recordings were captured directly on the device in Colombia. The U.S. team attended live over Zoom from four states and five distinct locations, made observational notes, and provided real-time feedback. Fifty-seven, 3–4-year-old children with Zika-virus exposure and 70 non-exposed controls were studied during 10 daytrips. Direct laptop recording ensured complete record of child activities due to internet outages. Telemedicine can be used to successfully perform international neurodevelopmental outcome research in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine can benefit global health studies.

Validating Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOAC) for Use in Children By the Throm-PED Doac Registry of the International Pediatric Thrombosis Network

Background: A growing number of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) provide promising data on pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics, efficacy and safety of DOAC in children and the first DOACs have recently been approved for treatment of thromboembolism in children. Based on the risk benefit profiles published so far, we expect DOACs to be widely used for treatment and prophylaxis of thrombosis in children. The strict inclusion criteria for participation in the RCTs limit their generalizability, particularly to those with more serious acute and chronic medical conditions that account for a significant proportion of pediatric VTE patients in clinical practice. Real world data complements evidence from randomized clinical trials, and is urgently needed to improve patient care. Aim: To obtain efficacy and safety data of DOACs in a large and heterogeneous pediatric patient collectives. To expand the knowledge on treatment strategies and outcomes across different risk profiles and comorbidities including cancer and renal disease. Study Design: An international, multicentre, prospective observational cohort study imbedded in the Throm-PED Registry of the International Pediatric Thrombosis Network (IPTN). Parameters included at baseline are age, gender, height, weight, thrombosis type, thrombosis location, risk factors, underlying medical conditions and comedication. Primary outcomes include 1) thrombus progression or recurrence and 2) bleeding (major, clinically relevant non major including menorrhagia) and 3) mortality. Outcomes are assessed every 3 months for a total of 12 months. Additional variables include self-reported adherence, comedication, chemotherapy, DOAC drug levels, measures of renal function and dose adjustments on children with chronic medical conditions including renal disease and cancer. Study population : Patients from 0-21 years with thromboembolic disease treated with DOACs who are enrolled in the IPTN Throm-PED Registry. Results: As of June 30, 2021 82 patients from 10 centers have been enrolled. The majority of patients were at least 12 years old (Figure 1). 66% suffered from venous thrombosis. With about 30% each, pulmonary embolism or thrombosis of the lower extremities were reported most commonly. In this cohort the majority of patients received Rivaroxaban (80%), followed by Apixaban and Edoxaban. Risk factors were manifold, including patients with cancer (13%) and renal disease (4%). Of the 33 patients with follow-up reported at 3 months, bleeding was reported in 3 (9%) of patients during treatment with a DOAC, and thrombosis progression was reported in 2 (6%) (Table 1). Summary: This initial real world data, as expected, demonstrates reduced efficacy and more bleeding than noted in published trials, however numbers are small. Further real world data collection is essential to identify specific patient groups at risk of worse outcome with DOACs and to understand drug interactions and dose adjustments. Data on younger age groups are required. IPTN registry is an important framework to collect real world data that can then be explored in clinical trials. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Raffini: CSL Behring: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; HEMA Biologics: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; XaTek: Consultancy.

Optimizing international neurosurgical outreach missions: 15-year appraisal of operative skill transfer in Lima, Peru

Background: While several medical outreach models have been designed and executed to alleviate the unmet need for international neurosurgical care, disparate strategies have evolved. There is a need to determine the optimal pediatric neurosurgical outreach model through which resources are efficiently utilized while imparting the largest possible impact on global health. This study evaluates the efficacy of an international pediatric neurosurgery outreach model at transferring operative skill in a sustainable and scalable manner in Lima, Peru over a 15-year duration. Methods: Three 1-week neurosurgical missions were carried out (2004–2006) in Lima, Peru to teach neuroendoscopic techniques and to provide equipment to host neurosurgeons, equipping the hosts to provide care to indigent citizens beyond the duration of the missions. Follow-up data were obtained over a 15 year span, with collaboration maintained over email, two in-person visits, and video-conferencing services. Results: Since the outreach missions in 2004–2006, the host neurosurgeons demonstrated sustainability of the neuroendoscopic instruction by independently performing neuroendoscopic operations on a growing caseload: at baseline, 0 cases were performed in 2003, but since 2012 and onwards, 40–45 cases have been performed annually. Scalability is illustrated by the fact that the institution established a rigorous neuroendoscopy training program to independently pass on the techniques to resident physicians. Conclusion: The described international pediatric neurosurgical outreach model, centered around teaching operative technique as opposed to solely providing care to citizens, allowed operative skill to be sustainably transferred to surgeons in Lima, Peru. Having served the neuroendoscopic needs of hundreds of citizens, the strategic design is replicable and should be mirrored by future medical endeavors seeking to substantially impact the deficit in global surgical care.

Heterotaxy: fluctuat nec mergitur

The International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Code (IPCCC) states that visceral heterotaxy is defined as “a congenital malformation in which the internal thoraco-abdominal organs demonstrate abnormal arrangement across the left-right axis of the body. By convention, in congenital cardiology, heterotaxy syndrome does not include patients with complete mirror-imaged arrangement of the internal organs along the left-right axis also known as “total mirror imagery” or “situs inversus totalis”.” [www.ipccc.net]In patients with heterotaxy, it is important to describe both the cardiac relations and the junctional connections of the cardiac segments, with documentation of the arrangement of the atrial appendages, the ventricular topology, the nature of the unions of the segments across the atrioventricular and the ventriculoarterial junctions, the infundibular morphologies, and the relationships of the arterial trunks in space. Particular attention is required for the venoatrial connections, since these are so often abnormal. The relationship and arrangement of the remaining thoraco-abdominal organs, including the lungs, the spleen, the liver, and the intestines, also must be described separately, because, although common patterns of association have been identified, there are frequent exceptions to these common patterns. Therefore, in patients with heterotaxy, it is important to describe each thoracic and abdominal organ independently.