Hematologic manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection and MIS-C in hospitalized children. Results of the PICNIC registry.

Introduction: Hematologic complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection are well described in hospitalized adults with correlation to adverse outcomes. Information published in children has been limited. Methods: An international multi-centered retrospective registry was established to collect data on the clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 or multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) in hospitalized children between February 1, 2020 – May 31, 2021. This sub-study focused on hematologic manifestations. Study variables included patient demographics, comorbidities, clinical presentation, course, laboratory parameters, management, and outcomes. Results: Nine hundred and eighty-five children were enrolled and 915 (93%) had clinical information available; 385 (42%) had symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection upon admission, 288 had MIS-C (31.4%) and 242 (26.4%) had alternate diagnosis with SARS-CoV-2 identified incidentally. During hospitalization, 10 children (1%) experienced a thrombotic event, 16 (1.7%) had hemorrhage and 2 (0.2%) had both thrombotic and hemorrhagic episodes. Significant prothrombotic comorbidities included congenital heart disease (p-value = 0.007), central venous catheter (p = 0.04) in children with primary SARS-CoV-2 infection; and obesity (p-value= 0.002), cytokine storm (p= 0.012) in those with MIS-C. Significant pro- hemorrhagic conditions included age > 10 years (p = 0.04), CVC (p= 0.03) in children with primary SARS-CoV-2infection; and thrombocytopenia (0.001), cytokine storm (0.02) in those with MIS-C. Eleven patients died (1.2 %) with no deaths attributed to thrombosis or hemorrhage Conclusion: Thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications are uncommon in children with SARS-CoV-2 infection and observed with underlying co-morbid conditions. Understanding the complete spectrum of hematologic complications in children with SARS-CoV-2 infection or MIS-C requires ongoing multi-center studies.

Nasobiliary drainage: an effective treatment for pruritus in cholestatic liver disease

IntroductionNasobiliary drains (NBDs) have been successfully used to manage intrahepatic cholestasis, bile leaks and obstructive cholangitis. It allows external drainage of bile, bypassing the ileum where bile salts are reabsorbed. We assessed the utility of placement with effect on markers of cholestasis and patient symptoms.MethodsConsecutive patients undergoing NBD over 12 years for the management of pruritus were retrospectively analysed. Recorded variables included patient demographics, procedural characteristics and response to therapy.ResultsTwenty-three patients (14, 61% male) underwent 30 episodes of NBD. The median age was 26 years old (range 2–67 years old). A single procedure was carried out in 20. One patient each had two, three and five episodes of NBD. The most common aetiologies were hereditary cholestatic disease (n=17, 74%) and drug-induced cholestasis (n=5, 22%),NBD remained in situ for a median of 8 days (range 1–45 days). Significant improvement in bilirubin was seen at 7 days post-NBD (p=0.0324), maintained at day 30 (335 μmol/L vs 302 µmol/L vs 167 µmol/L). There was symptomatic improvement in pruritus in 20 (67%, p=0.0494) episodes. One patient underwent NBD during the first trimester of pregnancy after medical therapy failure with a good symptomatic response. The catheters were well tolerated in 27 (90%) of cases. Mild pancreatitis occurred in 4 (13%) cases.ConclusionNBD can be used to provide symptomatic improvement to patients with pruritus associated with cholestasis. It is well tolerated by patients. They can be used in pregnancy where medical management has failed.

Management and Outcomes of Bilateral Acetabular Fractures: A Critical Review of the Literature

Background Bilateral acetabular fractures constitute a rare entity, and their optimal management is unknown. Materials and Methods A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library between 1995 and 2020. Inclusion criteria were studies presenting cases of bilateral acetabular fractures and reporting outcomes. Extracted data included patient demographics, injury mechanism, fracture classification, associated injuries, management and outcomes. Results Thirty-seven studies (47 cases; 35 males vs 12 females) were included. Mean age was 46 years old (range 13–84) and mean follow-up was 19.8 months (range 1.5–56). High-energy injuries (49%) and seizures (45%) were the most common injury mechanisms. Fracture type distribution differed according to injury mechanism. Treatment was surgical in 70% of cases (75% open reduction and internal fixation vs 25% acute total hip arthroplasty). Outcomes were excellent/good in 58% of patients. Complications included heterotopic ossification (11%), nerve injury (11%), degenerative arthritis (6%), DVT (6%), and infection (3%). Conclusions Bilateral acetabular fractures most commonly occur either after trauma or seizures and are commonly managed operatively. They are not devoid of complications, however, more than half (58%) achieve complete functional recovery.

Association between CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, ATRIA, and Essen Stroke Risk Scores and Unsuccessful Recanalization after Endovascular Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

Background: The CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, ATRIA, and Essen scores have been developed for predicting vascular outcomes in stroke patients. We investigated the association between these stroke risk scores and unsuccessful recanalization after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Methods: From the nationwide multicenter registry (Selection Criteria in Endovascular Thrombectomy and Thrombolytic therapy (SECRET)) (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02964052), we consecutively included 501 patients who underwent EVT. We identified pre-admission stroke risk scores in each included patient. Results: Among 501 patients who underwent EVT, 410 (81.8%) patients achieved successful recanalization (mTICI ≥ 2b). Adjusting for body mass index and p < 0.1 in univariable analysis revealed the association between all stroke risk scores and unsuccessful recanalization (CHADS2 score: odds ratio (OR) 1.551, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.198–2.009, p = 0.001; CHA2DS2VASc score: OR 1.269, 95% CI 1.080–1.492, p = 0.004; ATRIA score: OR 1.089, 95% CI 1.011–1.174, p = 0.024; and Essen score: OR 1.469, 95% CI 1.167–1.849, p = 0.001). The CHADS2 score had the highest AUC value and differed significantly only from the Essen score (AUC of CHADS2 score; 0.618, 95% CI 0.554–0.681). Conclusion: All stroke risk scores were associated with unsuccessful recanalization after EVT. Our study suggests that these stroke risk scores could be used to predict recanalization in stroke patients undergoing EVT.

The Development of a Nationwide, Multicenter Electronic Database for Spinal Instrumentation Surgery in Japan: Japanese Spinal Instrumentation Society Database (JSIS-DB)

(1) Background: Despite the number of complicated and expensive spine surgery procedures maintained by the national health insurance system in Japan, until now there has been no large-scale multicenter clinical database for this field to understand and improve healthcare expenditure and treatment outcomes. The purpose of this report is to announce the establishment and methodology of a nationwide registry system for spinal instrumentation surgeries by the Japanese Spinal Instrumentation Society (JSIS), and to report the progress over the first 1.5 years of this database’s operation. (2) Methods: The JSIS recently produced an online database with an electronic server. The collected information included patient background, surgery information, and early complications of primary and revision cases. Analysis included data from February 2018, when registration began, to August 2019. (3) Results: As of August 2019, 73 facilities have completed the required paperwork to start, and 55 facilities have registered cases. Of the total 5456 registered cases, 4852 were valid and 2511 were completed. (4) Conclusions: JSIS-DB, the nationwide web-based registry system for spinal instrumentation surgery in Japan, was launched for the purpose of research, healthcare policy regulation, and improved patient care, and its methodology and progress in the first 1.5 years are reported in this study.

Progesterone supplementation for prevention of preterm birth.

Objective: To study the efficacy of Progesterone supplementation for prevention of preterm birth. Study Design: Descriptive Interventional Study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Independent University Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: January 2018 to December 2020. Material & Methods: Data collected by using Non probability consecutive sampling techniques. Total 156 patients were included in study. Data was collected after informed consent, on pre designed proforma. Patient presented in 1st trimester and having previous history spontaneous preterm labour and recurrent miscarriages. We included patient presenting after 24 weeks of pregnancy and patient having threatened or actual preterm labour. Results: Among 156 patients, more than 82% of patient were delivered after 34 weeks of gestation and 18% were delivered before 34 weeks of gestation. Fetal outcome was very good in those patients who were delivered after 34 weeks of gestation with the use of Prophylactic progesterone therapy. Conclusion: Prophylactic use of progesterone helps in prolongation of pregnancy beyond 36 weeks and also help in decreasing the morbidity associated with premature delivery.

The Impact of a Pediatric Continuity Care Intensivist Program on Patient and Parent Outcomes: An Unblinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives We studied the impact of a standardized continuity care intensivists (CCIs) program on patient and family outcomes for long-stay patients in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), also assessing the intervention's acceptability and feasibility. Methods A patient-level, unblinded randomized-controlled trial in a PICU at a large children's hospital. Participants included: (1) patients with ≥ 7 days PICU admission and likely to stay another 7 days; (2) their parents; (3) PICU attendings participating as continuity attendings; and (4) PICU attendings providing usual care (UC). We examined a bundled intervention: (1) standardized continuity attending role, (2) communication training course for CCI, and (3) standardized timing of contact between CCI and patient/family. Results Primary outcome was patient PICU length of stay. Secondary outcomes included patient, parental, and clinician outcomes. We enrolled 115 parent-patient dyads (231 subjects), 58 patients were randomized into treatment arm and 56 into the UC arm. Thirteen attendings volunteered to serve as CCI, 10 as UC. No association was found between the intervention and patient PICU length of stay (p = 0.5), other clinical factors, or parental outcomes. The intervention met a threshold for feasibility of enrollment, retention, and implementation while the majority of providers agreed the intervention was acceptable with more efficient decision making. Thirty percent CCIs felt the role took too much time, and 20% felt time was not worth the benefits. Conclusion CCI intervention did not impact patient or family outcomes. PICU attendings believed that the implementation of the CCI program was feasible and acceptable with potential benefits for efficiency of decision making.

Designing a Scoring System for Differential Diagnosis From Reactive Thrombocytosis and Essential Thrombocytosis

Background: Thrombocytosis is a common finding in hospitalized patients and is of two main types, essential thrombocytosis (ET) and reactive thrombocytosis (RT). It is important to distinguish the two due to increased risk of developing marrow fibrosis, acute leukemia, and thrombosis in the former. Molecular studies are the main tools to differentiate the two but are not available in all hospitals. We aimed to design a highly sensitive scoring system using routine lab data to classify thrombocytosis as essential or reactive.Methods: A total of 145 patients were enrolled in this study. Potential predictors included patient demographics and clinical laboratory parameters. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to decide the optimal cutoff level. Multivariate logistic regression with forward model selection method was performed to decide the predictors.Results: The risk scores by multivariate analysis were as follows: 1 point for WBC &gt; 13,500/μL; 2.5 points for Hb &gt; 10.9 g/dL; 3 points for platelet count &gt; 659,000/μL; and 2 points for MPV &gt; 9.3 fL. The cut off value was set as 4.5 points, and sensitivity of 91.1% and specificity of 75.8% were noted.Conclusion: In this study, we investigated lab data and developed a high-sensitivity convenient-to-use scoring system to differentiate ET from RT. The scoring system was assigned to the resulting model to make it more economical, simple, and convenient for clinical practice.

Trends in Surgical Case Volume During Pacific Partnership Missions Onboard USNS Mercy

ABSTRACT Introduction Since 2006, the U.S. Navy has conducted six Pacific Partnership (PP) missions throughout Southeast Asia on board the U.S. Naval Ship Mercy (T-AH 19). This study describes trends in overall and surgical specialty operative volumes to better understand the burden of surgical disease treated during these humanitarian and civic assistance (HCA) operations. This information can assist medical planners and surgical leaders involved in future humanitarian missions. Materials and Methods Following approval from the Naval Medical Center San Diego Institutional Review Board, a retrospective review of surgical case data was performed for the six PP missions from 2006 to 2018. Data collected included patient demographics, Current Procedural Terminology codes, and surgical specialty. The primary outcome was surgical case volume per specialty. Secondary outcomes included surgical staffing per mission and overall trends in operative volume. Results A total of 3,826 operative procedures were performed during the study period. Mission years in which case volume for both general surgery and ophthalmology were below their respective medians were associated with the least total surgical services to host nations (HNs). The number of active duty Navy surgeons varied with each mission; however, the staffing for a PP mission generally included at least two general surgeons, one ophthalmologist, one plastic surgeon, one pediatric surgeon, one orthopedic surgeon, one otolaryngologist, one oral surgeon, one urologist, and one obstetrician–gynecologist. Case volume per surgeon was highest in 2006 (50 cases per surgeon) and decreased after 2006, reaching an all-time low during the 2018 PP mission (10 cases per surgeon). Pediatric surgery and plastic surgery had the highest average case volumes per surgeon at 58 and 46 cases per surgeon, respectively, while oromaxillofacial surgery and neurosurgery had the lowest average case volumes per surgeon at 9 and 14 cases per surgeon, respectively. Conclusions Operative volume on military HCA missions is greatly influenced by the priorities of the HN, the mission focus, the number of individuals from the HN that present for screening, and the availability of personnel and resources available on the hospital ship. Future mission planning should optimize general surgery and ophthalmology staffing and essential equipment, as total mission case volumes were highly dependent upon the productivity of these two specialties. Careful determination of the surgical needs of HNs should serve as a guide for the selection of subspecialists to maximize effectiveness in future military HCA missions.

Effectual Physiotherapy Treatment in a 16 Year Old Case of Atrial Septal Defect- A Single Case Study

Background: Paediatric cardiac surgeries have an immense survival rate and rehabilitation plays a major role in such cases. Many patients are diagnosed with septal defects or valve defects at birth which come sunder cardiac surgeries. Case Presentation: This is a case of 16 year old boy who had atrial septal defect and underwent atrial septal defect closure. Investigations: 2D echocardiography revealed atrial septal defect. Management: Physiotherapy intervention included patient education, breathing retraining, airway clearance techniques, positioning, and psychological support and mobility program. Outcome measures have shown enhancement in functional independence and performance of activities of daily living. Conclusion: The evidence from this study suggest that paediatric cardiac rehabilitation found to play a pivotal role in managing a patient who had atrial septal defect.