Pediatrics
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Multicenter Study
Epidemiology of bacteremia in febrile infants in the United States.
Fever in infants is a common clinical dilemma. The objective of this study was to present data from hospital systems across the northeast, southeast, mid-west, and western United States to identify the pathogens causing bacteremia in febrile infants admitted to general care units. ⋯ This is the largest and most geographically diverse study to date examining the epidemiology of bacteremia in infants. We suggest E. coli is the most common cause of bacteremia in previously healthy febrile infants admitted to a general inpatient unit. We identified no cases of L monocytogenes and question whether empirical therapy remains necessary for this pathogen.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Probiotic effects on late-onset sepsis in very preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial.
Late-onset sepsis frequently complicates prematurity, contributing to morbidity and mortality. Probiotics may reduce mortality and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants, with unclear effect on late-onset sepsis. This study aimed to determine the effect of administering a specific combination of probiotics to very preterm infants on culture-proven late-onset sepsis. ⋯ The probiotics B infantis, S thermophilus, and B lactis significantly reduced NEC of Bell stage 2 or more in very preterm infants, but not definite late-onset sepsis or mortality. Treatment with this combination of probiotics appears to be safe.
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Epigenetics, the study of functionally relevant chemical modifications to DNA that do not involve a change in the DNA nucleotide sequence, is at the interface between research and clinical medicine. Research on epigenetic marks, which regulate gene expression independently of the underlying genetic code, has dramatically changed our understanding of the interplay between genes and the environment. ⋯ In addition, epigenetic marks are potentially heritable. In this article, we discuss the underlying concepts of epigenetics and address its current and potential applicability for primary care providers.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections in North Carolina NICUs.
Central lines in NICUs have long dwell times. Success in reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) requires a multidisciplinary team approach to line maintenance and insertion. The Perinatal Quality Collaborative of North Carolina (PQCNC) CLABSI project supported the development of NICU teams including parents, the implementation of an action plan with unique bundle elements and a rigorous reporting schedule. The goal was to reduce CLABSI rates by 75%. ⋯ A collaborative structure targeting team development, family partnership, unique bundle elements and strict reporting on line care produced the largest reduction in CLABSI rates for any multiinstitutional NICU collaborative.
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Multicenter Study
Catheter dwell time and CLABSIs in neonates with PICCs: a multicenter cohort study.
To determine whether the daily risk of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) increases over the dwell time of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in high-risk neonates. ⋯ The risk of CLABSIs increased during the 2 weeks after PICC insertion and then remained elevated until PICC removal. Clinicians should review PICC necessity daily, optimize catheter maintenance practices, and investigate novel CLABSI prevention strategies in PICCs with prolonged dwell times.