Pediatrics
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Environmental enteropathy syndrome may compromise growth and predispose to infectious diseases in children in the developing world, including Australian Aboriginal children from remote communities of the Northern Territory. In this study, we described the use of a biomarker (13)C-sucrose breath test (SBT) to measure enterocyte sucrase activity as a marker of small intestinal villus integrity and function. ⋯ The SBT was able to discriminate among Aboriginal children with diarrhea, asymptomatic Aboriginal children with an underlying environmental enteropathy, and healthy non-Aboriginal controls. This test provides a noninvasive, easy-to-use, integrated marker of the absorptive capacity and integrity of the small intestine and could be a valuable tool in evaluating the efficacy of interventions aimed at improving gut health.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Synchronized nasal intermittent positive-pressure ventilation and neonatal outcomes.
Synchronized nasal intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (SNIPPV) use reduces reintubation rates compared with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP). Limited information is available on the outcomes of infants managed with SNIPPV. ⋯ SNIPPV use in infants at greatest risk of BPD or death (500-750 g) was associated with decreased BPD, BPD/death, NDI, and NDI/death when compared with infants managed with NCPAP.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Mortality and functional morbidity after use of PALS/APLS by community physicians.
To test the hypothesis that pediatric shock is a common cause of death and functional morbidity and that pediatric advanced life support (PALS)/advanced pediatric life support (APLS) resuscitation in the community hospital setting improves child health outcomes. ⋯ Shock is common in children who are transferred for tertiary care. Pediatric shock recognition and resuscitation in the community hospital improves survival and functional outcome regardless of diagnostic category. The development of shock/trauma systems for children with and without trauma seems prudent.
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Multicenter Study
Utility of hepatic transaminases to recognize abuse in children.
Although experts recommend routine screening of hepatic transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) in cases of potential child physical abuse, this practice is highly variable. Our objective was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of routine transaminase testing in young children who underwent consultation for physical abuse. ⋯ In the population of children with concern for physical abuse, abdominal injury is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, but it is not so common as to warrant universal imaging. Abdominal imaging should be considered for potentially abused children when either the AST or ALT level is >80 IU/L or with abdominal bruising, distention, or tenderness.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Reforming procedural skills training for pediatric residents: a randomized, interventional trial.
Pediatric housestaff are required to learn basic procedural skills and demonstrate competence during training. To our knowledge, an evidenced-based procedural skills curriculum does not exist. ⋯ Participants in the intervention group were more successful performing certain simulated procedures than controls when tested immediately after receiving the curriculum but demonstrated declining skills thereafter. Future efforts must emphasize retraining, and residents must have sufficient opportunities to practice skills learned in a formal curriculum.