Pediatrics
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To investigate buprenorphine exposures among children and adolescents ≤19 years old in the United States. ⋯ Buprenorphine is important for the treatment of opioid use disorder, but pediatric exposure can result in serious adverse outcomes. Manufacturers should use unit-dose packaging for all buprenorphine products to help prevent unintentional exposure among young children. Health providers should inform caregivers of young children about the dangers of buprenorphine exposure and provide instructions on proper medication storage and disposal. Adolescents should receive information regarding the risks of substance abuse and misuse. Suspected suicide accounted for 12% of adolescent exposures, highlighting the need for access to mental health services for this age group.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Emergency Department Alcohol Intervention: Effects on Dating Violence and Depression.
With this study, we examined secondary outcomes of an emergency department (ED)-based brief intervention (BI) on dating violence perpetration and victimization and depression symptoms over 3, 6, and 12 months. ⋯ A single-session ED BI revealed previously to show promise in reducing underage drinking also demonstrates promise in preventing dating violence perpetration and depression symptoms. These technology-enhanced BIs could be particularly helpful given the potential for more efficient resource usage and ease of future implementation.
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Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) robustly predict future morbidity and mortality. Researchers are just beginning to investigate intergenerational effects. We hypothesize there are intergenerational associations between parent ACE exposure and worse child health, health behaviors, and health care access and use. ⋯ The full scope of the health effects of ACEs may not be limited to the exposed individual, highlighting the need for a 2-generation approach to addressing the social determinants of child health.
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Case Reports
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome From E-Cigarette Use.
Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, or "vaping," is gaining widespread popularity as an alternative to conventional cigarettes among adolescents. Little is known of the health risks of e-cigarette use, especially in children and adolescents. We present a Case Report of a previously healthy 18-year-old woman who presented with dyspnea, cough, and pleuritic chest pain after e-cigarette use. ⋯ After this the patient rapidly improved, was weaned off vasopressor support, and was extubated. This is the first reported case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and acute respiratory distress syndrome as a risk of e-cigarette use in an adolescent, and it should prompt pediatricians to discuss the potential harms of vaping with their patients. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, lipid pneumonia, and eosinophilic pneumonia should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients who exhibit respiratory symptoms after the use of an e-cigarette.
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Observational Study
Unit-Dose Packaging and Unintentional Buprenorphine-Naloxone Exposures.
Buprenorphine accounts for the most opioid-related pediatric hospital admissions when compared with other opioid analgesics. Since 2010, several manufacturers began distributing their buprenorphine products with unit-dose packaging (UDP). Our main objective in this study is to evaluate the impact of UDP on unintentional pediatric buprenorphine-naloxone poison center exposures. ⋯ The shift from non-UDP to UDP in over 80% of buprenorphine-naloxone products was associated with a significant decrease in unintentional pediatric exposures reported to poison centers. Packaging controls should be a mainstay in the approach to the prevention of unintentional buprenorphine pediatric exposures as well as exposures to other prescription opioids.