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Traino KA, Ciciolla LM, Perez MN, Chaney JM, Welch G, Baskin LS, Buchanan CL, Chan YM, Cheng EY, Coplen DE, Wisniewski AB, Mullins LL. Trajectories of illness uncertainty among parents of children with atypical genital appearance due to differences of sex development. J Pediatr Psychol 2024:jsae043. [PMID: 38857449 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsae043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to identify distinct trajectories of parental illness uncertainty among parents of children born with atypical genital appearance due to a difference of sex development over the first year following diagnosis. It was hypothesized that four trajectory classes would emerge, including "low stable," "high stable," "decreasing," and "increasing" classes, and that select demographic, familial, and medical factors would predict these classes. METHODS Participants included 56 mothers and 43 fathers of 57 children born with moderate to severe genital atypia. Participants were recruited from eleven specialty clinics across the U.S. Growth mixture modeling (GMM) approaches, controlling for parent dyad clustering, were conducted to examine classes of parental illness uncertainty ratings over time. RESULTS A three-class GMM was identified as the best-fitting model. The three classes were interpreted as "moderate stable" (56.8%), "low stable" (33.0%), and "declining" (10.3%). Findings suggest possible diagnostic differences across trajectories. CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight the nature of parents' perceptions of ambiguity and uncertainty about their child's diagnosis and treatment the year following their child's birth/diagnosis. Future research is needed to better understand how these trajectories might shift over the course of the child's development. Results support the development of tailored, evidence-based interventions to address coping with uncertainty among families raising a child with chronic health needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Traino
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Lucia M Ciciolla
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Megan N Perez
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - John M Chaney
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Ginger Welch
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Laurence S Baskin
- Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Cindy L Buchanan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Yee-Ming Chan
- Division of Endocrinology, and Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Earl Y Cheng
- Department of Urology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Douglas E Coplen
- Division of Urologic Surgery, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Amy B Wisniewski
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Larry L Mullins
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
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DeLone AM, Fisher RS, Traino KA, Basile NL, Buchanan CL, Cheng EY, Poppas DP, Baraldi AN, Wisniewski AB, Mullins LL. Exploratory factor analysis of the Illness Intrusiveness Rating Scale for parents of children with atypical genital appearance due to differences of sex development (DSD). J Pediatr Psychol 2024:jsae027. [PMID: 38578612 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsae027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Illness intrusiveness refers to the subjective cognitive appraisal of a chronic health condition interfering in daily, valued activities and may be highly relevant for parents of children with atypical genital appearance due to differences of sex development (DSD). However, a measure of illness intrusiveness has not been validated for this population. The current study aimed to evaluate the factor structure of the Illness Intrusiveness Scale for Parents (IIS-P) and examine convergent validity. METHODS Participants included 102 parents (Mage = 33.39 years, SD = 6.48; 58% mothers) of 65 children (<2 years old) diagnosed with DSD participating in a larger, longitudinal study. Parents completed the IIS-P as well as self-report measures of stigma, and anxious and depressive symptoms. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted. RESULTS EFA results supported a 1-factor intrusiveness solution (α = .93), as well as a 2-factor solution measuring intrusiveness on daily living (α = .92) and community connectedness (α = .85). The 1-factor solution and both factors of the 2-factor solution demonstrated significant convergent validity with stigma as well as anxious and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Support emerged for both 1- and 2-factor solutions of the IIS-P in parents of children with DSD. The decision to evaluate illness intrusiveness as a total score or to examine the subscales of daily living and community connectedness should be tailored to the unique aims of researchers and clinicians. Future research should conduct a confirmatory factor analysis with both 1- and 2-factor models with larger, more diverse samples of caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M DeLone
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, United States
| | - Rachel S Fisher
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, United States
| | - Katherine A Traino
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, United States
| | - Nathan L Basile
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, United States
| | - Cindy L Buchanan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, United States
| | - Earl Y Cheng
- Department of Urology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Dix P Poppas
- James Buchanan Brady Department of Urology, Komansky Children's Hospital, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, United States
| | - Amanda N Baraldi
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, United States
| | - Amy B Wisniewski
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, United States
| | - Larry L Mullins
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, United States
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Traino KA, Fisher RS, Basile NL, Dattilo TM, Baskin LS, Buchanan CL, Chan YM, Cheng EY, Coplen DE, Kolon TF, Lakshmanan Y, Palmer BW, Mullins LL, Ciciolla LM, Wisniewski AB. Adverse Birth Experiences and Parent Adjustment Associated With Atypical Genital Appearance Due to Differences of Sex Development. J Pediatr Psychol 2023; 48:759-767. [PMID: 37500595 PMCID: PMC10516460 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsad042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Differences/disorders of sex development (DSDs) are rare, congenital conditions involving discordance between chromosomes, gonads, and phenotypic sex and are often diagnosed in infancy. A key subset of parents of children newly diagnosed with a DSD experience clinically elevated distress. The present study examines the relationship between perinatal factors (i.e., gestational age, delivery method) and trajectories of parental adjustment. METHODS Parent participants (mothers = 37; fathers = 27) completed measures at baseline, 6- and 12-month follow-up. Multilevel linear regression controlled for clustering of the data at three levels (i.e., time point, parent, and family) and examined the relationship between perinatal factors and trajectories of depressive and anxious symptoms. Two-way interactions between perinatal factors and parent type were evaluated. RESULTS Overall depressive and anxious symptoms decreased over time. There were significant interactions between gestational age and parent type for depressive and anxious symptoms, with younger gestational age having a stronger negative effect on mothers vs. fathers. There was a significant interaction between time and gestational age for depressive symptoms, with 36 weeks' gestational age demonstrating a higher overall trajectory of depressive symptoms across time compared to 38 and 40 weeks. Findings for the delivery method were not significant. CONCLUSIONS Findings uniquely demonstrated younger gestational age was associated with increased depressive symptoms, particularly for mothers compared to fathers. Thus, a more premature birth may predispose parents of infants with DSD to distress. Psychosocial providers should contextualize early diagnosis-related discussions within stressful birth experiences when providing support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Traino
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, USA
| | - Rachel S Fisher
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, USA
| | - Nathan L Basile
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, USA
| | - Taylor M Dattilo
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, USA
| | - Laurence S Baskin
- Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco Medical Center, USA
| | - Cindy L Buchanan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
| | - Yee-Ming Chan
- Division of Endocrinology, and Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, USA
| | - Earl Y Cheng
- Department of Urology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, USA
| | - Douglas E Coplen
- Division of Urologic Surgery, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, USA
| | - Thomas F Kolon
- Division of Urology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, USA
| | | | - Blake W Palmer
- Department of Pediatric Urology, Cook Children’s Medical Center, USA
| | - Larry L Mullins
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, USA
| | - Lucia M Ciciolla
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, USA
| | - Amy B Wisniewski
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, USA
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Basile NL, Dattilo TM, DeLone AM, Kraft JD, Edwards CS, Buchanan CL, Cheng EY, Poppas DP, Wisniewski AB, Mullins LL. Parental Uncertainty Scale Factor Structure in Pediatric DSD With Ambiguous Genitalia. J Pediatr Psychol 2023; 48:386-395. [PMID: 36728708 PMCID: PMC10118853 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsad001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Illness uncertainty is a salient experience for caregivers of children with disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) presenting with ambiguous genitalia; however, no validated measure of illness uncertainty exists for this unique population. Thus, the current study aimed to preliminarily identify the factor structure of the Parental Perception of Uncertainty Scale (PPUS) in caregivers of children with DSD presenting with ambiguous genitalia and examine the convergent validity of the PPUS. METHODS Participants included 115 caregivers (Mage = 32.12 years, SD = 6.54; 57% mothers) of children (<2-year-olds) diagnosed with DSD participating in a larger, longitudinal study. Caregivers completed the PPUS as well as self-report measures of anxious, depressive, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted. RESULTS Exploratory factor analysis results indicated that a 23-item 1-factor solution was the most parsimonious and theoretically sound factor structure (α = 0.92). Convergent validity analyses demonstrated further support for the use of the 23-item 1-factor solution over the original PPUS factor structure. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate the preliminary clinical and research utility of the PPUS with caregivers of children with DSD presenting with ambiguous genitalia. The PPUS may benefit from further refinement through qualitative research and item adaptation to capture uncertainties unique to DSD presenting with ambiguous genitalia. In addition, future research should replicate the proposed factor structure using confirmatory factor analysis with a separate, larger sample of caregivers of children with DSD to confirm the factor structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan L Basile
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, USA
| | - Taylor M Dattilo
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, USA
| | - Alexandra M DeLone
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, USA
| | - Jacob D Kraft
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, USA
| | - Clayton S Edwards
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, USA
| | - Cindy L Buchanan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
| | - Earl Y Cheng
- Department of Urology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, USA
| | - Dix P Poppas
- Institute for Pediatric Urology, Komansky Children’s Hospital, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medicine, USA
| | - Amy B Wisniewski
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, USA
| | - Larry L Mullins
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, USA
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5
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Larasati IA, Saktini F, Winarni TI, Ediati A, Utari A. Factors influencing illness uncertainty in parents of children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia in a developing country: A cross-sectional study. BELITUNG NURSING JOURNAL 2023; 9:54-61. [PMID: 37469639 PMCID: PMC10353655 DOI: 10.33546/bnj.2379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Illness uncertainty in parents of children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) refers to parents' inability to create meaning in events related to their children having CAH. This may influence their role in caring for children with CAH. Objective The study aimed to determine factors associated with illness uncertainty experienced by parents of children with CAH in a developing country. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 parents (43 mothers and 37 fathers) of children with CAH, selected using consecutive sampling methods. The Parent's Perception of Uncertainty Scale (PPUS) was used to measure the illness uncertainty levels. Data were collected from March 2020 to October 2020. Independent t-test and chi-square test were used to determine factors (parent's gender, age, educational level, monthly household income, number of children with CAH, history of child death due to CAH, child's age when first diagnosed with CAH, duration of therapy, gender change, type of CAH (salt wasting/SW or simple virilizing/SV), current gender, and genitoplasty) influencing illness uncertainty in parents. Results The mean scores of PPUS were 42.3 ± 12.91, and the majority of parents had a low PPUS score (49; 61%). Parents of children with SW-CAH showed higher uncertainty (44.2 ± 12.77) than those with SV-CAH (32.6 ± 8.86; p = 0.003). Parents who lost their children due to CAH were more likely to report a moderate illness uncertainty than parents who never experienced child mortality due to CAH (χ2(1, 80) = 4.893; p = 0.027). Conclusion The factors significantly affecting uncertainty in parents of children with CAH determined in this study might help healthcare professionals, including nurses, to play a pivotal role in giving pertinent information regarding their children's health, disease, and therapy to help manage parental uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fanti Saktini
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia
- Center for Biomedical Research (CEBIOR), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Tri Indah Winarni
- Center for Biomedical Research (CEBIOR), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia
| | | | - Agustini Utari
- Center for Biomedical Research (CEBIOR), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro/Diponegoro National Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia
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6
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Kremen J, Harris RM, Aston CE, Perez M, Austin PF, Baskin L, Cheng EY, Fried A, Kolon T, Kropp B, Lakshmanan Y, Nokoff NJ, Palmer B, Paradis A, Poppas D, Reyes KJS, Wolfe-Christensen C, Diamond DA, Tishelman AC, Mullins LL, Wisniewski AB, Chan YM. Exploring Factors Associated with Decisions about Feminizing Genitoplasty in Differences of Sex Development. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2022; 35:638-646. [PMID: 35948206 PMCID: PMC9701156 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Infants with genital development considered atypical for assigned female sex may undergo feminizing genitoplasty (clitoroplasty and/or vaginoplasty) in early life. We sought to identify factors associated with parent/caregiver decisions regarding genitoplasty for their children with genital virilization. DESIGN Longitudinal, observational study SETTING: Twelve pediatric centers in the United States with multidisciplinary differences/disorders of sex development clinics, 2015-2020 PARTICIPANTS: Children under 2 years old with genital appearance atypical for female sex of rearing and their parents/caregivers INTERVENTIONS/OUTCOME MEASURES: Data on the child's diagnosis and anatomic characteristics before surgery were extracted from the medical record. Parents/caregivers completed questionnaires on psychosocial distress, experience of uncertainty, cosmetic appearance of their child's genitalia, and demographic characteristics. Urologists rated cosmetic appearance. For 58 patients from the study cohort with genital virilization being raised as girls or gender-neutral, we compared these data across 3 groups based on the child's subsequent surgical intervention: (i) no surgery (n = 5), (ii) vaginoplasty without clitoroplasty (V-only) (n = 15), and (iii) vaginoplasty and clitoroplasty (V+C) (n = 38). RESULTS Fathers' and urologists' ratings of genital appearance were more favorable in the no-surgery group than in the V-only and V+C groups. Clitorophallic length was greater in the V+C group compared with the V-only group, with substantial overlap between groups. Mothers' depressive and anxious symptoms were lower in the no-surgery group compared with the V-only and V+C groups. CONCLUSIONS Surgical decisions were associated with fathers' and urologists' ratings of genital appearance, the child's anatomic characteristics, and mothers' depressive and anxious symptoms. Further research on surgical decision-making is needed to inform counseling practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Kremen
- Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Rebecca M Harris
- Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Paul F Austin
- Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Laurence Baskin
- University of California San Francisco Medical Center, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | - Earl Y Cheng
- Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Allyson Fried
- John R. Oishei Children's Hospital, Buffalo, New York
| | - Thomas Kolon
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Bradley Kropp
- Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma; OKC Kids, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Yegappan Lakshmanan
- Children's Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Natalie J Nokoff
- Childrens Hospital of Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Blake Palmer
- Cook Children's Medical Center, University of Oklahoma, College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Alethea Paradis
- St. Louis Children's Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Dix Poppas
- New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, New York
| | - Kristy J Scott Reyes
- Cook Children's Medical Center, University of Oklahoma, College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Cortney Wolfe-Christensen
- Cook Children's Medical Center, University of Oklahoma, College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - David A Diamond
- Golisano Children's Hospital, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
| | - Amy C Tishelman
- Boston College, Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Amy B Wisniewski
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Yee-Ming Chan
- Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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7
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Cai J, Zhu G, Tian H, Yuan J, Gao H, Sun L, Dong G, Ru W, Wu D, Tang D, Gao W, Fu J, Yang R. Mental health status of children with disorders of sexual development and their correlates. Front Public Health 2022; 10:756382. [PMID: 35968443 PMCID: PMC9363791 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.756382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Disorders of sexual development (DSD) refer to the congenital abnormalities of chromosomes, gonads, or gender anatomy. Children with DSD usually experience more stress. The present study aims to evaluate the mental health status of children with DSD, and to explore the potential relevant factors. We included 30 children with DSD and 30 age- and gender-matched children without DSD as the control group. All the children and their parents completed the scales of the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). Children over 8 years old (n = 22) completed the Screen Scale for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), the Depression Self-rating Scale for Children (DSRSC), and the Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran-own memories of parental rearing practices in childhood. DSD children had significantly higher somatic anxiety, mental anxiety, and total anxiety scores than the control group (p < 0.001). The scores of the SCARED, anxiety, and depression subscales of DSD children were higher than those of control children (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). The correlation analysis showed that the score of generalized anxiety was positively related to age and entertainment. The regression analysis showed that age was a major factor that affected generalized anxiety in DSD children, and neuroticism was a major factor of anxiety disorder and separation anxiety in DSD children. Children with DSD have obvious anxiety problems, which are associated with family environmental factors (entertainment, success, and conflicts) and age. It is important to focus emphasis on emotional stability in children with DSD for detecting anxiety-related emotional disorders early.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Cai
- Department of Child Psychology, Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guochun Zhu
- Department of Child Psychology, Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongjuan Tian
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinna Yuan
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huihui Gao
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Gynecology, Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liying Sun
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Gynecology, Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guanping Dong
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Ru
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dehua Wu
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Daxing Tang
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weijia Gao
- Department of Child Psychology, Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junfen Fu
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Junfen Fu
| | - Rongwang Yang
- Department of Child Psychology, Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Rongwang Yang
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8
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Whitehead J, Hirsch J, Rosoklija I, Weisman AG, Dungan J, Finlayson C, Chen D, Johnson EK. Prenatal Detection and Evaluation of Differences of Sex Development: A Qualitative Interview Study of Parental Perspectives and Unmet Needs. Prenat Diagn 2022; 42:1332-1342. [PMID: 35670269 PMCID: PMC9545652 DOI: 10.1002/pd.6191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Prenatal diagnoses of differences of sex development (DSD) are increasing due to availability of cell‐free DNA screening (cell‐free DNA screening (cfDNA)). This study explores first‐hand experiences of parents whose children had prenatal findings of DSD. Methods Eligible parents were identified through chart review at a pediatric center and interviewed about their prenatal evaluation, decision making, informational sources, and support systems. Interviews were coded using a combined inductive and deductive thematic analysis. Parents also completed quantitative measures of decisional regret. Results Seventeen parents (13 mothers; 4 fathers) of 13 children (with 7 DSD diagnoses) were recruited. Four children had discordance between sex predicted by cfDNA versus prenatal ultrasound, and 2 had non‐binary appearing (atypical) genitalia on prenatal ultrasound. Of these 6, 3 were not offered additional prenatal testing or counseling. Most parents described tension between obtaining support through disclosure of their child's diagnosis and preserving their child's autonomy/privacy, highlighting the need for mental health support. Conclusion This is the first study to gather qualitative data from parents whose children had prenatal findings of DSD. We identified multiple targets for intervention to improve care for patients with DSD across the lifespan, including improvements in clinician education, pre‐ and post‐test counseling, and patient education materials.
What's already known about this topic? What does this study add?
Prenatal detection of potential differences of sex development (DSD) is increasing as the availability of non‐invasive prenatal screening increases. Algorithms have been developed for the diagnostic evaluation, but little is known about the psychosocial implications of that process. This study focuses on the first‐hand experiences of families whose children had prenatal findings of a potential DSD, to identify existing sources of support and information, and areas for future improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Whitehead
- Division of Endocrinology, Chicago, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Chicago, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Courtney Finlayson
- Division of Endocrinology, Chicago, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Chicago, United States
| | - Diane Chen
- Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine, Chicago, United States.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Chicago, United States.,Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Chicago, United States
| | - Emilie K Johnson
- Urology, Chicago, United States.,Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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9
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Traino KA, Baudino MN, Kraft JD, Basile NL, Dattilo TM, Davis MP, Buchanan C, Cheng EY, Poppas DP, Wisniewski AB, Mullins LL. Factor Analysis of the Stigma Scale-Parent Version in Pediatric Disorders/Differences of Sex Development. STIGMA AND HEALTH 2021; 6:390-396. [PMID: 35497259 PMCID: PMC9053364 DOI: 10.1037/sah0000346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Stigma is a salient experience for both caregivers/parents and individuals with Disorders/Differences of Sex Development (DSD) as evidenced through qualitative and preliminary quantitative reports. However, few validated measures of associative stigma (i.e., vicarious stigma experienced through close association with someone who is socially stigmatized) for parents of children with DSD exist. The present study aims to (1) determine the factor structure of the adapted Stigma Scale - Parent, and (2) examine convergent validity of the factor structure with measures of parent psychosocial adjustment. Confirmatory factor analytic results revealed two factors: a parent-focused factor and a child-focused factor. The parent-focused factor demonstrated convergent validity with parent adjustment measures, but the child-focused factor did not. Together, these results indicate that parent-focused and child-focused stigma are distinct factors, with parent-focused associative stigma being related to parent adjustment following DSD diagnosis. Future research should further refine this measure to determine predictive validity and clinical value.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jacob D. Kraft
- Psychology Department, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
| | - Nathan L. Basile
- Psychology Department, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
| | | | - Morgan P. Davis
- Psychology Department, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
| | - Cindy Buchanan
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Psychiatry, Aurora, CO
| | - Earl Y. Cheng
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Department of Urology, Chicago, IL
| | - Dix P. Poppas
- Phyllis & David Komansky Center for Children’s Health of New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center
| | | | - Larry L. Mullins
- Psychology Department, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
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10
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Bangalore Krishna K, Kogan BA, Mazur T, Hoebeke P, Bogaert G, Lee PA. Individualized care for patients with intersex (differences of sex development): part 4/5.Considering the Ifs, Whens, and Whats regarding sexual-reproductive system surgery. J Pediatr Urol 2021; 17:338-345. [PMID: 33691983 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2021.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Issues and concerns regarding surgery of the sexual-reproductive anatomy during infancy and early childhood are discussed using four actual examples. A case of a 46, XX infant with 21 hydroxylase deficiency congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) with atypical (ambiguous) genitalia is discussed regarding timing and potential harms and benefits of surgery. We present the perspective of balancing the child's rights to bodily autonomy and right to an open future versus parents' decision making authority regarding what they perceive as their child's future best interests. The second case is a newborn with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome and we discuss the harms, benefits and timing of gonadectomy. The third case examines the physical and psychological impact of penile shaft hypospadias, raising the question of whether surgery is justified to prevent what may or may not be considered a permanent disability. The fourth case involves an adult woman with classic CAH, born with a urogenital sinus and clitoromegaly, who never had genital surgery and is now requesting vaginoplasty, but not clitoral reduction. The primary message of this article, as the previous articles in this series, is to encourage patient-family centered care that individualizes treatment guided by shared decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Guy Bogaert
- University Hospital, UZLeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter A Lee
- Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
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11
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Roberts CM, Sharkey CM, Bakula DM, Perez MN, Delozier AJ, Austin PF, Baskin LS, Chan YM, Cheng EY, Diamond DA, Fried AJ, Kropp B, Lakshmanan Y, Meyer SZ, Meyer T, Nokoff NJ, Palmer BW, Paradis A, Reyes KJS, Tishelman A, Williot P, Wolfe-Christensen C, Yerkes EB, Aston C, Wisniewski AB, Mullins LL. Illness Uncertainty Longitudinally Predicts Distress Among Caregivers of Children Born With DSD. J Pediatr Psychol 2021; 45:1053-1062. [PMID: 32929478 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsaa069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A subset of parents of children with disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) including ambiguous genitalia experience clinically elevated levels of anxious and depressive symptoms. Research indicates that uncertainty about their child's DSD is associated with parent psychosocial distress; however, previous studies have been cross-sectional or correlational in nature. The current study is the first to examine the longitudinal trajectory of the relationship between caregiver-perceived uncertainty about their child's DSD and caregiver anxious and depressive symptoms across the first 12 months following genital surgery in young children, or if surgery was not performed, the first 12 months following study entry. METHODS One hundred and thirteen caregivers (Mage = 32.12; 57.5% mothers; 72.6% Caucasian) of children (N = 70; Mage = 9.81 months; 65.7% female) with DSD were recruited from 12 DSD specialty clinics in the United States. Caregivers completed psychosocial measures at baseline, 6 and 12 months following genitoplasty, or study entry if parents elected not to have surgery for their child. RESULTS Caregiver illness uncertainty and both anxious and depressive symptoms were highest at baseline and decreased over time (ps < .05). Caregiver illness uncertainty predicted symptoms of anxious and depressive symptoms across all time points (ps < .05). CONCLUSIONS Caregivers' perceptions of uncertainty about their child's DSD are highest soon after diagnosis, and uncertainty continues to predict both anxious and depressive symptoms across time. Thus, the initial diagnostic period is a critical time for psychological assessment and intervention, with parent illness uncertainty being an important clinical target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M Roberts
- Center for Pediatric Psychology, Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University
| | - Christina M Sharkey
- Center for Pediatric Psychology, Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University
| | - Dana M Bakula
- Center for Pediatric Psychology, Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University
| | - Megan N Perez
- Center for Pediatric Psychology, Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University
| | | | | | - Laurence S Baskin
- Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco Medical Center
| | - Yee-Ming Chan
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital
| | - Earl Y Cheng
- Department of Urology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
| | - David A Diamond
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Allyson J Fried
- Pediatric Urology of Western New York, John R. Oishei Children's Hospital
| | | | | | - Sabrina Z Meyer
- Pediatric Urology of Western New York, John R. Oishei Children's Hospital
| | - Theresa Meyer
- Department of Urology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
| | - Natalie J Nokoff
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - Blake W Palmer
- Department of Pediatric Urology, Cook Children's Medical Center
| | | | | | - Amy Tishelman
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Pierre Williot
- Pediatric Urology of Western New York, John R. Oishei Children's Hospital
| | | | - Elizabeth B Yerkes
- Department of Urology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
| | - Christopher Aston
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
| | - Amy B Wisniewski
- Center for Pediatric Psychology, Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University
| | - Larry L Mullins
- Center for Pediatric Psychology, Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University
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12
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Perez MN, Clawson AH, Baudino MN, Austin PF, Baskin LS, Chan YM, Cheng EY, Coplen D, Diamond DA, Fried AJ, Kolon T, Kropp B, Lakshmanan Y, Meyer T, Nokoff NJ, Palmer BW, Paradis A, Poppas DP, Reyes KJS, Williot P, Wolfe-Christensen C, Yerkes EB, Wisniewski AB, Mullins LL. Distress Trajectories for Parents of Children With DSD: A Growth Mixture Model. J Pediatr Psychol 2021; 46:588-598. [PMID: 33594414 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsab004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study identifies trajectories of parent depressive symptoms after having a child born with genital atypia due to a disorder/difference of sex development (DSD) or congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and across the first year postgenitoplasty (for parents who opted for surgery) or postbaseline (for parents who elected against surgery for their child). Hypotheses for four trajectory classes were guided by parent distress patterns previously identified among other medical conditions. METHODS Participants included 70 mothers and 50 fathers of 71 children diagnosed with a DSD or CAH with reported moderate to high genital atypia. Parents were recruited from 11 US DSD specialty clinics within 2 years of the child's birth and prior to genitoplasty. A growth mixture model (GMM) was conducted to identify classes of parent depressive symptoms over time. RESULTS The best fitting model was a five-class linear GMM with freely estimated intercept variance. The classes identified were termed "Resilient," "Recovery," "Chronic," "Escalating," and "Elevated Partial Recovery." Four classes have previously been identified for other pediatric illnesses; however, a fifth class was also identified. The majority of parents were classified in the "Resilient" class (67.6%). CONCLUSIONS This study provides new knowledge about the trajectories of depressive symptoms for parents of children with DSD. Future studies are needed to identify developmental, medical, or familial predictors of these trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan N Perez
- Center for Pediatric Psychology, Psychology Department, Oklahoma State University
| | - Ashley H Clawson
- Center for Pediatric Psychology, Psychology Department, Oklahoma State University
| | - Marissa N Baudino
- Center for Pediatric Psychology, Psychology Department, Oklahoma State University
| | | | - Laurence S Baskin
- Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco Medical Center
| | - Yee-Ming Chan
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital
| | - Earl Y Cheng
- Department of Urology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
| | | | - David A Diamond
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Allyson J Fried
- Pediatric Urology of Western New York, John R. Oishei Children's Hospital
| | - Thomas Kolon
- Division of Urology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
| | - Bradley Kropp
- Department of Pediatric Urology, Cook Children's Medical Center
| | | | - Theresa Meyer
- Department of Urology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
| | - Natalie J Nokoff
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - Blake W Palmer
- Department of Pediatric Urology, Cook Children's Medical Center
| | | | - Dix P Poppas
- Department of Urology, New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medicine
| | | | - Pierre Williot
- Pediatric Urology of Western New York, John R. Oishei Children's Hospital
| | | | - Elizabeth B Yerkes
- Department of Urology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
| | - Amy B Wisniewski
- Center for Pediatric Psychology, Psychology Department, Oklahoma State University
| | - Larry L Mullins
- Center for Pediatric Psychology, Psychology Department, Oklahoma State University
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13
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Post-Traumatic Stress Reactions in Caregivers of Children and Adolescents/Young Adults with Severe Diseases: A Systematic Review of Risk and Protective Factors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 18:ijerph18010189. [PMID: 33383784 PMCID: PMC7796025 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18010189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Severe illnesses in children and adolescents/young adults (AYAs) may represent a complex burden for patients and their caregivers, including a wide range of mental disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Few events are as potentially traumatizing as having a son or a daughter diagnosed with a severe, life-threatening, or disabling disease. The presence of PTSD symptoms in caregivers may compromise their efficacy as caregivers and negatively affect the child’s well-being. This systematic review aims at outlining potential risk and protective factors for the development of PTSD symptoms in caregivers of children and AYAs affected by severe acute or chronic illnesses. Thirty-one studies on caregivers of children and AYAs affected by severe, acute, or chronic diseases were included. Socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics, illness-related distress, psychiatric symptoms, support, and coping styles were found as potential risk/protective factors across studies. It is crucial to consider risk factors affecting caregivers of severely ill young patients, in order to plan focused interventions aimed at preventing an adverse clinical outcome in caregivers and at enhancing caregivers’ coping skills, in order to ultimately improve their quality of life.
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14
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Lee PA, Fuqua JS, Houk CP, Kogan BA, Mazur T, Caldamone A. Individualized care for patients with intersex (disorders/differences of sex development): part I. J Pediatr Urol 2020; 16:230-237. [PMID: 32249189 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2020.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The care of individuals with disorders/differences of sex development aims to enable affected individuals and their families to have the best quality of life, particularly those born with severe genital ambiguity. Two of the biggest concerns for parents and health professionals are: (1) making a gender assignment and (2) the decisions of whether or not surgery is indicated, and if so, when is best for the patient and parents. These decisions, which can be overwhelming to families, are almost always made in the face of uncertainties. Such decisions must involve the parents, include multidisciplinary contributions, have an underlying principle of full disclosure, and respect familial, philosophical, and cultural values. Assignment as male or female is made with the realization that gender identity cannot be predicted with certainty. Because of the variability among those with the same diagnosis and complexity of phenotype-genotype correlation, the use of algorithms is inappropriate. The goal of this article is to emphasize the need for individualized care to make the best possible decisions for each patient's unique situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Lee
- Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
| | - John S Fuqua
- Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | | | | | - Tom Mazur
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, John R. Oishei Children's Hospital, Buffalo, NY 14222, USA.
| | - Anthony Caldamone
- Hasbro Children's Hospital, Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
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