Paediatric terminology in the Australian health and health-education context: a systematic review

Looking beyond body structure and function: a scoping review of non-impairment impacts of stroke on adolescents

BACKGROUND

Much of the childhood stroke literature has not distinguished impacts for adolescents from those of younger children. Research has also focused on body impairments. With adolescence being a unique period, this scoping review aimed to identify the impacts of childhood stroke on activity, participation, and quality of life for adolescents 13-18 years, and identify how these impacts were determined.

METHOD

This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Data pertaining to non-impairment impacts of childhood stroke for adolescents, participant and study characteristics, and measurement instruments were extracted.

RESULTS

Following screening, 79 articles were included, and 33 measurement instruments identified. Only 6 studies reported separate data for adolescents, identifying difficulties with daily activities, social and academic impacts, and reduced quality of life. Impacts of post-stroke communication difficulties on daily activities and schooling were also noted. Measurement instruments developed specifically for adolescents with stroke are lacking.

INTERPRETATION

The review identified limited research reporting non-impairment impacts of childhood stroke for adolescents. Further research specific to this population and the development of measurement instruments for adolescents who have experienced childhood stroke is required to support future research and clinicians working with this population.

Therapeutically targeting the unique disease landscape of pediatric high-grade gliomas

Pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG) are a rare yet devastating malignancy of the central nervous system's glial support cells, affecting children, adolescents, and young adults. Tumors of the central nervous system account for the leading cause of pediatric mortality of which high-grade gliomas present a significantly grim prognosis. While the past few decades have seen many pediatric cancers experiencing significant improvements in overall survival, the prospect of survival for patients diagnosed with pHGGs has conversely remained unchanged. This can be attributed in part to tumor heterogeneity and the existence of the blood-brain barrier. Advances in discovery research have substantiated the existence of unique subgroups of pHGGs displaying alternate responses to different therapeutics and varying degrees of overall survival. This highlights a necessity to approach discovery research and clinical management of the disease in an alternative subtype-dependent manner. This review covers traditional approaches to the therapeutic management of pHGGs, limitations of such methods and emerging alternatives. Novel mutations which predominate the pHGG landscape are highlighted and the therapeutic potential of targeting them in a subtype specific manner discussed. Collectively, this provides an insight into issues in need of transformative progress which arise during the management of pHGGs.

Systemic review of age brackets in pediatric emergency medicine literature and the development of a universal age classification for pediatric emergency patients - the Munich Age Classification System (MACS)

Currently arbitrary, inconsistent and non-evidence-based age cutoffs are used in the literature to classify pediatric emergencies. None of these classifications have valid medical rationale. This leads to confusion and poor comparability of the different study results. To clarify this problem, this paper presents a systematic review of the commonly used age limits from 115 relevant articles. In the literature search 6226 articles were screened. To be included, the articles had to address the following three topics: "health services research in emergency medicine", "pediatrics" and "age as a differentiator". Physiologic and anatomic principles with reference to emergency medicine were used to solve the problem to create a medically based age classification for the first time.The Munich Age Classification System (MACS) presented in this paper is thus consistent with previous literature and is based on medical evidence. In the future, MAC should lead to ensure that a uniform classification is used. This will allow a better comparability of study results and enable meta-analyses across studies.

Beyond Counting Sheep: Exploring the Link between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Sleep Health

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition with reproductive, metabolic, and psychological sequelae that affects 8 to 13% of reproductive-aged women and 3 to 11% of adolescent girls. Sleep is often compromised in women with PCOS due to increased rates of sleep problems, with the most established problem being obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is highly prevalent in reproductive-aged adult women with PCOS, but not so in adolescence. The international evidence-based PCOS guideline to improve health outcomes in women with PCOS indicated routine screening to identify and alleviate symptoms of OSA. The guidelines, however, did not weigh other multidimensional constructs of sleep health such as sleep disturbances (e.g., sleep quality and quantity), beyond OSA. This is perhaps due to the lack of research and existing mixed findings in the area of PCOS and sleep health. This narrative review summarizes the current knowledge about OSA and expands further to include the limited knowledge about other sleep problems in PCOS among reproductive-aged women and adolescent girls. We broadly cover the prevalence, risk factors, and mechanisms of sleep problems in PCOS and their relationship with cardiometabolic and psychological health. A brief summary on treatment and intervention strategies for sleep problems in PCOS and future recommendations will be deliberated.

Key features of adolescent inpatient units and development of a checklist to improve consistency in reporting of settings

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Little is known about adolescent inpatient units, key features which define them, and how these essential services operate and deliver care. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Adolescent inpatient unit studies are limited in their descriptions of settings in terms of how they operate and key features. The proposed preliminary checklist is a practical tool to assist clinicians, policy makers, and researchers when reporting to ensure comprehensive descriptions of adolescent inpatient settings. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: This could be used to inform service design processes for inpatient and other mental health service models which is of critical importance in the context of reforms and implementation of these in Australia currently. Greater attention to operational models, services, and philosophies of practice will improve reporting and allow for the advancement of knowledge, comparison of study results, and a clearer direction for mental health nursing clinicians and researchers. ABSTRACT: Introduction Adolescent inpatient units care for vulnerable population groups; however, little is known about how these essential services operate and deliver care. Aims To examine the descriptions of adolescent mental health inpatient units in Australian and international research publications and to identify key features which were used to define them. A secondary aim was to develop a checklist to improve consistency when reporting on the operations and services delivered within adolescent mental health inpatient units (both public and private). Methods Five electronic databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, ERIC, EMBASE, and PsycINFO) were systematically searched. We included studies that provided descriptions of operations and services within adolescent inpatient units where participants had a mean age between 12 and 25. Narrative synthesis was used to explore the similarities and differences between descriptions of settings. Results Twenty-eight studies were identified, which varied in their descriptions of adolescent inpatient units, providing inconsistent information to inform best practice. Discussion Studies lack consistency and comprehensive detail when describing the operational models within inpatient units, making interpretation challenging. Consequently, a preliminary checklist is proposed to improve reporting of adolescent inpatient units.

Exploring the measurement of pediatric cognitive-communication disorders in traumatic brain injury research: A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To synthesize information about the constructs measured, measurement instruments used, and the timing of assessment of cognitive-communication disorders (CCDs) in pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) research.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Scoping review conducted in alignment with Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage methodological framework and reported per the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews. Inclusion criteria: (a) cohort description, case-control, and treatment studies; (b) participants with TBI aged 5-18 years; (c) communication or psychosocial outcomes; and (d) English full-text journal articles. The first author reviewed all titles, abstracts, and full-text articles; 10% were independently reviewed.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Following screening, a total of 687 articles were included and 919 measurement instruments, measuring 2134 unique constructs, were extracted. The Child Behavior Checklist was the most used measurement instrument and 'Global Outcomes/Recovery' was the construct most frequently measured. The length of longitudinal monitoring ranged between ≤3 months and 16 years.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

We found considerable heterogeneity in the constructs measured, the measurement instruments used, and the timing of CCD assessment in pediatric TBI research. A consistent approach to measurement may support clinical decision-making and the efficient use of data beyond individual studies in systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Prescribed medicine use and extent of off-label use according to age in a nationwide sample of Australian children

BACKGROUND

Medicine prescribing for children is impacted by a lack of paediatric-specific dosing, efficacy and safety data for many medicines.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence of medicine use among children and the rate of 'off-label' prescribing according to age at dispensing.

METHODS

We used population-wide primarily outpatient dispensing claims data for 15% of Australian children (0-17 years), 2013-2017 (n = 840,190). We estimated prescribed medicine use and 'off-label' medicine use according to the child's age (<1 year, 1-5 years, 6-11 years, 12-17 years) defined as medicines without age-appropriate dose recommendations in regulator-approved product information. Within off-label medicines, we also identified medicines with and without age-specific dose recommendations in a national prescribing guide, the Australian Medicines Handbook Children's Dosing Companion (AMH CDC).

RESULTS

The overall dispensing rate was 2.0 dispensings per child per year. The medicines with the highest average yearly prevalence were systemic antibiotics (435.3 per 1000 children), greatest in children 1-5 years (546.9 per 1000). Other common medicine classes were systemic corticosteroids (92.7 per 1000), respiratory medicines (91.2 per 1000), acid-suppressing medicines in children <1 year (47.2 per 1000), antidepressants in children 12-17 years (40.3 per 1000) and psychostimulants in children 6-11 years (27.0 per 1000). We identified 12.2% of dispensings as off-label based on age, but 66.3% of these had age-specific dosing recommendations in the AMH CDC. Among children <1 year, off-label dispensings were commonly acid-suppressing medicines (35.5%) and topical hydrocortisone (33.1%); in children 6-11 years, off-label prescribing of clonidine (16.0%) and risperidone (13.1%) was common. Off-label dispensings were more likely to be prescribed by a specialist (21.7%) than on-label dispensings (7.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Prescribed medicine use is common in children, with off-label dispensings for medicines without paediatric-specific dosing guidelines concentrated in classes such as acid-suppressing medicines and psychotropics. Our findings highlight a need for better evidence to support best-practice prescribing.

Paediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests: An Epidemiological Study

Objective: To identify the epidemiological patterns of paediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) in Queensland, Australia and to investigate associations between patient variables and prehospital outcome.Methods: Included were paediatric (>4 days - 18 years) OHCA patients attended by paramedics in the state of Queensland (Australia) between January 2009 and December 2019. Patient and arrest characteristics were described. Factors associated with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) on hospital arrival were investigated.Results: A total of 1612 paediatric patients were included; 611 were deceased prior to paramedic arrival and 1001 received resuscitation attempts by paramedics. Approximately one quarter (26.8%) of resuscitation-attempted patients achieved ROSC on hospital arrival. Most arrests (49.7%) were due to medical causes. Arrests due to trauma had the lowest rate of ROSC on hospital arrival (9.6%), whereas those due to drug overdose had the highest rate (40%). Patients in rural areas had a lower rate of ROSC on hospital arrival than those in metropolitan areas (20.7% vs 32.5%, p < 0.001). The median response interval to all OHCA patients was 8 minutes. Trauma was considerably more prevalent in rural areas than in metropolitan areas, while all other aetiologies were comparable. Older paediatric age groups had higher rates of ROSC on hospital arrival than infants, particularly early adolescents (39.4% vs. 14.9%, p = 0.001). Aetiology, age, bystander witness, shockable initial rhythm, and geographic locality factors were independently associated with ROSC on hospital arrival.Conclusions: Approximately a quarter of paediatric prehospital OHCA achieved ROSC on hospital arrival. Prehospital outcome differs according to patient cohort and is associated with diverse patient demographic variables.

Child maltreatment and emergency department visits: a longitudinal birth cohort study from infancy to early adulthood

BACKGROUND

Child maltreatment (CM) is a serious global public health issue, with documented impacts on health.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between different levels of CM concern, and Emergency Department (ED) visits from infancy to early adulthood.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Individuals born in Adelaide, South Australia from January 1986 to June 2017 (N = 443,754).

METHODS

Using linked administrative data, we examined frequency and adjusted rate ratios for all-cause and cause specific ED visits among individuals with varying levels of CM concern.

RESULTS

Cumulative mean ED visits to age 14.5 years were higher for individuals with any CM concern, ranging from 10.2 to 14.8, compared with 6.4 in persons with no recorded CM concern. Adjusted rate ratios for ED visits varied from 1.26 (95% CI: 1.23-1.30) to 1.54 (1.48-1.60) in children (birth to 12 years), 1.98 (CI: 1.92-2.04) to 4.34 (CI: 4.09-4.60) in adolescence and 2.22 (CI: 2.14-3.48) to 3.48 (3.27-3.72) in young adults, increasing with severity of maltreatment concerns. ED visits coded as self-harm or poisoning, injuries, substance use or mental illness were particularly high, with incidence rate ratios mostly 3 to 15 times for mental health/substance related visits and 1.5 to 3.2 for other accidents or injury for individuals with any CM concern versus none.

CONCLUSIONS

The high rate ratios for ED visits in children with CM concern, especially for self-harm, substance use and mental health during adolescence and adulthood highlights the enduring mental health needs of victims of child maltreatment, providing further impetus for prevention.

Perceived Barriers, Enablers, and Modifications to Tests Assessing Pediatric Lower Limb Neurological Impairment: An International Delphi Survey

OBJECTIVES

Accurate, clinically meaningful outcome measures that are responsive to change are essential for selecting interventions and assessing their effects. Little guidance exists on the selection and administration of neurological impairment tests in children with a neurological condition. Clinicians therefore frequently modify adult assessments for use in children, yet the literature is inconsistent. This study aims to establish consensus on neurological conditions most likely to require neurological impairment test in pediatrics and the barriers, enablers, and modifications perceived to enhance test reliability.

METHODS

Over a 2-round modified Delphi study, a panel of experts (n = 24) identified neurological conditions perceived to typically require pediatric neurological testing and the modifications to address barriers/enablers to testing. Experts comprised physical therapists with evidence of advanced training or research in pediatrics. Using a 6-point Likert scale (6 = strongly agree, 5 = agree, 4 = somewhat agree, 3 = somewhat disagree, 2 = disagree, 1 = strongly disagree), experts rated statements from existing literature. Thematic analyses were conducted on responses to open-ended questions. A priori consensus was pre-set at 65% agreement/disagreement. Median, mode, and interquartile ranges estimated perceived importance. Cessation was pre-determined by non-consensus items <10% and panel fatigue.

RESULTS

Experts reached consensus on 107/112 (96%) items, including identifying 25/26 (96%) neurological conditions they perceived to require routine neurological testing. Experts strongly agreed with high importance that appropriately trained, experienced therapists are less variable when testing children. Communication modifications were perceived as most important.

CONCLUSION

High levels of consensus support the use of lower limb neurological testing in a range of pediatric neurological conditions. Trained clinicians should document modifications such as visual aid use. Using recommended modifications could encourage consistency among clinicians.

IMPACT

This is the first study to our knowledge to identify the barriers and enablers to pediatric neurological testing. Barriers and enablers were partially addressed through suggested modifications. Further rigorous examination of these modifications is required to support their use.

LAY SUMMARY

This study supports that clinicians should adapt their communication for children and young people with neurological problems to include visual aids and equipment demonstration.

A Survey of Pediatric Competencies in Entry-Level Physical Therapy Programs in Australia

PURPOSE

To describe perspectives of pediatric physical therapy clinical facilitators on contemporary curricula for Australian entry-level physical therapy programs.

METHODS

Physical therapy clinical facilitators completed an online survey based on the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy of the APTA essential competencies.

RESULTS

Conditions including cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, and prematurity were highly rated by most participants to include in an entry-level program. Exercise prescription, goal-directed training, and group-based physical therapy were the highest rated interventions. Outcome measures considered important to include were the Alberta Infant Motor Scale and Goal Attainment Scale. Students should demonstrate knowledge and skills using relevant frameworks and have practical opportunities to interact with children.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric clinical facilitators perceived that theoretical knowledge on frameworks, human development, movement skills, pediatric conditions, exercise prescription, and outcome measurement as well as face-to-face experiences with children are important to include in Australian entry-level physical therapy programs.

Hospitalizations among children involved in the child protection system: A long-term birth cohort study from infancy to adulthood using administrative data

BACKGROUND

Despite considerable health consequences of child abuse and neglect, there is limited evidence on hospitalizations in this population.

OBJECTIVES

To describe frequency and reasons for hospitalization by lifetime child protection system (CPS) involvement.

PARTICIPANTS

608,540 children born from January 1, 1986 to June 30, 2017 in South Australia, Australia METHODS: Using linked administrative data on CPS involvement and hospitalizations, we descriptively examined cumulative incidence, cumulative count and reasons for hospitalization from infancy to early adulthood by CPS involvement.

RESULTS

By 16.5 years of age, cumulative incidence of ever-being hospitalized was 58% (95% CI 58-58) for children with no CPS involvement and significantly higher (72% (95% CI 71-73) to 88% (95% CI 86-90), P < 0.001) among those with different levels of CPS involvement. Cumulative mean counts of hospitalizations were highest at every age for those placed in out-of-home-care (reaching 7.7 by 16.5 years), almost four times higher than for children with no CPS involvement (2.0 by 16.5 years). Most frequent reasons for hospitalizations were similar across CPS involvement in the early years. From adolescence through early adulthood, mental health, and 'injury, poisoning or toxic effects of drugs' were frequent reasons for hospitalization among individuals with CPS involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the vulnerability of children who have been maltreated, or are at risk of maltreatment, and the urgency of implementing effective preventive strategies early in life including consideration of adequate responses of child protection services. Frequent hospitalizations for mental health and injury confirms the potentially preventable nature of these hospitalizations.

Exercise testing for children with cystic fibrosis: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Exercise testing is routinely used to measure exercise capacity in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Various tests are available, however the psychometric properties of these measures have not been systematically reviewed for this population.

METHOD

A systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, CINHAL, Cochrane, and PEDro) was performed to identify papers that: (a) reported original psychometric data, (b) examined a measure of exercise capacity, (c) examined children with CF aged eight to 18 years; and (d) were published in English after 1950. The level of psychometric evidence was evaluated using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist.

RESULTS

Searches identified 1025 papers. Forty-six papers were included, covering 15 tests: incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test using a cycle ergometer (CPET(cycle)) or treadmill (CPET(treadmill)), 6 minute walk test (6MWT), modified shuttle test (MST), 3-minute step test (3MST), 2 minute walk test (2MWT), Bratteby walk test, intermittent sprint test, speed ramp test, incremental step test, forward-backwards jump test (FBJT), astride jump test (AJT), motor quotient test, Munich fitness test, and Glittre ADL test.

CONCLUSION

There is a plethora of exercise tests available with varying psychometric robustness. The CPET, 6MWT, and MST have fair to good psychometric properties, but each with their clinical advantages and limitations. Thus, a Selection Guide was developed to assist clinicians and researchers in selecting the most appropriate exercise test for various situations.

Effect of Pilates Intervention on Physical Function of Children and Youth: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of Pilates intervention on physical function in children and youth.

DATA SOURCES

Six electronic databases were searched from inception to June 2018 using the term Pilates.

STUDY SELECTION

Articles were included if they (1) reported original data for a Pilates-only intervention; (2) involved children or youth aged up to 22 years; (3) reported a musculoskeletal, pain, or function study outcome. Searches identified 2565 papers and 11 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria.

DATA EXTRACTION

The 2 authors independently screened and assessed all studies and any discrepancies were resolved by consensus.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Level of evidence was classified using the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine. Study quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database for randomized controlled trials and Risk of Bias in N-of-1 Trials scale for single case experimental design studies. Four studies were high quality, 3 were fair quality, and 4 were of low quality. Findings showed that Pilates does appear to improve flexibility (n=6); muscle strength, power and movement speed (n=3); postural control, orientation and balance (n=3); metabolic cost (n=1); functional ability (n=1) and health related quality of life (n=1) and reduce pain (n=2) in children with musculoskeletal pathology, the majority with a large effect size. Pilates content varied from group-based mat classes to individualized programs using specialized equipment. Intervention dose and frequency varied widely.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first systematic review of the effect of Pilates intervention for children and youth. Research is in the preliminary stages; however, Pilates does appear to improve flexibility, strength and postural control, and reduce pain in children with musculoskeletal pathology. Further research is warranted to determine the potential effectiveness of Pilates for children and youth for various population groups and to develop comprehensive treatment guidelines.

Bibliometric analysis of global migration health research in peer-reviewed literature (2000-2016)

BACKGROUND

The health of migrants has become an important issue in global health and foreign policy. Assessing the current status of research activity and identifying gaps in global migration health (GMH) is an important step in mapping the evidence-base and on advocating health needs of migrants and mobile populations. The aim of this study was to analyze globally published peer-reviewed literature in GMH.

METHODS

A bibliometric analysis methodology was used. The Scopus database was used to retrieve documents in peer-reviewed journals in GMH for the study period from 2000 to 2016. A group of experts in GMH developed the needed keywords and validated the final search strategy.

RESULTS

The number of retrieved documents was 21,457. Approximately one third (6878; 32.1%) of the retrieved documents were published in the last three years of the study period. In total, 5451 (25.4%) documents were about refugees and asylum seekers, while 1328 (6.2%) were about migrant workers, 440 (2.1%) were about international students, 679 (3.2%) were about victims of human trafficking/smuggling, 26 (0.1%) were about patients' mobility across international borders, and the remaining documents were about unspecified categories of migrants. The majority of the retrieved documents (10,086; 47.0%) were in psychosocial and mental health domain, while 2945 (13.7%) documents were in infectious diseases, 6819 (31.8%) documents were in health policy and systems, 2759 (12.8%) documents were in maternal and reproductive health, and 1918 (8.9%) were in non-communicable diseases. The contribution of authors and institutions in Asian countries, Latin America, Africa, Middle East, and Eastern European countries was low. Literature in GMH represents the perspectives of high-income migrant destination countries.

CONCLUSION

Our heat map of research output shows that despite the ever-growing prominence of human mobility across the globe, and Sustainable Development Goals of leaving no one behind, research output on migrants' health is not consistent with the global migration pattern. A stronger evidence base is needed to enable authorities to make evidence-informed decisions on migration health policy and practice. Research collaboration and networks should be encouraged to prioritize research in GMH.

Clinimetric properties of lower limb neurological impairment tests for children and young people with a neurological condition: A systematic review

Background

Clinicians and researchers require sound neurological tests to measure changes in neurological impairments necessary for clinical decision-making. Little evidence-based guidance exists for selecting and interpreting an appropriate, paediatric-specific lower limb neurological test aimed at the impairment level.

Objective

To determine the clinimetric evidence underpinning neurological impairment tests currently used in paediatric rehabilitation to evaluate muscle strength, tactile sensitivity, and deep tendon reflexes of the lower limb in children and young people with a neurological condition.

Methods

Thirteen databases were systematically searched in two phases, from the date of database inception to 16 February 2017. Lower limb neurological impairment tests were first identified which evaluated muscle strength, tactile sensitivity or deep tendon reflexes in children or young people under 18 years of age with a neurological condition. Papers containing clinimetric evidence of these tests were then identified. The methodological quality of each paper was critically appraised using standardised tools and clinimetric evidence synthesised for each test.

Results

Thirteen papers were identified, which provided clinimetric evidence on six neurological tests. Muscle strength tests had the greatest volume of clinimetric evidence, however this evidence focused on reliability. Studies were variable in quality with inconsistent results. Clinimetric evidence for tactile sensitivity impairment tests was conflicting and difficult to extrapolate. No clinimetric evidence was found for impairment tests of deep tendon reflexes.

Conclusions

Limited high-quality clinimetric evidence exists for lower limb neurological impairment tests in children and young people with a neurological condition. Results of currently used neurological tests, therefore, should be interpreted with caution. Robust clinimetric evidence on these tests is required for clinicians and researchers to effectively select and evaluate rehabilitation interventions.