[13-YEAR-OLD GIRL WITH PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA PRESENTING WITH SECONDARY NOCTURNAL ENURESIS]

Pheochromocytoma is a rare, catecholamine secreting tumor arising from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla and it is responsible for 0.5-2% of pediatric hypertension cases. We hereby present a case of a 13-year-old girl with obesity, excessive hypertension, prediabetes and secondary nocturnal enuresis, who was eventually diagnosed with pheochromocytoma. Most symptoms significantly improved after treating the tumor. We suggest that this diagnosis should be considered in pediatric patients presenting with similar symptoms.

The prevalence and underreporting of needlestick injuries among hospital workers: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) are known occupational risks among health-care workers. Reporting these injuries is important for early prevention and management of blood-borne infections. We investigated the prevalence and characteristics of NSIs and underreporting among hospital workers (HWs) from different sectors.

METHODS

A single-center cross-sectional study, involving an anonymous survey delivered to 2205 HWs. The survey included demographic information about the worker and information about training, injuries and reporting.

RESULTS

Of the 844 HWs respondents (40%), NSIs occurred in 443 of them (53%); the majority were from needles (68%) and at bedside (51%). Significantly higher prevalences of injuries (P < 0.001) were noted among physicians (75%) and workers in their 40s (61%) and in the emergency and surgical departments (66% and 55%, respectively). NSIs were reported among 28% of workers who did not directly use needles. Underreporting was found in 46%, with a significant decrease in the report rate as the number of injuries increased (P < 0.001). Underreporting was significantly more common (P < 0.001) among physicians (59%), especially seniors (72%), workers without training about NSIs (59%), older age groups (56% in workers above 51 years, P = 0.003) and males (54%, P = 0.01). The highest underreporting rate was in injuries occurring in the operating room and the lowest in witnessed injuries occurring while passing a needle (82% vs. 31%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

NSIs and underreporting are common among HWs from all sectors, including those who do not use needles. Improving preventive measures and reporting should be encouraged. We recommend reducing bedside procedures as possible and assigning two workers to procedures at risk for injuries, to increase the report rate.

Catheter-Obtained Urine Culture Contamination Among Young Infants: A Prospective Cohort Study

Objectives: A correct diagnosis of urinary tract infection in young infants requires an uncontaminated urine culture, commonly obtained by urethral catheterization. In the current study, we examined the rates and factors associated with contaminations of catheter-obtained urine cultures in very young infants. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 143 catheter-obtained urine cultures of infants ≤2 months of age admitted to the pediatric ward of a tertiary hospital in Israel from April 2019 to September 2020. Patient's and operator's study variables were documented at the time of catheter insertion. Positive urine cultures were reviewed by a pediatric nephrologist and a pediatric infectious disease specialist and designated as infection or contamination. The study variables were compared between those with or without contamination. Results: The contamination rate in our cohort was 29%. Females were more than twice as likely to have a contaminated urine culture (37 vs. 18%, respectively, P = 0.014). Circumcision status, official training about sterile catheterization, a sense of difficult catheterization, and the shift in which the culture was obtained did not influence the contamination rate. Conclusions: Catheter-obtained urine cultures have a high contamination rate among very young infants, especially among girls.

The Role of an Interventional Program for Improving Pharmacovigilance at a Pediatric Facility

Background: The reporting rate of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by healthcare professionals is low. ADR interventional programs may improve the reporting rate by the medical team. Our literature search revealed that only a few interventional studies among the pediatric population have been published.

Objective: We aimed to create an interventional program in order to improve the reporting rate of ADRs during the interventional period compared to the control period, detect which drugs frequently lead to ADRs and determine the most serious ADRs.

Design: A 3-month prospective intervention study compared with one year prior to the intervention (control period). ADR data was also collected for the year following the study period. Healthcare professionals were encouraged to report ADRs and an ADR reporting system was created for them.

Setting: Pediatric Division at Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh), a tertiary care medical center.

Results: The study population included 3,753 admitted patients with 1,323 prescriptions during the study period. During the period before the intervention was started, the ADR reporting rate was null. During the study period, 46 reports were collected: 46% from the general pediatric department, 26% from the pediatric neurology department, and 22% and 6% from the pediatric and neonatal intensive care units, respectively. Antiepileptic medications, IVIG, steroids and antibiotics were frequently reported to induce ADRs. Serious ADRs were also reported in 5 cases. One year of follow up after the intervention revealed a significant decline in the reporting rate.

Conclusion: It is important to periodically encourage healthcare professionals to report any ADRs in order to increase knowledge about medication safety and prevent fatal harm.

Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty for "Huge" Hydronephrosis Causing Vena Cava Thrombus

OBJECTIVE

To present a rare case of "huge" hydronephrosis causing distortion of large vessels and formation of a thrombus in the inferior vena cava. Multidisciplinary treatment was applied with particular focus on pyeloplasty utilizing a robot-assisted laparoscopic approach.

METHODS

A 20-month-old male presented to the emergency room severely ill with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever and was subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit, in septic shock. An abdominal ultrasound revealed a large multilobular cystic structure in the right hemiabdomen, which was initially interpreted as an infected mesenteric cyst. CT scan revealed a huge hydronephrotic kidney crossing the midline, causing a mass effect that compressed and distorted the vena cava laterally, in addition to a thrombus between the hepatic vein and right renal vein. Intravenous Ceftriaxone and Amikacin, as well as anticoagulation therapy with low molecular weight heparin (Enoxaparin) were initiated. A nephrostomy tube was inserted that drained 900 mL of purulent urine. A full hematology investigation including protein C, S, and antithrombin III was carried out, excluding factor V Leiden and prothrombin mutation. All values were in the normal range. Dimercaptosuccinic Acid (DMSA) scan showed 30% function on the affected kidney and Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG) excluded any bladder pathology or reflux. Subcutaneous Enoxaparin was continued for 3 months, maintaining antifactor Xa in the therapeutic range (0.7-1 IU/mL). Ultrasound Doppler of the vena cava showed full resolution of the thrombus. Robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty was performed and significant reduction of the renal pelvis was carried out, taking care to preserve the calyces. Postoperative ultrasound 4 months after surgery showed a complete resolution of the hydronephrosis.

CONCLUSION

Giant hydronephrosis is a rare finding. Distortion of adjacent veins and formation of thrombosis should be kept in mind, as they are life threatening. A multidisciplinary collaboration is mandatory to ensure optimal treatment.

Predictors of grade 3-5 vesicoureteral reflux in infants ≤ 2 months of age with pyelonephritis

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess predictors for grade 3-5 vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in infants ≤ 2 months of age admitted for first urinary tract infection (UTI).

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of 195 infants ≤ 2 months admitted to a pediatric ward for first UTI between 2006 and 2017. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were collected from electronic medical charts. We examined associations between grade 3-5 VUR and different patient characteristics.

RESULTS

Twenty infants (10%) were diagnosed with grade 3-5 VUR; all had fever. Infants with grade 3-5 VUR had higher blood neutrophil percentage (BNP) (65% vs. 46%, P < 0.001), higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (2.6 vs. 1.3, P < 0.001), more renal ultrasound abnormalities (prenatal 26% vs. 5%, P = 0.007; postnatal 84% vs. 55%, P = 0.015), and Pseudomonas UTI (15% vs. 1%, respectively, P < 0.001). NLR > 1.65 showed sensitivity 100% and specificity 61% for detecting grade 3-5 VUR. BNP > 53% showed sensitivity 100% and specificity 60% for detecting grade 3-5 VUR. BNP was the best single marker for grade 3-5 VUR with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 (95% CI 0.75-0.89). In a multivariate model, AUC for combination of BNP and hydronephrosis was 0.86 (95% CI 0.79-0.93, P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

Infants ≤ 2 months of age admitted for a first UTI are at risk for grade 3-5 VUR and thus should undergo a voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) if their renal ultrasound is abnormal or if they have Pseudomonas UTI. Avoiding VCUG can be considered in afebrile infants and in infants with BNP < 53% or NLR < 1.65.

Japanese scoring systems to predict resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin in Kawasaki disease were unreliable for Caucasian Israeli children

AIM

This study assessed the validity of using established Japanese risk scoring methods to predict intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance to Kawasaki disease in Israeli children.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of 282 patients (70% male) with Kawasaki disease from six Israeli medical centres between 2004 and 2013. Their mean age was 2.5 years. The risk scores were calculated using the Kobayashi, Sano and Egami scoring methods and analysed to determine whether a higher risk score predicted IVIG resistance in this population. Factors that predicted a lack of response to the initial IVIG dose were identified.

RESULTS

We found that 18% did not respond to the first IVIG dose. The three scoring methods were unable to reliably predict IVIG resistance, with sensitivities of 23%-32% and specificities of 67%-87%. Calculating a predictive score that was specific for this population was also unsuccessful. The factors that predicted a lacked of response to the first IVIG dose included low albumin, elevated total bilirubin and ethnicity.

CONCLUSION

The established risk scoring methods created for Japanese populations with Kawasaki disease were not suitable for predicting IVIG resistance in Caucasian Israeli children, and we were unable to create a specific scoring method that was able to do this.

The proportion of errors in medical prescriptions and their executions among hospitalized children before and during accreditation

Objective

To evaluate the rate of medication related errors in the pediatric ward and pediatric emergency department (PED), before and after implementing intervention strategies according to the Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation program.

Design

A retrospective cross-sectional study that included chart review.

Setting

A university affiliated pediatric ward and PED.

Participants

Children 0-18 years old admitted on February 2013 (before the JCI program) and February 2014 (during implementation of the JCI program).

Intervention(s)

A training program designed to meet the JCI official standards on medication prescribing.

Main outcome measure(s)

The number of prescribing and medication administration errors in the 2 years.

Results

We collected 937 valid prescription orders and 924 administration orders (1861 medical orders) from February 2013, and 961 valid prescription orders and 958 administration orders (1919 medical orders) from February 2014. There was a significant reduction in prescribing errors from 6.5 to 4.2% between years 2013 and 2014 (P = 0.03). There was no significant difference in administration error rates between the two periods (104 (11.3%) in the first period and 114 (11.9%) in the second; P = 0.61).

Conclusions

The errors rate we found was within the range described in the literature. Quality assurance interventions can significantly reduce medication prescribing errors.

Diagnostic markers of acute infections in infants aged 1 week to 3 months: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

History and physical examination do not reliably exclude serious bacterial infections (SBIs) in infants. We examined potential markers of SBI in young febrile infants.

DESIGN

We reviewed white cell count (WBC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), neutrophil to lymphocyte count ratio (NLR) and C reactive protein (CRP) in infants aged 1 week to 90 days, admitted for fever to one medical centre during 2012-2014.

RESULTS

SBI was detected in 111 (10.6%) of 1039 infants. Median values of all investigated diagnostic markers were significantly higher in infants with than without SBI: WBC (14.4 vs 11.4 K/µL, P<0.001), ANC (5.8 vs 3.7 K/µL, P<0.001), CRP (19 vs 5 mg/L, P <0.001) and NLR (1.2 vs 0.7, P<0.001). Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for discriminating SBI were: 0.65 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.71), 0.69 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.74), 0.71 (95% CI 0.65 to 0.76) and 0.66 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.71) for WBC, ANC, CRP and NLR, respectively. Logistic regression showed the best discriminative ability for the combination of CRP and ANC, with AUC: 0.73 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.78). For invasive bacterial infection, AUCs were 0.70 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.85), 0.80 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.92), 0.78 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.89) and 0.78 (95% CI 0.66 to 0.90), respectively. CRP combined with NLR or ANC were the best discriminators of infection, AUCs: 0.82 (95% CI 0.70 to 0.95) and 0.82 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.95), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Among young febrile infants, CRP was the best single discriminatory marker of SBI, and ANC was the best for invasive bacterial infection. ANC and NLR can contribute to evaluating this population.

Clinical Heterogeneity and Phenotypic Expansion of NaPi-IIa-Associated Disease

CONTEXT

NaPi-IIa, encoded by SLC34A1, is a key phosphate transporter in the mammalian proximal tubule and plays a cardinal role in renal phosphate handling. NaPi-IIa impairment has been linked to various overlapping clinical syndromes, including hypophosphatemic nephrolithiasis with osteoporosis, renal Fanconi syndrome with chronic kidney disease, and, most recently, idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia and nephrocalcinosis.

OBJECTIVES

We studied the molecular basis of idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia with partial proximal tubulopathy in two apparently unrelated patients of Israeli and Turkish descent.

DESIGN

Genetic analysis in two affected children and their close relatives was performed using whole-exome sequencing, followed by in vitro localization and trafficking analysis of mutant NaPi-IIa.

RESULTS

Mutation and haplotype analyses in both patients revealed a previously described homozygous loss-of-function inserted duplication (p.I154_V160dup) in NaPi-IIa, which is inherited identical-by-descent from a common ancestor. The shared mutation was originally reported by our team in two adult siblings with renal Fanconi syndrome, hypophosphatemic bone disease, and progressive renal failure who are family members of one of the infants reported herein. In vitro localization assays and biochemical analysis of p.I154_V160dup and of additional NaPi-IIa mutants harboring a trafficking defect indicate aberrant retention at the endoplasmic reticulum in an immature and underglycosylated state, leading to premature proteasomal degradation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings expand the phenotypic spectrum of NaPi-IIa disruption, reinforce its link with proximal tubular impairment, enable longitudinal study of the natural history of the disease, and shed light on cellular pathways associated with loss of function and impaired trafficking of NaPi-IIa mutants.

High-dose aspirin for Kawasaki disease: outdated myth or effective aid?

OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) plus high-dose aspirin (HDA) vs. IVIG plus low-dose aspirin (LDA) for the treatment of Kawasaki disease, with an emphasis on coronary artery outcomes.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective, medical record review of paediatric patients with Kawasaki disease comparing 6 centres that routinely used HAD for initial treatment and 2 that used LDA in 2004-2013. Treatment response and adverse events were compared. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of coronary aneurysm at the subacute or convalescent stage.

RESULTS

The cohort included 358 patients, of whom 315 were initially treated with adjunctive HDA and 43 with LDA. There were no demographic differences between the groups. Coronary aneurysms occurred in 10% (20/196) of the HDA group and 4% (1/24) of the LDA group (p=0.34). Equivalence tests indicate it is unlikely that the risk of coronary aneurysm in LDA exceeds HDA by more than 3.5%. There were no significant between-group differences in the need for glucocorticoid pulse therapy or disease recurrence. Coronary ectasia rate and hospitalisation time were significantly greater in the HDA group. Adverse events were similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no significant clinical benefit in using IVIG+HDA in Kawasaki disease compared to IVIG+LDA. The use of adjunctive HDA in this setting should be reconsidered.

Complementary and alternative medicine among hospitalized pediatric patients

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence and describe the characteristics of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among hospitalized children, and to discover the awareness of medical staff regarding CAM use.

DESIGN/SETTING

Parents of children aged 0-18 years admitted to the Pediatric Division at Assaf Harofeh Medical Center in Israel between January and July of 2015 (n=146) were provided a questionnaire regarding socio-economic status and evaluating the CAM use. The medical charts of the participants were reviewed in order to establish whether or not CAM use was documented.

RESULTS

Of those who completed the questionnaire, 78 (54.3%) were using CAM. The major indications for CAM use were colic and teething. CAM use was advised by the family in 44.9%, physician 34.6%, pharmacist 34.6%, friends 30.8%, previous experience 23.1, advertisements 18%, nurses 6.4%, and homeopaths 2.6%. The family physician was aware of CAM use was in 42%. During the admission, only 5 patients were asked about CAM use (3.4%) by the medical staff. Reviewing the medical charts revealed there was no documentation of CAM use in any of the participants. Socio-demographic analysis of our population revealed no differences between users and non users of CAM, but significant differences in belief in CAM (p=0.018) were found. CAM use was age related; the older the child the less the use (p=0.010).

CONCLUSION

CAM use is common among hospitalized pediatric patients and is often overlooked by the medical staff. CAM use should be included in the medical history.

Guidelines for urinary tract infections and antenatal hydronephrosis should be gender specific

AIM

Febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs) may be associated with long-term renal damage. Our goal was to identify risk factors for future UTIs in children who had voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) as a part of an antenatal hydronephrosis (ANH) assessment or after a febrile UTI.

METHODS

We conducted a cohort study based on the medical records of children aged 0-24 months who underwent a VCUG between January 2004 and December 2011 and had at least six months of follow-up. The incidence of future UTIs was assessed.

RESULTS

We included 285 children: 176 had a primary UTI and 109 had ANH. We recorded 28 UTIs during the follow-up period, and the risk was 12.5% after a primary UTI and 5.5% after an ANH (p = 0.049). Multivariate analysis showed no risk difference was found between the groups. Females had a greater risk of febrile UTIs (hazard ratio 3.3, 95% confidence interval 1.03-9.2, p = 0.04), but the UTI risk did not differ between children with or without VURs.

CONCLUSION

Female infants were at greater risk of febrile UTIs, regardless of the presence of VUR, VUR degree, ANH or a previous UTI. Clinical guidelines for UTI and ANH assessment should preferably be gender specific.

Homozygous SLC2A9 mutations cause severe renal hypouricemia

Hereditary hypouricemia may result from mutations in the renal tubular uric acid transporter URAT1. Whether mutation of other uric acid transporters produces a similar phenotype is unknown. We studied two families who had severe hereditary hypouricemia and did not have a URAT1 defect. We performed a genome-wide homozygosity screen and linkage analysis and identified the candidate gene SLC2A9, which encodes the glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9). Both families had homozygous SLC2A9 mutations: A missense mutation (L75R) in six affected members of one family and a 36-kb deletion, resulting in a truncated protein, in the other. In vitro, the L75R mutation dramatically impaired transport of uric acid. The mean concentration of serum uric acid of seven homozygous individuals was 0.17 +/- 0.2 mg/dl, and all had a fractional excretion of uric acid >150%. Three individuals had nephrolithiasis, and three had a history of exercise-induced acute renal failure. In conclusion, homozygous loss-of-function mutations of GLUT9 cause a total defect of uric acid absorption, leading to severe renal hypouricemia complicated by nephrolithiasis and exercise-induced acute renal failure. In addition to clarifying renal handling of uric acid, our findings may provide a better understanding of the pathophysiology of acute renal failure, nephrolithiasis, hyperuricemia, and gout.

Bulging fontanelle in febrile infants: is lumbar puncture mandatory?

OBJECTIVE

To determine the aetiologies and clinical characteristics of infants with fever and a bulging fontanelle.

DESIGN

The medical records of all febrile infants with a bulging fontanelle who underwent a lumbar puncture from January 2000 to February 2008 in Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, a university affiliated hospital in central Israel, were identified.

RESULTS

153 patients met the inclusion criteria. The male to female ratio was 100:53; age range was 3-11 months with a mean age of 5.6 (SD 1.8) months and a median age of 5 months. Cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis was found in 42 cases (27.3%), including one case of bacterial meningitis (0.6%). Other leading diagnoses were aseptic meningitis (26.7%), upper respiratory tract infection (18.3%), viral disease not otherwise specified (15.6%), roseola infantum (8.5%) and acute otitis media (6.5%). Appearance on admission was described as good to excellent in 113 (73.8%) infants, none of whom had bacterial meningitis. 32 had aseptic meningitis and 17 had other bacterial disease (pneumonia, acute otitis media, pyelonephritis, bacteraemia, shigella or salmonella gastroenteritis). All the latter had, upon admission, symptoms, signs, laboratory tests or imaging studies suggesting a bacterial aetiology.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large cohort, all infants who appeared well on admission and had normal clinical, laboratory and imaging studies had benign (non-bacterial) disease. In an infant who appears well and has no evidence of bacterial disease, it is reasonable to observe the infant and withhold lumbar puncture. Prospective studies should be carried out to confirm this approach.