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Brady LM, Miller J, McFarlane-Rose E, Noor J, Noor R, Dahlmann-Noor A. "We know that our voices are valued, and that people are actually going to listen": co-producing an evaluation of a young people's research advisory group. Res Involv Engagem 2023; 9:11. [PMID: 36941695 PMCID: PMC10025782 DOI: 10.1186/s40900-023-00419-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children and young people's (CYP) involvement is an increasing priority in UK healthcare and in heath research, alongside recognition that involving CYP in research requires different considerations to involving adults. Underpinned by children's rights and a co-production ethos this paper, co-authored with young evaluators, explores the learning from a co-produced evaluation of eyeYPAG, a young persons' research advisory group (YPAG) for eye and vision research based at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK. METHODS A team of young evaluators, supported by the eyeYPAG facilitator, conducted focus groups and online surveys with YPAG members, their parents and carers, researchers, group facilitators and funders. Qualitative data was analysed using a collaborative reflexive thematic analysis approach. Quantitative data, limited by the small number of participants, was analysed in Excel and reported as descriptive data. RESULTS CYP valued the social and creative aspects of the group as well as learning about research and developing skills and confidence. Learning was a two-way process, with both researchers and facilitators reflecting on how much they had learnt from working with the YPAG. All participants talked about the importance of impact, feeling that CYP are making a difference to research, as well as CYP's right to be involved. Effective planning and facilitation were key to the success of the group, in relation to accessibility and the development and delivery of sessions both online and in-person. Resourcing and administration were key challenges to this, as was engaging researchers who were not already converted to the public involvement cause. As the nature of a YPAG is that it primarily focuses on advising researcher-led projects, co-production was identified as something that the group was 'working towards', including through this evaluation. Co-producing with CYP involves building up knowledge, confidence and acknowledging power dynamics. CONCLUSIONS Co-producing an evaluation enabled us to learn about the benefits and challenges of involving CYP in research, as well as how to involve them in the development of that evidence. An ethos of co-production and children's rights helped to shift the balance of power and develop more engaging and inclusive ways of working.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louca-Mai Brady
- Centre for Research in Public Health and Community Care School of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK.
| | - Jacqueline Miller
- Richard Desmond Children's Eye Hospital, Moorfields Eye Hospital, 3 Peerless Street, London, EC1V 9EZ, UK
| | - Eleri McFarlane-Rose
- Richard Desmond Children's Eye Hospital, Moorfields Eye Hospital, 3 Peerless Street, London, EC1V 9EZ, UK
| | - Jasmine Noor
- Richard Desmond Children's Eye Hospital, Moorfields Eye Hospital, 3 Peerless Street, London, EC1V 9EZ, UK
| | - Rhianne Noor
- Richard Desmond Children's Eye Hospital, Moorfields Eye Hospital, 3 Peerless Street, London, EC1V 9EZ, UK
| | - Annegret Dahlmann-Noor
- Richard Desmond Children's Eye Hospital, Moorfields Eye Hospital, 3 Peerless Street, London, EC1V 9EZ, UK
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Andersson P, Wachtel LE, Lundberg J, Jamshidi E, Bring J, Rask-Andersen M, Jarbin H, Jokinen J, Desai Boström AE. Youth with severe mental illness and complex non-somatic motor abnormalities: conflicting conceptualizations and unequal treatment. Npj Ment Health Res 2022; 1:13. [PMID: 37521496 PMCID: PMC9533273 DOI: 10.1038/s44184-022-00013-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Two emerging diagnostic concepts promote distinct treatments for youth with acute-onset motor abnormalities and severe concurrent psychiatric symptoms: Pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric catatonia. Both have institutional approval in parts of Europe and in the USA, meriting an unconditional comparison of supporting evidence. Here we report results of qualitative and quantitative analyses of literature and Swedish National Registry Data suggesting that (1) catatonic patients are liable to fulfilling diagnostic criteria for PANS, (2) three conservatively assessed PANS case-reports present with possible unrecognized catatonia, (3) lithium and electroconvulsive therapy usage frequencies in Swedish minors (exclusively recommended for severe mental illness) are strongly intercorrelated and unequally distributed across Swedish counties, (4) established severe mental disorders are rarely overtly considered amongst PANS-specific research and (5) best-available evidence treatments appear markedly superior for pediatric catatonia compared to PANS in both childhood and adolescence. Prioritizing treatments for pediatric catatonia in concerned subjects could markedly improve treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Andersson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience/Psychology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Clinical Research Dalarna, Uppsala University, Falun, Sweden
| | - Lee E. Wachtel
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Johan Lundberg
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
- Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Esmail Jamshidi
- Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences/Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Mathias Rask-Andersen
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Håkan Jarbin
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Region Halland, Halmstad, Sweden
| | - Jussi Jokinen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience/Psychology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences/Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Adrian E. Desai Boström
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences/Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health/Neuropediatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Moroishi Y, Gui J, Hoen AG, Morrison HG, Baker ER, Nadeau KC, Li H, Li Z, Madan JC, Karagas MR. The relationship between the gut microbiome and the risk of respiratory infections among newborns. Commun Med (Lond) 2022; 2:87. [PMID: 35847562 PMCID: PMC9283516 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-022-00152-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Emerging evidence points to a critical role of the developing gut microbiome in immune maturation and infant health; however, prospective studies are lacking. Methods We examined the occurrence of infections and associated symptoms during the first year of life in relation to the infant gut microbiome at six weeks of age using bacterial 16S rRNA V4-V5 gene sequencing (N = 465) and shotgun metagenomics (N = 185). We used generalized estimating equations to assess the associations between longitudinal outcomes and 16S alpha diversity and metagenomics species. Results Here we show higher infant gut microbiota alpha diversity was associated with an increased risk of infections or respiratory symptoms treated with a prescription medicine, and specifically upper respiratory tract infections. Among vaginally delivered infants, a higher alpha diversity was associated with an increased risk of all-cause wheezing treated with a prescription medicine and diarrhea involving a visit to a health care provider. Positive associations were specifically observed with Veillonella species among all deliveries and Haemophilus influenzae among cesarean-delivered infants. Conclusion Our findings suggest that intestinal microbial diversity and the relative abundance of key taxa in early infancy may influence susceptibility to respiratory infection, wheezing, and diarrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Moroishi
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH USA
| | - Jiang Gui
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH USA
| | - Anne G. Hoen
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH USA
| | - Hilary G. Morrison
- Josephine Bay Paul Center for Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA USA
| | - Emily R. Baker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH USA
| | - Kari C. Nadeau
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Hongzhe Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Zhigang Li
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Juliette C. Madan
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH USA
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH USA
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Rakic M, Jaboyedoff M, Bachmann S, Berger C, Diezi M, do Canto P, Forrest CB, Frey U, Fuchs O, Gervaix A, Gluecksberg AS, Grotzer M, Heininger U, Kahlert CR, Kaiser D, Kopp MV, Lauener R, Neuhaus TJ, Paioni P, Posfay-Barbe K, Ramelli GP, Simeoni U, Simonetti G, Sokollik C, Spycher BD, Kuehni CE. Clinical data for paediatric research: the Swiss approach : Proceedings of the National Symposium in Bern, Switzerland, Dec 5-6, 2019. BMC Proc 2021; 15:19. [PMID: 34538238 PMCID: PMC8450032 DOI: 10.1186/s12919-021-00226-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Continuous improvement of health and healthcare system is hampered by inefficient processes of generating new evidence, particularly in the case of rare diseases and paediatrics. Currently, most evidence is generated through specific research projects, which typically require extra encounters with patients, are costly and entail long delays between the recognition of specific needs in healthcare and the generation of necessary evidence to address those needs. The Swiss Personalised Health Network (SPHN) aims to improve the use of data obtained during routine healthcare encounters by harmonizing data across Switzerland and facilitating accessibility for research. The project "Harmonising the collection of health-related data and biospecimens in paediatric hospitals throughout Switzerland (SwissPedData)" was an infrastructure development project funded by the SPHN, which aimed to identify and describe available data on child health in Switzerland and to agree on a standardised core dataset for electronic health records across all paediatric teaching hospitals. Here, we describe the results of a two-day symposium that aimed to summarise what had been achieved in the SwissPedData project, to put it in an international context, and to discuss the next steps for a sustainable future. The target audience included clinicians and researchers who produce and use health-related data on children in Switzerland. KEY HIGHLIGHTS The symposium consisted of state-of-the-art lectures from national and international keynote speakers, workshops and plenary discussions. This manuscript summarises the talks and discussions in four sections: (I) a description of the Swiss Personalized Health Network and the results of the SwissPedData project; (II) examples of similar initiatives from other countries; (III) an overview of existing health-related datasets and projects in Switzerland; and (IV) a summary of the lessons learned and future prospective from workshops and plenary discussions. IMPLICATIONS Streamlined processes linking initial collection of information during routine healthcare encounters, standardised recording of this information in electronic health records and fast accessibility for research are essential to accelerate research in child health and make it affordable. Ongoing projects prove that this is feasible in Switzerland and elsewhere. International collaboration is vital to success. The next steps include the implementation of the SwissPedData core dataset in the clinical information systems of Swiss hospitals, the use of this data to address priority research questions, and the acquisition of sustainable funding to support a slim central infrastructure and local support in each hospital. This will lay the foundation for a national paediatric learning health system in Switzerland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milenko Rakic
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Manon Jaboyedoff
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Service of Pediatrics, Department Women-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sara Bachmann
- University of Basel Children’s Hospital Basel (UKBB), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Berger
- University Children’s Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Diezi
- Service of Pediatrics, Department Women-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Urs Frey
- University of Basel Children’s Hospital Basel (UKBB), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Fuchs
- Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alain Gervaix
- Department of Woman, Child and Adolescent, Children’s Hospital, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Amalia Stefani Gluecksberg
- Paediatric Department of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland and Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Michael Grotzer
- University Children’s Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ulrich Heininger
- University of Basel Children’s Hospital Basel (UKBB), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Daniela Kaiser
- Children’s Hospital of Lucerne, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Matthias V. Kopp
- Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roger Lauener
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Thomas J. Neuhaus
- Children’s Hospital of Lucerne, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Paioni
- University Children’s Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Klara Posfay-Barbe
- Department of Woman, Child and Adolescent, Children’s Hospital, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gian Paolo Ramelli
- Paediatric Department of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland and Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Umberto Simeoni
- Service of Pediatrics, Department Women-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giacomo Simonetti
- Paediatric Department of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland and Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Christiane Sokollik
- Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ben D. Spycher
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Claudia E. Kuehni
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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Postma L, Luchtenberg ML, Verhagen AAE, Maeckelberghe ELM. The attitudes of healthy children and researchers towards the challenges of involving children in research: an exploratory study. Res Involv Engagem 2021; 7:30. [PMID: 33990230 PMCID: PMC8120777 DOI: 10.1186/s40900-021-00263-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing trend in research is to involve co-researchers. It is referred to as Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) and comprises three groups: the patients, the public, and the researchers. Like in adult public involvement, healthy children can also be considered as 'the public'. Paediatric patients and researchers experienced in conducting child-inclusive research are often asked about their attitudes towards the challenges they encounter. This is not the case for healthy children and researchers without such experience. Our aim was to investigate the attitudes of these children and researchers towards the challenges encountered during child-inclusive research. METHODS This was an exploratory study. We interviewed healthy children and adult researchers without prior experience in child-inclusive research. We recruited the children through a foundation for young researchers and the adult researchers from two hospitals, both in Groningen, the Netherlands. We audio recorded the interviews, and they were transcribed verbatim. We analysed the data using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS We interviewed five adult researchers and seven healthy children, aged 9 to 14 years. Both groups thought that it was best to involve children in paediatric research from as early a stage as possible. The children assumed that no prior training would be needed because they had already been trained at school. The researchers' attitudes varied regarding training children beforehand. Both groups thought that researchers did not need prior training on how to involve children if they worked with children on a daily basis. The children felt that recognition and a modest financial reward was appropriate. Adult researchers were cautious about rewarding the children. They feared it might render the children less intrinsically motivated. CONCLUSION Our study indicated that young and adult researchers have clear attitudes towards the challenges encountered during child-inclusive research. Young researchers could help adult researchers to find solutions to these challenges, even if they have no prior experience in child-inclusive research. Adult researchers who acknowledge the importance of child-inclusive research represent a significant step towards meaningful involvement of children. Our results imply that children could be involved in the decision-making process concerning the challenges encountered in child-inclusive research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Postma
- Wenckebach Institute for Education and Training, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713, GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Malou L Luchtenberg
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - A A Eduard Verhagen
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Els L M Maeckelberghe
- Wenckebach Institute for Education and Training, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713, GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Mezinska S, Gallagher L, Verbrugge M, Bunnik EM. Ethical issues in genomics research on neurodevelopmental disorders: a critical interpretive review. Hum Genomics 2021; 15:16. [PMID: 33712057 PMCID: PMC7953558 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-021-00317-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genomic research on neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), particularly involving minors, combines and amplifies existing research ethics issues for biomedical research. We performed a review of the literature on the ethical issues associated with genomic research involving children affected by NDDs as an aid to researchers to better anticipate and address ethical concerns. Results Qualitative thematic analysis of the included articles revealed themes in three main areas: research design and ethics review, inclusion of research participants, and communication of research results. Ethical issues known to be associated with genomic research in general, such as privacy risks and informed consent/assent, seem especially pressing for NDD participants because of their potentially decreased cognitive abilities, increased vulnerability, and stigma associated with mental health problems. Additionally, there are informational risks: learning genetic information about NDD may have psychological and social impact, not only for the research participant but also for family members. However, there are potential benefits associated with research participation, too: by enrolling in research, the participants may access genetic testing and thus increase their chances of receiving a (genetic) diagnosis for their neurodevelopmental symptoms, prognostic or predictive information about disease progression or the risk of concurrent future disorders. Based on the results of our review, we developed an ethics checklist for genomic research involving children affected by NDDs. Conclusions In setting up and designing genomic research efforts in NDD, researchers should partner with communities of persons with NDDs. Particular attention should be paid to preventing disproportional burdens of research participation of children with NDDs and their siblings, parents and other family members. Researchers should carefully tailor the information and informed consent procedures to avoid therapeutic and diagnostic misconception in NDD research. To better anticipate and address ethical issues in specific NDD studies, we suggest researchers to use the ethics checklist for genomic research involving children affected by NDDs presented in this paper. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40246-021-00317-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mezinska
- Faculty of Medicine and Institute of Clinical and Preventive Medicine, University of Latvia, Jelgavas Str.3, Riga, LV-1004, Latvia.
| | - L Gallagher
- Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - M Verbrugge
- Department of Medical Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, PO Box 2400, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands
| | - E M Bunnik
- Department of Medical Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, PO Box 2400, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands
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Narumi S, Ohnuma T, Takehara K, Morisaki N, Urayama KY, Hattori T. Evaluating the seasonality of growth in infants using a mobile phone application. NPJ Digit Med 2020; 3:138. [PMID: 33102789 PMCID: PMC7578091 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-020-00345-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been observed that growth velocity of toddlers and school children shows seasonal variation, while such seasonality is unknown in infants. The aim of this study was to examine whether growth velocity (length and weight) of infants differs by seasons. We assessed longitudinal measurement data obtained for 9,409 Japanese infants whose parents used the mobile phone application, "Papatto Ikuji", during the period from January 2014 to October 2017. On average, each infant had 4.8 entries for length and 5.4 entries for weight. The mean daily change in sex- and age-adjusted z-scores between two time points was estimated as the growth velocity during that period: ΔLAZ/day and ΔWAZ/day for length and weight, respectively. We analyzed 20,007 ΔLAZ/day (mean, -0.0022) and 33,236 ΔWAZ/day (mean, 0.0005) measurements, and found that ΔLAZ/day showed seasonal differences with increases during summer. We conducted a multilevel linear regression analysis, in which effects of age, sex, nutrition and season of birth were adjusted, showing significant difference in ΔLAZ/day between winter and summer with a mean ΔLAZ/day difference of 0.0026 (95%CI 0.0015 to 0.0036; P < 0.001). This seasonal difference corresponded to 13% of the average linear growth velocity in 6-month-old infants. A modest effect of nutrition on linear growth was observed with a mean ΔLAZ/day difference of 0.0015 (95%CI 0.0006 to 0.0025; P < 0.001) between predominantly formula-fed infants and breastfed infants. In conclusion, we observed that linear growth, but not weight gain, of Japanese infants showed significant seasonality effects represented by increases in summer and decreases in winter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Narumi
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, 157-8535 Japan
| | - Tetsu Ohnuma
- CAPER Unit, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | - Kenji Takehara
- Department of Health Policy, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, 157-8535 Japan
| | - Naho Morisaki
- Department of Social Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, 157-8535 Japan
| | - Kevin Y. Urayama
- Department of Social Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, 157-8535 Japan
- Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke’s International University, Tokyo, 104-0045 Japan
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Babji S, Manickavasagam P, Chen YH, Jeyavelu N, Jose NV, Praharaj I, Syed C, Kaliappan SP, John J, Giri S, Venugopal S, Kampmann B, Parker EPK, Iturriza-Gómara M, Kang G, Grassly NC, Uhlig HH. Immune predictors of oral poliovirus vaccine immunogenicity among infants in South India. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:27. [PMID: 32218999 PMCID: PMC7089977 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-0178-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of the causes of poor oral vaccine immunogenicity in low-income countries might lead to more effective vaccines. We measured mucosal and systemic immune parameters at the time of vaccination with oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) in 292 Indian infants aged 6–11 months, including plasma cytokines, leukocyte counts, fecal biomarkers of environmental enteropathy and peripheral blood T-cell phenotype, focused on gut-homing regulatory CD4+ populations. We did not find a distinct immune phenotype associated with OPV immunogenicity, although viral pathogens were more prevalent in stool at the time of immunization among infants who failed to seroconvert (63.9% vs. 45.6%, p = 0.002). Using a machine-learning approach, we could predict seroconversion a priori using immune parameters and infection status with a median 58% accuracy (cross-validation IQR: 50–69%) compared with 50% expected by chance. Better identification of immune predictors of OPV immunogenicity is likely to require sampling of mucosal tissue and improved oral poliovirus infection models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhir Babji
- 1Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004 India
| | | | - Yin-Huai Chen
- 2Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Nuffield Department of Medicine, and Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU UK
| | - Nithya Jeyavelu
- 1Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004 India
| | - Nisha Vincy Jose
- 1Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004 India
| | - Ira Praharaj
- 1Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004 India
| | - Chanduni Syed
- 1Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004 India
| | | | - Jacob John
- 3Department of Community Health, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004 India
| | - Sidhartha Giri
- 1Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004 India
| | - Srinivasan Venugopal
- 1Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004 India
| | - Beate Kampmann
- 4The Vaccine Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Edward P K Parker
- 4The Vaccine Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Miren Iturriza-Gómara
- 5Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7BE UK
| | - Gagandeep Kang
- 1Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004 India
| | - Nicholas C Grassly
- 6Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG UK
| | - Holm H Uhlig
- 2Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Nuffield Department of Medicine, and Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU UK
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Milko LV, Chen F, Chan K, Brower AM, Agrawal PB, Beggs AH, Berg JS, Brenner SE, Holm IA, Koenig BA, Parad RB, Powell CM, Kingsmore SF. FDA oversight of NSIGHT genomic research: the need for an integrated systems approach to regulation. NPJ Genom Med 2019; 4:32. [PMID: 31839987 PMCID: PMC6904743 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-019-0105-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded the Newborn Sequencing In Genomic medicine and public HealTh (NSIGHT) Consortium to investigate the implications, challenges, and opportunities associated with the possible use of genomic sequence information in the newborn period. Following announcement of the NSIGHT awardees in 2013, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) contacted investigators and requested that pre-submissions to investigational device exemptions (IDE) be submitted for the use of genomic sequencing under Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR) part 812. IDE regulation permits clinical investigation of medical devices that have not been approved by the FDA. To our knowledge, this marked the first time the FDA determined that NIH-funded clinical genomic research projects are subject to IDE regulation. Here, we review the history of and rationale behind FDA oversight of clinical research and the NSIGHT Consortium's experiences in navigating the IDE process. Overall, NSIGHT investigators found that FDA's application of existing IDE regulations and medical device definitions aligned imprecisely with the aims of publicly funded exploratory clinical research protocols. IDE risk assessments by the FDA were similar to, but distinct from, protocol risk assessments conducted by local Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), and had the potential to reflect novel oversight of emerging genomic technologies. However, the pre-IDE and IDE process delayed the start of NSIGHT research studies by an average of 10 months, and significantly limited the scope of investigation in two of the four NIH approved projects. Based on the experience of the NSIGHT Consortium, we conclude that policies and practices governing the development and use of novel genomic technologies in clinical research urgently need clarification in order to mitigate potentially conflicting or redundant oversight by IRBs, NIH, FDA, and state authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura V. Milko
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Flavia Chen
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143 USA
- Program in Bioethics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94118 USA
| | - Kee Chan
- Department of Health Policy and Administration, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Amy M. Brower
- American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, 7101 Wisconsin Avenue Suite 1101, Bethesda, MD 20814 USA
| | - Pankaj B. Agrawal
- Division of Genetics & Genomics, The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Alan H. Beggs
- Division of Genetics & Genomics, The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Jonathan S. Berg
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Steven E. Brenner
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143 USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Ingrid A. Holm
- Division of Genetics & Genomics, The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Barbara A. Koenig
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143 USA
- Program in Bioethics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94118 USA
| | - Richard B. Parad
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Cynthia M. Powell
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
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10
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Mangochi H, Gooding K, Bennett A, Parker M, Desmond N, Bull S. How should assent to research be sought in low income settings? Perspectives from parents and children in Southern Malawi. BMC Med Ethics 2019; 20:32. [PMID: 31088431 PMCID: PMC6515587 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-019-0369-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Paediatric research in low-income countries is essential to tackle high childhood mortality. As with all research, consent is an essential part of ethical practice for paediatric studies. Ethics guidelines recommend that parents or another proxy provide legal consent for children to participate, but that children should be involved in the decision through providing assent. However, there remain uncertainties about how to judge when children are ready to give assent and about appropriate assent processes. Malawi does not yet have detailed guidelines on assent. Understanding perspectives among children and their parents can assist in developing contextually-appropriate assent guidance. Methods Qualitative research was conducted with children and parents in three settings in Southern Malawi (low- and high-income urban and rural), to take account of any variations between socioeconomic and cultural contexts. In each setting, interviews were conducted with parents and their children who had participated in paediatric research to understand their experiences of assent and views on appropriate assent practice. Focus groups were also conducted with children and parents, to understand broader social perspectives. Results We found widespread support for involving children in decisions on research participation. Participants identified a range of factors that affect children’s capacity to give assent, including intellectual capacity, emotional development, life experience and cultural norms. Age was often mentioned as a consideration, but deemed an unreliable sole indicator of capacity to assent. In relation to appropriate assent processes, participants emphasised considerations such as supporting effective understanding and minimizing harms. Views on how to achieve these aims varied; for example, there were different ideas about the appropriate order in which to approach children and parents, and about whose decision to respect in the event of disagreement. Conclusions Parents and children agreed about the value of involving children in decisions on research, and about the need to promote children’s decision-making capacity while respecting parents’ interests in children’s welfare. Developing practical guidance that meets these principles is challenging, particularly given the need for flexible approaches that suit different study types, children’s capacities and family environments. Further discussion within the Malawi research and ethics community will help develop contextually-appropriate guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Mangochi
- Malawi Liverpool Welcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, P.O. Box 30096, Chichiri, Blantyre, 3, Malawi.
| | - Kate Gooding
- Malawi Liverpool Welcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, P.O. Box 30096, Chichiri, Blantyre, 3, Malawi.,Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L35QA, UK
| | - Aisleen Bennett
- Malawi Liverpool Welcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, P.O. Box 30096, Chichiri, Blantyre, 3, Malawi
| | - Michael Parker
- Ethox Centre and Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, OX37LF, UK
| | - Nicola Desmond
- Malawi Liverpool Welcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, P.O. Box 30096, Chichiri, Blantyre, 3, Malawi.,Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L35QA, UK
| | - Susan Bull
- Ethox Centre and Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, OX37LF, UK
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11
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Peplow C, Assfalg R, Beyerlein A, Hasford J, Bonifacio E, Ziegler A. Blood draws up to 3% of blood volume in clinical trials are safe in children. Acta Paediatr 2019; 108:940-944. [PMID: 30291644 PMCID: PMC6587985 DOI: 10.1111/apa.14607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Aim Recommendations for maximum blood draw in children range from 1 to 5% despite limited evidence. The aim of the study was to assess the safety of blood draws in children aged six months to 12 years targeting volumes of 3% of total blood volume. Methods Children who experienced three‐monthly blood draws during participation in one of three investigators initiated clinical trials conducted in our institution were examined. In total, 629 venous blood draws were performed in 141 children. Adverse events and blood counts were assessed. Results Overall, 608 adverse events were reported. None of these included symptoms that reflected concerns on blood draw volumes or frequency. Anaemia and red cell or haemoglobin measurements outside the normal age range were not observed. A reduction in haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume was noted in children participating in one of the three trials analysed. Conclusion Regular blood draws of up to 3% of total blood volume were not associated with signs of anaemia or hypovolaemia in young children. We suggest that the European recommendations be revised for clinical studies in which children are not exposed to treatments that are associated with anaemia risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Peplow
- Institute of Diabetes Research Helmholtz Zentrum München and Forschergruppe Diabetes, Klinikum rechts der Isar Technische Universität München Neuherberg Germany
| | - Robin Assfalg
- Institute of Diabetes Research Helmholtz Zentrum München and Forschergruppe Diabetes, Klinikum rechts der Isar Technische Universität München Neuherberg Germany
| | - Andreas Beyerlein
- Institute of Diabetes Research Helmholtz Zentrum München and Forschergruppe Diabetes, Klinikum rechts der Isar Technische Universität München Neuherberg Germany
| | - Joerg Hasford
- Institut für Medizinische Informationsverarbeitung, Biometrie und Epidemiologie Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München Munich Germany
| | - Ezio Bonifacio
- DFG Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden Faculty of Medicine Technische Universität Dresden Dresden Germany
| | - Anette‐G Ziegler
- Institute of Diabetes Research Helmholtz Zentrum München and Forschergruppe Diabetes, Klinikum rechts der Isar Technische Universität München Neuherberg Germany
- Forschergruppe Diabetes e.V. Neuherberg Germany
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12
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Monroy GL, Won J, Dsouza R, Pande P, Hill MC, Porter RG, Novak MA, Spillman DR, Boppart SA. Automated classification platform for the identification of otitis media using optical coherence tomography. NPJ Digit Med 2019; 2:22. [PMID: 31304369 PMCID: PMC6550205 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-019-0094-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis and treatment of otitis media (OM), a common childhood infection, is a significant burden on the healthcare system. Diagnosis relies on observer experience via otoscopy, although for non-specialists or inexperienced users, accurate diagnosis can be difficult. In past studies, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been used to quantitatively characterize disease states of OM, although with the involvement of experts to interpret and correlate image-based indicators of infection with clinical information. In this paper, a flexible and comprehensive framework is presented that automatically extracts features from OCT images, classifies data, and presents clinically relevant results in a user-friendly platform suitable for point-of-care and primary care settings. This framework was used to test the discrimination between OCT images of normal controls, ears with biofilms, and ears with biofilms and middle ear fluid (effusion). Predicted future performance of this classification platform returned promising results (90%+ accuracy) in various initial tests. With integration into patient healthcare workflow, users of all levels of medical experience may be able to collect OCT data and accurately identify the presence of middle ear fluid and/or biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo L Monroy
- 1Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL USA.,2Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Urbana, IL USA
| | - Jungeun Won
- 1Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL USA.,2Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Urbana, IL USA
| | - Roshan Dsouza
- 2Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Urbana, IL USA
| | - Paritosh Pande
- 2Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Urbana, IL USA
| | - Malcolm C Hill
- 3Carle Foundation Hospital, Otolaryngology, Urbana, IL USA.,4Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, IL USA
| | - Ryan G Porter
- 3Carle Foundation Hospital, Otolaryngology, Urbana, IL USA.,4Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, IL USA
| | - Michael A Novak
- 3Carle Foundation Hospital, Otolaryngology, Urbana, IL USA.,4Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, IL USA
| | - Darold R Spillman
- 2Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Urbana, IL USA
| | - Stephen A Boppart
- 1Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL USA.,2Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Urbana, IL USA.,3Carle Foundation Hospital, Otolaryngology, Urbana, IL USA.,4Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, IL USA.,5Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL USA
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13
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Jones RM, Tarpey T, Hamo A, Carberry C, Lord C. Smartphone measures of day-to-day behavior changes in children with autism. NPJ Digit Med 2018; 1:34. [PMID: 31304316 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-018-0043-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Smartphones offer a flexible tool to collect data about mental health, but less is known about their effectiveness as a method to assess variability in children’s problem behaviors. Caregivers of children with autism completed daily questions about irritability, anxiety and mood delivered via smartphones across 8-weeks. Smartphone questions were consistent with subscales on standard caregiver questionnaires. Data collection from 7 to 10 days at the beginning and 7 to 10 days at the end of the study were sufficient to capture similar amounts of variance as daily data across 8-weeks. Other significant findings included effects of caregiver socioeconomic status and placebo-like effects from participation even though the study included no specific treatment. Nevertheless, single questions via smartphones collected over relatively brief periods reliably represent subdomains in standardized behavioral questionnaires, thereby decreasing burden on caregivers.
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Mayampurath A, Volchenboum SL, Sanchez-Pinto LN. Using photoplethysmography data to estimate heart rate variability and its association with organ dysfunction in pediatric oncology patients. NPJ Digit Med 2018; 1:29. [PMID: 31304311 PMCID: PMC6550162 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-018-0038-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric oncology patients are at high risk of developing clinical deterioration and organ dysfunction during their illness. Heart rate variability (HRV) measured using electrocardiography waveforms is associated with increased organ dysfunction and clinical deterioration in adult and pediatric patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Here, we explore the feasibility of using photoplethysmography (PPG)-derived integer pulse rate variability (PRVi) to estimate HRV and determine its association with organ dysfunction in pediatric oncology patients in the ward and pediatric ICU. The advantage of using PPG sensor data over electrocardiography is its higher availability in most healthcare settings and in wearable technology. In a cohort of 38 patients, reduced median daily PRVi was significantly associated with increase in two pediatric organ dysfunction scores after adjusting for confounders (p < 0.001). PRVi shows promise as a real-time physiologic marker of clinical deterioration using highly-available PPG data, but further research is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anoop Mayampurath
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
- Center for Research Informatics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Samuel L Volchenboum
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
- Center for Research Informatics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - L. Nelson Sanchez-Pinto
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
- Departments of Pediatrics & Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL USA
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15
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Mustafa K, Murray CC, Nicklin E, Glaser A, Andrews J. Understanding barriers for research involvement among paediatric trainees: a mixed methods study. BMC Med Educ 2018; 18:165. [PMID: 30005649 PMCID: PMC6044020 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-018-1263-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child Health research is reported to be at worryingly low level by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Recent survey showed that 54.5% of paediatric consultants in the United Kingdom do not do any research at all. We conducted a mixed methods study to understand barriers and facilitators for research involvement among paediatric trainees who are going to fill these consultant posts in the future. METHODS A questionnaire based on a validated index for research and development was completed by 136 paediatric trainees within a region in the North of England (Yorkshire and Humber). Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with stratified purposive sampling. Descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test for independence were used for quantitative analysis. Thematic content analysis was done for interviews based on analysis method framework. RESULTS 136 out of 396 trainees responded to the survey. There was a significant relationship between confidence in using research in practice and ability to understand research terminology. This was not related to research experience or training. Males were significantly more likely to have presented a research paper, know how research influences practice and have more confidence in using research in practice than females. There was no significant relationship between gender and research training or highest qualification. Time constraints and lack of academic culture were the most frequently mentioned barriers in the survey. Over-arching themes identified from the interviews were related to lack of academic culture, opportunities provided in current training scheme and constraints related to time availability along with workforce management. CONCLUSION Paediatric research requires a supportive academic culture with more flexibility in training scheme and immediate attention to a pressing staffing crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emma Nicklin
- Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, Leeds, UK
| | - Adam Glaser
- University of Leeds, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology,, Leeds, UK
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Egger HL, Dawson G, Hashemi J, Carpenter KLH, Espinosa S, Campbell K, Brotkin S, Schaich-Borg J, Qiu Q, Tepper M, Baker JP, Bloomfield RA Jr, Sapiro G. Automatic emotion and attention analysis of young children at home: a ResearchKit autism feasibility study. NPJ Digit Med 2018; 1:20. [PMID: 31304303 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-018-0024-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Current tools for objectively measuring young children’s observed behaviors are expensive, time-consuming, and require extensive training and professional administration. The lack of scalable, reliable, and validated tools impacts access to evidence-based knowledge and limits our capacity to collect population-level data in non-clinical settings. To address this gap, we developed mobile technology to collect videos of young children while they watched movies designed to elicit autism-related behaviors and then used automatic behavioral coding of these videos to quantify children’s emotions and behaviors. We present results from our iPhone study Autism & Beyond, built on ResearchKit’s open-source platform. The entire study—from an e-Consent process to stimuli presentation and data collection—was conducted within an iPhone-based app available in the Apple Store. Over 1 year, 1756 families with children aged 12–72 months old participated in the study, completing 5618 caregiver-reported surveys and uploading 4441 videos recorded in the child’s natural settings. Usable data were collected on 87.6% of the uploaded videos. Automatic coding identified significant differences in emotion and attention by age, sex, and autism risk status. This study demonstrates the acceptability of an app-based tool to caregivers, their willingness to upload videos of their children, the feasibility of caregiver-collected data in the home, and the application of automatic behavioral encoding to quantify emotions and attention variables that are clinically meaningful and may be refined to screen children for autism and developmental disorders outside of clinical settings. This technology has the potential to transform how we screen and monitor children’s development. A phone-based app that assesses the behavior of young children in their homes can be used to determine their risk of autism. Autism is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in the US. Although some of the signs of autism can be identified within the first months of life, many children wait years to be diagnosed. A study led by Richard Bloomfield, Geraldine Dawson, Helen Egger, and Guillermo Sapiro, Duke University, examined caregiver-collected smartphone videos that quantify the emotion and attention of children aged between 1 and 6 years watching movies known to elicit autism-related behaviors. Automatic coding identified significant differences in emotion and attention by age, sex, and autism risk status. These findings highlight the feasibility of using this approach to identify autism symptoms and, potentially, those of other behavioral disorders.
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