Performance of Febrile Infant Algorithms by Duration of Fever

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the performance of commonly used blood tests in febrile infants ≤90 days of age to identify patients at low risk for invasive bacterial infection (bacterial pathogen in blood or cerebrospinal fluid) by duration of fever.

METHODS

We conducted a secondary analysis of a prospective single-center registry that includes all consecutive infants ≤90 days of age with fever without a source evaluated at 1 pediatric emergency department between 2008 and 2021. We defined 3 groups based on caregiver-reported hours of fever (<2, 2-12, and ≥12) and analyzed the performance of the biomarkers and Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Step-by-Step clinical decision rules.

RESULTS

We included 2411 infants; 76 (3.0%) were diagnosed with an invasive bacterial infection. The median duration of fever was 4 (interquartile range, 2-12) hours, with 633 (26.3%) patients with fever of <2 hours. The area under the curve was significantly lower in patients with <2 hours for absolute neutrophil count (0.562 vs 0.609 and 0.728) and C-reactive protein (0.568 vs 0.760 and 0.812), but not for procalcitonin (0.749 vs 0.780 and 0.773). Among well-appearing infants older than 21 days and negative urine dipstick with <2 hours of fever, procalcitonin ≥0.14 ng/mL showed a better sensitivity (100% with specificity 53.8%) than that of the combination of biomarkers of Step-by-Step (50.0% and 82.2%), and of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network rules (83.3% and 58.3%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The performance of blood biomarkers, except for procalcitonin, in febrile young infants is lower in fever of very short duration, decreasing the accuracy of the clinical decision rules.

Features Associated With Radiographic Pneumonia in Children with SARS-CoV-2

14% of children with SARS-CoV-2 infections had radiographic pneumonia. Hypoxemia, cough, higher temperature, and older age were associated with pneumonias. In children tested, SARS-CoV-2 test results were not associated with radiographic pneumonia.

Bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in acute otitis media

INTRODUCTION

Recent studies show an increase in the prevalence of Haemophilus influenzae and a decrease in Streptococcus pneumoniae among the bacteria that cause acute otitis media (AOM). The objective of our study was to analyse the distribution of pathogens identified in children aged less than 14 years presenting to the emergency department with AOM and their patterns of antimicrobial resistance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Single centre retrospective, analytical study in patients aged less than 14 years with a diagnosis of AOM in whom an ear drainage sample was collected for culture in the paediatric emergency department of a tertiary care hospital between 2013 and 2021.

RESULTS

During the study period, there were 14 684 documented care episodes corresponding to children with a diagnosis of AOM. An ear drainage culture was performed in 768 of those episodes. The median age of the patients was 2 years, 57% were male and 70% had a previous history of AOM. The most frequently isolated pathogens were: Haemophilus influenzae (n = 188 [24.5%]; 15.5% of them resistant to ampicillin), Streptococcus pyogenes (n = 86 [11.2%]), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 82 [10.7%]), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 54 [6.9%]; 9.4% with intermediate resistance to penicillin), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 42 [5.5%]) and Moraxella catarrhalis (n = 11 [1.4%]). No pathogen was isolated in 34.9% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Haemophilus influenzae is the leading cause of AOM in children aged less than 14 years. This, combined with the low frequency of isolation and penicillin resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae, calls into question the appropriateness of high-dose amoxicillin for empiric treatment of AOM.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on the Association Between Laboratory Tests and Severe Outcomes Among Hospitalized Children

Background

To assist clinicians with identifying children at risk of severe outcomes, we assessed the association between laboratory findings and severe outcomes among severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected children and determined if SARS-CoV-2 test result status modified the associations.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of participants tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection in 41 pediatric emergency departments in 10 countries. Participants were hospitalized, had laboratory testing performed, and completed 14-day follow-up. The primary objective was to assess the associations between laboratory findings and severe outcomes. The secondary objective was to determine if the SARS-CoV-2 test result modified the associations.

Results

We included 1817 participants; 522 (28.7%) SARS-CoV-2 test-positive and 1295 (71.3%) test-negative. Seventy-five (14.4%) test-positive and 174 (13.4%) test-negative children experienced severe outcomes. In regression analysis, we found that among SARS-CoV-2-positive children, procalcitonin ≥0.5 ng/mL (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 9.14; 95% CI, 2.90-28.80), ferritin >500 ng/mL (aOR, 7.95; 95% CI, 1.89-33.44), D-dimer ≥1500 ng/mL (aOR, 4.57; 95% CI, 1.12-18.68), serum glucose ≥120 mg/dL (aOR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.06-3.81), lymphocyte count <1.0 × 109/L (aOR, 3.21; 95% CI, 1.34-7.69), and platelet count <150 × 109/L (aOR, 2.82; 95% CI, 1.31-6.07) were associated with severe outcomes. Evaluation of the interaction term revealed that a positive SARS-CoV-2 result increased the associations with severe outcomes for elevated procalcitonin, C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, and for reduced lymphocyte and platelet counts.

Conclusions

Specific laboratory parameters are associated with severe outcomes in SARS-CoV-2-infected children, and elevated serum procalcitonin, CRP, and D-dimer and low absolute lymphocyte and platelet counts were more strongly associated with severe outcomes in children testing positive compared with those testing negative.

Characteristics of Pediatric Emergency Department Presentations of Anaphylaxis in Spain

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the triggers of pediatric anaphylaxis in Spain and to analyze the circumstances of the episode.

METHODS

Planned secondary analysis of a prospective observational multicenter study endorsed by the Spanish Society of Pediatric Emergencies including children aged younger than 18 years diagnosed with anaphylaxis in 7 Spanish pediatric emergency departments (EDs) between 2016 and 2018. We analyzed factors related to the anaphylaxis episode and its management.

RESULTS

Four hundred fifty-three cases were registered, happening mainly at home (295 [65.1%]), school (65 [14.3%]), and street (61 [13.5%]). The median age was 5 years, 143 (31.6%) had previous episodes, and 165 (36.4%) had previously been prescribed an epinephrine autoinjector, used in 40 (24.2% of those prescribed). Two thirds were well-appearing when arriving to the pediatric ED. Food was the trigger in 396 (87.4%). In 349 with a single food involved, the most frequent were milk (108 [30.4%]), nuts (103 [29.0%]), hen's egg (40 [11.3%]), and fish (31 [8.7%]), with variations related to the age of the child.

CONCLUSIONS

Food, especially milk and nuts, are responsible for most anaphylaxis diagnosed in Spanish pediatric EDs. Consideration should be given to improving health education due to the low use of epinephrine autoinjectors.

Multicentre Delphi study of physicians resulted in quality indicators for young infants with fever without source in emergency departments

AIM

Managing febrile infants has evolved without a generally accepted standard of care. We aimed to design quality indicators for managing infants ≤90 days old presenting to emergency departments (EDs) with fever without source.

METHODS

This multicentre Delphi study was carried out by the Febrile Infant Study Group of the Spanish Paediatric Emergency Research Network, from March 2021 to November 2021, and included paediatric emergency physicians from 24 Spanish EDs. A list of care standards was produced, following an extensive literature review and the involvement of all parties. Indicators were essential if they were voted by four panelists and also received a score of ≥4 from at least 95% of the 24 investigators.

RESULTS

We established 20 indicators, including one related to having a protocol, two to triage, nine to diagnostic processes, six to treatment and two to disposition. The following indicators were considered essential: having an ED management protocol, performing urinalysis on every infant, obtaining a blood culture from every infant and administering antibiotics in the ED to any febrile infant who did not appear well.

CONCLUSION

The Delphi method resulted in a comprehensive list of quality indicators for managing febrile young infants in Spanish EDs.

Setting priorities for an agenda within the Spanish pediatric emergency medicine research network

The research network of the Spanish Pediatric Emergency Society (RISeuP-SPERG Network) needs to establish its research agenda relevant to pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) to guide the development of future projects, as other networks have done before. The aim of our study was to identify priority areas in PEM for a collaborative network of pediatric emergency research in Spain. A multicenter study was developed including pediatric emergency physicians from 54 Spanish emergency departments, endorsed by the RISeuP-SPERG Network. Initially, a group of seven PEM experts was selected among the members of the RISeuP-SPERG. In the first phase, these experts elaborated a list of research topics. Then, using a Delphi method, we sent a questionnaire with that list to all RISeuP-SPERG members, to rank each item using a 7-point Likert scale. Finally, the seven PEM experts, using a modified Hanlon Process of Prioritization, weighted prevalence (A), seriousness of the condition (B), and feasibility of conducting research projects (C) on that condition to prioritize the selected items. Once the list of topics was chosen, the seven experts selected a list of research questions for each of the selected items. The Delphi questionnaire was answered by 74/122 (60.7%) members of RISeuP-SPERG. We established a list of 38 research priorities related to quality improvement (11), infectious diseases (8), psychiatric/social emergencies (5), sedoanalgesia (3), critical care (2), respiratory emergencies (2), trauma (2), neurologic emergencies (1), and miscellanea (4).   Conclusion: The RISeuP-SPERG prioritization process identified high-priority PEM topics specific to multicenter research that may help guide further collaborative research efforts within the RISeuP-SPERG network to improve PEM care in Spain. What is Known: • Some pediatric emergency medicine networks have established their priorities for research. What is New: • After a structured process, we have set the research agenda for pediatric emergency medicine in Spain. By identifying high-priority pediatric emergency medicine research topics specific to multicenter research, we may guide further collaborative research efforts within our network.

Sedation and Analgesia for Reduction of Pediatric Ileocolic Intussusception

Importance

Ileocolic intussusception is an important cause of intestinal obstruction in children. Reduction of ileocolic intussusception using air or fluid enema is the standard of care. This likely distressing procedure is usually performed without sedation or analgesia, but practice variation exists.

Objective

To characterize the prevalence of opioid analgesia and sedation and assess their association with intestinal perforation and failed reduction.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study reviewed medical records of children aged 4 to 48 months with attempted reduction of ileocolic intussusception at 86 pediatric tertiary care institutions in 14 countries from January 2017 to December 2019. Of 3555 eligible medical records, 352 were excluded, and 3203 medical records were eligible. Data were analyzed in August 2022.

Exposures

Reduction of ileocolic intussusception.

Main outcomes and measures

The primary outcomes were opioid analgesia within 120 minutes of reduction based on the therapeutic window of IV morphine and sedation immediately before reduction of intussusception.

Results

We included 3203 patients (median [IQR] age, 17 [9-27] months; 2054 of 3203 [64.1%] males). Opioid use was documented in 395 of 3134 patients (12.6%), sedation 334 of 3161 patients (10.6%), and opioids plus sedation in 178 of 3134 patients (5.7%). Perforation was uncommon and occurred in 13 of 3203 patients (0.4%). In the unadjusted analysis, opioids plus sedation (odds ratio [OR], 5.92; 95% CI, 1.28-27.42; P = .02) and a greater number of reduction attempts (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.03-2.11; P = .03) were significantly associated with perforation. In the adjusted analysis, neither of these covariates remained significant. Reductions were successful in 2700 of 3184 attempts (84.8%). In the unadjusted analysis, younger age, no pain assessment at triage, opioids, longer duration of symptoms, hydrostatic enema, and gastrointestinal anomaly were significantly associated with failed reduction. In the adjusted analysis, only younger age (OR, 1.05 per month; 95% CI, 1.03-1.06 per month; P < .001), shorter duration of symptoms (OR, 0.96 per hour; 95% CI, 0.94-0.99 per hour; P = .002), and gastrointestinal anomaly (OR, 6.50; 95% CI, 2.04-20.64; P = .002) remained significant.

Conclusions and Relevance

This cross-sectional study of pediatric ileocolic intussusception found that more than two-thirds of patients received neither analgesia nor sedation. Neither was associated with intestinal perforation or failed reduction, challenging the widespread practice of withholding analgesia and sedation for reduction of ileocolic intussusception in children.

Parental help-seeking behaviour for, and care of, a sick or injured child during the COVID-19 pandemic: a European online survey

BACKGROUND

Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on patients and healthcare systems. A decline in paediatric visits to healthcare settings was observed, which might have been due to lower incidence of injury and infectious illness, changes in healthcare services and parental concern. The aim of our study was to examine parental experiences of help-seeking for, and care of, a sick or injured child during COVID-19 lockdown periods in five European countries with different healthcare systems in place.

METHODS

An online survey for parents with a child with any kind or illness of injury during COVID-19 lockdowns was circulated through social media in five European countries: Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Parents living in one of these countries with self-identification of a sick or injured child during COVID-19 lockdown periods were eligible to fill in the survey. Descriptive statistics were used for the level of restrictions per country, children's characteristics, family characteristics and reported help-seeking behaviour of parents prior to the lockdown and their real experience during the lockdown. The free text data was subjected to thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The survey was fully completed by 598 parents, ranging from 50 to 198 parents per country, during varying lockdown periods from March 2020 until May 2022. Parents who completed the survey were not deterred from seeking medical help for their sick or injured child during the COVID-19 pandemic. This finding was comparable in five European countries with different healthcare systems in place. Thematic analysis identified three main areas: parental experiences of access to healthcare, changes in parents' help-seeking behaviours for a sick or injured child during lockdowns, and the impact of caring for a sick or injured child during the lockdowns. Parents reported limited access to non-urgent care services and were anxious about either their child or themselves catching COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

This insight into parental perspectives of help-seeking behaviour and care for a sick or injured child during COVID-19 lockdowns could inform future strategies to improve access to healthcare, and to provide parents with adequate information concerning when and where to seek help and support during pandemics.

Febrile Urinary Tract Infection in Infants Less Than 3 Months of Age

INTRODUCTION

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the leading cause of bacterial infection in infants younger than 3 months of age with fever without a source.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to analyze the characteristics of emergency department presentations of febrile infants younger than 3 months of age with a UTI and identify risk factors for invasive bacterial infection (IBI) secondary to UTI.

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis of a prospective observational registry that includes infants younger than 3 months with fever without a source managed at a pediatric emergency department between 2003 and 2019.

RESULTS

Of the 2850 patients included, 592 (20.8%) were diagnosed with a UTI (524, 88.5%, for Escherichia coli). Infants with UTIs showed significant clinical differences when compared with those not diagnosed with a bacterial infection: patients with a UTI were more likely to have a history of renal/urological problems (8.3% vs. 3.5%), temperature ≥39ºC (38.3% vs. 29%) and poor feeding (13% vs. 8.7%). Yet, nearly half (285 of the 592, 48.1%) of the infants with febrile UTIs had none of these 3 risk factors. Thirty-six infants (6.1%) had a secondary IBI. We identified the following independent risk factors for secondary IBI: infants younger than 1 month of age, parent-reported irritability, procalcitonin >0.5 ng/mL, and C-reactive protein >60 mg/L.

CONCLUSIONS

History and physical examination do not allow us to safely rule out a UTI among young febrile infants. Age, parent-reported irritability, and biomarkers are useful in identifying patients at increased risk of secondary IBI.

Safety of ketamine for reducing fractures in a pediatric emergency department

OBJECTIVES

Ketamine is one of the most widely used drugs for analgesia and sedation when reducing fractures in pediatric emergency departments (EDs). We aimed to analyze the safety of intravenous (IV) ketamine when administered by physicians who are not anesthesiologists.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Prospective observational study of adverse events (AEs) related to pediatric ED specialists' use of analgesia and sedation when reducing fractures in children under the age of 14 years between 2011 and 2019. Multivariate analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for AEs.

RESULTS

We analyzed 1509 cases of IV ketamine administration for analgesia and sedation. The median age of patients was 8 years (interquartile range, 5-11 years). All had American Society of Anesthesiologists risk classifications of 1 or 2 and Mallampati scores of I or II. Prior to the procedure, 937 children (62.1%) had been administered an opioid analgesic. AEs were observed in 201 children (13.3%; 95% CI, 11.7%-15.1%); 71 experienced respiratory complications (4.7%; 95% CI, 3.2%-5.3%). No child required intubation, other advanced resuscitation maneuvers, or hospital admission because of a ketamine-related AE. Age was the only independent risk factor for developing an AE. The odds ratio (OR) for any type of AE in children aged 8 years or older was 1.9 (95% CI, 1.4-2.6). The OR for respiratory AEs in children aged 6 years or older was 2.6 (95% CI, 1.3-5.6). Opioid administration did not increase risk for AEs.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric emergency physicians who are not anesthesiologists can safely administer IV ketamine for reducing fractures. Prior use of opioids is not associated with greater risk for respiratory AEs after ketamine use.

Rate of invasive bacterial infection in recently vaccinated young infants with fever without source

OBJECTIVE

To compare the rates of invasive bacterial infection (IBI) (bacterial pathogen in blood or cerebrospinal fluid) and urinary tract infection (UTI) in febrile infants between 42 and 90 days of age who had and had not been vaccinated in the previous 48 hours.

DESIGN

Observational study; secondary analysis of a prospective registry-based cohort study.

SETTING

Paediatric emergency department.

PATIENTS

Infants 42-90 days of age with fever without source seen between 2010 and 2021.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Rates of IBI (bacterial pathogen in blood or cerebrospinal fluid) and UTI (urine culture obtained by an aseptic method yielding growth of ≥10 000 cfu/mL with associated leucocyturia).

RESULTS

We included 1522 infants, including 185 (12.2%) vaccinated in the previous 48 hours. Overall, 19 (1.25%) were diagnosed with an IBI and 282 (18.5%) with a UTI. No recently immunised infants were diagnosed with an IBI (vs 19, 1.4% of those not recently immunised, p=0.2). The UTI rate was higher in infants not recently immunised (20.1% vs 7.0%, p<0.01; OR: 3.3 (1.9-5.9)).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the rate of UTI in recently immunised infants 42-90 days old with fever without a source is lower than in those not recently immunised, recommending screening for UTI seems appropriate. If the lower rate of IBI among recently immunised well-appearing infants is confirmed, the recommendation to systematically perform blood tests in these infants should be reconsidered.

Post-COVID-19 Conditions Among Children 90 Days After SARS-CoV-2 Infection

IMPORTANCE

Little is known about the risk factors for, and the risk of, developing post-COVID-19 conditions (PCCs) among children.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the proportion of SARS-CoV-2-positive children with PCCs 90 days after a positive test result, to compare this proportion with SARS-CoV-2-negative children, and to assess factors associated with PCCs.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This prospective cohort study, conducted in 36 emergency departments (EDs) in 8 countries between March 7, 2020, and January 20, 2021, included 1884 SARS-CoV-2-positive children who completed 90-day follow-up; 1686 of these children were frequency matched by hospitalization status, country, and recruitment date with 1701 SARS-CoV-2-negative controls.

EXPOSURE

SARS-CoV-2 detected via nucleic acid testing.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Post-COVID-19 conditions, defined as any persistent, new, or recurrent health problems reported in the 90-day follow-up survey.

RESULTS

Of 8642 enrolled children, 2368 (27.4%) were SARS-CoV-2 positive, among whom 2365 (99.9%) had index ED visit disposition data available; among the 1884 children (79.7%) who completed follow-up, the median age was 3 years (IQR, 0-10 years) and 994 (52.8%) were boys. A total of 110 SARS-CoV-2-positive children (5.8%; 95% CI, 4.8%-7.0%) reported PCCs, including 44 of 447 children (9.8%; 95% CI, 7.4%-13.0%) hospitalized during the acute illness and 66 of 1437 children (4.6%; 95% CI, 3.6%-5.8%) not hospitalized during the acute illness (difference, 5.3%; 95% CI, 2.5%-8.5%). Among SARS-CoV-2-positive children, the most common symptom was fatigue or weakness (21 [1.1%]). Characteristics associated with reporting at least 1 PCC at 90 days included being hospitalized 48 hours or more compared with no hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.67 [95% CI, 1.63-4.38]); having 4 or more symptoms reported at the index ED visit compared with 1 to 3 symptoms (4-6 symptoms: aOR, 2.35 [95% CI, 1.28-4.31]; ≥7 symptoms: aOR, 4.59 [95% CI, 2.50-8.44]); and being 14 years of age or older compared with younger than 1 year (aOR, 2.67 [95% CI, 1.43-4.99]). SARS-CoV-2-positive children were more likely to report PCCs at 90 days compared with those who tested negative, both among those who were not hospitalized (55 of 1295 [4.2%; 95% CI, 3.2%-5.5%] vs 35 of 1321 [2.7%; 95% CI, 1.9%-3.7%]; difference, 1.6% [95% CI, 0.2%-3.0%]) and those who were hospitalized (40 of 391 [10.2%; 95% CI, 7.4%-13.7%] vs 19 of 380 [5.0%; 95% CI, 3.0%-7.7%]; difference, 5.2% [95% CI, 1.5%-9.1%]). In addition, SARS-CoV-2 positivity was associated with reporting PCCs 90 days after the index ED visit (aOR, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.14-2.35]), specifically systemic health problems (eg, fatigue, weakness, fever; aOR, 2.44 [95% CI, 1.19-5.00]).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with reporting PCCs at 90 days in children. Guidance and follow-up are particularly necessary for hospitalized children who have numerous acute symptoms and are older.

Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2-Positive Youths Tested in Emergency Departments: The Global PERN-COVID-19 Study

IMPORTANCE

Severe outcomes among youths with SARS-CoV-2 infections are poorly characterized.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the proportion of children with severe outcomes within 14 days of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in an emergency department (ED).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This prospective cohort study with 14-day follow-up enrolled participants between March 2020 and June 2021. Participants were youths aged younger than 18 years who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection at one of 41 EDs across 10 countries including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Singapore, Spain, and the United States. Statistical analysis was performed from September to October 2021.

EXPOSURES

Acute SARS-CoV-2 infection was determined by nucleic acid (eg, polymerase chain reaction) testing.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Severe outcomes, a composite measure defined as intensive interventions during hospitalization (eg, inotropic support, positive pressure ventilation), diagnoses indicating severe organ impairment, or death.

RESULTS

Among 3222 enrolled youths who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, 3221 (>99.9%) had index visit outcome data available, 2007 (62.3%) were from the United States, 1694 (52.6%) were male, and 484 (15.0%) had a self-reported chronic illness; the median (IQR) age was 3 (0-10) years. After 14 days of follow-up, 735 children (22.8% [95% CI, 21.4%-24.3%]) were hospitalized, 107 (3.3% [95% CI, 2.7%-4.0%]) had severe outcomes, and 4 children (0.12% [95% CI, 0.03%-0.32%]) died. Characteristics associated with severe outcomes included being aged 5 to 18 years (age 5 to <10 years vs <1 year: odds ratio [OR], 1.60 [95% CI, 1.09-2.34]; age 10 to <18 years vs <1 year: OR, 2.39 [95% CI 1.38-4.14]), having a self-reported chronic illness (OR, 2.34 [95% CI, 1.59-3.44]), prior episode of pneumonia (OR, 3.15 [95% CI, 1.83-5.42]), symptoms starting 4 to 7 days prior to seeking ED care (vs starting 0-3 days before seeking care: OR, 2.22 [95% CI, 1.29-3.82]), and country (eg, Canada vs US: OR, 0.11 [95% CI, 0.05-0.23]; Costa Rica vs US: OR, 1.76 [95% CI, 1.05-2.96]; Spain vs US: OR, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.27-0.98]). Among a subgroup of 2510 participants discharged home from the ED after initial testing and who had complete follow-up, 50 (2.0%; 95% CI, 1.5%-2.6%) were eventually hospitalized and 12 (0.5%; 95% CI, 0.3%-0.8%) had severe outcomes. Compared with hospitalized SARS-CoV-2-negative youths, the risk of severe outcomes was higher among hospitalized SARS-CoV-2-positive youths (risk difference, 3.9%; 95% CI, 1.1%-6.9%).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, approximately 3% of SARS-CoV-2-positive youths tested in EDs experienced severe outcomes within 2 weeks of their ED visit. Among children discharged home from the ED, the risk was much lower. Risk factors such as age, underlying chronic illness, and symptom duration may be useful to consider when making clinical care decisions.

Corticosteroids and Other Treatments Administered to Children Tested for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Emergency Departments

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine if corticosteroid administration is associated with a SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test-positive result and to describe therapies administered to SARS-CoV-2 infected children.

METHODS

We collected cross-sectional data from participants recruited in 41 pediatric emergency departments (ED) in 10 countries between March 2020 and June 2021. Participants were <18 years old, had signs or symptoms of, or risk factors for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, and had nucleic acid testing performed. To determine if SARS-CoV-2 test status was independently associated with corticosteroid administration, we used a multivariable conditional logistic regression model matched by study site to compare treatments administered based on SARS-CoV-2 test and disposition status. This analysis was repeated for the subgroup of study participants who were hospitalized.

RESULTS

30.3% (3,121/10,315) of participants were SARS-CoV-2-positive. Although remdesivir was more commonly administered to SARS-CoV-2-positive children, use was infrequent (25/3120 [0.8%] vs 1/7188 [0.01%]; P = .001). Corticosteroid use was less common among SARS-CoV-2-positive children (219/3120 [7.0%] vs 759/7190 [10.6%]; P < .001). Among hospitalized children, there were no differences in provision of inotropes, respiratory support, chest drainage or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation between groups. Corticosteroid administration was associated with age, history of asthma, wheezing, study month, hospitalization and intensive care unit admission; it was not associated with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result overall (aOR: 0.91; 95%CI: 0.74, 1.12) or among the subgroup of those hospitalized (aOR: 1.04; 95%CI: 0.75, 1.44).

CONCLUSIONS

Few disease-specific treatments are provided to SARS-CoV-2-positive children; clinical trials evaluating therapies in children are urgently needed.

Diagnostic variation for febrile children in European emergency departments

The study aimed to explore the use of diagnostics for febrile children presenting to European emergency departments (EDs), the determinants of inter-hospital variation, and the association between test use and hospitalization. We performed a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional observational study involving 28 paediatric EDs from 11 countries. A total of 4560 children < 16 years were included, with fever as reason for consultation. We excluded neonates and children with relevant comorbidities. Our primary outcome was the proportion of children receiving testing after primary evaluation, by country and by focus of infection. Variability between hospitals and effects of blood testing on patient disposition were explored by multilevel regression analyses, adjusting for patient characteristics (age group, triage level, appearance, fever duration, focus of infection) and hospital type (academic, teaching, other). The use of routine diagnostics varied widely, mostly in the use of blood tests, ranging from 3 to 75% overall across hospitals. Age < 3 months, high-acuity triage level, ill appearance, and suspicion of urinary tract infection displayed the strongest association with blood testing (odds ratios (OR) of 8.71 (95% CI 5.23-14.53), 19.46 (3.66-103.60), 3.13 (2.29-4.26), 10.84 (6.35-18.50), respectively). Blood testing remained highly variable across hospitals (median OR of the final model 2.36, 1.98-3.54). A positive association was observed between blood testing and hospitalization (OR 13.62, 9.00-20.61).

CONCLUSION

the use of diagnostics for febrile children was highly variable across European EDs, yet patient and hospital characteristics could only partly explain inter-hospital variability. Focus groups of participating sites should help define reasons for unexpected variation.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Although previous research has shown variation in the emergency department (ED) management of febrile children, there is limited information on the use of diagnostics in European EDs. • A deeper knowledge of variability and its determinants can steer optimization of care.

WHAT IS NEW

• The use of diagnostics for febrile children was highly variable across European EDs, yet patient and hospital characteristics could only partly explain inter-hospital variability. • Data on between-centre comparison offer opportunities to further explore factors influencing unwarranted variation.

Pediatric Preparedness of European Emergency Departments: A Multicenter International Survey

INTRODUCTION

Children and adolescents often lack optimal emergency care. The objective of the study was to assess the level of preparedness of European emergency departments (EDs) for pediatric patients.

METHODS

This was an international multicenter Internet-based survey of EDs with attending children and adolescents younger than 18 years in 101 EDs from 21 countries. Questionnaires were based on the recommendations in the consensus document published by the International Federation for Emergency Medicine, which defines quality of care standards for children aged 0 to 18 years in the ED. A multivariate binary logistic regression was performed to identify independent factors that are related to the expected standards of care provided by the EDs.

RESULTS

Most (95.0%) of the EDs fulfilled more than 50% of the International Federation for Emergency Medicine essential standards of care, and 24 (23.7%) EDs fulfilled more than 80%. Best results were obtained in the standards that related to equipment, departmental policies, procedures, and protocols, and being able to stabilize an ill or injured child. Worst results were associated with inadequate staffing levels, quality, and safety; adolescents, mental health, and substance misuse delivery issues; and major incidents. Being included in a multicenter international research network was the unique independent factor associated with a good level of preparedness of the EDs for pediatric cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, surveyed European EDs fit well the essential standards of pediatric emergency care. Certain improvement actions are required to guarantee that essential standards of care for pediatric emergency care are always fulfilled in European EDs.

Pilot Trial of the Performance of Electrocardiogram in the Evaluation of Childhood Syncope in the Emergency Department

INTRODUCTION

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is widely considered a standard part of the syncope workup, and it is recommended to be obtained in all children with syncope. Nevertheless, a newly recognized cardiac cause is rare and largely incidental findings are commonly seen, leading to unneeded worry, additional testing, and added health care costs.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze the performance of ECG in the evaluation of childhood syncope in the emergency department (ED).

METHODS

This was a descriptive, retrospective, multicenter pilot study of patients younger than 14 years diagnosed with syncope in which an ECG was obtained in the ED in 2015 and 2016.

RESULTS

During the study period, 440 patients were diagnosed with syncope, of which an ECG was performed in 197 (44.7%). Of these, 64 (32.5%) were related to any concerning features associated with the event, including 33 occurring during or after physical exertion. No major alteration of the ECG was noted, and the ECG revealed multiple minor findings in 38 (19.2%; 95% confidence interval, 14.4-25.4). Twenty-five (12.7%) children were referred to a pediatric cardiologist. No patient was noted to have a previously undiagnosed cardiac cause of syncope.

CONCLUSIONS

A newly recognized cardiac cause is extremely rare among children evaluated for syncope in the ED, and ECG is not systematically obtained in this population. Larger studies are needed to clarify if it is possible to identify a group of children that can be safely managed without a systematic ECG. Best practices need to be better implemented for an adequate management of pediatric syncope in the ED.

Pediatric Intentional Self-poisoning Evaluated in the Emergency Department: An International Study

BACKGROUND

Suicide is a growing public health problem during late childhood and adolescence. The leading method of suicide attempts in this age group is intentional self-poisoning. A first self-poisoning episode is a strong predictor of subsequent suicide and premature death. The objective of this study was to analyze the presentation and management of children younger than 18 years with intentional self-poisonings admitted to an emergency department (ED) in a global research network of pediatric EDs.

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of a large, international, multicenter, cross-sectional prospective registry of childhood poisoning presentations to 105 EDs in the Pediatric Emergency Research Networks (PERN) network. Data collection started at each ED between January and September 2013 and continued for 1 year.

RESULTS

During the study period, we included 1688 poisoning exposures. Of these, 233 (13.8%) were intentional self-poisonings, with significant variation between regions. Female/male ratio was 4.7/1 and most occurred at home. The most common toxicants were therapeutic drugs, mainly psychotropics and analgesics. Ninety patients (38.6%) gave a history of a previous episode of intentional self-poisoning. Sixty-three children (27.0%) were not assessed by a psychiatric service nor transferred to a psychiatric inpatient facility. No patient died. There was significant variation in the involved toxicants and interventions among EDs in different global regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Most intentional self-poisoning presentations to pediatric EDs globally are related to intentional ingestions of therapeutic drugs at home by females. Best practices have to be translated into care to guarantee the best outcomes of these patients.

Blood enterovirus polymerase chain reaction testing in young febrile infants

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the impact of blood enterovirus and human parechovirus PCR (ev-PCR) testing in young infants with fever without a source (FWS).

DESIGN

Observational study, subanalysis of a prospective registry.

SETTING

Paediatric emergency department.

PATIENTS

Infants ≤90 days of age with FWS seen between September 2015 and August 2019 with blood ev-PCR, blood and urine cultures and urine dipstick test performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence of invasive bacterial infection (IBI: bacterial pathogen in blood or cerebrospinal fluid) in infants with positive or negative ev-PCR test results. Secondarily, we also compared length of stay and antibiotic treatment in hospitalised infants.

RESULTS

Of 703 infants, 174 (24.7%) had a positive blood ev-PCR and none of them were diagnosed with an IBI (vs 2.6% (95% CI 1.3% to 4.0%) of those with a negative result, p=0.02). Prevalence of non-IBI (mainly urinary tract infection) was also lower among infants with a positive blood ev-PCR (2.3% (95% CI 0.1% to 4.5%) vs 17.6% (95% CI 14.3% to 20.8%), p<0.01).Overall, 258 infants were hospitalised (36.6%) and 193 (74.8%) of them received antibiotics. Length of hospital stay and antibiotic treatment were shorter in those with a positive blood ev-PCR (median: 3 days vs 5 days and 1 day vs 5 days, respectively; p<0.01). Differences remained statistically significant among well-appearing infants >21 days old with normal urine dipstick.

CONCLUSION

Blood ev-PCR identifies a group of infants under 90 days of age with FWS at very low risk of IBI. This test may help to guide clinical decision making in young febrile infants.

How Are Clinicians Treating Children With Sepsis in Emergency Departments in Latin America?: An International Multicenter Survey

OBJECTIVE

Guidelines adherence in emergency departments (EDs) relies partly on the availability of resources to improve sepsis care and outcomes. Our objective was to assess the management of pediatric septic shock (PSS) in Latin America's EDs and to determine the impact of treatment coordinated by a pediatric emergency specialist (PEMS) versus nonpediatric emergency specialists (NPEMS) on guidelines adherence.

METHODS

Prospective, descriptive, and multicenter study using an electronic survey administered to PEMS and NPEMS who treat PSS in EDs in 14 Latin American countries.

RESULTS

We distributed 2164 surveys with a response rate of 41.5%, of which 22.5% were PEMS. Overall American College of Critical Care Medicine reported guidelines adherence was as follows: vascular access obtained in 5 minutes, 76%; fluid infusion technique, 60%; administering 40 to 60 mL/kg within 30 minutes, 32%; inotropic infusion by peripheral route, 61%; dopamine or epinephrine in cold shock, 80%; norepinephrine in warm shock, 57%; and antibiotics within 60 minutes, 82%. Between PEMS and NPEMS, the following differences were found: vascular access in 5 minutes, 87.1% versus 72.7% (P < 0.01); fluid infusion technique, 72.3% versus 55.9% (P < 0.01); administering 40 to 60 mL/kg within 30 minutes, 42% versus 29% (P < 0.01); inotropic infusion by peripheral route, 75.7% versus 56.3% (P < 0.01); dopamine or epinephrine in cold shock, 87.1% versus 77.3% (P < 0.05); norepinephrine in warm shock, 67.8% versus 54% (P < 0.01); and antibiotic administration within first 60 minutes, 90.1% versus 79.3% (P < 0.01), respectively. Good adherence criteria were followed by 24%. The main referred barrier for sepsis care was a failure in its recognition, including the lack of triage tools.

CONCLUSIONS

In some Latin American countries, there is variability in self-reported adherence to the evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of PSS during the first hour. The coordination by PEMS support greater adherence to these recommendations.

Impact of the Step-by-Step on febrile infants

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of introducing the Step-by-Step approach on care quality in young febrile infants.

DESIGN

Observational study including infants ≤90 days old with fever without source seen in a paediatric emergency department 5 years before (n=1222) and after (n=1151) its introduction. Quality of care was evaluated in terms of adherence to recommendations, resource use and safety.

RESULTS

Adherence: percentages of infants undergoing both urine and blood tests and infants <15 days old receiving full sepsis evaluation increased (84.7% vs 91.0% and 23.9% vs 63.3%, respectively; p<0.01). Resource use: lumbar puncture and admission rates decreased (24.1% vs 18.7% and 43.6% vs 38.3%, respectively; p<0.01), while the rate of antibiotic therapy increased (30.2% vs 43.2%; p<0.01).

SAFETY

the invasive bacterial infection rate among infants managed as outpatients was unchanged (0.7% vs 0.3%; p=0.24).

CONCLUSION

The introduction of the Step-by-Step increased the quality of care provided to young febrile infants.

Exposure and Confidence With Critical Nonairway Procedures: A Global Survey of Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physicians

BACKGROUND

Children rarely experience critical illness, resulting in low exposure of emergency physicians (EPs) to critical procedures. Our primary objective was to describe senior EP confidence, most recent performance, and/or supervision of critical nonairway procedures. Secondary objectives were to compare responses between those who work exclusively in PEM and those who do not and to determine whether confidence changed for selected procedures according to increasing patient age.

METHODS

Survey of senior EPs working in 96 emergency departments (EDs) affiliated with the Pediatric Emergency Research Networks. Questions assessed training, performance, supervision, and confidence in 11 nonairway critical procedures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), vascular access, chest decompression, and cardiac procedures.

RESULTS

Of 2446 physicians, 1503 (61%) responded to the survey. Within the previous year, only CPR and insertion of an intraosseous needle had been performed by at least 50% of respondents: over 20% had performed defibrillation/direct current cardioversion. More than 50% of respondents had never performed or supervised ED thoracotomy, pericardiocentesis, venous cutdown, or transcutaneous pacing. Self-reported confidence was high for all patient age groups for CPR, needle thoracocentesis, tube thoracostomy, intraosseous needle insertion, and defibrillation/DC cardioversion. Confidence levels increased with increasing patient age for central venous and arterial line insertion. Respondents working exclusively in PEM were more likely to report being at least somewhat confident in defibrillation/DC cardioversion, intraosseous needle insertion, and central venous line insertion in particular age groups; however, they were less likely to be at least somewhat confident in ED thoracotomy and transcutaneous pacing.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intraosseous needle insertion were the only critical nonairway procedures performed by at least half of EPs within the previous year. Confidence was higher for these procedures, and needle and tube thoracostomy. These data may inform the development of continuing medical education activities to maintain pediatric procedural skills for emergency physicians.

The Pediatric Emergency Research Network (PERN): A decade of global research cooperation in paediatric emergency care

OBJECTIVES

The Pediatric Emergency Research Network (PERN) was launched in 2009 with the intent for existing national and regional research networks in paediatric emergency care to organise globally for the conduct of collaborative research across networks.

METHODS

PERN has grown from five to eight member networks over the past decade. With an executive committee comprising representatives from all member networks, PERN plays a supportive and collaborative rather than governing role. The full impact of PERN's facilitation of international collaborative research, although somewhat difficult to quantify empirically, can be measured indirectly by the observed growth of the field, the nature of the increasingly challenging research questions now being addressed and the collective capacity to generate and implement new knowledge in treating acutely ill and injured children.

RESULTS

Beginning as a pandemic response studying H1N1 influenza risk factors in children, PERN research has progressed to multiple observational studies and ongoing global randomised controlled trials (RCTs). As a recent example, PERN has developed sufficient network infrastructure to enable the rapid initiation of a prospective observational study in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

Following its success with developing global research, the PERN goal now is to promote the implementation of scientific advances into everyday clinical practice by: (i) expanding the capacity for global RCTs; (ii) deepening the focus on implementation science; (iii) increasing attention to healthcare disparities; and (iv) expanding PERN's reach into resource-restricted regions. Through these actions, PERN aims to meet the needs of acutely ill and injured children throughout the world.

The Pediatric Emergency Research Network: A Decade of Global Research Cooperation in Pediatric Emergency Care

OBJECTIVES

The Pediatric Emergency Research Network (PERN) was launched in 2009 with the intent for existing national and regional research networks in pediatric emergency care to organize globally for the conduct of collaborative research across networks.

METHODS

The Pediatric Emergency Research Network has grown from 5- to 8-member networks over the past decade. With an executive committee comprising representatives from all member networks, PERN plays a supportive and collaborative rather than governing role. The full impact of PERN's facilitation of international collaborative research, although somewhat difficult to quantify empirically, can be measured indirectly by the observed growth of the field, the nature of the increasingly challenging research questions now being addressed, and the collective capacity to generate and implement new knowledge in treating acutely ill and injured children.

RESULTS

Beginning as a pandemic response with a high-quality retrospective case-controlled study of H1N1 influenza risk factors, PERN research has progressed to multiple observational studies and ongoing global randomized controlled trials. As a recent example, PERN has developed sufficient network infrastructure to enable the rapid initiation of a prospective observational study in response to the current coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. In light of the ongoing need for translation of research knowledge into equitable clinical practice and to promote health equity, PERN is committed to a coordinated international effort to increase the uptake of evidence-based management of common and treatable acute conditions in all emergency department settings.

CONCLUSIONS

The Pediatric Emergency Research Network's successes with global research, measured by prospective observational and interventional studies, mean that the network can now move to improve its ability to promote the implementation of scientific advances into everyday clinical practice. Achieving this goal will involve focus in 4 areas: (1) expanding the capacity for global randomized controlled trials; (2) deepening the focus on implementation science; (3) increasing attention to healthcare disparities and their origins, with growing momentum toward equity; and (4) expanding PERN's global reach through addition of sites and networks from resource-restricted regions. Through these actions, PERN will be able to build on successes to face the challenges ahead and meet the needs of acutely ill and injured children throughout the world.

Paediatric Escherichia coli bacteraemia presentations and high-risk factors in the emergency department

AIM

Escherichia coli (E coli) is a known cause of paediatric bacteraemia. The main objective was to characterise the emergency department (ED) presentations of paediatric E coli bacteraemia and secondarily to identify those related to greater severity.

METHODS

This was a sub-study of a multicentre cross-sectional prospective registry including all with E coli bacteraemia episodes between 2011 and 2016. We used multiple correspondence and cluster analysis to identify different patterns.

RESULTS

We included 291 patients and 43 met criteria for severe disease (14.3%, 95% confidence interval 11.2-19.3). We identified four types of paediatric E coli bacteraemia presentations. Two (178 patients, 61.2%) were related to well-appearing previously healthy infants with associated urinary tract infection (UTI). Well-appearing children older than 12 months old with underlying disease (n = 60, 20.6%) and non-well-appearing children of different ages (n = 53, 18.2%) corresponded to the other two types; these had associated UTI infrequently and higher severity rate (15% and 50.9%, respectively, higher when compared with the two previous types, P < .01), including the two patients who died.

CONCLUSION

There were four different types of ED paediatric E coli bacteraemia presentations with different severity. Febrile young children with associated UTI showed the best outcome.

Initiatives to reduce treatments in bronchiolitis in the emergency department and primary care

We performed a quality improvement initiative to reduce unnecessary treatments for acute bronchiolitis (AB) in primary care (PC) and the referral paediatric emergency department (ED). The quality improvement initiative involved two seasons: 2016-2017 (preintervention) and 2017-2018 (postintervention). We distributed an evidence-based protocol, informative posters and badges with the slogan 'Bronchiolitis, less is more'. We also held interactive sessions, and paediatricians received weekly reports on bronchodilator prescription. The main outcome was the percentage of infants prescribed salbutamol. Secondary outcomes were epinephrine, antibiotic and corticosteroid prescription rates. Control measures were ED visit and hospitalisation rates, triage level, length of stay, intensive care admission and unscheduled returns with admission. We included 1878 ED and 1192 PC visits of which 855 (44.5%) and 534 (44.7%) occurred in the postintervention period, respectively. In the ED, salbutamol and epinephrine prescription rates fell from 13.8% (95% CI 11.8% to 16%) to 9.1% (95% CI 7.3% to 11.2%) (p<0.01) and 10.4% (95% CI 8.6% to 12.4%) to 9% (95% CI 7.2% to 11.1%) (n.s.), respectively. In PC, salbutamol, corticosteroid and antibiotic prescription rates fell from 38.3% (95% CI 34.6% to 42.0%) to 15.9% (95% CI 12.9% to 19.5%) (p<0.01), 12.9% (95% CI 10.5% to 15.7%) to 3.6% (95% CI 2.2% to 5.7%) (p<0.01) and 29.6% (95% CI 26.2% to 33.2%) to 9.5% (95% CI 7.2% to 12.5%) (p<0.01), respectively. No significant variations were noted in control measures. We safely decreased the use of unnecessary treatments for AB. Collaboration between PC and ED appears to be an important factor for success.

Accuracy of PECARN rule for predicting serious bacterial infection in infants with fever without a source

OBJECTIVE

To validate the Febrile Infant Working Group of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) clinical prediction rule on an independent cohort of infants with fever without a source (FWS).

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of a prospective registry.

SETTING

Paediatric emergency department of a tertiary teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

Infants ≤60 days old with FWS between 2007 and 2018.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence of serious bacterial infection (SBI) and invasive bacterial infection (IBI) in low-risk infants according to the PECARN rule.

RESULTS

Among the 1247 infants included, 256 were diagnosed with an SBI (20.5%), including 38 IBIs (3.1%). Overall, 576 infants (46.0%; 95% CI 43.4% to 49.0%) would have been classified as low risk of SBI by the PECARN rule. Of them, 26 had an SBI (4.5%), including 5 with an IBI (2 (0.8%) diagnosed with bacterial meningitis). Sensitivity and specificity of the PECARN rule were 89.8% (95% CI 85.5% to 93.0%) and 55.5% (95% CI 52.4% to 58.6%) for SBI, with an area under the curve of 0.726 (95% CI 0.702 to 0.750). Its sensitivity to identify SBIs was 88.6% (95% CI 82.0% to 92.9%) among infants with a <6-hour history of fever (54.9% of the infants included).

CONCLUSIONS

The PECARN clinical rule for identifying SBI performed less well in our population than in the original study. This clinical rule should be applied cautiously in young infants with a short history of fever.

Prospective cohort study of children with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection presenting to paediatric emergency departments: a Paediatric Emergency Research Networks (PERN) Study Protocol

INTRODUCTION

Relatively limited data are available regarding paediatric COVID-19. Although most children appear to have mild or asymptomatic infections, infants and those with comorbidities are at increased risk of experiencing more severe illness and requiring hospitalisation due to COVID-19. The recent but uncommon association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with development of a multisystem inflammatory syndrome has heightened the importance of understanding paediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The Paediatric Emergency Research Network-COVID-19 cohort study is a rapid, global, prospective cohort study enrolling 12 500 children who are tested for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. 47 emergency departments across 12 countries on four continents will participate. At enrolment, regardless of SARS-CoV-2 test results, all children will have the same information collected, including clinical, epidemiological, laboratory, imaging and outcome data. Interventions and outcome data will be collected for hospitalised children. For all children, follow-up at 14 and 90 days will collect information on further medical care received, and long-term sequelae, respectively. Statistical models will be designed to identify risk factors for infection and severe outcomes.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Sites will seek ethical approval locally, and informed consent will be obtained. There is no direct risk or benefit of study participation. Weekly interim analysis will allow for real-time data sharing with regional, national, and international policy makers. Harmonisation and sharing of investigation materials with WHO, will contribute to synergising global efforts for the clinical characterisation of paediatric COVID-19. Our findings will enable the implementation of countermeasures to reduce viral transmission and severe COVID-19 outcomes in children.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04330261.

Exposure and confidence across critical airway procedures in pediatric emergency medicine: An international survey study

BACKGROUND

Airway management procedures are critical for emergency medicine (EM) physicians, but rarely performed skills in pediatric patients. Worldwide experience with respect to frequency and confidence in performing airway management skills has not been previously described.

OBJECTIVES

Our aims were 1) to determine the frequency with which emergency medicine physicians perform airway procedures including: bag-mask ventilation (BMV), endotracheal intubation (ETI), laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion, tracheostomy tube change (TTC), and surgical airways, and 2) to investigate predictors of procedural confidence regarding advanced airway management in children.

METHODS

A web-based survey of senior emergency physicians was distributed through the six research networks associated with Pediatric Emergency Research Network (PERN). Senior physician was defined as anyone working without direct supervision at any point in a 24-h cycle. Physicians were queried regarding their most recent clinical experience performing or supervising airway procedures, as well as with hands on practice time or procedural teaching. Reponses were dichotomized to within the last year, or ≥ 1 year. Confidence was assessed using a Likert scale for each procedure, with results for ETI and LMA stratified by age. Response levels were dichotomized to "not confident" or "confident." Multivariate regression models were used to assess relevant associations.

RESULTS

1602 of 2446 (65%) eligible clinicians at 96 PERN sites responded. In the previous year, 1297 (85%) physicians reported having performed bag-mask ventilation, 900 (59%) had performed intubation, 248 (17%) had placed a laryngeal mask airway, 348 (23%) had changed a tracheostomy tube, and 18 (1%) had performed a surgical airway. Of respondents, 13% of physicians reported the opportunity to supervise but not provide ETI, 5% for LMA and 5% for BMV. The percentage of physicians reporting "confidence" in performing each procedure was: BMV (95%) TTC (43%), and surgical airway (16%). Clinician confidence in ETT and LMA varied by patient age. Supervision of an airway procedure was the strongest predictor of procedural confidence across airway procedures.

CONCLUSION

BMV and ETI were the most commonly performed pediatric airway procedures by emergency medicine physicians, and surgical airways are very infrequent. Supervising airway procedures may serve to maintain procedural confidence for physicians despite infrequent opportunities as the primary proceduralist.

Predicting severe pneumonia in the emergency department: a global study of the Pediatric Emergency Research Networks (PERN)-study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Pneumonia is a frequent and costly cause of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalisations in children. There are no evidence-based, validated tools to assist physicians in management and disposition decisions for children presenting to the ED with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The objective of this study is to develop a clinical prediction model to accurately stratify children with CAP who are at risk for low, moderate and severe disease across a global network of EDs.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This study is a prospective cohort study enrolling up to 4700 children with CAP at EDs at ~80 member sites of the Pediatric Emergency Research Networks (PERN; https://pern-global.com/). We will include children aged 3 months to <14 years with a clinical diagnosis of CAP. We will exclude children with hospital admissions within 7 days prior to the study visit, hospital-acquired pneumonias or chronic complex conditions. Clinical, laboratory and imaging data from the ED visit and hospitalisations within 7 days will be collected. A follow-up telephone or text survey will be completed 7-14 days after the visit. The primary outcome is a three-tier composite of disease severity. Ordinal logistic regression, assuming a partial proportional odds specification, and recursive partitioning will be used to develop the risk stratification models.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study will result in a clinical prediction model to accurately identify risk of severe disease on presentation to the ED. Ethics approval was obtained for all sites included in the study. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Institutional Review Board (IRB) serves as the central IRB for most US sites. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Results will be disseminated through international conferences and peer-reviewed publications. This study overcomes limitations of prior pneumonia severity scores by allowing for broad generalisability of findings, which can be actively implemented after model development and validation.

Febrile young infants with abnormal urine dipstick at low risk of invasive bacterial infection

OBJECTIVES

To develop and validate a prediction rule to identify well-appearing febrile infants aged ≤90 days with an abnormal urine dipstick at low risk of invasive bacterial infections (IBIs, bacteraemia or bacterial meningitis).

DESIGN

Ambispective, multicentre study.

SETTING

The derivation set in a single paediatric emergency department (ED) between 2003 and 2017. The validation set in 21 European EDs between December 2017 and November 2019.

PATIENTS

Two sets of well-appearing febrile infants aged ≤90 days with an abnormal urine dipstick (either leucocyte esterase and/or nitrite positive test).

MAIN OUTCOME

Prevalence of IBI in low-risk infants according to the RISeuP score.

RESULTS

We included 662 infants in the derivation set (IBI rate:5.2%). After logistic regression, we developed a score (RISeuP score) including age (≤15 days old), serum procalcitonin (≥0.6 ng/mL) and C reactive protein (≥20 mg/L) as risk factors. The absence of any risk factor had a sensitivity of 96.0% (95% CI 80.5% to 99.3%), a negative predictive value of 99.4% (95% CI 96.4% to 99.9%) and a specificity of 32.9% (95% CI 28.8% to 37.3%) for ruling out an IBI. Applying it in the 449 infants of the validation set (IBI rate 4.9%), sensitivity, negative predictive value and specificity were 100% (95% CI 87.1% to 100%), 100% (95% CI 97.3% to 100%) and 29.7% (95% CI 25.8% to 33.8%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

This prediction rule accurately identified well-appearing febrile infants aged ≤90 days with an abnormal urine dipstick at low risk of IBI. This score can be used to guide initial clinical decision-making in these patients, selecting infants suitable for an outpatient management.

A positive nitrite test was an independent risk factor for invasive bacterial infections in infants under 90 days of age with fever without source

AIM

This study analysed the association between a positive nitrite dipstick test and an invasive bacterial infection (IBI) in infants younger than 90 days of age with fever without source (FWS).

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of data from a prospective multicentre study of infants up to 90 days of age with FWS undergoing care in 19 paediatric EDs between October 2011 and September 2013. Invasive bacterial infection was defined as a positive blood or cerebrospinal fluid culture.

RESULTS

The dipstick urinalysis was positive for nitrite or leucocyte esterase in 766 (22.5%) of the 3401 infants we studied, and 270 (35.2%) had a dipstick test that was just positive for nitrite. Overall, 107 were diagnosed with an IBI (3.1%). The IBI prevalence was 2.2% among patients with a normal urine dipstick, 4.4% if they had positive leucocyte esterase test results, 8.3% where the nitrite test was positive and 10.6% when both tests were positive. After multivariate analysis, a positive nitrite test remained an independent risk factor for IBI (odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.4-4.9).

CONCLUSION

In infants under 90 days of age with FWS, a positive nitrite urine dipstick test was an independent risk factor for IBI.

Risk Factors for Severe Anaphylaxis in Children

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors associated with severe anaphylaxis in children.

STUDY DESIGN

We carried out a multicenter prospective observational study including children less than 18 years old diagnosed with anaphylaxis in 7 Spanish pediatric emergency departments (EDs) between May 2016 and April 2018. Children were considered to have severe anaphylaxis if they met one or more of the following criteria: requirement for 2 or more doses of epinephrine, clinically important biphasic reaction, endotracheal intubation, intensive care unit admission, and/or death.

RESULTS

We included 453 episodes of anaphylaxis. Of these, 61 were classified as severe anaphylaxis (13.5%, 95% CI [10.6-16.9]): 53 (11.7%) required more than 1 dose of epinephrine, and there were 14 (3.1%) cases of clinically important biphasic reactions, 2 (0.4%) intubations in the ED, and 6 (1.3%) admissions to the intensive care unit. No patients died. In the multivariable regression, we identified 5 independent risk factors for severe anaphylaxis: history of asthma (P = .002; OR 2.705, 95% CI [1.431-5.113]), onset of the symptoms less than 5 minutes after the allergen exposure (P = .002; OR 2.619, 95% CI [1.410-4.866]), non-well appearance (P = .005; OR 2.973, 95% CI [1.380-6.405]), tachycardia (P = .014; OR 2.339, 95% CI [1.191-4.959]), and hypotension (P = .036; OR 3.725, 95% CI [1.087-12.762]).

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood anaphylaxis is usually well controlled in the ED. Children with a history of asthma, rapid onset of the symptoms, who are non-well appearing, or have tachycardia or hypotension upon arrival to the ED are more likely to have severe episodes.

Emergency care provided to refugee children in Europe: RefuNET: a cross-sectional survey study

BACKGROUND

Refugee children and young people have complex healthcare needs. However, issues related to acute healthcare provision for refugee children across Europe remain unexplored. This study aimed to describe the urgent and emergency healthcare needs of refugee children in Europe, and to identify obstacles to providing this care.

METHODS

An online cross-sectional survey was distributed to European healthcare professionals via research networks between 1 February and 1 October 2017 addressing health issues of children and young people aged <18 years fulfilling international criteria of refugee status, presenting to emergency departments. Survey domains explored (1) respondent's institution, (2) local healthcare system, (3) available guidance and educational tools, (4) perceived obstacles and improvements required, (5) countries of origin of refugee children being seen and (6) presenting signs and symptoms of refugee children.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-eight respondents from 23 European countries completed the survey, and most worked in academic institutions (n=118, 80%). Guidance on immunisations was available for 30% of respondents, and on safeguarding issues (31%), screening for infection (32%) or mental health (14%). Thirteen per cent reported regular teaching sessions related to refugee child health. Language barriers (60%), unknown medical history (54%), post-traumatic stress disorder (52%) and mental health issues (50%) were perceived obstacles to providing care; severity of presenting illness, rare or drug-resistant pathogens and funding were not.

CONCLUSIONS

Many hospitals are not adequately prepared for providing urgent and emergency care to refugee children and young people. Although clinicians are generally well equipped to deal with most types and severity of presenting illnesses, we identified specific obstacles such as language barriers, mental health issues, safeguarding issues and lack of information on previous medical history. There was a clear need for more guidelines and targeted education on refugee child health.

Clinical Prediction Rule for Distinguishing Bacterial From Aseptic Meningitis

BACKGROUND

New biomarkers like procalcitonin and C-reactive protein may help design an accurate decision support tool used to identify children with pleocytosis at low or high risk of bacterial meningitis. Our objective was to develop and validate a score (that we call the meningitis score for emergencies [MSE]) to distinguish bacterial meningitis from aseptic meningitis in children with pleocytosis when initially evaluated at the emergency department.

METHODS

We included children between 29 days and 14 years old with meningitis admitted to 25 Spanish emergency departments. A retrospective cohort from between 2011 and 2016 was used as the derivation set and a prospective cohort recruited during 2017 and 2018 was used as the validation set.

RESULTS

Among the 1009 patients included, there were 917 cases of aseptic meningitis and 92 of bacterial meningitis. Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, we identified the following predictors of bacterial meningitis from the derivation set: procalcitonin >1.2 ng/mL, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein >80 mg/dL, CSF absolute neutrophil count >1000 cells per mm³, and C-reactive protein >40 mg/L. Using the derivation set, we developed the MSE, assigning 3 points for procalcitonin, 2 points for CSF protein, and 1 point for each of the other variables. An MSE ≥1 predicted bacterial meningitis with a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 95.0%-100%), a specificity of 83.2 (95% CI: 80.6-85.5), and a negative predictive value of 100% (95% CI 99.4-100.) CONCLUSIONS: The MSE accurately distinguishes bacterial from aseptic meningitis in children with CSF pleocytosis.