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Pneumonia has a major impact on childhood health and health care costs. This study was designed to obtain contemporary information on the clinical characteristics and etiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children from both inpatient and outpatient settings in the USA.We conducted a prospective, multicenter, observational study of CAP among previously healthy children 2 months to 18 years of age in 6 children's hospitals in Ohio from 2015 to 2018. For pathogen detection, nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from all subjects. Blood and pleural fluid cultures were available per standard of care.We enrolled a convenience sample of 441 patients: 380 hospitalized and 61 outpatients. Tachypnea and radiologic findings of consolidation and pleural effusion were more frequent among inpatients than outpatients. A pathogen was detected in 64.6% of patients: viruses in 55.6%, atypical bacteria in 8.8% and pyogenic bacteria in 4.3%. Eighteen (4.1%) patients had both viruses and bacteria detected. Rhinovirus/enterovirus (RV; 18.6%) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV; 16.8%) were the viruses most frequently detected, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (8.2%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (2.3%) were the most common bacteria. Except for S. pneumoniae, which was identified more frequently in inpatients, there were no significant differences between inpatients and outpatients in the proportions of children with specific pathogens detected.Rhinovirus/enterovirus and RSV among viruses and M. pneumoniae and S. pneumoniae among bacteria were the most common pathogens detected in children with CAP. Tachypnea and chest radiographs with consolidation and/or pleural effusion were associated with hospitalization.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the leading cause of death in children

Background The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and Pediatrics Review Committee (RC) recommends the clinical procedures residents should master during their training. These guidelines may be partially based on consensus opinion or tradition rather than actual need. The literature defining which procedures general pediatricians actually perform in practice is limited. Objective Our objective was to determine how often general pediatricians perform procedures recommended by accreditation bodies, how well prepared they feel to perform them, and how important the procedures are to their practice. Methods We categorized recommended procedures as emergent, urgent, or office-based, then developed and administered a survey in 2017 based on these classes. We randomly sampled and polled 439 general pediatricians from urban, suburban, or rural regions across central Ohio. Responses were compared using the Welch ANOVA, Mann Whitney U, and post-hoc tests. Results The response rate was 60% (265 of 439). Pediatricians almost never performed 11 of 13 recommended procedures, yet felt well prepared to perform them all and believed that all were important. Rural pediatricians performed significantly more emergent and office-based procedures and rated them as more important. Commonly performed non-ACGME/RC procedures were circumcision, wart removal, cerumen removal, umbilical cauterization, and suture removal. Conclusions Findings suggest that pediatricians rarely perform most of the recommended procedures, but think they are important. There are several office-based non-ACGME recommended procedures that pediatricians commonly perform. Regional differences suggest the need for customized training based on future practice plans.

We describe six teenagers presenting with fever and severe abdominal symptoms admitted with concerns for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Laboratory evaluation revealed elevated markers of inflammation, lymphopenia, and increased D-dimers. Imaging studies revealed multifocal airspace disease and ground-glass opacities. SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction and serologies were negative. All patients reported a history of vaping, prompting E-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) diagnosis. MIS-C has overlapping clinical and laboratory features highlighting the added challenge of diagnosing EVALI during the COVID-19 pandemic. Keywords COVID-19 pandemic, EVALI, MIS-C.

We describe six teenagers presenting with fever and severe abdominal symptoms admitted with concerns for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Laboratory evaluation revealed elevated markers of inflammation, lymphopenia, and increased d-dimers. Imaging studies revealed multifocal airspace disease and ground-glass opacities. SARS-CoV-2 PCR and serologies were negative. All patients reported a history of vaping, prompting E-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) diagnosis. MIS-C has overlapping clinical and laboratory features highlighting the added challenge of diagnosing EVALI during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective The American Board of Pediatrics Certifying Exam (ABP CE) is a high stakes exam and is important for employment and fellowship opportunities in pediatrics. Although research has suggested interventions which may improve scores, little research has focused on resident perception of preparation for the ABP CE. In this study, we aimed to better define pediatric residents' attitudes and preferences regarding preparation for the ABP CE. Methods Pediatric residents from one residency program were invited to participate in focus groups to discuss their attitudes and preferences on board exam preparation for the ABP CE. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed. Conventional content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. From the transcripts, authors developed codes through an iterative process, which were then organized into categories. These categories were then grouped into themes. Results Nineteen residents participated in three focus groups. Focus group transcription analysis resulted in 49 codes, which were sorted into 26 categories. The categories were then grouped into four key themes: 1) the ABP CE is not immediately important early in residency; 2) more personalized guidance is preferred; 3) consistent board preparation focus from the residency program is valued; 4) learning format is important. Conclusions Residents believe preparation for the ABP CE increases in importance as they progress through residency, and they desire more personalized, consistent, and structured focus from their training program related to ABP CE preparation. Attention to these perceptions can help guide pediatric residency program leadership in developing effective board exam preparation strategies and curricula for their residents.

Background:Admission criteria and standardized management strategies for bronchiolitis are addressed in several guidelines and have shown to be beneficial; however, guidance regarding discharge criteria is limited and widely variable. We assessed the impact on clinical outcomes of a discharge protoc

Worldwide, pneumonia is the most common cause of death in children aged5 years. Distinguishing viral from bacterial causes of pneumonia is paramount to providing effective treatment but remains a significant challenge. For patients who can be managed with outpatient treatment, the utility of laboratory tests and radiographic studies, as well as the need for empiric antibiotics, remains questionable. This issue reviews viral and bacterial etiologies of community-acquired pneumonia in pediatric patients, offers guidance for obtaining historical information and interpreting physical examination findings, discusses the utility of various diagnostic techniques, and provides recommendations for the treatment of previously healthy and medically fragile children. [PointsPearls is a digest of Pediatric Emergency Medicine Practice.]

Objective To compare the medical costs associated with risk stratification criteria used to evaluate febrile infants 29-90 days of age. Study design A cost analysis study was conducted evaluating the Boston, Rochester, Philadelphia, Step-by-Step, and PECARN criteria. The percentage of infants considered low risk and rates of missed infections were obtained from published literature. Emergency department costs were estimated from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The Health Care Cost and Utilization Project databases were used to estimate the number of infants ages 29-90 days presenting with fever annually and costs for admissions related to missed infections. A probabilistic Markov model with a Dirichlet prior was used to estimate the transition probability distributions for each outcome, and a gamma distribution was used to model costs. A Markov simulation estimated the distribution of expected annual costs per infant and total annual costs. Results For low-risk infants, the mean cost per infant for the criteria were Rochester: $1050 (IQR $1004-$1092), Philadelphia: $1416 (IQR, $1365-$1465), Boston: $1460 (IQR, $1411-$1506), Step-by-Step $942 (IQR, $899-$981), and PECARN $1004 (IQR, $956-$1050). An estimated 18 522 febrile 1- to 3-month-old infants present annually and estimated total mean costs for their care by criteria were: Rochester, $127.3 million (IQR, $126.1-$128.5); Philadelphia, $129.9 million (IQR, $128.7-$131.1); Boston, $128.7 million (IQR, $127.5-$129.9); Step-by-Step, $ 126.6 million (IQR, $125.4-$127.8); and PECARN, $125.8 million (IQR, $124.6-$127). Conclusions The Rochester, Step-by-step, and PECARN criteria are the least costly when evaluating infants 29-90 days of age with a fever.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of hospitalization and mortality in children. Diagnosis remains challenging and there are no reliable tools to objectively risk stratify patients or predict clinical outcomes. Molecular distance to health (MDTH) is a genomic score that measures the global perturbation of the transcriptional profile and may help classify patients by disease severity. We evaluated the value of MDTH to assess disease severity in children hospitalized with CAP.Methods: Children hospitalized with CAP and matched healthy controls were enrolled in a prospective observational study. Blood samples were obtained for transcriptome analyses within 24 h of hospitalization. MDTH scores were calculated to assess disease severity and correlated with laboratory markers, such as white blood cell count, c-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT), and clinical outcomes, including duration of fever and duration of hospitalization (LOS). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were applied to assess factors associated with LOS and duration of fever after hospitalization.Results: Among children hospitalized with CAP (n = 152), pyogenic bacteria (PB) were detected in 16 (11%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae was detected in 41 (28%), respiratory viruses (RV) alone were detected in 78 (51%), and no pathogen was detected in 17 (11%) children. Statistical group comparisons identified 6,726 genes differentially expressed in patients with CAP vs. healthy controls (n = 39). Children with confirmed PB had higher MDTH scores than those with RV (p < 0.05) or M. pneumoniae (p < 0.01) detected alone. CRP (r = 0.39, p < 0.0001), PCT (r = 0.39, p < 0.0001), and MDTHs (r = 0.24, p < 0.01) correlated with duration of fever, while only MDTHs correlated with LOS (r = 0.33, p < 0.0001). Unadjusted analyses showed that both higher CRP and MDTHs were associated with longer LOS (OR 1.04 [1–1.07] and 1.12 [1.04–1.20], respectively), however, only MDTH remained significant when adjusting for other covariates (aOR 1.11 [1.01–1.22]).Conclusions: In children hospitalized with CAP MDTH score measured within 24 h of admission was independently associated with longer duration of hospitalization, regardless of the pathogen detected. This suggests that transcriptional biomarkers may represent a promising approach to assess disease severity in children with CAP.

Background Worldwide, pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children Methods We conducted a prospective, multicenter, observational study of CAP among previously healthy children aged 2 months through 18 years in six children’s hospitals in Ohio. Blood, pleural fluid, and nasopharyngeal swabs were collected for pathogen detection by culture and/or molecular diagnostics. Patient clinical management including antibiotic therapy and respiratory support, followed the standard of care at each study site. Follow-up information regarding clinical outcomes was collected via a survey 6–8 weeks after enrollment. Results We enrolled 441 children (n = 380, 86% hospitalized) with CAP from 2015 to 2018. Median age was 5 years (IQR: 2.1–8.9y). Intensive care and respiratory support were required for 15% and 49% of children, respectively. Consolidation and pleural effusion were identified in 26% and 21%, respectively. Among hospitalized children, 99% received antibiotics during hospitalization, and 91% continued antibiotic treatment at discharge. There were no children with any kind of sequelae or deaths from CAP, but 4.4% were readmitted within 30 days after discharge. Pathogens were identified in 64% patients; including pyogenic bacteria in 4%, atypical bacteria in 9%, and viruses in 56%. A total of 18 (4%) children had both bacterial (9 pyogenic and 9 mycoplasma) and viral pathogens. Among children with a virus detected (n = 245), 17% had more than one virus. The most commonly detected bacteria were M. pneumoniae (n = 39) and S. pneumoniae (n = 10). Rhinovirus was the most common virus detected (RV; n = 81, 28%), followed by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV; n = 75, 26%). Conclusion In this multicenter cohort, the most commonly detected viruses in children with CAP were RV and RSV, and M. pneumoniae and S. pneumoniae among bacteria. Clinical outcomes in children with CAP were overall good, but there was a high burden of hospitalization and antibiotic use. Disclosures Octavio Ramilo, MD, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Research Grant; Janssen: Research Grant; Merck: Advisory Board; NIH: Research Grant; Ohio Children’s Hospital Association (OCHA): Research Grant; Pfizer: Advisory Board, Consultant, Lectures; Sanofi/Medimmune: Advisory Board.

Background Effective means of preparing interns for transition to residency remains elusive. Recent studies indicate program directors perceive new interns to be underprepared for residency. While intern orientation is ubiquitous, content can vary greatly and often does not assess trainee competence. Objective To determine the content of intern orientation across several pediatric residency programs and evaluate intern perceptions of the effectiveness of orientation. Methods This cross-sectional study included pediatric residency programs in the Mid-America region. A survey with questions regarding orientation activities including content, allotted time, format, and assessment was sent to 24 program directors. Current interns at these programs were surveyed regarding their perceptions of the effectiveness of activities completed during orientation. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey responses. Results Fifty-eight percent of program directors responded to the initial survey. Median time in orientation was 65.5 hours (range 30-120). Variation was noted across programs in content and format. Only 9 activities were represented among all survey participants. Additionally, 93 interns from 15 programs completed the intern survey. Approximately 80% of interns perceived the overall time spent in orientation was “just right”; however, 37% felt too little time was spent on orientation to intern roles, and 38% perceived that too little time was spent on review of clinical skills. Fifty-four percent of respondents felt electronic health record training was slightly or not at all effective. Conclusions Pediatric intern orientation varied across the institutions surveyed and intern responses indicate that time on clinical skills and intern roles should be increased. This study is the first to characterize the activities included in pediatric orientation and their perceived value to interns. Next steps include expanding the study to additional pediatric programs and utilizing findings to help inform best practices for orientation and onboarding of pediatric residents.

Background While 10% of the population may report a penicillin (PCN) allergy, it has been shown that 90% of these patients are not allergic and may still be able to take PCN safely. Inaccurate reporting of a PCN allergy may lead to prescription of other non-B-lactam or broader spectrum antibiotics. Inpatients with reported antibiotic allergy status have been shown to have inappropriate antibiotic prescribing, increase microbiologic resistance, and suboptimal patient outcomes. Our goal was to evaluate antibiotic prescribing patterns for children with CAP in the setting of reported antibiotic allergy. Methods The Children’s Hospital’s Initiative for Research in Pneumonia (CHIRP) study enrolled inpatient and outpatient children ≥2 months to 18 years of age with a diagnosis of CAP from six participating sites. Demographic data, allergy status, antimicrobial therapy, and clinical outcomes were collected. Overall prevalence of reported antibiotic allergy and alternative therapy used in setting of reported allergy were analyzed. Results A total of 470 subjects were included, enrolled from October 2015 to December 2017. The mean age was 6.3 years (range: 3 months to 18.9 years), 45% were females. Sixty-three (13.4%) subjects self-reported one or more antibiotic allergies. Twenty-seven subjects reported amoxicillin (AMOX) allergy, nine with PCN allergy, nine with amox/clavulanate (AMOX/CLAV) allergy, and 11 with ampicillin (AMP) or ampicillin/sulbactam allergy. Cephalosporin allergy was reported in seven subjects. Of the 47 subjects who reported AMOX or AMP allergy, 37 (79%) were treated with ceftriaxone, a broad-spectrum agent. In the 47 subjects with reported AMOX or AMP allergy, five (10.6%) were prescribed AMOX at discharge. Of the three subjects with reported levofloxacin allergy, two were treated with levofloxacin during hospitalization for CAP as well as at the time of discharge. Conclusion Most subjects with reported AMOX allergy were treated with alternative and broader-spectrum antibiotics. In our cohort, 10.6% still received the antibiotic despite the allergy labeling. Better confirmation of allergy history to hone appropriate antimicrobial therapy appears to be indicated. Disclosures D. Cohen, Nationwide Children’s Hospital: Research Contractor, Research support. A. Mejias, Janssen: Grant Investigator and Scientific Advisor, Consulting fee and Research grant. Abbvie: CME talks, Speaker honorarium. O. Ramilo, Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC: Consultant, Consulting fee. Sanofi: Scientific Advisor, Consulting fee. Merck: Scientific Advisor, Consulting fee and Speaker honorarium. Janssen: Grant Investigator and Scientific Advisor, Consulting fee, Grant recipient and Speaker honorarium. Pfizer: Consultant, Consulting fee and Speaker honorarium.

Pneumonia is a commonly encountered illness and the leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age. Our current management strategies remain less than optimal in part because we do not have adequate tools to determine etiology, classify patients and predict their outcomes. Studies in the last decade have demonstrated that viruses are commonly detected in children with pneumonia, but on many occasions this is not sufficient to establish a clear etiologic diagnosis since bacterial coinfection cannot be excluded. Gene expression profile analysis provides a comprehensive assessment of the host response to infection. Preliminary data suggest that transcriptional profile analysis and measurement of Molecular Distance to Health (MDTH) scores allows more precise patient classification than current diagnostic techniques and laboratory markers. Application of this tool to the evaluation of children with pneumonia may enhance our clinical decision making process and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

The application of the best practices of teaching adults to the education of adults in medical education settings is important in the process of transforming learners to become and remain effective physicians. Medical education at all levels should be designed to equip physicians with the knowledge, clinical skills, and professionalism that are required to deliver quality patient care. The ultimate outcome is the health of the patient and the health status of the society. In the translational science of medical education, improved patient outcomes linked directly to educational events are the ultimate goal and are best defined by rigorous medical education research efforts. To best develop faculty, the same principles of adult education and teaching adults apply. In a systematic review of faculty development initiatives designed to improve teaching effectiveness in medical education, the use of experiential learning, feedback, effective relationships with peers, and diverse educational methods were found to be most important in the success of these programs. In this article, we present 5 examples of applying the best practices in teaching adults and utilizing the emerging understanding of the neurobiology of learning in teaching students, trainees, and practitioners. These include (1) use of standardized patients to develop communication skills, (2) use of online quizzes to assess knowledge and aid self-directed learning, (3) use of practice sessions and video clips to enhance significant learning of teaching skills, (4) use of case-based discussions to develop professionalism concepts and skills, and (5) use of the American Academy of Pediatrics PediaLink as a model for individualized learner-directed online learning. These examples highlight how experiential leaning, providing valuable feedback, opportunities for practice, and stimulation of self-directed learning can be utilized as medical education continues its dynamic transformation in the years ahead.

The use of herpes simplex virus (HSV) polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of HSV disease involving the central nervous system has not translated into widespread use for the detection of DNAemia. We report our 6-year experience using blood polymerase chain reaction testing for HSV infection in neonates and older children with HSV disease.

Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations suggest all pregnant women have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody testing early in pregnancy. For women with specific identified risks for HIV-1 infection, the CDC recommends repeat testing in the third trimester. We report 3 cases of infants perinatally infected with HIV-1 whose mothers tested negative for HIV-1 during the first trimester of pregnancy. Because they were not considered to be "high risk" for HIV-1 infection, they did not have a third trimester HIV test. These cases suggest that repeat HIV antibody testing may be necessary to avoid cases of perinatal transmission that might be prevented with antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy.