Use of donepezil for neurocognitive recovery after brain injury in adult and pediatric populations:a scoping review

There are few pharmacologic options for the treatment of cognitive deficits associated with traumatic brain injury in pediatric patients.Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil have been evaluated in adult patients after traumatic brain injury,but relatively less is known about the effect in pediatric populations.The goal of this review is to identify knowledge gaps in the efficacy and safety of acetylcholinesterase inhibito rs as a potential a djuvant treatment fo r neurocognitive decline in pediatric patients with traumatic brain injury.Investigators queried PubMed to identify literature published from database inception thro ugh June 2023 desc ribing the use of donepezil in young adult traumatic brain injury and pediatric patients with predefined conditions.Based on preselected search criteria,340 unique papers we re selected for title and abstra ct screening.Thirty-two reco rds were reviewed in full after eliminating preclinical studies and pape rs outside the scope of the project.In adult traumatic brain injury,we review results from 14 papers detailing 227 subjects where evidence suggests donepezil is well tole rated and shows both objective and patient-reported efficacy for reducing cognitive impairment.In children,3 pape rs report on 5 children recovering from traumatic brain injury,showing limited efficacy.An additional 15 pediatric studies conducted in populations at risk for cognitive dysfunction provide a broader look at safety and efficacy in 210 patients in the pediatric age group.Given its promise for efficacy in adults with traumatic brain injury and tole rability in pediatric patients,we believe further study of donepezil for children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury is warranted.

Advancing pediatric exercise research:A focus on immunomics and cutting-edge technologies

1.The importance of immunomics in pediatric exercise research The profound effect that"acute"or"regular"exercise(i.e.,a single exercise session or repeated sessions over time,respectively)exerts on the immune system has been widely recognized.1 Acute exercise is largely"immuno-enhancing"(e.g.,it may even improve vaccine responses in"at-risk"patients),whereas regular exercise reduces the risk of chronic conditions(not only obesity,diabetes,or cardiovascular diseases,but also several types of cancer)partly due to its anti-inflammatory effects.

Characteristics and Risk Factors for Pediatric Sepsis

Objective Sepsis is considered a major cause of health loss in children and had high mortality and morbidity.Currently,there is no reliable model for predicting the prognosis of pediatric patients with sepsis.This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of sepsis in children and assess the risk factors associated with poor prognosis in pediatric sepsis patients to identify timely interventions and improve their outcomes.Methods This study analyzed the clinical indicators and laboratory results of septic patients hospitalized in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Tongji Hospital,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology,China,from January 1,2019,to December 31,2021.Risk factors for sepsis were identified by logistic regression analyses.Results A total of 355 children with sepsis were enrolled,with 333 children(93.8%)in the good prognosis group,and 22 children(6.2%)in the poor prognosis group.Among them,there were 255 patients(71.8%)in the sepsis group,and 100 patients(28.2%)in the severe sepsis group.The length of hospital stay in the poor prognosis group was longer than that in the good prognosis group(P<0.01).The levels of interleukin 1β(IL-1β)in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group(P>0.05),and the platelet(PLT),albumin(ALB),and hemoglobin(Hb)levels were lower in the poor prognosis group(P<0.01).The IL-8 levels in the severe sepsis group were higher than those in the sepsis group(P<0.05).Multiple logistic regression analysis suggested that lower Hb levels,ALB levels,peak PLT counts,and higher IL-1βlevels were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in children with sepsis.Conclusion Lower Hb,ALB,and PLT counts and elevated IL-1βare independent risk factors for poor prognosis in children with sepsis.

Fatal cases in pediatric patients after post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies:A report of two cases

Rationale:Rabies is a zoonotic disease with a high mortality,primarily transmitted through the bite of infected mammals,particularly dogs and cats.Despite being a well-known disease since ancient times,it continues to cause a significant number of human deaths worldwide,with approximately 65000 fatalities reported annually.Patient concerns:We present two fatal cases of rabies in a 12-year-old immigrant boy and a 7-year-old boy.The first case was subject to a 24-hour delay in receiving appropriate medical attention and rabies preventive measures due to the lack of awareness among emergency hospital staff,leading to the administration of wound dressing only.The second case received timely rabies immunoglobulin administration;however,there was a 4-day delay in administering the fourth dose of the rabies vaccine,despite presenting evident symptoms of rabies.Diagnosis:Postmortem examination of brain samples from both patients confirmed the presence of rabies virus.Interventions:Post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies.Outcomes:Both patients were admitted to the hospital after the manifestation of rabies-related symptoms,with the 12-year-old child seeking medical care 47 days after the animal bite and the 7-year-old child seeking medical care 58 days after the exposure.Finally,the first patient died after 27 days and the second patient died after 40 days of hospitalization.Lessons:There is an urgent need for heightened awareness and education among both healthcare professionals and the public regarding the urgency of seeking immediate medical attention after potential rabies exposure.Timely recognition and initiation of post-exposure prophylaxis are pivotal in preventing the progression of the disease.Strengthening surveillance and reporting systems,coupled with continuous training for healthcare professionals,can contribute to early detection and management of rabies cases.

Atherosclerosis originating from childhood:Specific features

Atherosclerosis is extremely widespread.Traditionally,it is considered a disease of older people,who most often experience problems with the heart and blood vessels.While much attention from the scientific community has been paid to studying the association between aging and atherosclerosis,as well as its consequences,there is evidence that atherosclerosis occurs at an early age.Atherosclerosis may form both during intrauterine development and in childhood.Nutrition plays an important role in childhood atherosclerosis,along with previous infectious diseases and excess weight of both the child and the mother.In the present review,we examined the development of atherosclerosis and the prerequisites in childhood.

Pediatric stricturing Crohn's disease

Crohn’s disease(CD)is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract.The incidence of pediatric CD is increasing and is currently 2.5-11.4 per 100000 world-wide.Notably,approximately 25%of children with CD develop stricturing CD(SCD)that requires intervention.Symptomatic stricturing diseases refractory to pharmacological management frequently require non-pharmacological interventions.Non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies include endoscopic balloon dilatation,stricturoplasty,and surgical resection of the strictured seg-ment.However,strictures tend to recur postoperatively regardless of treatment modality.The lifetime risk of surgery in patients with childhood SCD remains at 50%-90%.Thus,new and emerging strategies,advanced diagnostic tools,and minimally invasive approaches are under investigation to improve the outcomes and overall quality of life of pediatric patients with SCD.

Postoperative accurate pain assessment of children and artificial intelligence: A medical hypothesis and planned study

Although the pediatric perioperative pain management has been improved in recent years,the valid and reliable pain assessment tool in perioperative period of children remains a challenging task.Pediatric perioperative pain management is intractable not only because children cannot express their emotions accurately and objectively due to their inability to describe physiological characteristics of feeling which are different from those of adults,but also because there is a lack of effective and specific assessment tool for children.In addition,exposure to repeated painful stimuli early in life is known to have short and long-term adverse sequelae.The short-term sequelae can induce a series of neurological,endocrine,cardiovascular system stress related to psychological trauma,while long-term sequelae may alter brain maturation process,which can lead to impair neurodevelopmental,behavioral,and cognitive function.Children’s facial expressions largely reflect the degree of pain,which has led to the developing of a number of pain scoring tools that will help improve the quality of pain mana-gement in children if they are continually studied in depth.The artificial inte-lligence(AI)technology represented by machine learning has reached an unprecedented level in image processing of deep facial models through deep convolutional neural networks,which can effectively identify and systematically analyze various subtle features of children’s facial expressions.Based on the construction of a large database of images of facial expressions in children with perioperative pain,this study proposes to develop and apply automatic facial pain expression recognition software using AI technology.The study aims to improve the postoperative pain management for pediatric population and the short-term and long-term quality of life for pediatric patients after operational event.

Splenic hamartomas in children

Splenic hamartomas(SHs)are uncommon,benign vascular lesions of unclear etiology and are mostly found incidentally on abdominal images,at surgery,or at autopsy.Since the first case description,in 1861,less than 50 pediatric SH cases have been reported in the literature.In this article,we have performed an analysis of all SH cases in children published in the literature to date and presented our case of an 8-year-old male with SH.These lesions in children were shown to cause symptoms more often than in the adult population.The observed SH sizes in children ranged from a few millimeters to 18 cm,and the symptomatic lesions were mostly larger or multiple.The most common clinical finding was splenomegaly.Signs of hypersplenism were present in children with a single SH larger than 4.5 cm(diameter range:4.5-18.0 cm)and in those with multiple hamartomas,ranging from a few millimeters to 5 cm.Eighty percent of patients with available laboratory findings had hematological abnormalities such as anemia,thrombocytopenia,or pancytopenia.Other symptoms and signs included abdominal pain,recurrent infections,fever,night sweats,lethargy,growth retardation,and weight loss.The use of multiple imaging modalities may suggest the preoperative diagnosis of a splenic mass in children and determine the therapeutic approach.However,the final diagnosis of SH relies on histopathological evaluation.Surgery,including total or partial splenectomy(PS),is the mainstay of SH management.Milickovic M et al.Splenomas in children WJCC https://www.wjgnet.com 1910 April 16,2024 Volume 12 Issue 11 Although total splenectomy carries a greater risk of overwhelming post-splenectomy infection than PS it has remained the most performed surgical procedure in children with SH.In the majority of pediatric patients with symptomatic SH,resolution of symptoms and resolution or improvement of cytopenias occurred after surgical treatment.

Health Systems Strengthening to Tackle the Global Burden of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease: A Diagonal Approach

1 Background Congenital heart disease(CHD)is the most common major congenital anomaly,affecting approximately one in every 100 live births[1].Among congenital anomalies,66%of preventable deaths are due to CHD,and 58%of the avertable morbidity and mortality due to congenital anomalies would result from scaling congenital heart surgery services[2].Every year,nearly 300,000 children and adults die from CHD,the majority of whom live in low-and middle-income countries(LMICs)[3].Approximately 49%of all individuals with CHD will require surgical or interventional care at some point in their lifetime[4];as a result of advances in access to and the delivery of such services,over 95%of children born with CHD in high-income countries now live into adulthood[3].Here,adults have surpassed children in the number of CHD cases at a ratio of 2:1[5].

Panhypopituitarism caused by a suprasellar germinoma: A case report

BACKGROUND Suprasellar germinomas are rare intracranial tumors frequently associated with permanent endocrine disorders.We present the clinical picture,treatment,and complications of suprasellar germinoma at pediatric age which,besides being lifethreatening,has lifelong endocrinological consequences.CASE SUMMARY A 12-year-old female patient was presented having had intensive headaches for three weeks and visual disturbances for six months.An ophthalmological examination revealed bilateral papilledema and a marked loss of vision.Emergency brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)showed a suprasellar tumor,involving the infundibulum and the optic chiasm,extending to the third ventricle.Laboratory tests confirmed decreased levels of thyroxine,cortisol,gonadotropins,and insulin-like growth factor 1.Maximal tumor reduction was performed,and immunohistopathology established the diagnosis of suprasellar germinoma.MRI of the spine and cerebrospinal fluid cytology confirmed the localized disease.Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed according to the SIOP CNS GCT II protocol.A post-treatment MRI showed no residual tumor,but pituitary function had not recovered.Three and a half years after the end of the treatment,the patient is in a complete remission,requiring hormonal replacement therapy,continuous education,and psychological support.CONCLUSION This complex case highlights the importance of timely diagnosis,a multidisciplinary approach,and close follow-up in children with suprasellar germinomas.

Clinical characteristics of testicular torsion and factors influencing testicular salvage in children:A 12-year study in tertiary center

BACKGROUND Testicular torsion is the most common acute scrotum worldwide and mainly occurs in children and adolescents.Studies have demonstrated that the duration of symptoms and torsion grade lead to different outcomes in children diagnosed with testicular torsion.AIM To predict the possibility of testicular salvage(TS)in patients with testicular torsion in a tertiary center.METHODS We reviewed the charts of 75 pediatric patients with acute testicular torsion during a 12-year period from November 2011 to July 2023 at the Suzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine independent predictors of testicular torsion.The data included clinical findings,physical examinations,laboratory data,color Doppler ultrasound findings,operating results,age,presenting institution status,and follow-up results.RESULTS Our study included 75 patients.TS was possible in 57.3%of all patients;testicular torsion occurred mostly in winter,and teenagers aged 11-15 years old accounted for 60%.Univariate logistic regression analyses revealed that younger age(P=0.09),body mass index(P=0.004),torsion angle(P=0.013),red blood cell count(P=0.03),neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(P=0.009),and initial presenting institution(P<0.001)were associated with orchiectomy.In multivariate analysis,only the initial presenting institution predicted TS(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The initial presenting institution has a predictive value for predicting TS in patients with testicular torsion.Children with scrotal pain should be admitted to a tertiary hospital as soon as possible.

Gastric IgG4-related disease mimicking a gastrointestinal stromal tumor in a child: A case report

BACKGROUND Gastric IgG4-related disease(IgG4-RD)is rarely encountered in clinical practice,and especially more so among pediatric patients.To our knowledge,this is the first report of IgG4-RD presenting as a calcifying gastric mass in a child.We describe how this entity was difficult to differentiate from a gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST)imaging-based approaches.Therefore,this case highlights the importance of considering IgG4-RD in the differential diagnosis of gastric tumor before performing surgical resection,especially to distinguish it from malignancy to avoid unnecessary surgery.CASE SUMMARY The patient suffered from epigastric pain for several days.Panendoscopy and computed tomography scan revealed a submucosal tumor.Differential diagnoses included GIST,leiomyoma,teratoma,and mucinous adenocarcinoma.However,laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy allowed for the definitive diagnosis of IgG4-related stomach disease.CONCLUSION We emphasize the importance of considering IgG4-RD in the differential diagnosis of gastric submucosal tumors before performing surgical resection.

Safety and feasibility of enhanced recovery after surgery-based management model for ambulatory pediatric surgical procedures

BACKGROUND There is still some room for optimizing ambulatory pediatric surgical procedures,and the preoperative and postoperative management quality for pediatric patients needs to be improved.AIM To discuss the safety and feasibility of the enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)-based management model for ambulatory pediatric surgical procedures.METHODS We selected 320 pediatric patients undergoing ambulatory surgery from June 2023 to January 2024 at The First People’s Hospital of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture.Of these,220 received ERAS-based management(research group)and 100 received routine management(control group).General information,postoperative ambulation activities,surgical outcomes(operation time,postoperative gastro-intestinal ventilation time,and hospital stay),postoperative pain visual analogue scale,postoperative complications(incision infection,abdominal distension,fever,nausea,and vomiting),and family satisfaction were compared.RESULTS The general information of the research group(sex,age,disease type,single parent,family history,etc.)was comparable to that of the control group(P>0.05),but the rate of postoperative(2 h,4 h,and 6 h after surgery)ambulation activities was statistically higher(P<0.01),and operation time,postoperative gastrointestinal ventilation time,and hospital stay were markedly shorter(P<0.05).The research group had lower visual analogue scale scores(P<0.01)at 12 h and 24 h after surgery and a lower incidence of total postoperative complications than the control group(P=0.001).The research group had higher family satisfaction than the control group(P=0.007).CONCLUSION The ERAS-based management model was safe and feasible in ambulatory pediatric surgical procedures and worthy of clinical promotion.

Epidemiologic investigation of pediatric distal humerus fractures: An American insurance claims database study

BACKGROUND Distal humerus elbow fractures are one of the most common traumatic fractures seen in pediatric patients and present as three main types:Supracondylar(SC),lateral condyle(LC),and medial epicondyle(ME)fractures.AIM To evaluate the epidemiology of pediatric distal humerus fractures(SC,LC,and ME)from an American insurance claims database.METHODS A retrospective review was performed on patients 17 years and younger with the ICD 9 and 10 codes for SC,LC and ME fractures based on the IBM Truven MarketScan®Commercial and IBM Truven MarketScan Medicare Supplemental databases.Patients from 2015 to 2020 were queried for treatments,patient age,sex,length of hospitalization,and comorbidities.RESULTS A total of 1133 SC,154 LC,and 124 ME fractures were identified.SC fractures had the highest percentage of operation at 83%,followed by LC(78%)and ME fractures(41%).Male patients were,on average,older than female patients for both SC and ME fractures.CONCLUSION In the insurance claims databases used,SC fractures were the most reported,followed by LC fractures,and finally ME fractures.Age was identified to be a factor for how a pediatric distal humerus fractures,with patients with SC and LC fractures being younger than those with ME fractures.The peak age per injury per sex was similar to reported historic central tendencies,despite reported trends for younger physiologic development.

The impact of foot reflexology on fatigue and sleep quality in school-aged children undergoing hemodialysis

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the effects of foot reflexology on fatigue and sleep quality in school-aged children receiving hemodialysis.Methods:A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was utilized.Thirty children of ages 6-12 undergoing in-center hemodialysis were recruited.The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)and Inventory of Fatigue Symptom(IFS)scales were administered at baseline.Participants then received 30 min of foot reflexology massage before hemodialysis sessions 3 days per week for 12 weeks.Posttest administration of the sleep and fatigue scales occurred after the intervention period.Results:Reflexology massage led to significant improvements in sleep quality components,including duration(0%-30%normal sleepers),efficiency(0%-50%>85%),latency(50%-0%>60 min),disturbances,and daytime dysfunction.The mean PSQI score decreased from 18.2 to 9.7(P<0.05).Fatigue severity substantially decreased,with the mean IFS score improving from 105.7 to 64.1(P<0.05).Conclusion:Foot reflexology is an effective nursing intervention for reducing fatigue and improving sleep quality in children on hemodialysis,warranting integration into routine care.

Outcomes of early versus late irrigation and debridement of pediatric open long bone fractures

BACKGROUND Open long bone fractures are a major concern for pediatric patients due to the risk of surgical site infection(SSI).Early studies have recommended irrigation and debridement of open fractures within 6 hours-8 hours for the prevention of SSI.According to the American College of Surgeons(ACS)Best Practice Guidelines,in 2015,irrigation and debridement should be done within 24 hours.AIM To identify whether early irrigation and debridement,within 8 hours,vs late,between 8 hours and 24 hours,for pediatric open long bone fractures impacts rate of SSI.METHODS Using retrospective data review from the National Trauma Data Bank,Trauma Quality Improvement Project(TQIP)of 2019.TQIP database is own by the ACS and it is the largest database for trauma quality program in the world.Propensity matching analysis was performed for the study.RESULTS There were 390 pediatric patients with open long bone fractures who were incl-uded in the study.After completing propensity score matching,we had 176 patients in each category,irrigation and debridement within 8 hours and irrigation and debridement between 8 hours and 24 hours.We found no significant differences between each group for the rate of deep SSI which was 0.6%for patients who received surgical irrigation and debridement within 8 hours and 1.1%for those who received it after 8 hours[adjusted odd ratio(AOR):0.5,95%CI:0.268-30.909,P>0.99].For the secondary outcomes studied,in terms of length of hospital stay,patients who received irrigation and debridement within 8 hours stayed for an average of 3.5 days,and those who received it after 8 hours stayed for an average of 3 days,with no significant difference found,and there were also no sig-nificant differences found between the discharge dispositions of the patients.CONCLUSION Our findings support the recommendation for managing open long bone fractures from the ACS:Complete surgical irrigation and debridement within 24 hours.

Is it a normal phenomenon for pediatric patients to have brain leptomeningeal contrast enhancement on 3-tesla magnetic resonance imaging?

Determining whether sevoflurane sedation in children leads to“pseudo”prominent leptomeningeal contrast enhancement(pLMCE)on 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging will help reduce overdiagnosis by radiologists and clarify the pathophysiological changes of pLMCE.

Updates on management of gliomas in the molecular age

Gliomas are primary brain tumors derived from glial cells of the central nervous system,afflicting both adults and children with distinct characteristics and therapeutic challenges.Recent developments have ushered in novel clinical and molecular prognostic factors,reshaping treatment paradigms based on classi-fication and grading,determined by histological attributes and cellular lineage.This review article delves into the diverse treatment modalities tailored to the specific grades and molecular classifications of gliomas that are currently being discussed and used clinically in the year 2023.For adults,the therapeutic triad typically consists of surgical resection,chemotherapy,and radiotherapy.In contrast,pediatric gliomas,due to their diversity,require a more tailored approach.Although complete tumor excision can be curative based on the location and grade of the glioma,certain non-resectable cases demand a chemotherapy approach usually involving,vincristine and carboplatin.Addi-tionally,if surgery or chemotherapy strategies are unsuccessful,Vinblastine can be used.Despite recent advancements in treatment methodologies,there remains a need of exploration in the literature,particularly concerning the efficacy of treatment regimens for isocitrate dehydrogenase type mutant astrocytomas and fine-tuned therapeutic approaches tailored for pediatric cohorts.This review article explores into the therapeutic modalities employed for both adult and pediatric gliomas in the context of their molecular classification.

Challenges of Bioethics Education in Pediatric Basic Nursing Education: A Faculty Perspective

In the field of pediatric nursing, in the perinatal period, numerous ethical issues arise alongside the advancement of medical technology. However, sufficient education on bioethics is not provided in the pediatric nursing domain of basic nursing education. The purpose of this research is to examine the current status of bioethics education in the pediatric nursing domain of basic nursing education and explore the challenges perceived by the pediatric nursing faculty regarding bioethics education. The research method was a questionnaire survey on 100 randomly selected pediatric nursing faculty members from nursing universities across Japan. The results revealed that although bioethics issues were considered important, the emphasis remained primarily on addressing bioethics as part of nursing that respects children’s rights. Furthermore, respondents expressed difficulties regarding teaching methods and content related to bioethics.

Optimal timing for plastic surgical procedures for common congenital anomalies:A review

Apart from listening to the cry of a healthy newborn,it is the declaration by the attending paediatrician in the labour room that the child is normal which brings utmost joy to parents.The global incidence of children born with congenital anomalies has been reported to be 3%-6%with more than 90%of these occurring in low-and middle-income group countries.The exact percentages/total numbers of children requiring surgical treatment cannot be estimated for several reasons.These children are operated under several surgical disciplines,viz,paediatric-,plastic reconstructive,neuro-,cardiothoracic-,orthopaedic surgery etc.These conditions may be life-threatening,e.g.,trachea-oesophageal fistula,critical pulmonary stenosis,etc.and require immediate surgical intervention.Some,e.g.,hydrocephalus,may need intervention as soon as the patient is fit for surgery.Some,e.g.,patent ductus arteriosus need‘wait and watch’policy up to a certain age in the hope of spontaneous recovery.Another extremely important category is that of patients where the operative intervention is done based on their age.Almost all the congenital anomalies coming under care of a plastic surgeon are operated as elective surgery(many as multiple stages of correction)at appropriate ages.There are advantages and disadvantages of intervention at different ages.In this article,we present a review of optimal timings,along with reasoning,for surgery of many of the common congenital anomalies which are treated by plastic surgeons.Obstetricians,paediatricians and general practitioners/family physicians,who most often are the first ones to come across such children,must know to guide the parents appropriately and convincingly impress upon the them as to why their child should not be operated immediately and also the consequences of too soon or too late.