Racial Disparities in Palliative Care at End-of-Life in Children with Advanced Heart Disease in the South.

Objective: To examine specialty pediatric palliative care (SPPC) and end-of-life care for children with advanced heart disease in Alabama, including rates of and disparities in SPPC involvement.

Study Design: We performed a retrospective study from electronic health records of children (≤21 years at death) who died with advanced heart disease at a single institution between 2012 and 2019 (n = 128). The main outcome was SPPC consult; we assessed clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with SPPC.

COVID-19 Disease in Children With ALL Receiving Maintenance Therapy: Do Not Discount the Risk.

Purpose: Unlike most childhood cancers, therapy for ALL includes a prolonged maintenance phase during which children typically resume regular activities. Physicians need data regarding the persistent impact of COVID-19 in this population to help guide families after the pandemic.

Methods: The Pediatric Oncology COVID-19 Case Report (POCC) collects deidentified data (sociodemographics, clinical data [cancer, COVID-19 course]) on children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer and COVID-19 from 104 US pediatric oncology institutions.

The role of a dedicated transition process from pediatric to adult interdisciplinary care for persons with spina bifida.

Objective: Interdisciplinary care and pediatric to adult transitional programs have consistently shown medical and social value for individuals with complex medical conditions such as spina bifida (SB). Such interdisciplinary clinics are common in pediatrics but are rarely offered for adults. This survey-based study reports information related to transition, daily pain burden, and satisfaction with care delivery in an adult SB clinic.

Predicting the presence of 4th ventricular outlet obstruction in Chiari I Malformation.

Introduction: A subset of children with Chiari 1 malformation (CM-1) have a 4th ventricle arachnoid veil-a thin membrane covering the outlet of the 4th ventricle. Studies suggest that failure to disrupt this veil during posterior fossa decompression can reduce the likelihood of syringomyelia resolution. However, there is no reliable method for predicting the presence of the veil without direct surgical exploration.

Endoluminal Biopsy for Vein of Galen Malformation.

Background And Objectives: Vein of Galen malformation (VOGM), the result of arteriovenous shunting between choroidal and/or subependymal arteries and the embryologic prosencephalic vein, is among the most severe cerebrovascular disorders of childhood. We hypothesized that in situ analysis of the VOGM lesion using endoluminal tissue sampling (ETS) is feasible and may advance our understanding of VOGM genetics, pathogenesis, and maintenance.

Methods: We collected germline DNA (cheek swab) from patients and their families for genetic analysis.

Evaluation of multidisciplinary high-risk pregnancy clinic for myelomeningocele.

Introduction: A cross-sectional study retrospectively evaluating the perceived usefulness of attending a multi-disciplinary, roundtable, educational prenatal clinic for mothers expecting children with myelomeningocele is presented.

Methods: Mothers who currently have children with SB completed a survey which evaluated their overall preparedness, spina bifida education, delivery plans, surgical expectations, and expectations in terms of quality of life and development. Open comments were also collected.

SARS-CoV-2 in Childhood Cancer in 2020: A Disease of Disparities.

Purpose: The Pediatric Oncology COVID-19 Case Report registry supplies pediatric oncologists with data surrounding the clinical course and outcomes in children with cancer and SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: This observational study captured clinical and sociodemographic characteristics for children (≤ 21 years) receiving cancer therapy and infected with SARS-CoV-2 from the pandemic onset through February 19, 2021. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the cohort were compared with population-level pediatric oncology data (SEER).

Impacts of COVID-19 on caregivers of childhood cancer survivors.

Purpose: We sought to assess the impact of disruptions due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on caregivers of childhood cancer survivors.

Methods: A 13-question survey containing multiple-choice, Likert-type, and free-text questions on experiences, behaviors, and attitudes during the COVID-19 outbreak was sent to childhood cancer caregivers and completed between April 13 and May 17, 2020. Ordered logistic regression was used to investigate relationships between demographics, COVID-related experiences, and caregiver well-being.

Relationship between trait suggestibility and eating-related behaviors in overweight and obesity.

Differences in trait suggestibility among those with obesity may help explain differential responses to weight-loss interventions. Ubiquitous advertising of unhealthy foods, weight-loss products that are not evidence-based, and myths regarding weight loss could be particularly sabotaging in individuals with high levels of suggestibility, with or at risk of developing obesity. This study explored relationships between suggestibility, body mass index (BMI), and self-reported eating-related behaviors that vary among those with obesity.