Adults and Adolescents With Neuroblastoma: An Analysis of the National Cancer Database.

Background And Objectives: Neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial solid tumor in children, is rare in adults. This study compares patient characteristics, disease patterns, and treatments among adults, adolescents, and children with neuroblastoma.

Methods: We queried the National Cancer Database (2004-2019) for neuroblastoma cases.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Use in Pediatric Trauma: A Report From the National Trauma Data Bank.

Introduction: Indications for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in pediatric trauma continue to evolve. This study evaluates trends and practices in ECMO use for injured children and identifies factors associated with mortality using the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of children ≤18 years who underwent ECMO therapy following trauma, recorded in the NTDB from 2007 to 2018.

Impact of Hospital Volume on Survival for Pediatric Wilms Tumor.

Background: Treatment for children with Wilms tumor (WT) is multidisciplinary, often including surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation therapy. High-volume hospitals (HVH) have been associated with improved outcomes in cancer care. Our study evaluates the association of hospital volume and survival outcomes in pediatric WT management.

Statewide Variation in Practices and Charges for Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax in Maryland, United States: A Retrospective Study.

Background: The optimal treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) remains undefined. Furthermore, the overall utilization and costs of various treatment approaches are incompletely understood. We investigated hospital charges and resource utilization by management strategy across the state of Maryland in adult and pediatric patients with PSP.

Pediatric Firearm Reinjury: A Retrospective Statewide Risk Factor Analysis.

Introduction: Pediatric firearm injuries are a significant public health concern in the United States. This study examines risk factors for firearm reinjury in Maryland's pediatric population.

Methods: Pediatric patients (age 0-19 y) who presented to any hospital in Maryland with a firearm injury between October 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019, were identified in the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission database and were followed for repeat firearm injuries through March 31, 2020.

BNP and NT-proBNP as prognostic biomarkers for the prediction of adverse outcomes in HFpEF patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) presents a challenge in clinical practice due to its complexity and impact on morbidity and mortality. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis (SR/MA) was to evaluate the value of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP in predicting overall adverse outcomes, cardiovascular events, and mortality, in patients with HFpEF. This SR/MA included observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported the use of BNP and NT-proBNP as prognostic biomarkers for adverse outcomes in HFpEF patients.

Improving Hospital Palliative Care Between COVID-19 Waves: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Context: A specialist palliative care service in an acute hospital characterized care patterns during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were delayed referrals for minoritized ethnic groups. COVID-19 treatments (dexamethasone, anticoagulation, remdesivir) alongside service changes were introduced in the second wave.

Failure to Significantly Reduce Radiation Exposure in Children with Suspected Appendicitis in the United States.

Background: Ultrasound (US) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended over computed tomography (CT) as the initial imaging modality when considering a diagnosis of appendicitis in children. This reduces unnecessary radiation exposure and has excellent accuracy. We hypothesized a significant increase in US utilization and a reduction in CT utilization in hospitals across the United States.

Access to Laparoscopic Pediatric Surgery: Do Ethnic and Racial Disparities Exist?

Introduction: Disparate access to laparoscopic surgery may contribute to poorer health outcomes among racial and ethnic minorities, especially among children. We investigated whether racial and ethnic disparities in laparoscopic procedures existed among four common surgical operations in the pediatric population in the United States.

Methods: Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatrics, we conducted a retrospective review of pediatric patients, aged less than 18 y old, undergoing appendectomy, fundoplication, cholecystectomy, and colectomy from 2012 to 2021.

A Scoping Review of Limited English Proficiency and Immigration in Pediatric Surgery.

Introduction: With increasing globalization and diversity, the intersection of immigration and language barriers can impact patient outcomes. This scope review aims to summarize current evidence on immigration and language barriers on pediatric surgical outcomes.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines.

Evaluation of Limited English Proficiency in the Management and Outcomes of Appendicitis in Children.

Introduction: Appendectomies are one of the most common pediatric surgical procedures. Limited English proficiency (LEP) may lead to disparities in health outcomes between English-proficient and LEP patients. This study assesses the association between LEP and postoperative outcomes in pediatric appendectomy.

Interpersonal Violence-Related Trauma Among South African Children.

Introduction: Injuries account for a major portion of disability-adjusted life years in children globally, and low-and middle-income countries are disproportionally affected. While injuries due to motor vehicle collisions and self-harm have been well-characterized in pediatric populations in South Africa, injuries related to interpersonal violence (IPV) are less understood. Our study aims to characterize patterns of injury, management, and outcomes for pediatric patients presenting with IPV-related injuries in a South African trauma center.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery 2.0: Optimizing Pain Management in Nuss Procedure: Cryoablation and Nerve Block Strategies for Reduced Opioid Use.

Introduction: Our study assesses the association between cryoablation, with and without nerve block supplementation, post-Nuss procedure pain, and opioid use in pectus excavatum (PE) patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a single center for PE patients who underwent the Nuss procedure from 2017 to 2022. Outcomes included postoperative opioid use (measured in oral morphine milligram equivalent per kilogram [OME/kg]), average pain score (scale 0-10), and length of stay (LOS).

Artiss fibrin sealant for the fixation of autografts in pediatric burn care.

Background: Traditional fixation of autografts in the treatment of burns involves the use of sutures and staples. A novel fibrin sealant, Artiss, has been introduced as an alternate method of fixation and has shown promising safety and efficacy results in the adult population. Our study assessed the effectiveness of fibrin sealant to secure autologous split thickness skin grafts (ASTSG) in the pediatric burn population.

Nutritional Profile, Disease Severity, and Quality of Life of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Case-Control Study.

Introduction: Diet is thought to play an important role in the clinical course and quality of life (QOL) of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, dietary habits of patients with IBD are still unknown. This case-control study aims to compare the dietary habits of patients with IBD to healthy controls and evaluate differences in disease severity and QOL.

Humoral response after mRNA COVID-19 primary vaccination and single booster dose in people living with HIV compared to controls: A French nationwide multicenter cohort study-ANRS0001s COV-POPART.

Background: This study aimed to compare the humoral responses to mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in people living with HIV (PWH) and HIV-negative individuals.

Methods: We included PWH with an undetectable viral load under ART and HIV-negative participants from the French nationwide ANRS COV-POPART cohort who had received two doses of vaccine as a primary vaccination. We compared humoral response between controls and PWH, stratified by CD4 cell count (<200/mm and ≥200/mm CD4 cell counts) at 1, 6, and 12 months after primary vaccination.

Patient Characteristics, Treatment, and Survival in Pleuropulmonary Blastoma: An Analysis from the National Cancer Database.

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare childhood tumor originating from the lung or pleura, typically treated with surgery, chemotherapy (CTx), and/or radiation therapy (RTx). This study aimed to assess patient and tumor features, treatment methods, and survival rates in PPB. We retrospectively analyzed PPB patients under 18 from 2004 to 2019, using the National Cancer Database (NCDB).

Ethnic disparities in pediatric appendicitis: the impact of hispanic ethnicity on presentation, complications, and postoperative outcomes.

Purpose: Our study investigates ethnic disparities in pediatric appendicitis, focusing on the impact of Hispanic ethnicity on presentation, complications, and postoperative outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of pediatric patients undergoing appendectomy for acute appendicitis from 2015 to 2020 using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric database. We compared 30-day postoperative complications, postoperative length of stay, and postoperative interventions between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White patients.

Cryoablation Reduces Opioid Consumption and Length of Stay After Pulmonary Metastasectomy.

Introduction: Intraoperative cryoablation of intercostal thoracic nerves is gaining popularity as a technique that decreases postoperative pain in thoracic surgery. Our study evaluates the efficacy and safety of cryoablation in pain management of pediatric cancer patients undergoing thoracotomy.

Methods: We reviewed cancer patients undergoing thoracotomies for pulmonary metastasis resection at our children's hospital from 2017 to 2023.

Characteristics and trends of pediatric firepit burns: insights for prevention and safety.

Introduction: As fire pits grow in popularity, so do the associated burn injuries. Our study examines pediatric fire pit burns characteristics to raise awareness and promote safety precautions.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of pediatric patients (≤21 years) with firepit burns at a tertiary care hospital from 2016 to 2021.

Access to Laparoscopic Pediatric Surgery: Do Ethnic and Racial Disparities Exist?

Introduction: Disparate access to laparoscopic surgery may contribute to poorer health outcomes among racial and ethnic minorities, especially among children. We investigated whether racial and ethnic disparities in laparoscopic procedures existed among four common surgical operations in the pediatric population in the United States.

Methods: Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatrics, we conducted a retrospective review of pediatric patients, aged less than 18 y old, undergoing appendectomy, fundoplication, cholecystectomy, and colectomy from 2012 to 2021.

Arboviral Risk Associated with Solid Organ and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Grafts: The Prophylactic Answers Proposed by the French High Council of Public Health in a National Context.

Diseases caused by arboviruses are on the increase worldwide. In addition to arthropod bites, most arboviruses can be transmitted via accessory routes. Products of human origin (labile blood products, solid organs, hematopoietic stem cells, tissues) present a risk of contamination for the recipient if the donation is made when the donor is viremic.

EGFR Mutation in Non-squamous Non-small-cell Lung Carcinoma (NS-NSCLC) in the Arab World: A systematic Review.

Background: Lung cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The discovery of acquired genetic alterations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene involved in growth factor receptor signaling, has changed the way these cancers are diagnosed and treated. EGFR is more frequent in Asian, females, and non-smokers.