SHEA practice update: infection prevention and control (IPC) in residential facilities for pediatric patients and their families.

In 2011, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) established a formal collaboration to develop the first IPC guideline. Both organizations agreed that RMH programs staff and other organizations operating similar programs would benefit from a standardized approach. In 2023, the collaboration was re-established to revise and update the original IPC guideline.

Clinical Features and Follow-up of Referred Children and Young People With Long COVID.

Background: Patient-level data on the clinical features and outcomes of children and young people referred for possible long coronavirus disease (COVID) can guide clinicians on what to expect in managing patients and advising families.

Methods: A Post-Acute COVID Clinic for persons <21 years of age was established in October 2020. Intake was standardized and management was tailored to presenting symptoms.

Use of the Child Opportunity Index to Examine Racial Variations in Outpatient Antibiotic Prescribing to Children.

To examine further racial and ethnic variations in antibiotic prescribing to children, we used the Child Opportunity Index. Black children were less likely to be prescribed an antibiotic. Low- and moderate-opportunity areas were associated with greater rates of antibiotic prescribing, after adjusting for race and other factors.

Impact of Oxidative Stress on Risk of Death and Readmission in African Children With Severe Malaria: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: We hypothesized that oxidative stress in Ugandan children with severe malaria is associated with mortality.

Methods: We evaluated biomarkers of oxidative stress in children with cerebral malaria (CM, n = 77) or severe malarial anemia (SMA, n = 79), who were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of immediate vs delayed iron therapy, compared with community children (CC, n = 83). Associations between admission biomarkers and risk of death during hospitalization or risk of readmission within 6 months were analyzed.

It's Not Only Vaccine Hesitancy; It's Also Physician Hesitancy.

The danger of vaccine hesitancy is perhaps one of the most critical challenges we face as practitioners. This riveting narrative helps us find common ground and courage as it reaches into the hearts of those of us who have encountered parents who also want what's best for their child.