Lung clearance index: A sensitive measure of airway function improvement in adolescents after weight loss from bariatric surgery.

Background: Morbid obesity in adolescents impacts respiratory function, often leading to reduced lung volume and obstructive ventilatory defects. However, standard spirometric values frequently remain within normal ranges.

Objectives: We hypothesized that Lung Clearance Index (LCI) is a more sensitive marker for detecting airway dysfunction in adolescents with morbid obesity than conventional lung function tests.

Understanding factors contributing to vaccination underutilization among Jewish ultra-orthodox communities in Israel: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the factors contributing to the underutilization of childhood and school-age immunizations among parents within the Jewish Ultra-Orthodox community in Israel. It identifies socio-demographic, attitudinal, and belief-related risk factors that affect vaccination decisions.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 369 Jewish Orthodox parents in Israel, using structured questionnaires distributed through various community channels.

Exploring Cultural and Religious Effects on HPV Vaccination Decision Making Using a Web-Based Decision Aid: A Quasi-experimental Study.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) poses a significant public health concern, as it is linked to various serious health conditions such as cancer and genital warts. Despite the vaccine's safety, efficacy, and availability through national school programs, HPV vaccination rates remain low in Israel, particularly within the ultra-Orthodox community due to religious and cultural barriers. Decision aids have shown promise in facilitating shared decision making and promoting informed choices in health care.

Dynamic Hyperinflation While Exercising-A Potential Predictor of Pulmonary Deterioration in Cystic Fibrosis.

Background: Lung function deterioration in cystic fibrosis (CF) is typically measured by a decline in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV%), which is thought to be a late marker of lung disease. Dynamic hyperinflation (DH) is seen in obstructive lung diseases while exercising. Our aim was to assess whether DH could predict pulmonary deterioration in CF; a secondary measure was the peak VO.

Development and Appraisal of a Web-Based Decision Aid for HPV Vaccination for Young Adults and Parents of Children in Israel-A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Background: This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of two web-based decision aids designed to help parents of children aged 10-17 years and young adults aged 18-26 years make informed decisions about the HPV vaccine.

Methods: The decision aids were developed according to the International Patient Decision Aid Standards (IPDAS) criteria and included information about the vaccine, probabilities of benefits and side effects, personal narratives, and values clarification. The study utilized a quasi-experimental design and included 120 Hebrew-speaking parents and 160 young adults.

High flow nasal cannula therapy in the pediatric home setting.

Background: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy may be better tolerated than traditional noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and is rapidly gaining acceptance in pediatric acute care. In Israel, HFNC is approved for domestic use. We aim to describe its indications, efficacy, parental satisfaction, and safety.

Vigilance in the Decision-Making Process Regarding Termination of Pregnancy Following Prenatal Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease-Application of the 'Conflict Decision-Making Model'.

The decision-making process regarding termination of pregnancy following prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease is a stressful experience for future parents. Janis and Mann’s conflict decision-making model describes seven ideal stages that comprise vigilant information-gathering as an expression of the qualitative decision-making process. In our study, we attempted to determine whether parents who face the decision regarding termination of pregnancy undertake a qualitative decision-making process.

PFAPA flares observed during COVID outbreak: can emotional stress trigger PFAPA attacks? A multicenter cohort study.

Objective: It is common knowledge among clinicians who treat PFAPA (Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, Adenitis) patients that emotional stress can trigger PFAPA attacks similarly to other autoinflammatory diseases. However, it has never been proved scientifically. Our aim was to examine whether emotional stress serves as a trigger for PFAPA attacks.

The Communication Challenges and Strength of Nurses' Intensive Corona Care during the Two First Pandemic Waves: A Qualitative Descriptive Phenomenology Study.

Intensive care nurses working with patients with severe COVID-19 illness are at the center and frontline of the dynamic pandemic, which poses communication challenges and demands of unusual strength on their part. The study aim was to capture the lived experience of intensive care COVID nurses' communication challenges and strengths as they cared for COVID-19 intensive care patients during the two first pandemic waves. The study used qualitative descriptive-phenomenology research designs.

COVID-19-Related Anxiety Symptoms among Quarantined Adolescents and Its Impact on Sleep Pattern Changes and Somatic Symptoms.

Background: Home-quarantine due to COVID-19 may have negative psychological effects on vulnerable sub-groups such as children and adolescents. We aimed to explore the prevalence of anxiety among adolescents who were in home-quarantine and its impact on onset of sleep disturbance and somatic symptoms, and on the level of agreement between adolescent and parent perceptions.

Methods: Five hundred adolescents (ages 10-17) and 500 parents participated in the study.

Early post-liver transplant thrombocytopenia in children: Clinical characteristics and significance.

Background: Post-liver transplant thrombocytopenia is common and associated with worse outcome in adults. In children, however, the prevalence, course, and significance of post-liver transplantation thrombocytopenia are not described. Therefore, we aimed to assess this phenomenon in children.

"Fighting for life and losing": Intensive Care Unit Nursing Staff's Experience With COVID-19 Patient Deaths During the First Two Waves: A Qualitative Study.

The study explored the experiences of intensive care unit nursing staff caring for COVID-19 patients who eventually died during the two first pandemic waves. We used - descriptive-qualitative-phenomenological. The findings included four main themes-the first vs the second COVID-19 waves, fighting for life and being unable to win, a chronicle of pre-determined death, and nurse's emotional coping with patient death.

Videofluoroscopy compared with clinical feeding evaluation in children with suspected aspiration.

Aim: Videofluoroscopy swallow studies (VFSS) are gold standard to diagnose aspiration in children but require resources and radiation compared with clinical feeding evaluation (CFE). We evaluated their added value for diagnosis, feeding management and clinical status.

Methods: A retrospective single-centre cross-sectional study of children aged 0-18 years, with respiratory morbidity, referred for VFSS at a tertiary pediatric hospital.

The efficacy and safety of intra-articular injection of triamcinolone acetonide versus triamcinolone hexacetonide for treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objectives: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common childhood rheumatic disease. Intra-articular corticosteroids joint injection (IAJI), with triamcinolone hexacetonide (TH) or triamcinolone acetonide (TA), is an effective additional treatment for oligo and polyarticular JIA. Previous studies have shown the benefits of TH over TA; however, TA is still used in many pediatric rheumatology centers.

Investigating the Influence of Vaccine Literacy, Vaccine Perception and Vaccine Hesitancy on Israeli Parents' Acceptance of the COVID-19 Vaccine for Their Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Vaccination is currently the most effective strategy for combating COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines were introduced to the adult population in Israel in early December 2020 and have been available for children aged 12-15 since June 2021. Our study aimed at assessing the influence of vaccine literacy, perception, hesitancy, and behavior on Israeli parents' intentions to have their children vaccinated.

Aerodigestive Clinics as Emerging Pediatric Care Model: The First 100 Patients in Israel.

Background: Aerodigestive clinics are run by interdisciplinary medical and surgical teams, and provide complex care coordination and combined endoscopies.

Objectives: To describe the design and patient population of the first pediatric aerodigestive center in Israel.

Methods: A retrospective single-center cohort study was conducted describing patients followed in the aerodigestive clinic of Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, a tertiary pediatric hospital, between its inception in January 2017 and June 2020.

Effects of Wearing Facemasks During Brisk Walks: A COVID-19 Dilemma.

Background: During the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, wearing facemasks became obligatory worldwide.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of facemasks on gas exchange.

Methods: Healthy adults were assessed at rest and during slow and brisk 5-minute walks, with and without masks.

Factors That Influence Parents' Decision-Making Regarding Termination of Pregnancy After Prenatal Diagnosis of Fetal Congenital Heart Disease.

Objective: To explore factors that influence parents' decisions regarding the termination of pregnancy after the detection of fetal congenital heart disease (CHD).

Design: A prospective descriptive study.

Setting: The Institute of Pediatric Cardiology in the Schneider Children's Medical Center.

Topical Propranolol Improves Epistaxis Control in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT): A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Epistaxis is a common debilitating manifestation in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), due to mucocutaneous telangiectases. The epistaxis can be difficult to control despite available treatments. Dysregulated angiogenesis has been shown to be associated with telangiectases formation.

Routine chest X-ray following ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein catheterization in critically ill children: A prospective observational Study.

Background: Recent studies in adults have shown that routine chest X-ray following ultrasound-guided central venous catheter insertion through the internal jugular vein is unnecessary due to a low rate of complications.

Aims: To assess the usefulness of routine chest X-ray following ultrasound-guided central venous catheter insertion through the internal jugular veins in critically ill children.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at a pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary, university-affiliated pediatric medical center.