Resource Utilization for Initial Hospitalization in Pediatric Heart Transplantation in the United States.

Pediatric heart transplantation (HT) is resource intensive. Event-driven pediatric databases do not capture data on resource use. The objective of this study was to evaluate resource utilization and identify associated factors during initial hospitalization for pediatric HT.

Outpatient management of home oxygen for bronchiolitis.

Objective: Home O2 has been shown to reduce hospitalizations for bronchiolitis but data on outpatient management of home O2 are lacking. We aim to describe outpatient management and challenges to home O2 for bronchiolitis.

Methods: We surveyed Colorado and Utah (where home O2 use is prevalent) chapter members of the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding bronchiolitis home O2 management.

Outcome and resource utilization of infants born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome in the Intermountain West.

The objective of the present study was to characterize the outcomes and resource utilization of all infants born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) in the Intermountain West. This was a retrospective cohort study of all infants born with HLHS in the Intermountain West from January 1995 and January 2010. The cohort was divided into 3 eras: era 1, 1995 to 1999; era 2, 2000 to 2004; and era 3, 2005 to 2010.

The changing epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease at a tertiary children's hospital through the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine era: a case for continuous surveillance.

Background: In 2000, a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was licensed for use among US children. Many sites have since reported changes in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). We recognized an opportunity to describe the changes in epidemiology, clinical syndromes, and serotype distribution during a 14-year period including 4 years before vaccine introduction and spanning the entire PCV7 era.

Evolution of the epidemiology of pneumococcal disease among Utah children through the vaccine era.

From 1996 to 2009, we analyzed changes in pneumococcal disease (PD) in Utah children aged <18 years using International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision coded hospital discharges. We observed a sustained decrease in the incidence of PD among children <5 years in 2001-2004 (-36%) and 2005-2009 (-34%) compared with 1996-2000 (pre-7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine). Decreases were primarily in bacteremia, uncomplicated pneumonia, and meningitis.

Parental attitudes about influenza immunization and school-based immunization for school-aged children.

Objectives: Identify parental beliefs and barriers related to influenza immunization of school-aged children and acceptance of school-based influenza immunization.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of parents of elementary school-aged children in November 2008. Outcomes were receipt of influenza vaccine, acceptance of school-based immunization, and barriers to immunization.