A simulation procedure curriculum to increase pediatric resident exposure to procedures rarely performed in clinical practice.

Background: Pediatrics residents are expected by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education to competently perform 13 procedures. However, residents are graduating with poor self-perceived competency for these procedures.

Objective: We developed a curriculum using simulation training at the beginning of internship and 'refresher' workshops throughout the year in order to increase procedure exposure and improve self-perceived competency.

Clinical Features and Biomarkers Suggestive of Bloodstream Infection in Pediatric Patients With Intestinal Failure and Central Venous Lines for Parenteral Nutrition: A Retrospective Pilot Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe demographic, clinical, and laboratory values in febrile pediatric intestinal failure patients with indwelling central venous catheters presenting to the emergency department to determine if there are low-risk features predictive of negative blood cultures that could help identify a subset that do not need hospitalization and/or broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of febrile patients younger than 18 years with diagnosis of intestinal failure requiring a central venous catheter for home parenteral nutrition to identify factors associated with normal blood cultures to identify a low-risk subset.

Results: Of 119 encounters, 46% had a bloodstream infection.

Lemierre Syndrome Presenting as Acute Mastoiditis in a 2-Year-Old Girl with Congenital Dwarfism.

Lemierre syndrome is defined by septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein caused by Fusobacterium. Historically, these infections originate from the oropharynx and typically are seen in older children, adolescents and young adults. More recently, otogenic sources in younger children have been described with increasing frequency.

Severe complications in influenza-like illnesses.

Objective: Data on complications from upper respiratory infection are limited. We examined development of severe complications in children presenting to the emergency department (ED) for moderate to severe influenza-like illness (ILI).

Methods: Prospective cohort study of children 0 to 19 years presenting to a tertiary care children's hospital ED during peak respiratory viral seasons from 2008 to 2010.

Canadian Acute Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale (CARIFS) for clinical detection of influenza in children.

Background: Validated clinical scales, such as the Canadian Acute Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale (CARIFS), have not been used to differentiate influenza (FLU) from other respiratory viruses.

Methods: Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort presenting to the emergency department (ED) with an influenza-like infection from 2008 to 2010. Subjects were children aged 0 to 19 years who had a venipuncture and respiratory virus polymerase chain reaction.